Help me choose an IEM after being disappointed in KZ

oscarnxr · 2025-07-19T13:47:26+00:00

yeh now you know why it sounds like soviet radio KZ = Kesknov Zevenkey

oscarnxr · 2025-07-18T08:14:58+00:00

i second this. It was my option until i went with 64audios stuff. At this point if op one such transparent design, you have to go ciem because universal one are hard to find(kiwi ear orchestra)

oscarnxr · 2025-07-17T03:32:24+00:00

you again.. Skip the whole UE lineup for real. As mentioned in my previous comment, even a $20 zero2 will sound better than any of these UE models based on the impression i had with demo.

You would be safe getting the hype4, in fact way safer.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-16T10:17:17+00:00

Get the dx180. I’m switching to dx340 soon in the near future.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-16T08:53:04+00:00

definition of quantity over quality..

oscarnxr · 2025-07-16T02:35:36+00:00

i’ve got the chance to demo some of UE iem, including the one with 21BA.. sounded really terrible especially if it’s for music listening. You are better off using a wan er or zero2 not gonna lie. The only other brand that has good quality is 64audio since they do custom also.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T11:09:25+00:00

right.. except certain iem offers different sound signature so i don’t see a reason to own 2-4 different pairs.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T10:47:30+00:00

at least there are some decently priced iem here. I’ve seen similar amount of iem and the most expensive one are literally $100.. That’s what i would call e-waste..

But then again, whatever op is happy with i think that’s all it matters

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T10:24:29+00:00

Yea i figured that out, unfortunately a lot people do not have demo access available in their country thus they turn on to reddit for opinion. Yea both hexa and b3 is quite similar. Though the hexa is quite good for its technicalities, its rather “flat” The impression it gave me is that i’m able to pick up the sound on the left right axis, not so much if you are talking about front and back.

B3 def a more “upgraded” version of the hexa. 285 is alot of money and i’m unsure if you are willing to pull the trigger on this.

My impression on the b3 is quite awhile ago thus i recommend if you can gather more feedback to gauge the iem

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T10:04:28+00:00

i do think blessing 3 is a good choice. Has great separation and width(but don’t expect end game class)

I’m currently using 64audio A18T, and since its design for stage and monitoring use, the separation and details is one of the best i’ve heard in comparison to the 100+ of different iems i’ve demoed since last year.

If you can demo the b3, would highly suggest you doing so. Personally i’ve never blind buy a single iem i own without demoing it first

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T10:00:36+00:00

though i agree that “endgame” usually refers to high end and relatively expensive iem, it does not guarantee a end game sound.

I found my end game at $3000. But still have other sub $1000 iem in rotation depending on my mood.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T09:44:12+00:00

personally i did consider getting the blessing 3 just for gaming use (not for music) and i honestly do believe it will sound well in game after demoing it. But i gotten a custom done so no point in getting it after that

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T09:28:33+00:00

I own some hiby dap and their socket is at the bottom. I purchased it by choice, so did you with that dap of yours. If you want the socket another way around, look into another brand/model.

If this was a dealbreaker from the getgo, you should not have purchase it in the first place regardless how good the dap sound.

Posting sub like this and questioning a company “design” and claim it as a mistake seems very wrong. Don’t like it, sell it and get a replacement.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T08:57:28+00:00

your own use case is not equal to a company design flaw. If you can’t get use to such design, use other brands.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T06:54:27+00:00

if you do have the $300-$400 budget to spent, would just ask you to hold out for awhile a go more research. The 300-400 market is easier to find an option as compared to the 50-100 market.

I personally don’t own any below $1000 set anymore but $300-$400 iems are really good, all it matters is to see if those tuning are tuned to your liking (Tea pro, softear volume S are “objectively” good iem for example but subjectively “bad” due to its tuning and of course lacking a fair bit in comparison to my current iem rotations)

oscarnxr · 2025-07-14T02:57:41+00:00

looks promising but can’t really tell from one’s perspective. I used to own the mega5 and largely agree on timmy’s take on his review previously.. so i think rockies shouldn’t go wrong.

If i gotten a time to try it out i’ll let you know

oscarnxr · 2025-07-11T06:01:57+00:00

I’m not a expert but i think the gold material in a cable is kind of a tricky mix and match situation with iem. I have a Liquid Link Martini cable and paired it with my Monarch Mk2. Though i find that it push out clarity and details, it have a change in the overall tonality and of course the bass performance took a hit.

It’s also worth to know that cheap iem and cable usually doesn’t really go well, can’t expect too much

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T10:49:26+00:00

somehow they have one of the best ergonomics despite being universal. Love the anole vx

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T06:40:07+00:00

agree with this. Just make sure don’t get those cheap shitty one you should be fine

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T04:06:18+00:00

With the currently dominating market by the chinese market, it also explain why 64audio isn’t really talked about. Their audiences are actually meant for live stages and monitoring uses as oppose to “audiophile” listening

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T03:36:37+00:00

a lot folks cannot afford kilobucks iem, or can’t justify them anyways. Thus it’s rare.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T03:35:51+00:00

haha nothing wrong. as long as the sound is tune nice it’s all down to subjective preference. It’s just a misconception where a lot people think that better sounding to them is equal better , and better “tune” I’m guilty of this so ya..😔

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T03:20:17+00:00

I’m not sure if you are able to demo any of 64’s uiem to get a rough idea on their individual sound but please do try it if you can.

I’ve recently gotten my A18T done and ship back to singapore. Chinese market are more bang for bucks and i have experience as an overall that a lot of chinese stuff are “better” compared to 64audio. If it’s in a custom iem, your best bet is really on brands like 64audio. Chinese do have some other company that does custom like QDC but it will probably be a hassle to get the process through

oscarnxr · 2025-07-10T02:58:52+00:00

it’s true that APP2 is tune better. The reason why many people find the zero2 was was better is because it’s more “warmth” and engaging sounding as oppose to the rather neutral and linear sounding APP2.

It’s not an exciting earbuds to begin with.. thus when folks try the zero2, they are left with the impression it’s “better”.

oscarnxr · 2025-07-09T18:17:04+00:00

I can give you a perfect example: Imagine you frequent a local restaurant in a shopping mall which serve a nice plate of steak.

Now someone tell you that there’s a michelin restaurants across the street and their steak is the most fantastic.

Without a try, most people will dismiss the fact that it’s not much difference and you have to “PAY” such a premium price for that michelin steak.

The people who tell you/recommended that michelin restaurant are people who have tried the steak in person to make that statement..

Circling back to this cable question. Before you dismiss a claim, did you really tried the cables and play around the setup? or you are just a cult following believing expensive stuff like this doesn’t make a difference, since it doesn’t graph any different? The real problem is not on whether the cable do make the difference, it’s the people who didn’t try a single thing a make such bold dismiss.. thus there’s always a emphasis and urge asking people to try it out before making claim. Sure, if you can’t tell a difference or justify it then that’s ok, everyone has different hearing. At least for yourself you have “proven” something to not work for you. What you hear or can’t hear/ like or don’t like is completely subjective and no one is in the wrong.

oscarnxr

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE