TOP 5 BEST In-Ear Monitors/ Earphones "Under $500"

[@TonkyTronicus]

You sold me on the Oracle a while back when you called it an upgraded Dusk (my other favorite). It's the most perfectly tuned IEM I've ever heard. It's flawless. I finally hit my endgame. Thanks, buddy.

[@Gizaudio]

Nice!! I'm happy you enjoy it man! It's still to this day one of my favorite :)

[@roadfordays]

Just put my first hour in on a new set of Variations, paired with a new Topping A30 Pro. Holy moly, these make the Kato sound like I had wool in my ears. Listened to an album I know well and it was like hearing it for the first time. I didn't think that feeling was possible again because the Katos were good enough to make me think I'd finally heard "everything" encoded in the recording. Nope. Plenty more stuffed in there that was revealed by the Variations!

[@dominikalbers6983]

Wathing this with my Oracles in my ears! Love them, great Set. Not one time with this iem i thought that doesn't sound right!

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks man! It's truly amazing. Glad you like it as well!

[@MitchGurowitz]

This video being two years old, have these top 3 still held their places, or are there newer IEMs that have taken their place?

[@MannyScoot]

The Variations are simply sick !

[@Viewer13128]

You mentioned genre affecting the #1 and #2. What genre do you listen to with Oracle that puts it at #1 in your heart? And what genres make Variations #1?

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

obviously the he-1

[@Foobymaster1]

I've been tempted to buy the sa6 since your first review of it but I think if I got anything, it would be the Theiaudio

[@Gizaudio]

The top 3 spot is really like splitting hairs in term of quality. I love all three and they are all different and amazing in their own way :)

[@leekenyon4099]

You said it man, resolution for the Variations is god tier. I've had iems 3x the cost that don't come close. Amazing set of iems. Imo they could have easily charged 1k and people would still have been happy as clams

[@Gizaudio]

Yup, it could have easily been $1000. Thanks for commenting man!

[@lanemiddleton9]

I’m looking forward to your head-to-head between the Oracle and the XENNS UP - those are on my radar for endgame IEM. Thanks 🙏🏼 for all you do as an ace reviewer‼️

[@Gizaudio]

I'm still looking for a used Xenns Up lol. Thank you so much!

[@Tom-ts5qd]

If I am REALLY treble sensitive, but still want that engaging, excitement, good vocals I get from the 112 / shozy magma, there's only one call: SA6 right?

[@timmyvangtans]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!! Don't forget to join our Facebook group to see the videos a bit early than anyone else! Link is in the description :D

[@datdudeinred]

Is there any way you'll be reviewing new Mangrid up? They have beryllium coated dd in a tribrid OMG can't even imagine the bass if its anything like the graphs suggest.

[@Gizaudio]

I've been trying to catch a used one but seems no one wants to sell it. I might have to just spend the money...we'll see. I'll keep hunting around.

[@benpetx4]

@@Gizaudio how much for a pair you'll pay?

[@Gizaudio]

For a used pair? Probably around $500.

[@datdudeinred]

@@Gizaudio hahaha true that. Thers only 1 review from bggar hope you get to get one soon 😉

[@benpetx4]

@@Gizaudio I own a pair just cause I loved the mangrid tea but it's treble was to sharp for me, the details and the surround sound was amazing and I was looking for more bass so I went with UP. In my opinion the XENNS UP has great bass, instruments have feeling and good texture. The mids and vocals are just abit resest, on male vocals the bass is warm. The treble on these is alot less sharp then the TEA, the sound stage feels close but not confined there is some sound stage but as open as the TEA. The instrument separation is well detailed and the 3d sound is well tuned. With this pair I only have used the fiio Q3 amp dac as my power to the UP. People who have better dacs or amps will have a better experience. In conclusion the XENNS UP is a great pair if your a basshead or just want to hear the drums, string instruments or low sax tones with full body. To put this in perspective these sound close to the FIIO FH3 just everything upgraded from bass detail and soundstage.

[@Hyperion1722]

I just bought the EST112 instead. Hope this is a good complement for my Shure SE535.

[@7evolance]

How is it compared tu shure se535? I have se535 since 2014.

[@leonardlandicho7491]

Your reviews are really entertaning!!. Hope you could also review the UM 3DT

[@Orteth]

For metal, which of those are the best? I love the sound of the LZ A7: the guitars sound a little bit thicker, so... sound incredible!

[@quadrannilator]

Awesome compilation Dude! Helped me a Lott! Keep it comin. You're a very nice balance of illustrating with emotion what technicalities you like about the gear. Thans you very much.

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks so much man! :D

[@poemu6781]

Great video for those that's on the fence. Getting my hands on the Variations tomorrow, hopefully a justifiable upgrade over my Yume and A4000.

[@Gizaudio]

Ohhhh it's gonna be an amazing upgrade! Thanks for commenting!

[@poemu6781]

@Darkest Mind ended up getting Variations and SA6. Also ended up selling them both for the Tanchjim Oxygen. Because just found out I'm a sucker for DD's, lol *my next upgrade might be Acoustune HS1790TI

[@JunJunMusume]

I keep mentioning the Oracle and that just makes me more curious about it but sometimes I wonder if I should save money for it or rather just save a bit more and get either a ThieAudio Monarch or a Moondrop S8 from the get go...

[@juanblanco7898]

I believe it's better to save up to get in the higher league from the get go, but that depends on how much time it would take. It's a great option to go for a killer ~500$ set to be able to wait comfortably while you save up for the upper end option, even if it takes longer as a result. Especially with price-to-performance ratio becoming better and better so fast. Chances are you'll be able to get a clear upgrade from the Oracle for the same price in just two years. I myself have ordered Variations recently on a sale and those are as far up there as I could dream of anyway.

[@mrtonytex]

As usual a super engaging review. Really enjoy your simple straight to the point approach to reviewing. Curious how do you rate the EJ07M with the Variations and also Oracle Vs Excalibur. Thank you

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks man! EJ07M review is coming up in a few days!

[@maninironmask7925]

What tips do you use for your Moondrop Blessing 2's ?

[@RazvanMGH]

Which one is an upgrade from the fh3 (same sound signature) ?

[@cottage_pie]

I was going to buy the variations. I literally put them in my basket. I went and checked on amazon and they went up from £462 to £520... A bit upset. Can't afford them now. Could you recommend somewhere else I could buy them in UK? Thanks for the vid btw great content. 👍

[@sashaatlas8738]

Great video, can you compare sa6 and variations?

[@gavingranado2146]

IMPERIAL NORNNNNN LEZZGOOO DUDEEE

[@Gizaudio]

YAAAAAAASSSS!!!

[@47thdarkdimension]

I remember seeing another video of yours not recommending the Oracle due to overbearing and annoying treble. But here they're No 2. Im confused 😕

[@Gizaudio]

you're confusing Oracle MK1 and MK2. Oracle MK1 is the one I recommend here. Oracle MK2 is horrible

[@47thdarkdimension]

@@Gizaudio thanks for clarifying!

[@rawjugv.u9519]

That Kinera Norn so match with your seating chair. Ah, I just keep repeating all your videos over and over. Where is the new uploads? I am craving waiting your new video.

[@nowiseverything7334]

Can I use them with an Iphone without losing a lot of soundquality?

[@EvolJeft]

Support support!!! Great content

[@Gizaudio]

Thank you so much!!

[@zhouzhouzhou672]

Moondrop seems to be topping every price bracket below 600 nowadays.

[@PedroCamilo]

WHat about Softears Studio 4?

[@maco34576]

im a singer can i use these for live performances bro? pretty hair btw

[@rockyjhon6736]

hello good review; can you please review the Tanchjim Darling and Tanchjim Prism; I would like to know how the Moomdrop Variation vs Prism compares? thanks for your answer

[@Gizaudio]

I have Prism on the way, might skip Darling because it is older and I can't spare the money to buy both lol.

[@rockyjhon6736]

@@Gizaudio tanchjim have a huge soundstage bigger than dunu zen; I also recommend it to you, it is incredible

[@NJN7878]

Your reviews are extremely entertaining and informative. Keep going. What ist the IEM with the best vocals (texture and vocal details) in your opinion?

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks man! I would say out of all that's in the video, Oracle has the most beautiful vocals tuning wise, detail and texture wise would be Variations but not by too much.

[@NJN7878]

@@Gizaudio I already own the UM Mest MKII so my question was actually about all IEMs no matter the price :D Still thanks a lot for your answer! By the way: I also got the Fiio M11 plus LTD and i would also say its kind of a reference DAP sound (Tuning) wise. Recently i upgraded to the IBasso DX300 and i could not how much better the ibasso in my opinion is. The Soundstage is A LOT wider, and mostly deeper with many more layers of music beeing revealed. You can also hear way more details. I got no clue how thats possible, but i recommend you to check that Dap out at some point.

[@Gizaudio]

I own the M11 Plus LTD, it's actually my DAP for testing all IEMs :) And to answer your question correctly this time I would say best vocals texture and details would easily be the Anole VX with a caveat that you must enjoy BA timbre. BA timbre some think are natural some think not. If you don't mind BA timbre the VX is easily the most detailed I've ever listened to. Vocal clarity and treble extension are incredible.

[@haziee3108]

How big of an upgrade are the iems in the 500$ range when compared to something like a dusk? I'm planning on saving up for a set for my endgame and i can't decide whether to go for the 300$ with the dusk or splurging for one of these, so I'm looking for the best price performance for my money cuz money don't grow on trees for me lol.

[@Gizaudio]

If we compare Dusk to some of the best of $500 IEMs, it is quite a noticeable improvement. Oracle for example is a straight upgrade to the DUSK, if you like DUSK the Oracle is a better DUSK in every way. Variations and SA6 are a great step up as well.

[@ВасилНанков-р6о]

Which are the best for metal music? Which have the best dynamics and fast transitions?

[@Gizaudio]

Ohhh that's a good question, I love SA6 for metal actually and Variations is a close second. If you want pure speed that it's Variations.

[@avandesai4533]

is going from the clairs to the voyagers 14 a upgrade worth doing for 100$ more used or should i skip it and go for the mest OG

[@legendaryduelist-audiogear4778]

I'm having a hard time debating between getting oracle, variations or excalibur, I would like to get something with natural timbre, good note weight for male and female vocal music, more on the fun side than on the analytical side of things. Balanced with a slight bass boost, I like some energy in the treble but nothing overly harsh, something like a b2 with better bass and less shouty? I listen mainly to metal, jpop, soundtracks and like I said, vocal music, nick cave, for example, which would be my best bet? I'm thinking maybe oracle? seems to be one of the most popular iems in the "neutral bass boosted" iems, but I'm afraid of it being boring, iems that I enjoy are the regular b2, 7hz timeless, t2, gs audio gt12, something like the b2 but with the timeless bass would be very enjoyable, I think, thanks in advance! great video :D

[@Viewer13128]

did u get one of them? what are your impressions?

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

Timmy i read somewhere that the faceplate of variations can easily come off. Any opinion on that? For this reason im thinking to opt for oracle. Is oracle better than variatios? Can you help?

[@DominikPhilipp1]

Do the vents on the SA6 impact isolation, or does it isolate as good as an unvented ba iem?

[@Gizaudio]

isolation on those are great ! :)

[@DominikPhilipp1]

@@Gizaudio Thank you, keep the great work going :) Can you briefly compare the Isolation to the Blessing 2?

[@OptLab]

I think SA6 finish is amazing, the cable itself is a piece of art. I don't really like Thieaudio's confettis shell lol

[@Srlukesky]

Hello Friend, for you whats the best R&B iem? Variations? Monarch? Other? Thanks!!!

[@Gizaudio]

Ohhh great question! I love the Oracle for R&B for the vocal performance and smoother bass, Variations is nice as well if you listen to mainly female R&B. honestly....Oracle and Variations are the two I would recommend.

[@Srlukesky]

@@Gizaudio Got it. I'll search more about de Oracle so. Tould u when i decided kk Thank u

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Another great enthusiastic natural review Thanks♥️🥂… The Oracle clear winner in the audiophile world as per Oracle vs. Excalibur … but and it is not even but because Excalibur is v shaped….. some prefere it or I would say love it the same way you love the Oracle… like this guy Audiolevels another channel… he says it is so fun the bass really hits deep mids not recesed notebly and highs really extend working these ESTs…✌️😁❤️😎

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks man! I still need to get myself an Excalibur lol. So many IEMs coming out though, Excalibur is quickly being left behind I think, that's the nature of chifi. If it's not down right amazing, it gets forgotten very fast.

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

That's true...Take care ✌️😁❤️🔆

[@xinigomiranda]

What do you think of the Variations when used as an IEM for gaming?

[@krayozmines]

Imaging on the Variations is amazing. Should be able to help you place the enemies around you accurately by sound for fps games. If you're playing more story telling games like The Walking Dead, the Variations are very immersive. Should be a pleasant experience. However, buying such an expensive iem isn't going to make yr gaming experience significantly better or make yr gaming skills better. You don't need the Variations or any crazy iems to have a good gaming experience.

[@DiegoSanchez-fi9cf]

The variations to me, are just incredibly nice to look at, I don't know if I'll be able to catch a pair anytime soon, but aesthetics make them hard to pass.

[@Gizaudio]

I hope you can get to listen to one soon!

[@SachinKalbag0611]

Thank you for such a detailed, energetic and "balanced" review. I was a bit surprised at the absence of the FiiO FH7. What do you think about the FiiO masterpiece?

[@Gizaudio]

Thank you so much! I've actually not tried the FH7 but I read that not many people like it over the FH5. King of FiiO for me right now would be the FH5 personally.

[@SachinKalbag0611]

@@Gizaudio Thank you so much

[@duncanhall7228]

The FH7 are a gem, especially if you can get them around $300. I recently returned my Variations after a week because while they were better than the FH7 in resolution, warmth and treble, the FH7 has better bass, speed, and surprisingly mid-range since the Variations tended to muffle vocals behind the bass which became infuriating because the vocals are beautiful until the bass gets involved.

[@SachinKalbag0611]

@@duncanhall7228 Thank you so much, Duncan. Much appreciated. I bought the FH7 finally four days ago. Delighted with my decision! 🙂

[@OptLab]

Thank you very much. It's always fun to listen and you explain thoroughly. Any thought about the new 7Hz Timeless Planar, is it worth the hype or forgettable? Planars have openness, detail retrieval, speed. This new model is better tuned than all other planar so far (planar can sound boring, sound artificial and lack punch). I wonder how it competes. (Costs about 220$) Wonder if it's worth a video.

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks man! I have 7Hz coming in the mail so hopefully will talk about them later on this month.

[@SriRamaKrishnaD]

Please review FiiO FD7 if you get a chance.

[@Gizaudio]

How about FD9? I have that one on the way

[@Viewer13128]

From what I can tell, the Oracle is only at #1 (in his heart) because of tuning, which if chifi continues its trend of focusing on tuning and value, we will probably get an Oracle tuning IEM ranging $500-1000 in the near future. I'm assuming because he has S and S- IEMs that cost over $2k that he has the luxury to listen to Oracle and Noir more often for tonality alone? But I just can't spend $500 knowing the Oracle has less technical level and even less resolution than even the #3, while also being more expensive than the #1. If I want the Oracle, I'd rather wait for 1-5 years for them to release a same tuning but superior IEM. In the meantime, the #1 Variations looks so underpriced they might be discontinued (lol). So either I just don't buy and wait, or I buy the Variations and wait.

[@James-nu3zj]

bit late but take a look at the clairvoyance (like 700 USD) which has better technical ability than the oracle and with the same tuning. not sure if the $200 premium is worth it but up to you I guess.

[@James-nu3zj]

could also try the monarch mkII (1000 USD) which had the same tuning as the clairvoyance and oracle but also reportedly has very very good technical ability

[@trash3]

I value Tuning more than technicality and it's understandable. What's the point of good technicalities if the tuning doesn't suit you or sucks? The answer is the same as eating a well done wagyu steak. I rather eat lower quality (less technical) meat, but better cooked (tonality).

[@huyphucnguyen5623]

Can u try out azla 01r mk2 vs jh michelle -.-

[@Gizaudio]

Yes I'll add that to my try list

[@saucyg6371]

I’ve been waiting for the fiio fh9 to drop ever since the fa9 dropped. Now they just dropped the FD7’s and I’m seriously considering them. I’m waiting for more reviews on them but my top pick atm for an iem would be the Oracles. Anything more than ≈$500 there’s a lot of diminishing returns imo. My most expensive headphones are Sundaras, only because I haven’t found a headphone in the $500-$1000 range. But it seems to me like there are more choices for iems than headphones in that price range these days.

[@Chamiman]

Super review 👍.

[@Gizaudio]

thank you!!

[@datdudeinred]

A name of iems in title or atleast in description would be lovely bro. Instead of just shortened links that too have to be opened. & also timestamps BUT I knew variations would be No.1 😂😉

[@Gizaudio]

If I do that than no one would need to watch the video lol. And yes, Variations is just sooooo goood!

[@datdudeinred]

@@Gizaudio Actually thats what lesser reviewers should think about. Your reviews are excellent way way better than many. Love them just like bggar he adds names in both title & description yeah he has way more subs but bro pls consider that as ppl will anyways watch the whole video want proof look at your likes to dislike ratio.😉

[@SriRamaKrishnaD]

I am watching your videos for the first time today and I am very impressed. Please keep it up. Immediately subscribed!! I am leaning towards Variation because of it's openess and staging capabilities, thanks for the great comparisons.

[@Gizaudio]

Thank you so much! :D

[@ian-ut4cr]

Yanyin Aladdin - $245, 3BA+1DD - excellent female vocals, very good detail retrieval top to bottom, versatile tuning, competes in the $300-500 bracket.

[@Gizaudio]

I'll have to check that one out!

[@amanieux]

you have a 1hz tic tic noise in some of your videos

[@YUYU-qv5le]

Is the texture and timbre next step up on the oracle compare to dusk? Thank you!

[@Gizaudio]

I would say yes, especially in the highs, the Oracle handles it more naturally than Dusk.

[@reanimation777]

Video should be titled "About $500" instead of "Under $500" LOL Also, Mangird Tea NEEDS to be on this list if it's under $500!

[@Gizaudio]

LOL yeah.....

[@wanaboed]

Kiwi ears orchestra has no weakness but it's on #4? Maybe the timbre and tuning are bad?

[@SuperChonk]

THIRD TO COMMENT

[@Gizaudio]

Thanks!!

[@nigellove7651]

instead of saying beautiful 1000 times, it would be nice if you explained the drivers! Do you understand that should be important? Maybe you don,t even know!