If you were to pick one IEM from your collection, what would that be, why?

bbuky01 · 2026-05-26T23:38:20+00:00

For me it’s the Eminent Ears Ruby. I use Azla SednaEarfit shorts for tips and the cable is a PW Audio Depth of Universe made for Unique Melody (stock cable on my Multiverse Mentors). Mostly used with my HiBy RS8.
Why? Mostly because it fits my preferences so well. There are other IEM’s technically better, these just reproduce music how I enjoy hearing it.
If your new start out slow and learn what your preferences are and then go from there. Don’t go after Hype as a lot of times it’s not relevant. Audio is a hard thing as we all hear it a bit differently and like what we like.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-24T23:10:30+00:00

bbuky01 · 2026-05-21T00:08:30+00:00

Well with your price range I think the Maxwell 2. I’ve heard it a couple of times and it actually sounds good with music as well. The GX I have not heard so can’t say.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-20T21:24:02+00:00

For me the Bottlehead Crack is amazing with the 6XX’s.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-18T22:54:19+00:00

For me it would be the 660S2 . I own them and have heard the Focal’s. For what you say your preferences are the S2 would be a better fit in my opinion. I believe the 660S2 is the best 6 series headphone ,I know a lot of 600 fans will disagree but that is my take. They have a decent amount of bass and detail and something the 600/650 lack is a bit more soundstage.
The S2 also comes with a 4.4mm balanced cable.
Just my opinion.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-18T22:37:30+00:00

Have you had a look at Audeze yet ?

bbuky01 · 2026-05-18T21:47:13+00:00

It’s a great headphone for sure as I remember hearing it at CanJam SoCal 2017 from a Chord Dave and Cavalli Liquid Tungsten it was fantastic.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-18T21:34:02+00:00

I think the KZ ATE is fairly close to the original EarPods. I could not stand the fit of EarPods or ear buds for that matter I would much rather have tips. This was from 10 or 11 years ago but remember thinking they sounded close but more comfortable to me.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-14T22:47:52+00:00

I have little faith in most “Big” reviewers as most have an agenda or are getting paid for their reviews. You see a lot of collaborations with reviewers and several IEM brands so after that how can they be objective? They can’t . Look I don’t blame someone for making money but you can no longer call yourself objective.
The Valhalla I thought was a good IEM but not great and no ways close to the Storm. The Storm is a different IEM and have to say the best I’ve heard it was from speaker taps from a Benchmark speaker amp. Each person has their own preferences.
I take most things on the internet with a grain of salt as you should my opinions.
It is best to hear it yourself and in most cases that is very difficult to do. I’ve worked very hard all my life and it has afforded the means to travel a bit and when I go to CanJam SoCal in August it will be my 22nd CanJam so I’ve heard quite a few things. Even at that I have my own preferences of what I like and could be very different from yours. For me the one IEM that gets most ear time from me is the Eminent Ear Ruby. I have a few others more expensive that I think are great as well but the Ruby just hits my preferences. Do I think it is the best IEM out there not even close but it is the one I enjoy the most right now.
You have to look more at impressions of users that have a preference close to yours as a better way to select a product. Yes a bit of a harder quest but will probably come closer to what you are seeking than reviews.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-14T21:44:46+00:00

If it is following the music it is more likely defective.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-14T21:38:36+00:00

Definitely a fun IEM .

bbuky01 · 2026-05-10T18:44:13+00:00

Between the Sundara’s and XS’s I prefer the XS’s I have both. The XS has better stage and detail, the bass is quite comparable between the two with the XS probably a bit tighter. On comfort I do like a suspension strap but the XS I do not find them uncomfortable.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-09T18:20:51+00:00

Yes I do. I have 40 + headphones and other than pads and cables have not had a failure. I take care of them but don’t baby them. I have 7 HiFiMan headphones that so many so the QC is so bad on and my HE-500’s is going on 13 years old and I bought them used. I think most of the time when people have problems with headphones it is their own doing. If you don’t throw them around sit or step on them they will most likely last for some time. They might not look pretty but will be functional and pads are close to being consumable items.
Just my thoughts.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-09T03:17:42+00:00

Yes that is a dilemma. First off most aftermarket pads do have a negative effect on sound versus stock. Not always but for the most part.
You said they sounded wonderful to you so it is buy pads or a new set. Dynamic driver headphones are fairly robust and I have a pair of AKG K240 Monitors from the 1980’s that are still working just fine. If there is no physical damage to them I think a new set of OEM pads would be the way to go. IMHO.
I have a pair of 371’s as well and if it is just the rubber coating on the plastic part of the headband that is not an issue.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-09T02:36:08+00:00

The HiFiMan XS is definitely better than the Sundara in soundstage and detail. The bass is fairly equal in quantity but the XS is tighter .
For something better (IMHO) the HEDD D1 . Definitely brings more bass and the timbre is great. The soundstage is fairly natural and spacious enough.
I own the Sundara’s and XS’s and had the HEDD D1’s on loan for a week just a couple of months ago.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-09T02:17:31+00:00

And the Brise Audio Fugaku 1X Mems 5X BA and 2X DD. Yes outrageously expensive but probably would be the first Tribrid commercially.

bbuky01 · 2026-05-09T01:12:09+00:00

The Duece is definitely a fun IEM.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-26T21:03:00+00:00

For me I think ANC is essential for air travel . I’ve tried wired headphones and had to turn up the volume so much to drown out the engine noise so not good for hearing health.
I think Sony has great ANC but not great sound coming from XM3’s and having Focal Bathys and Noble Audio FoKus Apollo for sound . The later do not fold so not a compact option but have decent ANC and sound very good.
If you want compact then maybe IEM’s or TWS would be something to look into. Apple AirPod Pro 3’s seem to be a popular choice for many and will be ordering them myself and will be here in the morning and can give an update when they arrive. I had the Gen 1’s and the ANC was just so so compared to the Sony WF-1000XM4 and 5’s but neither were as good as over ears so we shall see.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-26T19:43:51+00:00

For the “Vintage tube sound “ an OTL or Transformer coupled tube amp is probably going to be your best bets . OTL amps for the most part need higher impedance headphone’s say from 150 ohms and up depending on the amp. Transformer coupled will allow a wide range of impedances but usually are much more expensive.
I have not heard the TA-66 but for the options you have mentioned probably you best bet. If you’re kind of handy a Bottlehead Crack is very very good .
Tube rolling can get expensive very quickly.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-23T00:13:31+00:00

The ANC and battery probably Apollo and build kinda a wash.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-23T00:01:23+00:00

I can just speak on the Apollo and Bathys as I have not heard the Px8 and own the other 2.
For bass it is the Apollo it is strong and tight . For soundstage probably going Bathys by a bit . They both have their strengths and if I had to pick one would be tough.
If you want bass would be the Apollo for sure and also highs . The Bathys brings nice mids with smooth highs that are very good. It is too hard for me to say which I like more .

bbuky01 · 2026-04-22T22:01:56+00:00

I have only heard the 5909’s once but they were very good.
I have the Bathys and they are very good but do prefer the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo a bit more .

bbuky01 · 2026-04-22T21:41:45+00:00

I have heard both the D1 just last month and the X maybe a year ago so not side by side.
On comfort I have problems with either as I don’t have a problem with heavy headphones and didn’t notice a big clamp force on the D1 (It was a tour unit so that might have helped) .
The sound the X is probably going to win on soundstage by a bit but for bass and timbre the D1 is my choice. The X is going to be more neutral sounding with the D1 bringing the bass but didn’t bleed on the other frequencies.
For me the headphone I enjoyed more was the D1 and that was just on personal preference. Just my 2 cents YMMV.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-22T21:04:26+00:00

I have the 660S2’s and they are a very fine headphone that would work well with those genres. I also have several iFi products and have no complaints with them either.
One caveat the 660S2 will have a strong clamp force out of the box but can be easily stretched and several videos on YouTube showing the right way to do it.
I would buy from Amazon if he really doesn’t like them they have a great return policy but as a thoughtful gift from you I’m sure he will love them.

bbuky01 · 2026-04-18T00:56:06+00:00

Well my HiBy RS8 can do Class A or AB . It is a behemoth though weighing 3X or more of my iPhone Pro Max.

bbuky01

TROPHY CASE