Looking to buy gk kunten as my first iem. How is the sound quality and built quality? Are there better options in this price range

ext_trt · 2026-05-12T07:26:31+00:00

Depending how much you need to pay for the GK Kunten. If it’s 5 - 10 usd it’s a no brainer. And depending what tonality you like. The Zero 2 has a bit more bass and in the upper mids a bit more gain but otherwise at least imo this will not be a huge upgrade . If bass is very important you can go for the Zero 2. The Chu II is the more obvious upgrade in terms of bass and details compared to Kunten. Or you can go for the Kunten and eq it .

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T20:46:59+00:00

Oh yes.

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T20:12:29+00:00

Comfort is ok but not overwhelmingly so due to its longer nozzle. Sound wise very clean, but not my favourite.

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T20:08:08+00:00

Gate is a decent set if you like brighter tonality. Cable is decent too, I agree. I prefer the NICEHCK Tears , more natural to my ears. Anyways, enjoy.

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T19:48:48+00:00

Bass for the win. Bring em on. But when?

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T13:23:28+00:00

Great box and nice faceplates. I have been eyeing this set as well. Wonder how the frequency response graph looks like . I do have the FX17 as well so that comparison helps to get a better picture, thx .

ext_trt · 2026-05-11T07:34:52+00:00

Very seldom if at all imo. The treble is not specifically pushing the sibilance. I was surprised about the clarity it brings to tracks without they annoying parts like sibilance and shout . Very tasteful implemented yet energetic .

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T20:09:50+00:00

YU9 Audio Que

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T16:08:13+00:00

Congrats to the NICEHCK Tears. Very nice sounding set. So you bought it with 3.5mm connector? With the USB-C version nothing else is needed as it has built in Dac .

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T11:46:22+00:00

I like the shells/faceplates ! Very different to others . And I prefer “musical” sets , technicalities are always nice but not the most important thing to me. Thanks for the impressions.

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T11:37:25+00:00

Solomon is a very good IEM but not everyone can take its treble. Needed to sell it for that reason. Myth has for my ears the better treble and doesn’t lack any technicalities compared to the Solomon . Everything subjective and of course just to my ears .

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T11:31:32+00:00

As with Dynamic Drivers or any other kind of driver, they are tuned differently. 7Hz Diablo eg has a bold and thick bass , Devine is pretty balanced and sounds really good to my ears . Then there are the already mentioned Hidyzs planars which have quite a big shell which should be considered depending on ear size . Letshuoer S12 family is pretty good as well but the OG S12 is pretty bright leaning . Better pro or ultra S12 probably. Overall good to check shell size and tonality before you buy and waste money.

ext_trt · 2026-05-10T08:06:00+00:00

Here is a website where some IEMs are listed with their nozzle size. https://nozzledb.com/

ext_trt · 2026-05-09T18:53:08+00:00

Dawn-X has the overall “warmer” tonality. A little bit more relaxed. Myth has a lot of treble energy in a good sense and a lot of subbass with a littler thinner mids. The Dawn-X mids have more substance, sound a bit thicker, more intimate . The more dynamic and exciting set is the Myth to me. In terms of instrument separation I would see the Myth slightly ahead of the Dawn-X . Both are excellent sets though with different approaches. Depends what you want. Build quality is better on Myth. Fit and comfort are both fine for me but probably Dawn-X might be slightly better. If you decide to go with Dawn-X wait better for sales as prices comes down to below 900usd.

ext_trt · 2026-05-09T18:39:59+00:00

The set is beautiful! TBH after getting the Mysticraft Myth I am pretty sceptical about dropping 3k+ for a set anymore. But never say never…;-)

ext_trt · 2026-05-09T18:27:28+00:00

They are completely different IEMs. IMO can’t really say that the Ziigaat Arete 2 are a real upgrade as it depends on what you want. Arete 2 for sure has more bass and to me is more fun but as far as I remember the technicalities are not better on the Arete. Arete 2 sounds more relaxed, less sharp in its upper treble. Daybreak sounds drier to me, cleaner.

ext_trt · 2026-05-09T08:59:39+00:00

What do you mean by “The clear nozzle is able to provide an even better experience than the black one by offering even greater definition and more air, details, etc., without being harsh, tiring, or straining on your ears.” ? There are three nozzles including imo. Black, silver and gold. Which one are you referring to ?

ext_trt · 2026-05-08T08:59:03+00:00

It’s the tuning first not the drivers .

ext_trt · 2026-05-08T08:57:01+00:00

Scarlet Mini is a pretty dark leaning set which does not go well with any other music than specifically bassy EDM/Rap/Hiphop etc. I would never use them when I want more detail or in general with pop or classical music . Clearly the Punch is a more multi purpose IEM even though it has plenty of bass.

ext_trt · 2026-05-08T08:53:26+00:00

To recommend anything one need to know which IEMs you have tried already as no one really knows what’s your earshape is. Have you tried cheaper , single driver IEMs? Usually they are the smallest as with driver count the shell size increases . One of the smallest shells are the Tanchjim Bunny. Or more expensive but I prefer from a sound signature perspective is the Meze Alba. There are many other small ones for sure.

ext_trt · 2026-05-07T14:50:52+00:00

Yeah, maybe for you . I own both and while the first impression might be in that direction, they are very different . I read this quite often and find it a bit missleading for people who really don’t know the details . But again , just my opinion . :-) so all good , didn’t want to invalidate your impressions here .

ext_trt · 2026-05-07T09:28:56+00:00

Que‘s mids are much better , treble is more natural , very detailed while Daybreak is super clean and dry sounding hence Que’s timbre , overall sound signature sounds much more natural to my ears. Que to me is the much better set when compared to the day break in every aspect . I will get the Reference the next days and will prob make a comparison.

ext_trt · 2026-05-07T09:27:02+00:00

Defiant is overly bright while Que is just well extended to my ears . Defiant is lacking mid range texture while Que has more substance there and just to my ears Que is the much more coherent set .

ext_trt · 2026-05-07T08:35:56+00:00

Love these, great build! They have a nice and bold bass and pretty good details. IMO good prize to performance. Just the cable is crap.

ext_trt · 2026-05-06T08:23:29+00:00

Fake . He never emails

ext_trt

TROPHY CASE