This ranking list is highly biased with my library and how I enjoy things, this ranking list may

change from time to tim

XerusKun / Asterhythmist
IEM Rankings

Sound Rating Value Rating Model Price Status

S- S KZ VXS $53 True Wireless IEM

30 Ohms Impedance Adapter +

A+ S KZ AS16 Pro $50
Spinfits CP145

A+ S KZ ESX $20 BGVP W01 Tips

 SeeAudio Yume:
A+ B $199 Stock
Midnight

Kbear 07 Tips + Nicehck C8-1

A+ S KZ EDA Balanced $18
"Leopard" Cable

A+ B SeeAudio Yume $169 Stock

Sony EP-EX 11 Tips +

A S CCA Lyra $15 Nicehck High Purity 8 Core
Cable

A A Hzsound Heart Mirror $41 Stock

A- A Tanchjim Tanya $20 Kbear 07 Tips

A- A CCA CRA+ $32 Sony EP-EX 11 Tips

 $80-ish
(Includes the Radius Deep Mount Tips,
B+ N/A KZ ZES (Mod) Heart Mirror IEM, Abigail Dongle, Heart Mirror
Abigail Dongle Stock Cable
and RDM Tips)

B+ S KZ EDA Bass $20-ish Kbear 07 Tips

B+ A KZ x HBB DQ6s $33 Foam Tips Mod

B A KZ ZEX Pro $35 Stock

B S KZ ZES $32 Stock

C+ S KZ EDA Hi-Resolution $20-ish Kbear 07 Tips

C+ A CCA CA16 Pro $65 Copper Cable Mod

C+ C Blon BL-03 $28 Reverse Starline Tips Mod

 C A KZ EDX Ultra $20 Stock

C A CCA CRA $22 Stock

C C+ KZ ZEX $22 Foam Tips Mod
C C KZ EDX $10 Stock
C C CCA C12 $40 Stock
C C TRN MT1 $10 Stock
C- C 7Hz Salnotes Zero $20 Stock
C- C Tangzu Shimin Li $35 RDM Tips and SPC Cable
C- C CCA CA10 $48 Stock
C- C TRN ST1 $10 Stock
D C KZ ZSN Pro $22 Stock
D C KZ ZST $18 Stock
B S OG QKZ VK4 N/A Stock

Markers Indication
This IEM shouldn't be even here, lol. Amazeballs, my library loves it to oblivion.
Highly recommended, bang for the buck
Recommendable, but it's better to save more to afford one of the tops.
Average, you can buy it just for the experience, already superseeded.
Avoid! IEMs in this area either sound meh, or has bad quality control.

S+ 1
S 2
S- 3
A+ 4
A 5
A- 6
B+ 7
B 8
B- 9
C+ 10
C 11
C- 12
D 13
change from time to time, please don't take this as a unified guide.

Rating System for Technicalities

Superb = The iem is able to catch up with complex tracks with finesse and poise,
is also able to image instruments with precision and realism, good separation,
there's a touch of physicality with the instruments. Excellent resolution.
Excellent = The iem is able to replay complex tracks with cleanliness and enough
separation,images instruments well but occasionally does not have that precision
to them. There's a touch of realism to the instruments in some selected tracks.
Very good resolution
Above Average = The iem has enough stage and images instruments pretty
clearly, however the precision is so-so. The iem is also be able to catch up with
complex tracks even if there's occasional frequency bleed. IEM in this rank
sometimes sound natural but occasionally out of realism.
Average = The iem sometimes un-able to catch up with some complex tracks,
frequency like bass bleeds and is not separated properly in the rest of the
spectrum. The staging, imaging and realism is so-so.
Below Average = Replay of complex tracks are even muddier, harsher or just
muted. No realism at all. Okayish soundstage.
Meh = Worst of the worst, either there's no soundstage, or there's no sense of
imaging at all.

Sound Signature Description

Harman Target 2016 with
Lesser Pinna and Added
Midbass
Masterclass tuning, bass response is far etched from any
wired IEMs I have tried, excellently controlled while still
having enough definition and cleanliness on the
soundscape (best bass response I have heard so far).
Vocals are accurate in tone and never shouty nor too boxy
even with higher volumes. Treble is harsh free, soft, and
properly nuanced and has a theatre like effect like my
Asterhythmist Target. Endgame tuning atleast for my
library.

Better staging than Yume Midnight, excellent detail

retrieval, tonality is in the warmer side, layering is top
notch for the price, lush and articulated vocal rendition,
Diffuse Field with Bass Boost no harshness or offensive peaks, realistic replay of all
instruments almost no boundary between the listener and
instruments in some tracks (occurs highly with my Toho
Bossa Nova tracks)

Notes hitting you like a bulldozer with a speed of a supra,

grand bass on the theatre like soundstage, full of fun and
U-Shaped wow factor, lush female and male vocals, no harshness or
peaks to be detected, very good layering, average detail
retrieval.

IEF-Neutral with Sub-bass
Boost
An all-rounder IEM it does everything right, bass,
midrange and treble. More technical version of Yume,
detail retrieval is more competent and soundstage is wider
than the Yume. Vocals may come as warm compared to
the OG Yume but it is still lush and has a proper timbre.
Definitely an upgrade to ZEX Pro if you don't want to EQ

Concert hall like sound presentation, vocals rendition is

very lush and smooth, instruments nuances and details are
just majestic and is flowing naturally in the whole
U-Shaped
soundscape, amazing detail retrieval, analytical with a
hint of smoothness to the overall sound. Realistic replay
of drums, guitars and pianos.

Lush, natural and spot-on tone for all vocals (includes

male and female vocals), average soundstage, weighted
Midcentric / and true to life timbre of instrument (specially pianos and
Harman Target 2019 wind instrument). Textured and well controlled bass,
overall balanced and clean signature. Spot-on tonality and
tuning

Yume Midnight Lite, mimics the resolution of some mid-

Harman Target 2019 / U- tier IEMs, very good tonality and timbre, natural and
Shaped organic presentation of instruments, excellent staging and
imaging, wide soundstage, lush vocals, good all-rounder

Lovable rendition of female vocals, full of air and

nuances, string instruments are sharp and laser precise,
Balanced Leaning to Bright
harmonics are very well defined, neutral bass, above
average imaging and soundstage

Tall soundstage, accurate male and female vocals, no

harshness peaks, sibilance or aggresiveness to the sound,
Diffuse Field with Bass Boost
very safely tuned, reminds me of a 5.1 speaker setup, also
a very nice ear resetter

Organic timbre, no edges or peaks that may cause fatigue,

very safe tuning, very good for non-properly mastered
Midbassy U-Shaped
tracks, enthusiastic bass slam and punch, lower treble
nicely tuned.
 A recommendation by Practiphile, renders cymbals
beautifully, treble is refined to a T, bass is somehow
U-Shaped Leaning to Bright
dominant yet clean and thumpy, this isn't ZES anymore its
another IEM. A true taste of Magnetostat sound.

Amazing bass response, clean, tight, well resolved. Ultra

immersive soundstage, treble sparkles are well defined,
V-Shaped
same dynamics as the EDA Balanced, very good for rock,
edm and trance

Excellently tuned set, safe and organic, excellent replay

with rock, rap, hip/hop, trance and edm. Clean, textured,
Mild V-Shaped
and punchy bass, best bass presentation from KZ so far.
Male vocals are raspy and sometimes emotional.

Well-weighted vocals, natural replay in drums, guitars

Balanced with Sub-bass Boost and piano, above average technicalities, studio-like
staging

Nicely tuned bass and midrange, no shout, bloat or

harshness to be found, somehow dark-ish sounding in
some songs. Breathy female vocals, weighted instruments
U-Shaped
fundamentals, open and wide soundstage with average
imaging. Bass has this nice definition and slam that other
KZ sets.

Treble presentation is same as Heart Mirror with okayish

rendition of female vocals, full of air and nuances, string
Harman Target 2019 / U-
instruments are sharp and laser precise, harmonics are
Shaped
very well defined, neutral bass, above average imaging
and soundstage. In short its a Heart Mirror Lite

Fantastically tuned V-shaped IEM, bass is delicious, it

V-Shaped digs really deep, excellent treble control at lower volumes,
good technicalities

Benchmark for tonal balance and timbre, wide

Mild V-Shaped
soundstage, soft bass, well-tuned treble
 Upgraded CRA, good vocal positioning, tight and well
U-Shaped with Significant
controlled bass, very good separation, lush and weighted
Upper Treble Boost
vocals and instrument fundamentals
Best in class budget treble performance with tight, clean
U-Shaped and rumbly bass. Wide soundstage, clear and detailed
Enthuasistic bass drive,vocals
satisfying male vocals, good
U-Shaped/W-Shaped (Foams)
treble control, wide soundstage
Well-tuned budget beater V-shaped (foam tips),
set, widegood imaging
soundstage,
V-Shaped
okayish technicalities
Holographic soundstage, big commanding bass, treble
V-Shaped
nicely extended
Nicely tuned set, vocals are clear and there's no bass bloat,
U-Shaped
IEF-Neutral with Sub-bass treble is fine, good
response. Sounds sterile and boring bassas fudge. No
Boost musicality, feels like I'm being forced quality
Analog sounding set with good bass and okayish
to critically listen to
Midcentric mids, good for relaxed listening, has an earbuds quality to
Dynamic
it. Gooddriver like bass,
for people who relaxed
don't liketreble response,
treble good
in their life
U-Shaped
driver resolution
V-Shaped Okayish V-shaped, there's a BL-03 DNA in its tuning
V-Shaped V-shaped, exciting bass, needle treble
Old style KZ tuning, lacks resolution, okayish bass,
V-Shaped
Well tuned set, okayish needle treble
techinicalities, natural vocals,
Balanced with Sub-bass Boost
satisfying bass
Rating System for Sound
X = Nothing to say, IEM with this rating is just pure perfection.
Suprised pikachu face everytime I use it.
S+ = Extraordinary, has this certain spice factor that seperates it
from the competition, makes me lost in the world of music. Very
realistic sounding.
S = Superb! Cons are negligible. IEMs on this area mimics the Rating System for Value
tone and timbre of some instrument excellently. S = Superb, unreal unboxing or
S- = Excellent, but a refinement on its cons are needed to make sound experience for the price
it special. IEMs on this area mimics the tone and timbre of some A = Excellent, good packaging,
instrument quite well. build or sound for the price
A+ = Very good, cons can be mitigated or ignored. B = Good, average packaging,
A = Nicely done, sounds very nice, cons starting to creep in. build or average sound
A- = Good, the cons can be ignored but specialties aren't that C = Meh sound, average build or
exemplary packaging
B = Average, pros are not that special. D = Meh sound for the price, don't
B- = Below average, pros are not that special and cons starts to care about the packaging
creep in.
C+ = Cons starts to overwhelm but there's still some likeable
factor
C = Cons overwhelms the whole sound, missing specialty
C-= It's just not good, serviceable.
D = Technicalities
Fail, avoid at allRating
cost Specialties Cons

Technicalities are mediocre, detail

retrieval can be improved. Layering is
Tuning / Bass Response / Fatigue-free
non existent, staging is okay but
Average Listening / Soft yet Detailed Treble /
average at best. Separation is okay.
Wide Soundstage
Will be an S rank if it has the tech of
AS16 Pro.

BA Timbre in some tracks,

metallicness still occurs specially if the
Layering / Staging / Detail Retrieval / source is not proper or not powered
Superb Lush Midrange / Resolution / enough, highly needs the impedance
Superbly Good for Gaming adapter. Lack of dynamics, leanness
and lack of weight in lower pitched
instruments

Treble might be too safe for some,

Thick Noteweight / Soundstage bass might be too much for some,
Excellent Depth, Wideness and Tallness / Grand midrange might be recessed to some
Bass / Correct Treble / Timbre (fixed with eartips). Not for analytical
listen

Tuning / Wide Soundstage /
Excellent
Layering / Timbre / Resolution
BA Timbre in some female vocals.
Soft dynamics, no sparkle or fun factor
in some tracks, might be boring for
some

May come as too bright to some

Wide Soundstage / Detail Retrieval /
Above Average
Dynamics / Timbre / Sparkle
people, imaging needs improvement,
might be too smooth to some (subpar
layering, or instruments might be too
close in some tracks)

Average soundstage size, lack of

Tuning / Tonal Balance / Female energy to the sound. Too soft on
Above Average
Vocals dynamics. Superbly boring and flat
sounding

Needs proper eartips and cable to

shine. Vocals may sound thin out of
Tuning / Wide Soundstage / the box, bass might be too much for
Above Average
Resolution neutral heads, uncomfortable shell to
some, not that clean compared to EDA
Balanced

Male vocals may sound lean at times,

instruments fundamentals lacks weight
Below Average Female Vocals & String Instruments in some tracks, may cause fatigue due
to the boosted upper treble. Lacks the
cleanliness and transparency

Congestion in some tracks, lack of

proper detail retrieval, driver isn't that
Meh Accurate Vocals / Timbre speedy, lack of treble air, tunnel of
sound presentation (most complex
tracks)

Lacks the details and nuances due to

the overemphasized midbass, need
Average Relaxed Tuning / Timbre proper source to tame the midbass,
female vocals lacks the sparkle,
intimate stage
Above Average Cymbals Definition Recessed Vocals, Bass Quantity

There's some shoutiness with some

Wide Soundstage / Big yet Full of tracks, bass may come as too intrusive
Above Average
Texture Bass Response in some tracks (bossa nova), there's a
noticeable peak at 6kHz and 8kHz

Lack technicalities, sound can be

narrow at times (can be fixed with
Average Organic Tuning / Textured Bass foam tips), lacks air and brilliance,
female vocals lack the angelic tone or
3kHz energy.

8 kHz Peak, Cymbals lack resolution,

May sound intimate at times, vocals
Balanced Replay / Studio-like Staging
Above Average may sound recessed depending on the
/ Layering
track. Lacks technicalities, resolution
is quite meh
May sound dark in some tracks,
imaging can be further improved.
Wide Soundstage / Satisfying Bass Female vocals most of the time lacks
Below Average
Definition and Slam the clarity and sparkle. There's still
harshness at the 8kHz region which is
evident in sibilance prone tracks.

Too bright in some tracks, not that

well suited for most genre specially
Above Average Treble and Upper Midrange
rock, sibilance in some tracks, low
quantity bass

Lean male vocals, recessed mids,

Average BASS and Holographic Soundstage
treble harshness at high volumes

Mediocre technicalities, imaging is

skewed like there's no permanent
position of the instruments,
Average Timbre
instruments are popping out of
nowhere within the stage, lacks treble
bite, bass is bloated in some tracks
 Overall artificial sound, overtones are
in steroids and are just too much in
Above Average Air and Sparkle most of my tracks, brittle treble, one of
the worst upper treble so far in all KZ
IEMs I have.
Sterile vocals, brittleness to the notes,
Above Average Microdetail Retrieval Lower mids is toograiny
much in some
mushy staging, treble
Average Male Vocals tracks, there's congestion with some
female
tracks vocals
(jazz), are
lackssometimes peaky,
air and sparkle
Average Wide Soundstage
lacks clarity in the mids, bootleg
mids is very recessed, treble has CA16
a
Below Average None
metallic timbre to it, superseeded
Midrange is too lean in some tracks, by
Below Average None unrefined and thinny treble response,
instruments lacks weight,
Above Average Midrange Resolution upper treble spike that forces
treble overall,insubpar
harmonics most of technicalities,
my tracks
Below Average None
toomost
softofonthe time sounds
dynamics, harsh
no wow and
and fun
Meh None peaky, cymbals lack initial attack,
Thin treble,
guitars lacksmids lack resolution,
harmonics, just
bloat occurs
Meh None
buy the EDX or go straight to 03
Meh None Treble go reeeeeee.
Meh None Treble go reeeeeee.
just a tiny bit congested. No one is
Above Average Natural Replay
selling this anymore. Not
 Aster's Subjectivity

Literally follows my Asterhythmist Target, but

with subdued pinna and more midbass to cater
more genres specially rock.
Sounds superb to all tracks in my daily playlist,
just lacking a bit on the layering.
Bass response hits my sweet spot, between slam and
transparency, can literally hear all the drum sticks
and bass riffs with this set.

A taste of BA Technicalities, a bizzare yet satisfying

4
listen I must say

Deserved for their 10th Anniversary~

4
this is very very good
 The IEM that makes my sound preference more
refined. My first experience of TOTL tuning and 4
mid-tier technicalities

Expound my hearing on what a refined dynamic

driver sounds like. Magical sounding for my Nagi
4
Yanagi tracks.
The Dynamic Realist.

Let me hear what Harman Target sounds like and

how the proper tone of instruments should be 4
presented.

Want a budget Yume Midnight? This is it. 5

Let me appreciate Yorushika more, expands my

playlist due to its ability to replay female vocals 5
with lovable lushness and clarity.

My budget benchmark for vocal accuracy 6

Let me appreciate Ito Kashitaro tracks again, made

me rethink the good ol days where I didn't care 6
about the details in the music that much.
 7

Makes me appreciate rock music even more. 7

The IEM that teaches me how to EQ and

appreciate different sound signatures. Literally the 8
EQ King.

10

10

10
 KZ IEM that I hate the most, just what are they
thinking adding that mountain of upper treble at
11
top. If not for the good mids and bass this will be in
the D-tier

11
11
11
11
And don't even compare this ごみ to my EDA 11
Balanced and Lyra.
Need excessive If youofare
amount tipan M and
rolling to like your
get the 11
proper sound. 12
Prove
Eatenthat
aliveKZ
by needs to improve
CCA Lyra their BAand
(Naturalness) techEDA
and
12
tuning.
12
13
13
14
 Xer

Recommended
Equalization Name
IEMS
Avoid the EQ IEMs Test Setup

ZEX Pro, TRN

MT1, CCA
CRA, Heart KZ DQ6S, KZ ZES, KZ EDA,
EQ Applied Through Wavelet,
Mirror, Blon Any IEMs with a dip at 3kHz,
Aster's Hypocrisy Abigail Dongle, Sony EP-EX
BL-05, EDA or any IEMs that aren't
11 Tips
Balanced responsive to EQ
(Hypocrisy
Bass)

Heart Mirror, ZES and DQ6S,

EQ Applied Through Wavelet,
ZEX Pro, CCA IEMs that have a flat bass or
Asterhythmist Curve Abigail Dongle, Sony EP-EX
CRA dynamic drivers that don't
11 Tips
have subtantial 3kHz gain.
 Heart Mirror, Blon BL-03, EQ Applied Through Wavelet,
Elysian X Simulation ZEX Pro Most IEMs that is sensitive to Abigail Dongle, Sony EP-EX
12kHz boost 11 Tips

Sony IER-Z1R Simulation ZEX Pro

Softears Turii ZEX Pro
Shuoer EJ07M Simulation ZEX Pro
Moondrop Variations
ZEX Pro
Simulation
SeeAudio Yume Midnight
ZEX Pro
Simulation

Markers Indication
Engdame EQ, it's literally my target curve
Makes big changes to the overall sound compare to stock.
Generic EQ, not that special
 XerusKun / Asterhythmist
Equalizations

Sound Signature Description

Endgame tonality for my tracks, majestic with ZEX Pro.

Nothing to say, this is just amazing for my Toho Bossa
Diffuse Field with Accordance Nova and Mitsukiyo, everytime I use this set it feels like
to the Large Inroom Cinema X- I'm in a theatre watching different musicians do their
Curve thing. Amazingly beautiful rendition of strings, piano,
guitar. No mud or coloration to the midrange whatsoever,
the sound is just very clean and uncolored.

This EQ is just like the Hypocrisy EQ but less accurate

Diffuse Field with Harman and instead of having more details in the lower midrange,
2019 Target Bass Shelf there's more rumble and subwoofer like bass in the whole
soundscape.
 The EQ that makes my ZEX Pro sound like a $200 IEM.
It is just that amazing for my library. Bass is punchy, full
of slam, dynamic, and textured. Midrange on the other
hand may be lean at times, but the details it provides is
just unreal, plus female vocals remains pristine even if the
Mild-V Shaped instrument sparkles all over the soundstage. Treble is
perfect, that crystal clear and clean representation of
higher noted instruments like violins are just unbelievable
even a $199 IEM can't do it. Overall, it has this wow
factor everytime I use it and definitely my guilty pleasures
sets.

stock.
 Technicalities Changes Specialties Cons

Correct and Precise

Soundstage and Imaging /
Wider soundstage, corrects the
Highly Nuanced Vocals /
imaging of some IEMs, shows
Light yet Textured Bass Lacks Warmth / Organic - Feel
the midrange capability of the
Response / Treble Quality
IEM drivers.
/ Theater-like Feel / Real
Detail Retrieval

Precise Soundstage and

Wider soundstage, corrects the
Imaging / Highly Nuanced Vocals Shoutiness with Some Tracks /
imaging of some IEMs, shows
Vocals / Subwoofer like Bass Quantity Too Much in Some
the midrange capability of the
Bass Response / Detail Tracks
IEM drivers.
Retrieval
 Shows how much detail can be Highly Dynamic / Open
extracted in an IEM. Makes and Detailed Sound /
Lean Vocals /
some IEM superbly dynamic Ultra Clean Soundstage /
Digital, Artificial-ness to the Sound
sounding, skewed imaging Microdetails and
unlike the one Hypocrisy Target Macrodetails Monsters
 XerusKun / Asterhytermist
Earbuds Rankings

Sound Rating Value Rating Model Price Status

Aster Silvers MK1

[DIY Tingo TC200
S- N/A Drivers, Blon BL-03 $12 Custom
Cable, Tingo TC200
Shells]

S- A Nicehck EB2S $20 Stock

S- A Ksearphone K64 $9 Stock

 A+ S Faaeal Iris Ancestor $3 Stock

A+ S Vido Blue $3 Stock

A+ S Vido Red $3 Stock

VE Monk Plus
A+ A $4 Stock
(Gold Coffee)

B A Ksearphone Nameless $3 Stock

C C Kube Black $6 Stock

C C Catear Mimi $12 Stock

Markers Indication
This earbuds shouldn't be even here, lol. Amazeballs, my library loves it to oblivion.
Highly recommended, bang for the buck
Recommendable, but it's better to save more to afford one of the tops.
Average, you can buy it just for the experience, already superseeded.
Avoid! Earbuds in this area either sound meh, or has bad quality control.
Rating System for Technicalities
Superb = The earbuds is able to catch up with complex tracks with finesse and
poise, is also able to image instruments with precision and realism, good
separation, there's a touch of physicality with the instruments. Very good
resolution.
Excellent = The earbuds is able to replay complex tracks with cleanliness and
enough separation,images instruments well but occasionally does not have that
precision to them. There's a touch of realism to the instruments in some selected
tracks.
Above Average = The earbuds has enough stage and images instruments pretty
clearly, however the precision is so-so. The earbuds should also be able to catch
up with complex tracks even if there's occasional frequency bleed. Earbuds in this
rank sometimes sound natural but occasionally out of realism.
Average = The earbuds is sometimes un-able to catch up with some complex
tracks, frequency like bass bleeds and is not separated properly in the rest of the
spectrum. The staging, imaging and realism is so-so.
Below Average = Replay of complex tracks are even muddier, harsher or just
muted. No realism at all. Okayish soundstage.
Meh = Worst of the worst, either there's no soundstage, or there's no sense of
Sound
imaging at all.Signature Description

Wide soundstage, very sparkly yet harsh-free treble, tight

Bright Neutral and fast bass response, fluttering female vocal rendition,
very clean sound signature

Very good detail retrieval, amazing rendition of

instruments and vocals, textured bass response, well tuned
Neutral
treble without any splashiness or edginess, lush yet
transparent midrange

Vocal enthusiast, female and male vocals are beautifully

Neutral nuanced yet not that forward in the mix. Laid-back sound
signature, very wide soundstage with competent imaging.
 Reminds me of KZ ZEX with Foam tips, very wide
soundstage with satisfying depth and tallness, very tight
W-Shaped
bass response, presence of air and dimensionality to the
sound.

A well tuned budget beater earbud that sounds

exceptionally good, soft and organic sounding, there's no
Midcentric Bassy
frequency that is docile or peaky, everything is just
smooth and organic sounding.

Just like the Vido Blue but more energetic sounding and
V-Shaped
has wider soundstage

Soft and organic sound signature that is very well suited

Midcentric Bassy for old-rock and other indie stuff. Natural timbre to
instruments

BL-03 Tuning but in an earbuds form, V-shaped tuning

but lacking the subbass rumble that IEMs offer, vocals are
V-Shaped
occasionally thin. Midbass quantity and treble is almost
the same as the BL-03
Lo-fi sound, bass seems to mud all of the frequencies,
V-Shaped
lush and well weighted vocals, wide stage.

Good midcentric earbuds that focuses mainly on vocals,

Midcentric
bass and treble are both rolled-off.

.
Rating System for Sound
X = Nothing to say, earbuds with this rating is just pure perfection.
Rating System for Value
S+ = Extraordinary, has this certain spice factor
S = Superb, unreal unboxing or
that seperates it from the competition.
sound experience for the price
S = Superb! But a refinement on its cons are needed to make it
A = Excellent, good packaging,
special. Earbuds on this area mimics the tone and timbre of
build or sound for the price
some instrument quite well.
B = Good, average packaging,
S- = Excellent, still has cons but offset by its specialties.
build or average sound
A+ = Very good, however the cons is somehow pulling it down.
C = Meh sound, average build or
A- = Good, the cons is pulling it down even more.
packaging
A = Average, okayish
D = Meh sound for the price, don't
B = Below average, mediocre
care about the packaging
C = Cons overwhelms the whole sound, missing specialty
D = Fail, avoid at all cost

Technicalities Rating Specialties Cons

Too bright for most genres like rock,

amazing replay for Jazz and Toho
Excellent Treble Bossa Nova and other unplugged
genres. Very unforgiving to non-
properly mastered tracks.

Lean vocals, lacks grandness to the

soundstage, needs proper source to
Excellent Midrange
shine, lack of subbass, subdued
sparkles in the treble region.

Congestion occurs in complex tracks,

Above Average Vocals drivers are distorting at higher
volumes, very shy bass response
 Thin vocals, distracting bass response
(linear yet very strong to the point that
Above Average Wide Soundstage the sound is overwhelmed by the
midbass tightness and authority),
grainy treble.

Might be too safe sounding, lacking

Average Tuning and Timbre energy to the sound, lacks
dimensionality.

Driver distorts at higher volume, lack

Average Tuning and Timbre
upper treble or dimensionality

Driver distorts at higher volume,

Below Average Timbre midbass muds the whole frequency
spectrum, not good for modern tracks

Lacks sub-bass rumble, vocal lacks the

Below Average None
lushness, treble is rolled-off

Bass is too bloated, very low

Meh None
resolution sound, no technicalities
Driver distorts at higher volume, no
Meh None upper treble, vocals are too close,
unsatisfying bass performance.
 Gear
Genre Type Genre Specifics Best Suited Sound Signature
Ranking
1
Bright Neutral / Diffuse Field /
Bossa Nova Toho Bossa Nova 2
Harman 2019
3

1
Dream Shop, Dream Bright Neutral / Diffuse Field /
Mitsukiyo 2
Box Harman 2019
3

1
Bright Neutral / Diffuse Field /
Jazz Toho Jazz Messengers 2
Harman 2019
3

1
Magical / Nagi Yanagi, Tada Aoi,
Neutral / U-Shaped 2
Nostalgic Anri Kumaki
3

1
Japanese Pop Kenshi Yonezu, Yoasobi Harman 2019 / U-Shaped 2
3

1
Yorushika, King Gnu, Ito V-Shaped, Harman 2019 with
Japanese Rock 2
Kashitaro Significant Midbass Boost
3

1
Rap Gloc 9, Devlin V-Shaped 2
3

1
The Weekend, Sam Bright Neutral / Crinacle IEF
Soul 2
Smith Neutral / Harman 2019
3

1
V-Shaped, Harman 2019 with
Rock The Script 2
Significant Midbass Boost
3

1
Indie / Alternative Turnover W-Shaped, U-Shaped 2
3
**The gear to be used in each genre can either be a headphone, earbuds or IEMs. The goal is to make the g
 Gear Name Gear Type
EDA Balanced IEM
Hzsound Heart Mirror IEM
EDA High Resolution IEM

EDA Balanced IEM

EDA High Resolution IEM
Hzsound Heart Mirror IEM

EDA Balanced IEM

KZ ESX IEM
SeeAudio
Yume:Midnight IEM

EDA Balanced IEM

SeeAudio
Yume:Midnight IEM
Hzsound Heart Mirror IEM

EDA Balanced IEM

SeeAudio
Yume:Midnight IEM
KZ ESX IEM

KZ ESX IEM
CRA+ IEM
EDA Balanced IEM

KZ ESX IEM
KZ x HBB DQ6S IEM
CRA+ IEM

EDA Balanced IEM

KZ ESX IEM
SeeAudio Yume IEM

KZ ESX IEM
CRA+ IEM
SeeAudio Yume:
Midnight IEM

KZ ESX IEM
KZ ZEX IEM
CRA+ IEM
r IEMs. The goal is to make the genre as pleasing to the ears as much as possible.
Date
7/31/2022
7/31/2022
8/14/2022
Changes
Adjusted the ranking system, to give leeway to future IEMs. The highest rank before (e.g ESX) will be moved to A+
Added AS16 Pro, adjusted CCA Lyra rank (this is based on my evaluation this last two weeks)
Added 7Hz Zero and KZ VXS
ESX) will be moved to A+