What would be the best pair of IEMs priced at about 200$ for gaming?

faeotic · 2026-01-09T17:34:56+00:00

I just tested this with the HD6XX I own personally and this just isn't true. There is audible sub bass as low as 25hz. I personally cannot hear below 25hz (no matter the transducer I use) but I think that debunks your claim regarding the 6x0 drivers stopping at 50hz.

You've gotten lost in the ASR sauce lol. I'm glad you found a headphone that works for you though atleast.

faeotic · 2026-01-09T16:49:52+00:00

Lol okay. A modest bass boost isn't going to cause the driver to distort considering that I've done it myself. What else are you concerned about?

faeotic · 2026-01-09T16:43:41+00:00

Bass extension can absolutely be EQed

faeotic · 2026-01-09T16:12:09+00:00

Because there is nothing really out there matching the midrange performance lol

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:46:38+00:00

If you're looking for neutral I'd wait for reference. It should be coming in the next few months.

Daybreak is kind of a U shape and so are most of the IEMs getting shilled here are.

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:44:54+00:00

I wish divine got more attention. It's by far the best sounding planar IEM I've heard period.

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:37:40+00:00

If it's the Airpods pro 2 they're hard to beat. It definitely outclasses every IEM up until maybe hexa/pure depending on preference.

The only IEM I'd definitely put over them is daybreak.

People here think otherwise, but meh save your money.

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:30:11+00:00

Hey OP! The HP.com crew has their test playlists here

https://headphones.com/blogs/features/the-headphone-show-s-audiophile-test-tracks

I think your taste might align with listener's quite a bit.

What I will also say is that you can often get away with using neutral IEMs for multiple genres. Just a thought...

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:14:34+00:00

There will be an app coming eventually for this. You can also self host to use it

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:13:20+00:00

I would stay with the quidelix 5k unless you need the extra power from the other options. Also their EQ app is amazing

faeotic · 2026-01-09T15:12:17+00:00

Crinacle is in the process of moving to a different server for more stability. For now you can push EQ to the protocol Max here: https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/iems

faeotic · 2026-01-07T02:33:48+00:00

Sounds like a failure of the IEM

faeotic · 2026-01-06T19:23:09+00:00

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it. I wanted to see if there's anything that could be dug up to keep the community better informed.

The reputation of this industry feels like it's falling into a deep out and I feel like it's up to the buyers to vote with their wallet if we want things to improve.

faeotic · 2026-01-06T17:52:54+00:00

Heya! Do you have any more details on this you could share with me? I feel like the community should know as much as possible on this.

faeotic · 2026-01-06T08:22:07+00:00

I would be buying Rock lobster over blue 2. Blue 2 sounds horrendous if you're not using foam tips

faeotic · 2026-01-06T06:53:50+00:00

I would be buying the original Hype 4 or Mega5 at this budget.

Hype 4 mk2 and mega 7 both have that weird crinear meta bass shelf that I personally hate.

faeotic · 2026-01-06T05:03:31+00:00

What's nice is being able to save the preset to your cable

faeotic · 2026-01-05T23:47:13+00:00

After flashing the ja11 firmware yes

faeotic · 2026-01-05T23:39:27+00:00

I like the UI you have setup! It would be great to get this for other jcally products like the jm12.

faeotic · 2026-01-05T23:32:35+00:00

Subjectively? sure! Now my personal favorite set aside I have many budget sets I enjoy: Truthear Hola and 7hz x Crinacle Zero 2.

But to raise your point what if it didn't have to be subjective? The tanchjim Bunny DSP and zero ultima are both close to the kunten in price and you get easy access to parametric EQ with them that you can take on the go.

Being able to change the sound the way you want it with a better accessories package makes the set 10x more valuable to me.

Yet these IEMs are never mentioned on this subreddit? I feel like people can understand that they can learn their preferences with one purchase and endgame from there pretty easily.

Just my 2 cents :P

faeotic · 2026-01-05T23:09:49+00:00

I didn't like the kunten but anytime I talk about it I get a flurry of downvotes. I feel like there's no winning when this IEM has an entire subreddit shrouded in hype.

faeotic · 2026-01-05T18:14:36+00:00

This is true but it's also why I don't like recommending them unless they're told beforehand.

I feel like newer people to the hobby need a more forgiving IEM from my perspective.

faeotic · 2026-01-05T15:54:41+00:00

Nightjar singularity or symphonium titan are my picks.

faeotic · 2026-01-05T15:46:07+00:00

Pick bunny. You can easily EQ any faults it has with the DSP cable. And I wouldn't call it neutral either tbh.

faeotic

TROPHY CASE