The complete IEM discussions thread

Fulcrum29

Fulcrum29

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For all the IEM nerds, having had enough hearing about headphones and that thing called a gaming headset, let's discuss IEMs.
 
I am curious, I hardly ever see IEMs being talked about on Mybroadband. Maybe I am missing a thread or two, but I am interested in what your go-to IEM is, and what you are using to 'power' them.
 
I've got a pair of KZ EDX Pros that I use for my Rog Ally, not to bad a sound, works really well for gaming.
Pair of KZ EDC that I use on my tablet when the bluetooth batteries die then a pair of QKZ AK6 that I got for my laptop, those are probably the flattest of the three.
 
For the budget people, some simple advice. Sourced locally:

Buy a JCALLY JM12, and since the hardware is the same as the FiiO (Jade Audio) JA11 you can simply go through these steps,

fiiosupport.freshdesk.com

How to upgrade the firmware for the JA11？

Local upgrade： Note: Before upgrading the firmware for JA11, it is recommended to unplug other decoders from the USB interface on the computer to avoid firmware upgrade failure! 1. Please use a Windows 10/11 computer and install the lates...
fiiosupport.freshdesk.com fiiosupport.freshdesk.com

and turn it into a JA11. That will enable you with the FiiO app. I see the JM12 has since rise in price here, and the JA11 can also be obtained here. Not sure, but I think that there is about R100 between the two.

Otherwise, get a JCALLY JM6/7 PRO, or splurge some more on a JCALLY JM20 PRO/MAX or a FiiO KA11.

From that point on, you are in Chi-Fi heaven. I personally don't own any wired IEM priced more than $50. I am not an audiophile. The three that I like the most are the Moondrop CHU II, Linsoul Audio 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2, and KZ ZS10 Pro 2. The Vader Pro is also nice. As much as I wanted to look into something like the ZN AM16 it is too big. The Castor, Duonic, and Vader are already too big. I am not a small person, but I don't have big ears.

The two places I shop at are Amazon (.com) and AliExpress, and I mostly always buy via the Linsoul sub-stores.
 
Last edited:
Lupus said:
I've got a pair of KZ EDX Pros that I use for my Rog Ally, not to bad a sound, works really well for gaming.
Pair of KZ EDC that I use on my tablet when the bluetooth batteries die then a pair of QKZ AK6 that I got for my laptop, those are probably the flattest of the three.
Click to expand...

Do you use them without a DAC, I mean do you use them with an external DAC or the on-board DAC?
 
Lupus said:
No DAC, which is probably why the QKZ are flat :)
Click to expand...

I have never given QKZ in-ears a listen. Our market is dominated by KZ/CCA. I cry everytime when I see how much IEMs cost in SA. The best money I spent on in-ears was the Linsoul Audio 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2. Amazon imported. A bit on the bass side, but it doesn't become tiresome. For a bit more soundstage, but less bass (sometimes missing), it is worth spending some dosh on the KZ ZS10 Pro 2.

The pair I wear when out and about is the KZ DQS. Anything worth more than that is a risk too high to accept, lol. I also have a CCA CRA, but meh. The sweetspot is the Zero:2 and Moondrop CHU II (albeit overpriced here).

I had a try out with the ZN AM16, and though the separation is good, I won't be able to keep them in my ears. I wish we had more brands distributed by Linsoul. Would have loved to test TRUTHEAR in-ears.

A dedicated, external, DAC helps though. Though I wouldn't recommend running a KA11/JM20 on a handheld lol, it will impact the battery time. I don't know how people run those on their mobiles...

Added: Outside I do need an IEM that is a bit open. I still need to hear what is going on around me. I don't like one hanging or not plugged in all the way.
 
Just using cheapies KZ Pro's, but still wired into my Boss GX-10. Would like to go wireless and get custom moulds.

Check this out on takealot: KZ ZSN Pro - Magnetic + BA - In-Ear Monitors with Case - No Mic - Blue

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com


Thinking of getting something like this:
bothners.co.za

NUX B-7PSM Wireless In-ear Monitoring System - 5.8GHz

Stereo Wireless Personal IEM System with Auto-matching, Charging Case, 1/4" Adapter, and 100' range - 5.8GHz
bothners.co.za bothners.co.za

And something similar for my guitar
 
I have a set of Bluetooth 1More triple drivers and a Moondrop May (usb-c dac cable) and a Sony WF-1000XM3 set, if that counts.

Haven't used the 1More's or Sony in a long time. I bought the Moondrop last November. I use it every now and then, mostly for consuming content on my tablet or phone.

My hearing is too damaged and I'm to poor to be an audiophile anyway.
 
RedViking said:
Just using cheapies KZ Pro's, but still wired. Would like to go wireless and get custom moulds.

Check this out on takealot: KZ ZSN Pro - Magnetic + BA - In-Ear Monitors with Case - No Mic - Blue

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Click to expand...

It is not worth getting a mic, unless you go with the Type-C DAC options. On the budget end, the cables with mics that are included with IEMs do have a hiss.

Is a custom mould worth it??? Just get a small IEM like the Moondrop CHU II. The CHU II is so light that you don't even know about them.

I do have a KZ ZSN Pro 2, not bad, though I would argue it being a bit overpriced within its category. I won't know whether the original Pro is better than the new one. Unless you are a basshead, once you get a KZ ZS10, everything below it becomes questionable. It is a human thing, some people don't like the KZ ZS10 at all, and the audiophiles tend to get riled up by KZ (and its sub-brands). Their Pisces is not bad. For movies I use the Vader Pro, and I love the Duonic, but both are too big.

Budget IEMs, made since 2022, have become incredibly good. KZ still has some older models on the market.

EDIT: Ah, so you get the case with them, that explains the price.
 
SykomantiS said:
I have a set of Bluetooth 1More triple drivers and a Moondrop May (usb-c dac cable) and a Sony WF-1000XM3 set, if that counts.

Haven't used the 1More's or Sony in a long time. I bought the Moondrop last November. I use it every now and then, mostly for consuming content on my tablet or phone.

My hearing is too damaged and I'm to poor to be an audiophile anyway.
Click to expand...

Those are damn nice in-ears though.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
It is not worth getting a mic, unless you go with the Type-C DAC options. On the budget end, the cables with mics that are included with IEMs do have a hiss.

Is a custom mould worth it??? Just get a small IEM like the Moondrop CHU II. The CHU II is so light that you don't even know about them.

I do have a KZ ZSN Pro 2, not bad, though I would argue it being a bit overpriced within its category. I won't know whether the original Pro is better than the new one. Unless you are a basshead, once you get a KZ ZS10, everything below it becomes questionable. It is a human thing, some people don't like the KZ ZS10 at all, and the audiophiles tend to get riled up by KZ (and its sub-brands). Their Pisces is not bad. For movies I use the Vader Pro, and I love the Duonic, but both are too big.

Budget IEMs, made since 2022, have become incredibly good. KZ still has some older models on the market.

EDIT: Ah, so you get the case with them, that explains the price.
Click to expand...
Have no need for a mic.
 
RedViking said:
Have no need for a mic.
Click to expand...

This is why I have a Soundcore R50i. I will never use my phone as a Walkman™. Really, the mics on Chi-Fi in-ears are a gimmick that gets in the way. Yes, there are the DAC options, the 'typec' cables, but then you also spoil the sound unless the in-ear is designed around the DAC's DSP.
 
Crinacle does have a tier list, well, it is his tier list, and it is important to know that he is well within audiophile cloud territory. The link below is what he has tested ranked according to price.

list.hangout.audio

Crinacle's Ultimate IEM List

If it's not on the list, it doesn't exist. The ultimate compendium of every (relevant) in-ear monitor on the planet.
list.hangout.audio list.hangout.audio
 
Fulcrum29 said:
I have never given QKZ in-ears a listen. Our market is dominated by KZ/CCA. I cry everytime when I see how much IEMs cost in SA. The best money I spent on in-ears was the Linsoul Audio 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2. Amazon imported. A bit on the bass side, but it doesn't become tiresome. For a bit more soundstage, but less bass (sometimes missing), it is worth spending some dosh on the KZ ZS10 Pro 2.

The pair I wear when out and about is the KZ DQS. Anything worth more than that is a risk too high to accept, lol. I also have a CCA CRA, but meh. The sweetspot is the Zero:2 and Moondrop CHU II (albeit overpriced here).

I had a try out with the ZN AM16, and though the separation is good, I won't be able to keep them in my ears. I wish we had more brands distributed by Linsoul. Would have loved to test TRUTHEAR in-ears.

A dedicated, external, DAC helps though. Though I wouldn't recommend running a KA11/JM20 on a handheld lol, it will impact the battery time. I don't know how people run those on their mobiles...

Added: Outside I do need an IEM that is a bit open. I still need to hear what is going on around me. I don't like one hanging or not plugged in all the way.
Click to expand...
The qkz were cheap on temu, but did come with a case, the KZs didnt but those you can disconnect the buds from the cable. The QKZ also had plastic ear strips.
I mean for R60 they are really good.
 
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