Quark DSP just wipes the floor with all those. No need to spend more than Etys to hugely improve upon them.

So over the last week, I've been testing some of the more popular budget chifi IEMs. The full list is:

KZ ZSN

KZ ZSN PRO X

KZ DQ6

KZ x HBB DQ6S

KZ PR1

KZ ZEX

BLON BL03

Moondrop Chu

Moondrop Aria

Kiwi Ears Cadenza

CCA CRA+

CCA PLA13

And I already had:

Salnotes 7Hz Zero

TRN V90

Shure SE215

Etymotic ER2XR

I'm still organizing my thoughts on all of them, and will be happy to comment on particular comparisons, though I'm not sure how deep I'd like to dive on each one.

I listened to each pair of IEMs on both my computer audio setup, with a Presonus VSL22 DAC, Xduoo TA-26 Class A tube preamp, and Schiit Magni 3+ Headphone amp. My sources were Tidal, Spotify Premium, and my own library of CD's ripped to FLAC. I also used my Pixel 6 with Apple dongle.

For EQ, I used Peace APO. I used the same pair of medium Spinfit tips on all IEMs, except the SE215 and ER2XR, which don't fit.

Ultimately, 75% of the IEMs I tried were either not an improvement from 7Hz Zero's, technically. From unfixable bass boosts on the BLON, CRA+, and to an extent, the DQ6.

The ones I did like were the Kiwi Ears Cadenzas, CCA PLA13, and KZ PR1. All three easily beat my 7hz Zero's.

If I could trade my Zero's for Cadenzas, I would personally be perfectly satisfied with that as a best under 70$ option.

For twice the price of the Cadenzas, the CCA PLA13's were the only IEM's to truly surprise me. Out of the box, they are tuned nicely, aside from some high treble that, while being very forward, somehow doesn't sound as offensive as it should.

The KZ PR1's were very very similar to the PLA13's, and it took a few hours of listening to each before I decided that the slight differences in things like soundstage (points to PR1) or detail (points to PLA13), were minimal enough that I didn't find a preference for one over the other, and furthermore, with how both respond to EQ, they can perform closely enough that you're not missing anything by choosing one over the other.

Aside from their more V-shaped fun tuning though, neither planar IEM was as good as my Etymotic ER2XR.

My next goal is to compare some higher end IEMs, with the goal of upgrading from the Ety's.

From Amazon Australia

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Moondrop and QC issues?

I sold the HE-1000V2s because I found the HD800SDR to sound better.

That's why in the review I have described the shape as a bit sharp on the edges. I can understand that those with smaller ears could find some pressure points here and there.

Regarding the tuning, well, I also like these a lot. I do think those who have a pair of Chu and want a true upgrade, should really consider these. The price difference is really worth it.

Name more iconic duo

Hifiman and QC issues.

The only complaint I have is that I wish they rounded the body of the iem a little more. Shorter ear tips make it sit on a fold in my ear that created a pressure point over time. The tuning in these with just a little more mid bass would be the perfect tuning but even as it stands now in my limited time in this hobby and having tried both versions of the Blessing 2, timeless, s12, Aria, chu, and TE Zero, this is my favorite tuning I've come across so far.

Have any recommendations? Looking at my options on replacements for the sundaras.

EU version. But volume has never been an issue.

EU version. Have not even come close to maxing out volume with iems. When using it with UAPP app you can unlock the full volume range but I have never found it necessary.

Which sennheiser sounds like HE-1000Se? I like Hifiman, but all the QC issues worry me.

From Europe or? I read somewhere that the EU dongles from apple have less power

truer things were never said

Muse hifi dongle

I think HiFiMan products are pretty interesting. Crazy price points for performance. Having trialed a lot of their products, I woudn't mind owning one, but they have got to get their QC under control.

Moondrop and HiFiMan smh.

I'd far rather save my money and get a more reliable product.

Yeah its unfortunate because they sound really nice, but after I refund them I don't see myself ever buying from the company again.

I don't have these type of problems with Sennheiser.

Guess the easy fix is out the window then. Reading about all these hifiman issues have kept me from buying even the 400se(which is constantly on sale for pretty cheap in my country).

Sorry I guess I should have added this in the post, it is strictly the right side of the headphones themselves, even swapping L/R doesn't fix the issue. Also wanted to note that I'm not using the stock cables.

Is it the cable or the connector bit on the headphone that's the issue? You can try diagnosing by swapping the left and right channel ends of the cable and see if that fixes the problem on the right side. If it is the cable then getting a replacement aftermarket cable for cheap shouldn't be hard depending on where you live.

Hello friend! A friend of mine has bought these to have a sort of Aria sidegrade but in a neutral way. He says that he likes the neutrality and improved imaging too, so I guess it's a good news.

They are overall "lean" in the good sense of the word, meaning that their neutrality is reached with no issues and they are enjoyable. Sure not the most dynamic and fun earphone out there, but as you said there are other options for that in the market.

I tried them with bass boost and love the added punch, but I gotta say that I like them just as they are too (and I am a sub-bass and bass lover so...)

I just got these, as someone deeply suspicious of wider-nozzle IEMs... and they are exceptionally comfortable right now, to the point where I may end up selling the rest of my small collection. They are more to my taste than the Aria at the same price, due to the improved imaging.

They aren't anywhere near as "fun" as the S12 or Timeless, but a moderate bass boost could really make these sing.