IEM price point and sound quality

Dave Merrill said:
Because they're SO flipping expensive, it's sad to want them!

I'm mostly kidding, but kinda not.
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That makes complete sense. I don't fancy buying $5000 headphones, but if they sound like "that" without the inherent flaws of the R70x I
to their response....I at least want to hear it.

BBN said:
It's a good question - I had zero input on tuning the IEMs and I'm not sure that's even a thing (with 64 audio)
Instead, I just went with their expensive 12 driver version because they said they are studio quality.
I originally ordered the A6 model, but called them after mailing the molds and talk about the A12s....and upgraded my order.
I was also thinking that I'd be bummed if I spent 1500 on the A6 and thought they were just 'decent'. I figured, another 500 bucks and get one of their top of the line models....buy once, cry once.
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K. That makes sense. Sadly, I only see the universal versions measured. And, the response is not quite to my liking - hence the question. If you like them, awesome. It seems like there's no reason we should all prefer exactly the same targets.

There's a part of me that thinks that should be a part of any customs....but I'm probably being too picky.

BBN said:
I also have the ability to Eq the signal to my IEMs, but find I don't need to. I imagine having an Eq available would really help almost any IEM buds.
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Yeah...that seems to be the case, also with headphones. You can probably go too deep down the rabbit hole, but with very few exceptions, I haven't found anything that doesn't benefit from EQ.

BBN said:
Most of us have had that experience where you plug your Fractal into something (like a new or expensive monitor) and are like - WOW, that sounds amazing....now I can really hear the quality of the Fractal. I had that experience when using these IEMs. Even my guitar - the low end cabinet bounce when doing palm muting...that kind of stuff is like - oh hell yeah.
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Yeah - I've definitely had that experience before.

scottp said:
I have been using the Comply Memory Foam Tips for 4 years. I know how to put them in. Thanks.
I LOVE them, Those tips are my favorite.
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Gotcha - missed that line in your post. Sounds like those particular IEMs just aren't to your liking, which sadly happens a lot.
 
So I did a little experiment last night. I was not on the team for rehearsal so that gave me the opportunity to do a listening test.
I brought the ZS10's, CCA-C12, Vic Firth over the ear isolating, Sony over the ear MDR-7506 and new Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X headphones.
None of these devices are very expensive. I'm looking for the best bang for the buck.

I used the Allen & Heath ME-1 personal mixer that I would normally use when playing electric guitar.
As the band started to play I went through the different devices comparing how they sound.
The ME-1 has a 3 band EQ that proved to be helpful for each listening device. The Mid band is adjustable.

I began by focusing on electric guitar (FM9) and acoustic. I could get those sounding quite nice.
Having the time to really experiment with EQ was an important lesson. During rehearsal I wouldn't have the time to experiment like this.

Here are the results from my list of tested devices.
#1 At the top is the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. These are very comfortable to wear and have nice instrument separation and detail. $275
#2 The Sony MDR-7506. Now these are like 20 years old, but I wanted to bring what I had access to, to get some data. ~ $120
#3 Vic Firth over the ear isolating. I have had these for some time. They have been quite good for practicing drums with. ~ $90

The next two are based on my ear canals and how the IEM's fit my ears. Both sound quite good for podcasts or soft music.
#4 Linsoul CCA-C12. I used the Comply memory foam tips for testing. Kind of bright sounding, and at band volume I turned up the low band EQ and couldn't hear any difference in the bass content. I could hear EQ adjustments with the Mid and Treble fine. A touch thin, or harsh tho.
#5 Linsoul KZ ZS10's. I have been using these for years, always with the Comply memory foam tips. I really like the Comply tips!
I learned a lot over the past two week of listening. These are the harshest sounding. I can rotate them in my ear canal and get the treble and bass to sound a lot better, but it seems to be the physical design. They will not stay put in my ears when I rotate them to that optimal position.
Not the best for me in a band context. I will still continue to use them for other listening and on the go.

My plan is to use the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X the next several times I play, to get a better feel for how they perform.
 
I have been using the CCA C10s for a couple of years now and they sound good. I have a set of KZ AS10s and they sound harsh and thin to me. I have had several of the Shures a they all suck in my opinion. I may go full on at some point and get some high end ones with molds and all but honestly, the C10s do the job and two sets are under $100.
 
BBN said:
I was REALLY nervous about getting custom IEMs because it seems like a total risk as far as fitment goes.
I also got a pair of Westone custom molded ear plugs years back, and they sucked. Total waste.

This past year I decided to look into all of this again. 64 Audio gets a lot of positive press, so I looked into theirs. The 'pressure release' technology is what really sold me. That said, I still was nervous about doing molds, and having them not be great. I almost was going to get their molded ear plugs first, just to see how they fit....before spending the money on the IEMs. But the molded ear plugs were damn expensive as well.
So I decided I was just going to go for it.

I found an audiologist in my area and set an appointment, and of course brought the 64 audio instruction sheet. They were very specific about using a 1" bite block (which you can also just use 2 fingers). I had the molds done and then (per 64 audio's purchase process), I sent them pictures of my molds. They pointed out a tiny flaw on one of the molds (by looking at the pictures), so I went back and had it re-done. I sent the molds to 64 audio after they approved they were 'good', via pictures. A month later - my molds arrive. Still having anxiety after dropping $2k on these....I put them in. Perfect fit. These things fit my ears like nothing else. I keep them in even when I'm off stage because they are also incredible ear plugs.

I was skeptical, but my experience was a great one.
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Just curious; can you tell me an estimate of how much it cost at the Audiologist? Thanks!
 
The band I play in is quite loud (a bit too much sometimes, it's the drummer and bass that rise quite high in volume). As I agree that these IEM do isolate and also I'd need a floor monitor anyway for getting a nice controlled feedback, I actually am seriously considering just flat curve ear protections like -20dB just for keeping my ears alive.
 
Just wanted to give an update in my findings and experience. Here is the list of IEM's I tried.
The goal was to see how much $$ I would have to spend to get a noticeable better experience.
Most of these were compared in an A/B test, same time, same day, same setup for consistency.
All were tested with Comply memory foam tips.

KZ ZS 10's Pro (4+ years) $40
Alclair audio custom mold triple drivers for electric guitar. $600
Linsoul CCA-C12 $48
KZ PRX $65
7hz Timeless II $225 ( 2 different times!) I like these but they are fairly big and heavy. In the end too heavy.
KZ ZS 10 PRO2 $50 (has 4 dip switches) They don't reduce treble! Not for me!
Shure SE 535 $500
Shure SE 425 PRO $300
Shure SE 215 PRO $110 Not much difference between all Shure listed.
Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero $20
Linsoul Giigaat Odyssey $210
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza $28

In the end, for me, knowing that the treble range is exaggerated in the KZ ZS 10 PRO,
The KZ ZS 10 Pro along with (a MUST) Comply memory form tips (I have found the medium size OVAL style to be THE best)
this is the most cost affective solution. On my personal monitor mixer A&H ME-1, I just make a small EQ adjustment to reduce the treble a bit.
I hope this information can help someone.

Scott.
 
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scottp said:
...The KZ ZS 10 Pro along with (a MUST) Comply memory form tips (I have found the medium size OVAL style to be THE best)...

Scott.
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Hi Scott, can you tell me the exact model of Comply you use? I looked at their website and there are tons of models.
I also got the KZ Zs and I want to try them...
Thank you
 
Hello @Marwatt Yes, the KZs have a core size that fits Comply T-500.
There are several styles in this model, Round, Oval, Original, with or without tech defender.
You may want to try the variety pack with small, medium, large to get your best fit.
I currently use the Large rounds for live band use.
I use the medium ovals at work for listening to music.

Also I have more IEM information coming to add to my findings with more IEM models. In early February 2026!
I think I found the WINNER! Just making sure it's not a honeymoon phase! :cool:

https://www.amazon.com/Comply-Cance...nized-Replacement/dp/B002DY92UA/ref=sr_1_1_pp
 
I tested quite a few cheapish in ears over the years:

Linsoul TANGZU Wan'er S.G II
Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
Moondrop CHU II
TRUTHEAR Hexa
KZ ZS10 Pro X
KZ ZSN Pro X


They all had a weird unpleasant, harsh thing going on in the upper mid range, somewhere between 2kHz to 4kHz.
I had to cut quite a bit in this range to tolerate it.

My favorite of the above are, without a doubt, the TRUTHEAR Hexa.
I'm currently using Custom molded 64 audio. They sound perfect but cost a ton.

YMMV
 
sprada said:
I tested quite a few cheapish in ears over the years:

Linsoul TANGZU Wan'er S.G II
Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
Moondrop CHU II
TRUTHEAR Hexa
KZ ZS10 Pro X
KZ ZSN Pro X


They all had a weird unpleasant, harsh thing going on in the upper mid range, somewhere between 2kHz to 4kHz.
I had to cut quite a bit in this range to tolerate it.

My favorite of the above are, without a doubt, the TRUTHEAR Hexa.
I'm currently using Custom molded 64 audio. They sound perfect but cost a ton.

YMMV
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FWIW (i have no experience with real IEMs myself), there's a newer model from TruthEar, called Pure, that supposedly has less of an upper mid peak than the Hexa. The reviewer below found that a mixed blessing, but he liked them.

https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/truthear-pure-vs-hexa-review-another-shade-of-neutral
 
Here is my latest update on the IEM search.
I'm listing all the different models I tried to have them in one list.

KZ ZS 10's Pro (4+ years) $40
Alclair audio custom mold triple drivers for electric guitar. $600
Linsoul CCA-C12 $48
KZ PRX $65
7hz Timeless II $225 ( 2 different times!) I like these but they are fairly big and heavy. In the end too heavy.
KZ ZS 10 PRO2 $50 (has 4 dip switches) They don't reduce treble! Not for me!
Shure SE 535 $500
Shure SE 425 PRO $300
Shure SE 215 PRO $110 Not much difference between all Shure listed.
Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero $20
Linsoul Giigaat Odyssey $210
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza $28
CCA Hydro $140 They have 4 tuning switches. These were terrible. Way too bassy and no treble control.
Linsoul ZiiGaat Lush $170
TRUTHEAR Hexa $90
Linsoul 7HZ SONUS $54

And the winner is
HiFiGo AFUL Performer 5+2 $216.

I want to note, in my testing, one thing soon became clear.
95% of these when you turn up the volume, the treble range gets harsh and even painful.
Making them unusable.

I have used these live and for doing some longer listening sessions to CD's.
These are by far the best sounding IEM to me, at this price point.
And I'm using the Comply memory foam tips, never the soft silicone ones that come with them.
I can now set my personal IEM mixer flat with the Performer 5+2.
I hope this information can help someone. It was a long journey!
Glad to finally make it home! :)
 
scottp said:
Here is my latest update on the IEM search.
I'm listing all the different models I tried to have them in one list.

KZ ZS 10's Pro (4+ years) $40
Alclair audio custom mold triple drivers for electric guitar. $600
Linsoul CCA-C12 $48
KZ PRX $65
7hz Timeless II $225 ( 2 different times!) I like these but they are fairly big and heavy. In the end too heavy.
KZ ZS 10 PRO2 $50 (has 4 dip switches) They don't reduce treble! Not for me!
Shure SE 535 $500
Shure SE 425 PRO $300
Shure SE 215 PRO $110 Not much difference between all Shure listed.
Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero $20
Linsoul Giigaat Odyssey $210
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza $28
CCA Hydro $140 They have 4 tuning switches. These were terrible. Way too bassy and no treble control.
Linsoul ZiiGaat Lush $170
TRUTHEAR Hexa $90
Linsoul 7HZ SONUS $54

And the winner is
HiFiGo AFUL Performer 5+2 $216.

I want to note, in my testing, one thing soon became clear.
95% of these when you turn up the volume, the treble range gets harsh and even painful.
Making them unusable.

I have used these live and for doing some longer listening sessions to CD's.
These are by far the best sounding IEM to me, at this price point.
And I'm using the Comply memory foam tips, never the soft silicone ones that come with them.
I can now set my personal IEM mixer flat with the Performer 5+2.
I hope this information can help someone. It was a long journey!
Glad to finally make it home! :)
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Thanks for the update. I heard really good things about the Aful Performer 5+2.
 
Have you tried the lower end 64 Audio or Ultimate Ears? I have been using the CCA C-10s for a while and they serve me well within their limitations. I just got a pair of C-12s and I like them even better. I have molds and have been thinking about making the jump to the new bracket, but these are fine for now. Thanks!
 
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