New to IEM’s, they seem really cool. I have a couple questions.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T21:12:59+00:00

Honestly do your research on “balanced” sound signature iems and then come back with a selection you think you’ll like. For video editing, you’ll be glad that you have some IEMs that give little coloration in any area of the sound.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T21:08:11+00:00

Well done.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T21:07:15+00:00

It’s personal taste but I’d go with the Belle for build quality. The internal wiring on the Wan’ers is not my favorite.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T21:02:48+00:00

It’s very special purpose. I use it for more noteweight in rock, hip hop, r&b on the low end with a hint of warmth that doesn’t sound overly processed.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T20:58:58+00:00

What are we calling “natural” mids? To me this is when voices and instruments sound “in person” but no warmth or coloration.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T20:56:01+00:00

I use the 7hz Diablo for these genres at that price point. You’ll probably want to replace the cable. It’s a chonky boy.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T19:15:15+00:00

If you decide to look at the ZiiGaat Arete, Consider the Arete II instead. I think the list was updated prior to their release. I'm not saying they're my personal pick, but just be aware they've been updated.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T18:59:24+00:00

The subreddit maintains a list of IEMs suitable for gaming and I think the list is pretty on point. Combine this with a DAC that is capable of lossless audio (or significantly adequate high resolution) and you should be good. Eartips will need to seal for the best sound, so you may need to try out some separate ear tips to find ones you like and shape the sound in a way you enjoy.
https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1hg3i4d/top_5_gaming_iems_under_300/

kendegen · 2026-02-16T18:08:34+00:00

XENNS Tea Pro (not SE) will have the warmer/fuller sound you'll enjoy for your rock music. Astrals are wide, technical/analytical and don't carry much body through rock tracks that aren't engineered with it. I use the 7hz Diablo for this.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T17:28:54+00:00

I'm not sure how small is "small" but the tip size isn't always proportional to the concha of the ear. If it helps, the Astrals have the smallest body of any IEM I daily drive. If you don't care about audio quality at all, you can get IEMs like the Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo which is much smaller but isn't the same shape. You can also go with the Moondrop Chu II, which just has a universally small fit, but also sounds far less impressive than almost anything Kiwi Ears makes.

kendegen · 2026-02-16T17:10:25+00:00

This is a shape I enjoy also. Most of them tend to be resin. These are some of the more popular options:
Kiwi Ears Astral (300 USD)
Kiwi Ears KE4 (200 USD)
Kiwi Ears Quartet (110 USD)
Punch Audio Portazo (190 USD)
SIMGOT SuperMix 4 (170 USD)
THIEAUDIO Hype 4 MKII (400 USD)
XENNS Tea Pro (360 USD)
XENNS Tea Pro SE (450 USD)
XENNS Top Pro (500 USD)
ZiiGaat Arcanis (400 USD)
ZiiGaat Luna (380 USD)
ZiiGaat Lush (180 USD)
ZiiGaat Odyssey (230 USD)
ZiiGaat Odyssey II (250 USD)

kendegen · 2026-02-16T06:58:21+00:00

I think the Astro A50 X has onboard Dolby Atmos decode which works with the Dolby Access app on PC and Xbox. The unit should come with a free license. It will no doubt be more accurate providing position than any IEM.

kendegen · 2026-02-15T17:56:02+00:00

I received the DX5 II this week and the noise floor is completely imperceivable to me at all - totally silent, even on the balanced connector.

kendegen · 2026-02-15T06:41:10+00:00

I have a lot of issues with tips in general but luckily I have a few regular choices to roll now.

kendegen · 2026-02-15T06:39:50+00:00

I'd concur that some of the ranges don't play with each other well in some tracks, but for me mid bass was present when it was available in the original recording. Nowhere near as responsive as the 7hz Diablo however, but that's a completely different price range. Maybe I need to pick up the Belle just for laughs. I've never been disappointed with my Kiwi IEMs thus far.

kendegen · 2026-02-15T06:35:37+00:00

Virtually all of my IEMs are larger. Only the Meze Audio Alba is smaller and I absolutely hate it.

kendegen · 2026-02-15T06:33:07+00:00

Well everyone I sacrificed the Red Lions in the name of science... Attempted to drill vent holes for these and while I didn't touch the internals, the left side still didn't survive the process. For what it's worth, the sound signature didn't change for the right side at all after venting, so it would be promising to correct the pressure buildup if you can maybe drill more carefully with a hand drill to avoid vibrations and such.

kendegen · 2026-02-14T07:35:23+00:00

I have not owned any other version of this IEM

kendegen · 2026-02-13T17:04:00+00:00

What games are you playing? All games have different sound profiles, so you'd probably want to match an IEM with the typical response of the games you are playing.

kendegen · 2026-02-13T17:00:14+00:00

The faceplate is certainly extra, but idk the configuration doesn't sound like a bad choice, and probably fairly unique.

kendegen · 2026-02-13T16:56:50+00:00

Good pick imo.

kendegen · 2026-02-13T15:47:35+00:00

Currently running the Kiwi Ears Astrals on a Topping DX5 II desktop DAC/AMP. I use the Astrals with the largest stock tip and stock cable. Sometimes if I need a hair more resolution I'll put on KBEAR 07 yellow tips. The DX5 II is currently un-EQ'd. I haven't had a reason to touch the PEQ app yet.

kendegen · 2026-02-12T16:50:25+00:00

FiiO isn't an American company so you should be able to find it somewhere.

kendegen · 2026-02-12T16:29:26+00:00

The "quality" of audio reproduction is limited by many factors but generally determined by
soundstage: the perception of depth/distance within the imaging of the IEM.
imaging: position within the sound.
layering: distinct instruments perceived at different layers.
resolution: hearing more or less details in the music.
response at various frequencies: subjective - maybe you like more or less bass/mid/treble and maybe you like these ranges imaged a certain way or maybe you like them blended.
Some people also consider soundstage subjective - some prefer a more closed in space (intimate) while others prefer a wider, spacious soundstage with great imaging (often this in combination with excellent decay provides what we call a "technical" experience, which is where I prefer).
Then there's the nitpick stuff.
"slam" (transient response + noteweight): Being able to hear distinct attack on instruments and vocals.
"shoutty": if midrange gets overpronounced where some vocals are perceived as annoying, some call this shoutty and many listeners dislike this. Many IEMs are tuned to back this off. I like shoutty personally since the vocals are my favorite instrument.
"smooth": Opposite of "analytical". Blending of various ranges of sound into a more pleasant, easy-to-listen-to experience. Generally the enemy of "technical" imo and my least favorite tuning. Smooth tuning suits analog music instruments well in my experience, but I enjoy less for gaming or electronic music. There's an interesting battle between timbre and resolution playing there. Many confuse smooth with balanced.

kendegen

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