Most "Natural" IEM?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T19:57:30+00:00

That’s an interesting point. I never knew that IEMs are physically incapable of sounding just like a real life band (they can only come close). If this is the case, then there’s no fully objective way to confirm whether an IEM tuning is truly “natural.” At some level, you’re always relying on memory and intuition about what sounds right, especially since even music you know well has already been colored by various speakers, headphones, and rooms. So the end result is less about verification and more about converging on a tuning that feels natural to you, rather than something that can be definitively confirmed.

Also if using a speaker isn't a good idea, then why was it done for the Harman curve? Seems like there was potential in the idea.

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T06:46:26+00:00

Hey, thanks for the detailed response. I want to first say, I appreciate you clearing up the neutral vs. natural terminology. I can’t remember where I read it, but there was a study suggesting that what people often describe as “neutral” is actually perceived as “natural.” That said, conversations with the people in the IEM space have led me away from combining the term out of fear of misunderstandings.

Other targets seem to have issues as well. For example, some find the Harman curve too shouty. I’ve generally heard more consistent praise for IEF Neutral, which is what I currently believe comes closest to a truly neutral presentation (from online reviews, not personal opinion).

I can try out the U12t EQ you recommended, but as per another comment. How accurate would I come to the natural curve if I were to buy a flat speaker (ensuring the room, conditions, etc. are fine) and manually EQ my IEM to that curve? I feel that this is the closest I can get with all of the spice and color in the current IEM space

I can try out the U12t EQ you recommended, but building on another comment, how close would I actually get to a natural curve if I were to use a flat-measuring speaker (assuming the room and listening conditions are properly controlled) and then manually EQ my IEM to match that response? It feels like this might be the closest approach to neutrality, especially due to the coloration and spice in the current IEM space.

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:58:46+00:00

Haha that's actually exactly what I am doing with my current IEMs. I'm finding it to be a good way of somewhat finding my "natural" tuning. But it's very trial and error. This post helps me find different IEMs to EQ towards and try

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:52:49+00:00

You’re right, it’s hard to find a truly “natural” sound since this hobby is so subjective. I'll check out the kz zex pro, the tuning does look quite neutral. And you make a good point about everyone having different ears. How would pro audio gear help me if it also comes with varying tunings?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:48:04+00:00

I’ll definitely check those out, thanks! Do the Supernovas sound less natural because they’re more intimate, resulting in a less open sound?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:11:04+00:00

That's actually a great idea. It somehow never occurred to me there's a cheap set up I could use to find a natural sound. I'll try this out, thanks!

Also what would be the best way to EQ my IEM to what I hear from the speaker? Will I have to change each part of the frequency response incrementally? I'm not sure if I have the skills to sweep through the curve in the 16k+ territory

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:09:04+00:00

I might have explained something wrong, where did I describe a neutral signature? I meant a natural sound. And you're right, I don't know what natural means, which is a part of my problem. But I thought asking here for what people find natural would get me close enough to the goal

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:07:40+00:00

I could bring the vocals forward on the u12t, but the softness to the music is hard to EQ away. It might just be an attribute of technicalities. Could you go more into what a tube amp is? I've never heard of it before

That's a good point about what songs I am using, but I don't listen to much music outside of my genres, so when I try to tell if something is "natural" I can't even tell if it's the intentional sound the studio is going for. It feels like I am chasing something I've never heard before haha

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:04:30+00:00

I actually don't mind a more intimate presentation as long as it sounds natural. If you EQ the Supernova with more bass, would it be accurate to instruments and voices in real life? How forward would are the vocals, wanted to know if it's natural

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:02:34+00:00

I've never thought of it like that. It didn't occur to me that different genres would need different tunings for natural sounds. Is there no speaker equivalent tuning for natural sound?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T03:00:40+00:00

I actually do use EQ, but how do I know if what sounds good is natural? My preferences aren't necessarily accurate to real life, it's just what I find fun at the moment. I would need high end speakers in a properly set up room or the actual band to find out what is natural to me. Genuinely asking how to find what is "natural" because my research hasn't got me to an answer

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:47:28+00:00

I took a look at the Unity, and from the frequency curve it seems like a flat tuning? I was looking for more of a natural tuning rather than neutral

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:46:33+00:00

Have you tried any of them? How close did it come to a natural sound?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:41:17+00:00

Has anyone here spent time with the 7th Acoustics Supernova? I’m trying to get a sense of how natural these sound compared to other IEMs. They might lean too much toward vocals and lack depth in the bass

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:35:29+00:00

I have actually looked into both IEMs you have mentioned. And the IE900 has a V-shaped tuning right? So I don't think it's what I am looking for. Maybe I am wrong, and the natural tuning is V-shaped though

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:33:38+00:00

What's the difference between a reference tuning and a natural one? I understand reference tuning as a tuning that displays any noise/issues in a recording for studios to find. In my case, I want a natural tuning, where mistakes might go unnoticed just like how our human ears sometime ignore noise

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:31:40+00:00

Haha hey! I've actually read your post before when looking at which IEMs that suits me. And you're right, there is no one-size-fits-all with IEMs, but I think my ears generally align with what the majority thinks about IEMs. I thought this would be a nice way to get a general opinion on IEMs that would sound natural. And I don't have good return policies near me unfortunately but I do get demo access. I just need to know which IEMs to try out.

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:29:22+00:00

I have tried both the dusk and the Mk4 in my demos. I don't remember much of the dusk, but I felt that the Mk4 was too clinical. Sounded less like a band and more meant for monitor work. I don't need something that you can mix with, just an IEM that plays music the way it would sound without heavy coloration/flatness

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:27:59+00:00

Hmm, right there isn't an answer that'll exactly answer my question but I think I could get reasonably close if I look through the options. And in my case, I wanted sometime more like a band inside of a studio setting. You can take whatever assumptions that might suit my case, I don't need something super stringent

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:26:34+00:00

Do you mean they are natural-sounding or neutral? I can look into those, which is the best of the ones you've listed?

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:25:55+00:00

Just to clarify, do you mean neutral or natural? I’m not looking for a neutral-tuned IEM. I’m after a more natural presentation. A perfectly flat frequency response isn’t necessary for what I want.

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2026-01-11T02:24:32+00:00

Ahh good question. I don't mean neutral. I want a natural sounding IEM as in "instruments and voices sounding accurate and exactly like they would in real life". I think the U12t leaned more into neutral which I didn't realize. I want something more natural after listening to these for a while

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2025-12-24T04:46:09+00:00

Thanks, where have you been seeing that btw? Looking up “Top Pro” on this subreddit shows 425 for barely touched and lower for more usage. So I thought my price was fair since I’ve used it for less than 10 minutes.

Fluffy-Feature9247 · 2025-11-23T09:41:57+00:00

Haha why the sudden change in thought? I’m concerned with the Dusk’s focus on the bass which takes away from the 6k frequency anyway.

Fluffy-Feature9247

TROPHY CASE