6 Reasons to Stop Buying IEMs! FD15, Lowmaster, Dynabird, Gate, Delci, Que

[@l67swap1]

But but... The new ones are sooo shiny and pretty 😆😂

[@HobbyTalk]

I found the 1 IEM to rule them all for me, and haven’t bought one since 😅 haha

[@BrianVallotton]

I just have to know what that IEM is! Please share! :-)

[@HobbyTalk]

@@BrianVallotton Symphonium Meteor. It’s close to perfect for me with foam tips. If I were to EQ it I’d just drop the upper treble half a db.

[@BrianVallotton]

@@HobbyTalk Thanks for the reply! Now I HAVE to look these up! Happy listening my friend!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@HobbyTalk, Meteor are a few hundred dollars more than I'm willing to spend on yet ANOTHER pair of earphones, Stephen. I just ordered another "cheapie" today, due to a special discount, as an extention of the recent 10/10 sales.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

​@@BrianVallotton, or just get a pair of USD$90 Simgot EA500LM, pop a piece of cotton cloth in each nozzle, and experience the sound of the USD$1,700 Sony IER-1ZR earphones (at least 95% of the sound, anyway).

[@andrewkateb]

Really good vid mate - love the range of prices you covered too - extremely accessible for most people. I used to hate them (comfort wise in my ear), but now, thanks to you, I'm an iem convert.

[@PassionforSound]

Welcome to the next rabbit hole, mate!

[@andrewkateb]

@@PassionforSound Oh seriously????🤣

[@jakobgooijer]

Nice review again . I have been using a pair of Final 3B iems for over 3 years now and have no desire to trade them in. This pair continues to amaze me.

[@PassionforSound]

Sounds like you've landed on a winner! Enjoy!

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

I used to have 20+ IEMs but now I only keep my Sony Z1R and M9, one fun and one warm neutral relaxing IEM. Honestly just get the most comfortable and well built IEM you can buy and use a bit of EQ, most IEMs are reasonably well tuned out of the box anyway.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

ORRRRR, just get a pair of USD$90 Simgot EA500LM, pop a piece of cotton cloth in each nozzle, and experience the sound of the USD$1,700 Sony IER-1ZR earphones (at least 95% of the sound, anyway).

[@yarbles66]

​@@ReverendDr.Thomasdon't be daft 🤣🤣🤣🤣 my son has those & they're decent value, but they're not a patch on thr Z1R in sound, build or anything at all.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@yarbles66 Have you CAREFULLY read my previous comment?☝️ If not, I suggest you re-read it.

[@yarbles66]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas I only see one comment mate - it says 95% the sound of the IER-1ZR & that's a pile of poo.

[@yarbles66]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas jog on you absolute muppet.

[@r00s.]

Bro, thank you for updating the IEM FR graphs to the standard that I am more accustomed to! The other ones were ok I guess, but this makes it much easier to compare and understand differences between IEMs.

[@PassionforSound]

No problems. Once I found out about the option of using Squig link, it opened up lots of possibilities.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Good moral to the story really, be happy with what you have.

[@khalbrando2990]

I just got the Meze Alba. I think it’ll do for the foreseeable future. I like it more and more, and think it’s more than capable for times I can’t use loudspeakers. Paired with my mojo 2(which I’d argue is even better integrated into my main system with loudspeakers)otg, I can’t imagine needing to spend any more for otg. I’m really trying to just enjoy what I have now that I’ve done all my cable and power supply/cord upgrades across all my stuff. I’m very pleased. Thanks for all your help Lachlan!

[@BassDad8]

I reviewed the Alba. It is super solid. I only wish the cable and tips were better, but I’ve swapped them out already, so I don’t really mind. Enjoy!!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I hope the Mojo 3 is released soon. I detest the micro-USB jack on the current model.

[@khalbrando2990]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas I wouldn’t hold your breath, the 2 is still fairly new and probably the most advanced dac in the world overall. Personally the micro doesn’t bother me at all. I do t even have a poly and likely never will. I use it to charge/power whilst integrated in my home stereo. I just use the other options which covers every base outside of I2S and AES which aren’t very realistic for something this size. I’d say embrace the Mojo 2 and realize just how great it is for all around use and how insignificant the micro usb is. I don’t understand why it’s so polarizing when all you really have to do with it is power the device. Don’t cheat yourself from the great experience you can have with it. I still can’t believe just how great of a device it is.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@khalbrando2990, yes, Mojo 2 is rather impressive. It even powered a pair of HiFiMan HE6 headphones for me recently.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@BassDad8, you recently reviewed a certain politician too. ;)

[@moonsofjupiter]

Great vid. I agree with most of what you’re saying. Caveat is the tech is moving so fast. Sound quality that cost $600 just 3-4 years ago can be bought today (if clever) for half that price. I have about 15 iems, some over $500. I’m very impressed with the Ziigaat Doscincos and Estrellas. They put their value in the iems, sound and drivers. Could have provided better cable and accessories and charged more. but most of us have tons of tips and cables. I love my Meteors ($600) but the Doscincos have surpassed them at less than half its price ($269) and are easier to drive with a similar warm tuning with beautiful mids and treble. I agree that the hobby can be an addiction. I’m waiting for a basshead planar that forces me to purchase it. It’s not out yet.. lovely vid and perspective.

[@Hijynx87]

Love the doscincos and hype 4. Is the estrella even worth grabbing if I have those 2? I'm probably going to wait for aful p7 though.

[@moonsofjupiter]

@@Hijynx87 I don’t know if you’d want 3 items costing about $1k combined that all have very similar tuning. I’m sure you appreciate the differences of the Doscincos and Hype 4. the Estrellas are similar to Doscincos but have a bit wider stage and open treble extension. I use them for gaming as I use Spotify mostly and the tuning’s extra bass and treble give them a nice EQ boost built in. Unlike mobile, Spotify on consoles have no eq presets. also something about them having reverse polarity. I’m no expert on that but apparently it does something of a psychoacoustic effect for a wider stereo field/stage. I like them a lot, they really bring life to 70s-90s stuff. Doscincos better all rounder. What do you feel are the differences between Doscincos and Hyoe 4?

[@PassionforSound]

That's a good point about the tech moving fast and it's a big reason that the IEMs in this video are all so good whereas this piece bracket used to be a real gamble of good and dreadful options. I feel like we've maybe reached a peak of performance to price, but maybe not...

[@moonsofjupiter]

@@PassionforSound I don’t know. iems are still evolving and haven’t been around all that long. Competition is fierce and sound is improving as price is decreasing.The mark up on these are crazy high and will come down. Mid fi will reign stronger. Everyone’s searching for the one. Some have found it but still, over time we get intrigued by the new. I like the premise of your vid though. Some of us are just addicts 🤙🏻

[@PassionforSound]

@moonsofjupiter anything to justify the next hit, hey? 😉😜

[@hotspur1974]

tried a Stax's combo over the weekend. that was the end of my journey with Iem's

[@PassionforSound]

Which Stax setup? (Full sized headphones can have that effect 😁)

[@hotspur1974]

Stax 700 M 2 and Stax 500

[@fabianoberlim9636]

For right now: Ziigaat Doscinco = Ultra fun with refined V shaped meta Thieaudio Hype 4 = Neutral with amazing soundstage Dunu Davinci = Lush mids with relaxed treble Can’t go wrong

[@petertower2531]

Please! Cutting corners? Most 10mm dynamic drivers cost $4.35 when bought in multi thousand lots and the same drivers are in budget and high priced IEMs. The difference is the tuning, venting, and the like. Save your money. Buy a highly rated, by at least 4 reviewers, budget IEM and tune with Wavelet. HBB, SUPER REVIEW, older (pre 2024) Crinacle, Paul Wasabi are good sources.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

The Honest Audiophile, Jaytiss, Prime Audio Reviews, and Hobby Talk.

[@fabianoberlim9636]

Agree! Buy cheap only to understand your tunning taste After that buy a 200+ dollars IEM I have too many 25 to 80 dollars that is not worth it

[@CharaiABC]

Dan'saudioreviews comes with demos, and his descriptions are spot on

[@aceofspades6667]

I found one that plays my library incredibly well. I do eventually want to get a fat frequency set that gives visceral bass impact when I’m wanting that.

[@mynameisradman]

I have multiple sets of IEMs that all sound quite different. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Matching the right genres or recording quality is key. The best all rounders seem to be in the budget category, but tend to lack any magic. When everything matches up just right, it can be a very rewarding hobby.

[@c-samleystudios1573]

Do you think you could review the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro eventually? It’s like an upgrade/refinement of the 560S and has two different sets of pads. Other KZbinrs largely brushed over it, so your thoughts would be great considering how thorough you are.

[@khalbrando2990]

@@c-samleystudios1573 I think it’s the best Sennheiser has to offer until you get up to the 800S realm. Which I’ve never heard that headphone unfortunately, I wish I could justify getting a pair. They’re just too expensive rn. I have my home stereo, the Meze alba for an iem and Arya stealth for an over the ear real deal headphone. I had the 490s and regret selling them big time.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd love to review them, but haven't had any luck getting in touch with the local pro team ☹️

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️🍩 I stoped the IEM stable at Variations..and now concentrate on my headphone game ..with a side trip into my vinyl collection….

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Good Morning, Toronto! (At least it WILL be morning here in fifteen minutes).

[@PassionforSound]

Nice one, Carmine! I know some people that have emphasised their IEM game in exactly the opposite way that you've approached things. I think it's great when we can put our time and money into whichever area gives us the most joy. It sounds like that's exactly what you're doing. ♥️

[@jb678901]

I've settled into my go-to IEM's...and none were over US$125 (AliEx - discounted). Best bang for the money, imho: ARTTI T10 (planar) MP145 (planar) CCA Hydro (hybrid, 2DD+8BA per IEM, w/tuning switches) Plenty of other honorable mentions (HZ Heartmirror (modded), Olina (modded))

[@BrianVallotton]

Thank you. I really enjoy your videos and appreciate you sharing some really deep truths about how our quest for the perfect sound can actually diminish our musical experience. As an analogy, some years ago I had the great blessing of being able to have Lasic eye surgery and ended up with better than 20/20 vision. It was miraculous to me. No glasses! My optometrist was as thrilled as I was with the results. After the exam I said to him that I was just supper happy with the way I see apart from the measurements. He said yes, I have a colleague that refers to it as 20/Happy vision. IF you can see what you need to and are not thinking about it much, then you are in a good place. Now I need to find my way to 20/Happy Hearing!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I'm myopic but my eyesight has gradually been correcting itself, due to aging.

[@BrianVallotton]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas Let’s here it for being able to get older and see better! I love it!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@BrianVallotton

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the approach, Brian! I love that analogy too. When you find the right gear and you enjoy your music rather than craving something more, you know you're in a good place.

[@rwheeler3rd]

Great video now one for headphones please

[@PassionforSound]

That's a bit trickier, but I do have something like this coming up for flagship headphones...

[@frankgarcia9834]

I love how the scientific audiophile lights you up 😂

[@markmangion5700]

Nice informative review as always I have 3 iems, one cheapo kz single dd, one mid bass head legato and my endgame the 7jz timeless. These are more than enough for now. Wish I had 20 pairs of ears to buy more but God only gave me 1 pair lol. Tho you got me interested in the Sivga for the soundstahe.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Those Sivgas are really lovely.

[@iam.geeweiss]

Got me there. Well, i guess... I'll aim for that "Lowmaster".

[@PassionforSound]

They're really cool!

[@davegorthuis679]

About that lowmaster… you can just lower that 2khz peak with -3 or -4db, right?

[@PassionforSound]

Absolutely! I choose to not use EQ, but for those who do, go for it!

[@KashanArtist]

Hi bro where is Simgot ea500lm ??? Please tell me why you are not considered??

[@PassionforSound]

I reviewed those a while back. 🙂

[@davegorthuis679]

This is a highly appreciated video my friend, very wise advice 👍🏻

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@andyreichert499]

IEMs are so small and collectable! But I only use mine when walking or traveling light, so I don't need much as long as they're comfortable. I have a couple pair and see no need to get more. I seem to always want another set of headphones though.

[@luigismilazzo]

Do you want 10 reason to make a better a better eq on your voice?

[@Unicorn-ST]

I bought a KZ ZS10 Pro X time ago, and hey impressed to me because the sound is very good for the price (around 45 $). They are an hybrid IEM's. I decided to buy also the KZ ZVX (dynamic driver) and the KZ PR3 (planar magnetic dirver) ZVX is incredibly good for the price (less than 25 $) and the PR3 areb't the bestm I bought them because I saw several very good reviews about the PR1 Pro and I thought the PR3 would be as good or better than the PR1... they aren't bad, but no so good. The ZS10 Poro X, are the best balanced, and are easy to drive, good soundstage and definition, and also funny to listen to. Therefore, I am afraid about buying nother one looking for inprovement, I am not sure wich should be a correct improvent. In the other hand, I use teh IEM normally in mobility, at home I normally use headphones. I also use these KZ IEM's with a bluetooth adaptor (KZ AZ20) that it sounds good and it's confortable to use, the cons is that for doing phone calls it isn't good. The only other home use I think i could be interesting to have a "better" IEM is when I need to listening without disturbing my wife. Despite to have a pair of close headphones, a good IEM it's more versatile. And the dilema is, as mentioned, if I will really notice an improvemnt, because the other possibility is hgoing for a decent bluetooth noise cancellating IEM ty

[@millenwagon]

Iems are the biggest scam and rabbit hole in the audiophile space. I’ve had some fairly expensive iems, but for what they cost I’d still rather use my kph40 at a fraction of the cost.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I have bought TWO Koss KSC75, they are so good.

[@millenwagon]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas yes! I have a pair of these too and really like them but I prefer the kph more, they have much better bass

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@millenwagon, there is nothinng amiss with the KSC75 bass, but I'll certainly keep a lookout for the KPH40 at my chosen audio dealer.

[@millenwagon]

@@ReverendDr.Thomas i guess by bass I meant sub bass, it could be partly down to fit though, I’m not sure, but the kph has some real good thumpy sub bass. It always surprises me

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@millenwagon, I'm a certified basshead, so thank you for the clarification!

[@OzSteve]

Loved this video. I think I have about 40 IEMs all under $100 AUD now (lol) In saying that. I have the 7Hz Timeless, and for my ears. I am loving the SGOR Adonis and Lunar IEMs they're the best sounding and fun to listen to for me. At $30/$50 I can't believe I like them over the 7Hz

[@PassionforSound]

They must be good to best the Timeless!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I have also purchased about that number of earphones - in fact I just ordered one today. However, the more expensive IEMs in my collection are definitely better, sound-quality wise.

[@SpykerSpeed]

I only have 2 IEMs, and they're each over $2200. I probably overpaid, but I didn't want to be one of those goobers who owns 40+ pairs, lol. EDIT: Oh Lord, I just saw another commenter has 40 IEMs. He probably thinks I'm a goober.

[@aceofspades6667]

Looks at headphone collection after seeing this post. I am that goober.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Goober here.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@aceofspades6667 HEADPHONES?? DOUBLE goober here.

[@spamcan9208]

You're both goobers lol

[@SpykerSpeed]

@@spamcan9208 all audiophiles are.

[@brownwallet942]

1 good reason to stop buying IEMs: you just bought Estrella(bright) and Deuce(warm) and you also just received your Hiby R4 Evangelion. *End* relax and enjoy 😌

[@PassionforSound]

Happy listening!

[@mikeg2491]

It boggles my mind there are so many IEM companies and that they manage to sell enough to stay in business

[@PassionforSound]

That's how I feel too!

[@s0wwy345]

I went to get my in ear prints recently to get costum iems. The Doctor mentioned the option of costum sleeves. Can You tell me the difference and practically of Costum Iems and Costum sleeved iems? The Price isnt part of the decision making. I didnt have the Time to ask firther questions yet due to impending work.

[@PassionforSound]

Here are the pros and cons I can think of: 1) turn any IEM into a custom fit design even if the model of IEM isn't available as a custom. 2) you can upgrade your IEM if you stick to a brand whose designs are all the same shape (e.g. Sennheiser IE300, 600, 900, or Westone Mach 60, 70, 80) 3) you can sell your IEMs later because they're still universal 4) the tonality of the IEM may be altered slightly by the length and shape of the mould material because the IEM will end up sitting a bit further from the ear drum than with a true custom design 5) depending on the design, the IEM may sit a bit further out of the ear

[@s0wwy345]

@PassionforSound how much is it? .Can you recommend a graph for performance recommendation? If was aiming for the 64 At12. The none costum models i looked at were the Anole VX, thieaudio mk2, and the ue life. Music genres: classic, choirs, Synphonies. Instrument: Violin.

[@PassionforSound]

@s0wwy345 I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're asking for.

[@s0wwy345]

@PassionforSound a comparisson of Db variations from costum to sleeved. It's not mainly about comfortably but rather changes in tone.

[@PassionforSound]

@s0wwy345 I don't have those kinds of measurements - sorry

[@gldphish6907]

I got meme'd into buying a Blessing 2: Dusk a few years ago and they're complete garbage. I lost all interest in IEMs, but did buy a KZ Castor because they were only 10€, they're honestly a lot better than the B2D. I wonder how much money you'd have to spend to get a noticeable upgrade, the B2D was over 300€.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, the world of hype around some products can be very misleading. I never tried the B2D, but there are some amazing IEMs around that price. The key is working out the sound you enjoy and then finding the IEM that suits you because there are too many options now and many are almost interchangeable.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

The video I need

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

If they look and feel like they cost $10, Amazon might quietly put the $19 (£20 here in the U.K.!) stock on sale…😛

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

And I did see it in the description first hehe 🙂

[@PassionforSound]

Yeah, that was a bit of a whoopsie on my part. The script would have said they look and feel like $19 if I'd gotten the pricing right.

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

@@PassionforSound well funnily enough, the previous version the Hola, turned out to be amazing value for money, think it was about £15-£20 and it was tuned just different enough from other stuff to make it worth keeping around. So I would believe the price is worth it. Quite like Truthear stuff.

[@deadline7610]

Is this what one might call a click bait title ? Got to luv "the take away here is" at the end of the video. Enjoy the journey.

[@PassionforSound]

100% clickbait and I'm unapologetic on this one because IEM reviews are far and away the worst performing content on the channel so I have to try every trick in the book! 🙂🙂

[@christophergaus3996]

I have a few sets of fancy IEMs, I keep losing them

[@PassionforSound]

That's never good!

[@unruler]

Stop buying IEMs, start buying headphones instead!

[@PassionforSound]

Nice thinking, but sometimes IEMs are necessary and better

[@JLa748]

A video that portays 6 reasons to stop buying iems which are...6 alternative iems. This has got be the parent of clickbait titles out there.

[@PassionforSound]

If you knew his poorly IEM videos perform, you'd know why it's necessary 🙂

[@sulf49]

Try Hidizs MP145

[@PassionforSound]

I have. It's great! I did the review when they first came out and definitely recommend them. To continue my point from this video though, if you already have the MP145s, I doubt I'd recommend buying any other IEM in this price bracket because they'll be different, but unlikely clearly better.

[@sulf49]

@@PassionforSound True bro, MP145 is my End Game now. No more IEM but more Headphone

[@marekkordzik7517]

​​@@PassionforSound I listened to sound demo of mp145 vs s12 pro and couldn't stand scooped mids on mp145 , theare also bright but not clear imo . I like s12 pro much better .... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGOQc4KIrNV5oLssi=2wv-FZI3_IZDDRor

[@randallkubiszewski6908]

Yes get what you like and stop. We ain’t like you getting free items all the time

[@PassionforSound]

If it makes you feel better, it cost me more in time to produce this video than all of these IEMs are worth combined and the video will earn me about $30 AUD over the next 6 months...

[@randallkubiszewski6908]

@@PassionforSound went right over your delusional self. That head is so big but keep goin. I remember you claim to stop being a reviewer but here you are. Maybe one day that head will deflate

[@donaldwolff]

Great, in the last month I have spent $13,600 on three IEM's and now you tell me I could have spent under $200 for a single one! :)

[@PassionforSound]

I dare say that yours will be comfortably better still.

[@donaldwolff]

@@PassionforSound Still waiting on the PMG APX-se to get in, sometime in November they say!

[@PassionforSound]

I actually just heard them at the Melbourne HiFi Show (an ex-Patreon member owns them). They are wonderful!

[@ldcpalv]

nice click bait man xD

[@PassionforSound]

Anything to get people to actually watch an IEM video! 😁

[@MarkLloyd-yo4li]

Earwax build up 🤢

[@frankgarcia9834]

The fiio is crap

[@PickanPop]

The only reason for IEM's is vanity. The sound sucks and the fit sucks. I used to use them until Bluetooth got better and now I just use wireless headphones for working out or travel.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

You cannot beat wireless earphones for convenience, that is for certain!

[@spamcan9208]

I only wear mine in bed at night. Can it be vanity if no one sees them?

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure how you've drawn this conclusion... If I'm working at a cafe, I want isolation and great sound quality. There's no wireless headphone on the planet that sounds as good as an IEM setup of the same value (dongle and IEM) due to the limitations of Bluetooth. It's got nothing to do with how they look. I also happen to find IEMs more comfortable for longer sessions because there's no weight on top of my head.

[@gldphish6907]

@@PassionforSound You're right about headphones being unwieldy and less comfortable! I paid 220€ (after taxes and shipping) for my Aviot TE-ZX1 and they do some things better than the HE1000 Stealth that I use at my desk. Plus the convenience and comfort are just miles ahead. I've actually been considering getting a Bluetooth transmitter that supports LDAC so I don't have to use the HE1000 as much. It's weird that there aren't any REALLY GOOD sounding wireless headphones, when the TWS earbuds keep getting better.

[@PassionforSound]

@gldphish6907 that's a great point about wireless IEMs vs wireless headphones.

[@alstonmaccow9386]

Ive got one reason you should find another job Your advice is not needed

[@andrewkateb]

Any specific reason for leaving a moronic, nasty, unwanted, childish comment like that friend? Don't be angry at the world, stay off the drugs, move out of mum's basement (you're 47 for Pete's sake!!) and please go out and sniff the flowers. You'll feel much better - trust me.