UNDER $100 IEM TIERLIST (2024)

[@Gizaudio]

Kefine Delci was accidently cut out lol It's a good IEM overall. It's not a blind buy because it's quite bassy and warm, but overall good IEM.

[@JohnClarkW]

The Blon Z300 is so similar, and half the price.

[@capz9249]

but tunhifi t3plus?

[@tranner85]

@@JohnClarkW They graph similarly, but graphs don't tell the whole story, not at all. The Delci is quite a bit better in-terms of technicalities (soundstage, layering, detail, imaging). The driver is probably a lot better. You could EQ a cheap pair of IEMs to match an expensive pair, but it won't sound as good. It will have similar timbre, but you can only do so much with tuning/EQ.

[@Qboro66]

IMO, the zero red doesn't need the 10 ohm adapter... The bass on its own is pretty sufficient. The adapter changes the sound of the upper end...😕

[@KuzoriAkuzo]

what IEM for gaming and movies do you suggest i play valorant alot my max range is 400 euro''s

[@guybrushtwood]

Really should’ve mentioned the nozzle size on the “Zero: Red” That alone stops it from being a blind buy for a lot of people

[@DonkeyKong496]

Doubles as a buttplug

[@marchettijj3569]

This is so true, I've bought this iem without knowing how HUGE this thing is, and for my ears that are exceptionally small, it’s a big issue

[@zertbrown4642]

Big true

[@user-L3K9R6A2B7Z]

Zero 2 distorts with higher volumes which makes it super bad for me (also the crappy shell shape, wire, and eartips)

[@mTLpHfumfaomd]

Perhaps using a smaller tip would help?

[@Lapos.]

Gate is a blind buy just for the cable, especially when they're on sale for 17$ and you can look at the iem as a free gift that comes bundled in.

[@eldritchcapybara]

The cable seems good but definitely not worth $17 when something like the Tripowin Zonie can be bought for the same price or even as low as $12, and if you just want a cheap IEM then I agree with Timmy that the Wan'er would be a better choice.

[@Rorensuwl8]

17 dollars for the w/mic version is just so good

[@new1412]

While I agree that cable on Gate/Hola is probably the best in this price range, and along with that pleather snapping pouch, I don't think it's worth $17. I didn't expect anyone to be serious on that joke about getting the cable with Gate as a freebie. - The build quality is drastically dropped from Hola, from 3D printing to normal mould ejection. - There's plenty of people mentioning the issue with glue smudge. - From an unique warm + relaxing sound iem to generic "Chu 2" sound that nearly every $20 iem are doing now. I was this 🤏close to buy the Gate but when you can grab the Zero 2 for 2/3 of the price (1/2 on the latest sales) I don't see any reason to buy the Gate anymore, logically.

[@oranggabut19]

​@@new1412 you have recommendation iem like hola?

[@SiddharthSharma-uz6un]

I have wanner so better spending money on a cable rather than an cheap iem but yes the shell of wanner is super cheap as compared to it's competition so they look bad with any cables and specially that qdc port sucks ​@@eldritchcapybara

[@UFO-Audio]

I agree with the list overall. There are some sets that I have not yet heard though. The only set I disagree on is the Kiwi ears Cadenza. While they are not a stand out set I find them to be very decent especially for their price point. I am slightly treble sensitive and the treble on them doesn't bother me. However I do find the treble on the Wan'er to be harsh only on certain sounds with the stock eartips. I use them with foam tips and that really makes them sing! Great video by the way. It's very helpful.

[@hartyewh1]

Cadenza is beautifully tuned unlike many options in the sub-$40 range.

[@Proxpleb]

Personally the hexa is a great iem sound wise. For me the treble is quite enjoyable but it is definitely understandable when it is described as boring as that tuning do be pretty flat comparatively tho a lil tweak with some eq can add some nice punch. For me the default sound is still great

[@profound369]

I took the tuning filters out of the nozzles of mine and they livened up

[@selbendersiinge69]

So true, i really like the default sound of them too, just not for bass focused genres, very pleasant, great vocals and well defined. I broke mine after a lot of abuse but and miss them, probably will have to buy another pair later on or try something different 😅

[@LuciferArc1]

Idk. My hexa sounded brighter than my sonus. Sharper treble imo. Sonus was smoother

[@Rsalmond83]

Kiwi Ears Cadenza will always be a cult classic. Cheap and pleasant sound.

[@toprakde]

everything is cheap here

[@AverageBonus]

The Salnotes Zero isn't a skip. While the Zero 2 sounds a bit bassy, the Zero's sound neurtal and some people might prefer that.

[@Schwarzegamer]

“Nobody is going to complain about the tuning of the Red”. Me. I’m complaining. Returned it immediately and much prefer the Hexa. My partner also agreed.

[@miki890098]

Kiwi ears cadenza super unfair for it to be a skip 😭 it has many good qualities

[@thomaskuhn6541]

I agree, definitely not a blind buy but I don't think it's a skip. Pretty solid iem, my only complaint is the mids are a bit thin at lower volume.

[@sagittarius5306]

Cadenza with EQ, sounds much better. I'm very happy with my kiwi ears cadenza 😎👌🏼

[@timothybrown8424]

I have the Cadenza neck and neck with the Wan’r.

[@spamcan9208]

​@@sagittarius5306what eq settings did you do?

[@apollomoonlandings]

My Cadenza required nearly 100 hours of burn-in to get rid of the fairly faint raspy edges for the details. The Cadenza is my favorite budget IEM up to its price point.

[@selbendersiinge69]

Hexa blind buy. Can eq them to every wild sound signature you desire and the default is really nice aswell.

[@shenbagiri19]

The soundstage is like the smallest cave i have ever visited.

[@selbendersiinge69]

@shenbagiri19 nah, penon fan 2 way worse. Imaging is decent aswell. Soundstage is alright.

[@GawainDragon]

The Cadenza has exceptional bass and is my favorite iem in my collection over things like the Fiio FD5 or the Letshuoer Z12.

[@shaikhfaridh4269]

i agree, it was my daily driver for months & still use in between.

[@ricko13]

most people says cadenza is not a bassy iem

[@GawainDragon]

@@ricko13 is that it has really good kick to it. It's like you can feel the membrane streching and vibrating on a drum. Really unique.

[@user-pb9sv1tw7t]

kinda criminal to say hexa is just good and zero red as blind buy especially with that big ahh nozzles.

[@blorg8206]

Hexa has huge nozzles as well, Hexa fit is actually tricker for me.

[@zecta2293]

No way bro didnt include ea 500lm

[@whydoineedname4932]

It's usually considered as a downgrade from the Ea500 by quite alot of people

[@catdampawshaker2735]

Probably too bright for his taste

[@geraltnroach]

​@@catdampawshaker2735Too bright probably not the reason as Timmy like bright iem like ie600, s12, anole etc and all of those are brighter if not as bright as ea500lm

[@catdampawshaker2735]

@@geraltnroach well ig, but the ea500lm has that glare in the upper midrange. It could be that to him that glare, together with not enough bass emphasis, shifts this to more of a lean and bright sounding iem with not enough body compared to the ie600 and the s12 which have a more subdued pinna and normal FR from midrange up (besides the instance of treble spike)

[@Gizaudio]

I forgot to. Though it'd be a skip for me. Xuan NV is better.

[@Warmiice]

what about celest wyvern abyss? pretty good iem I bought it to replace a broken waner and was pleasantly surprised by the sound

[@mohammadbaqer8305]

as i heard its gate but worse and more expensive

[@vianhoho19]

I just heard those side by side with the Truthear Gate. Gate clears it. Badly 😅

[@vianhoho19]

@@viktor1845 clears = wins

[@jeremyward6378]

I bought the Delci recently and also grabbed a KZ ZVX just to try out...I honestly think I like the ZVX the most between the two.

[@jamesberryman9893]

What Timmy actually meant to say is the Kefine Delci, Kiwi Ears Cadenza, and Celest Wyvern Abyss are all 3 blind buys. There I fixed it. You're welcome.

[@gabech2789]

Hexa when under $80 blind buy for me

[@selbendersiinge69]

Mine broke because i abused them but i LOVED them. Wonderful female vocals imho

[@JohnClarkW]

I will take the TRN Conch over the Simgot EW200, better accessories and basically the same tuning for less money. I would take the Kailua, and Arttti R1 over the crinacle: zero, red or 2.

[@pritambiswas4185]

Thank you for regularly updating this list as every second month a new IEM is coming out. :)

[@nyororomeowelas1225]

I just got the Letshuoer S12 for about $122 after tax, I’m using it right now and it’s pretty dang good, feels quality.

[@gelobongs]

Thank you so much! Really helped me narrow down my choices.

[@falconnnn5]

Me who literally just bought a chu II 😭

[@dpkdggl604]

I ordered it yesterday…in previous videos and reviews this man was praising them alot😅😅😂😂

[@anirudh9211]

Me who watching on chu 2 😂

[@tom_from_myspace]

@@anirudh9211 It's a good IEM, I own it, and also the Kato, the chu1, the SuperMix4, the Kiwi Ear Cadenza... and I still find it really good.

[@goncaloalves182]

I bought chu2 2 weeks ago, it is amazing. It is a great purchase.

[@falconnnn5]

@@goncaloalves182 How did you manage to get a seal? Somehow it feels like my unit simply doesn't have bass. I even tried the larger tips but they just don't fit in my ear

[@augustoalvarez6766]

NOW DO UNDER 200!

[@bergdk237]

I just ordered my first pair of IEM's, a pair of Truthear x Crinacle Zero, for gaming.

[@JoshAbagat]

Im so excited to get my zero red it has always been my first pick over the kato

[@yaacovG]

Hey Timmy can you please do an update video for "BEST IEM'S FOR ORCHESTRA".

[@atulpushap2208]

Blon bl 03 is still good and will be for the time to come. They are very easy to recommend and listen to. Deserves a blind buy

[@IulianCaraghiulea-c9z]

i love more listening to blon then Sennheiser momentum 4 :)

[@oranggabut19]

10:35 What the name of the ending song

[@alexwebb321]

Hey what ones would you recommend for dj’ing , house/edm music ?

[@SadSackGaming]

Have the Chu and Chu 2, HOLA, LAN, Hexa, 7HZ x Crinacle Zero:2 and the Tangzu Wan-er S.G and I've gotta say that the Wan'er is going to be what I use. Used the same song and volume and the sound is just much fuller and the loudness is where it should be where it is matched on a few iems, but the sound itself is just so much nicer. You were right about the Hexa being...there, it exists, it's not bad, it's just there. And for the price, sweet nuggets. And I get a little silkscreen, so that's something too.

[@burns0100]

How can you blind buy the Wan'er and skip the Gate? basically the same tuning but Gate comes with a better cable. Hola trumps them both sadly.

[@Bakashi]

Can't recommend an iem that doesnt exist

[@burns0100]

@@Bakashi I didn’t, if you read the comment again I recommend the Gate but say I prefer the Hola.

[@optionlV]

I agree on the T10 placement. However, if you have access to EQ, I'd say it becomes a Blind Buy. Combine it with a Qudelix 5k, you get portable PEM without worrying about carrying around a $100+ Planar. Yes, you look like you're wearing grandma's hearing aids, but the value is unmatched. At least you're not paying $100 for grandma's brooch (cough Dioko cough). However, I disagree with the Gate, should be at least Good. It's super cheap at ~$17, and you're pretty much paying for the quality cable and are getting a decent IEM that compares to the 7hz Zero 1/Truthear Hola (Gate is lower db in the 10k range). Like you said, it looks sick and now comes in white as well (cable also white). Thanks for the tierlist Timmy.

[@shenbagiri19]

What tier list would dioko make in ? Not from an audiophile point of view but from a person who enjoys music not getting into all those techical audiophile ratings.

[@Doobysco0]

Holy crud I just realised Timmy is rocking the Focal Clears, very nice 🙏

[@elliottsalt]

Being an audiophile got me to buy the wan'er and zero red, and then I used em for DJing which convinced me to ditch the over ear AKGs I'd been driving (still use em for mixing though, absolute workhorses) majority of iems used by DJs are from ultimate ears/shure though, saddens me slightly when a $20 iem absolutely kills it when it comes to live stuff

[@shubhamjadhav_20]

Any noticeable difference you've felt between the zero red and the wan'er? I was thinking of getting the wan'er but the zero red sounds tempting too, if the difference is vast I'll spend more and get the zero red

[@elliottsalt]

@@shubhamjadhav_20 zero red is built much nicer, the stock tips with the red are nicer as well (I use the dunu S&S though.) I prefer the stock cable with the red (the stock on the wan'er is pretty nasty, although apparently the jade one has a nicer cable.) in terms of sound, the zero red is nicer. I can do an AB if you're interested, but off of memory the zero red is smoother and better separated than the wan'er

[@shubhamjadhav_20]

@@elliottsalt Hey thanks for the reply! It'd be great if you did a comparison, though it'll take your time so it's completely fine if you didn't. I just needed to know if the nozzles are a bit too wide, and if the resolution and the sound stage makes a lot of difference between the two. I've heard someone saying that the wan'er sounds more "fuller" compared to zero red, which I don't know if it's true, what's your experience on that?

[@sylvestrestalin]

lol I'm in the same situations, I still love my akg k361s but it's just not comfortable to put a big headphone on your head while you can put in an IEM and just lay back and enjoy music. I still prefer using my Cadenza when I'm not critically listening.

[@elliottsalt]

@@shubhamjadhav_20 sorry for how long this has taken (kinda forgot) but if your ears are big enough then I consider the red as a strong upgrade over the wan'er in every way when it comes to tuning (that's the only thing I care about in iems, as stuff like stage is done much better by hps and speakers.) bass on the red is more impactful and satisfying (especially with the adapter) and as a whole it sounds more full-bodied, hefty and refined. with both iems I would also strongly recommend getting aftermarket tips and cable (especially with the wan'er), so that's also something worth factoring into budget. red definitely does more things better and is worth it. bear in mind that I have not tried the zero 2 which is meant to be tuned pretty similarly to the red though.

[@krishubaranwal3003]

What are you wearing headphones for??

[@percider]

The Wan Er may have great sound but the build quality brings it down a lot for me. I had one and it came apart.

[@LeWarsik]

What i should to buy? For playing cs2, valorant and listening to music Truthear x Crinacle Zero or RedTruthear HEXA?

[@mikoalt]

Glad to see the wan'ers consistently at the top for budget-oriented Iems, it's a really good buy.

[@123whatsYOURname]

For anyone looking at the Zero 2. Heads up at higher volumes the Zero 2s lose their charm really fast. Also, the way it is shaped has it constantly falling out of my ears. My ears have to be bone dry before I wear them. Otherwise, they pop out and the bass goes out the window. I use them when I'm at home and use my Apple earpods when I'm outside.

[@kona328WH]

I have the zero 2 and find the SQ great even at high vols. My fit is also excellent

[@morphtronic8192]

noo my hexa deserves blind

[@rizki4883]

Nah, i own Hexa and i can't really recommend it It's too boring for most people, i've seen a lot of people sell it second hand condition 😂 on e-commerce & Marketplace

[@fiddlix]

Wow Timmy, great video as always. I’ve either owned or spent some time with many on your budget tier list. You are right on the money imho. My favorite around the C-note mark is your Galileo….just sayin…Cheers..! 🍻

[@edg3end]

kz castor not good?

[@MeronOppa]

I just got the Tangzu Wan er G.S as a gift and I’m enjoying it a lot so far. Would recommend.

[@bornmoo]

QKZ HBB is my bass love

[@makii4772]

is it bad that i didnt find the tangzu special

[@armondo4446]

Found Letshuoer S12 for less than a 100$. Should I go for it or is it not worth it anymore with the alternatives?

[@profound369]

I plan on getting that set and modding it like the youtube channel "shortbus" shows with different tuning papers and other things. Keep in mind those have lower sensitivity. You do need an external amp or dongle

[@mapperize]

if u dont mind plastic i just got artti t10 and personally love them

[@shaikhfaridh4269]

from the list i quite enjoy the tanchjim 4u ultra, cadenza, chu-2 & waner, out of this list i like EPZ Q5, EPZ Q1 pro, Artti R1, KZ rhapsody, & fiio FD11.

[@KuzoriAkuzo]

What is ur best IEM for gaming especially Valorant and watching movies max price 400 euro's????

[@Rahulkumar-vv3lf]

thanks fr the video!! Needed it

[@hs3204]

Nice headphones!!!! Any reviews coming in future???

[@roadtonever]

Lan is technically competent beating anything below $60, just slightly lean and mid forward.

[@pmgalves1977]

HBB hades for that boom boom gaming explosions 💣💣

[@LyuboA]

Kefine Delci is the Best by far then all of these

[@jak3zera]

my man just cut out the kefine delci rating altogether

[@saqlainahmed7233]

I really liked delci over truthear zero red and waner

[@jak3zera]

@@saqlainahmed7233 I hope I like the Delci too, waiting for it to arrive. Had bought the Zero:Red before but I just can't get a confortable fit because of the big nozzle

[@Sakata09Gintoki]

I have the LAN and i agree that is not for everyone who wants an all around iem, neutral bright sound is a niche preference

[@ratul_x_ryuu]

WHAT ABOUT MOONDROP MAY?

[@ntclarity]

im actually thinking of getting this one , have you got it ?

[@mfmebius958]

We also need a tier list for UNDER200$... Anyway, tangzu xuan nv is helpful because I was wondering if I should buy it.

[@Green_mist]

Quiz for you ~ F1 Pro vs T10

[@MBT06]

I had quality issues with the Aria Snow, so just another reason not to buy. I liked the feel, but the quality went downhill. For context, I bike outside everyday, but the paint and coating of the Snow's was degrading a year or so after purchase.

[@herobrinenuno]

could we possibly get a review on the xuan nv hopefully?

[@marike1100]

Looking for an IEM that sounds similar to the legendary JVC HA-FXT90, a dual DD configuration. Tangzu Xuan NV?

[@pratikkabra8238]

EA500LM???

[@vianhoho19]

what about it?

[@0x7f2c]

He said skip in another comment

[@whyismarcel]

I'm currently trying to decide between buying the KiwiEars Cadenza and the Truthear × Crinacle ZERO:RED, but I'm still unsure. In addition, the Cadenza cable looks better compared to the ZERO:RED.

[@whyismarcel]

And the size of the mouthpiece of the ZERO:RED worries me, the Cadenza seem to have a better selection of eartips, the ZERO include a case and look slightly better to my taste.

[@linhnhiphanthi]

Choose Zero Red and use the smallest eartips + large bore

[@blackpictureyt7611]

So what is the best option for music like House, Artcore, Hard style??

[@hyorimhw]

What abour the Moondrop May?

[@CaoThắngNguyễn-n5o]

Significantly better

[@hyorimhw]

@@CaoThắngNguyễn-n5o Significantly better compared to what?

[@nanakabe]

Most people at my regional audio gathering yesterday chose Truthear gate over tangzu waner :D

[@Sumeet054]

Thanks for putting the name

[@StartCodonUST]

These are some top-tier tierlist tiers. Edit: I guess I could see Delci not quite to everyone's preferences due to its warmth and bass.

[@Vaxeri]

I just ordered Zero Red before watching this. It's nice to hear that I made a safe choice as a newcomer :)

[@lali8603]

Do you enjoy It?

[@chuyguelaguetza6337]

I found the reds so boring and lacking in detail and soundstage, its a skip for me much prefer artti t10, a little on the brigther side but the burn does make this ones a lot better and around the same price, my take skips the reds, but if you want something in the 90s i will go with mp145, even better than t10

[@Julian_0000]

headphones tierlist pls

[@alainrodriguez161]

Having a lot of problem to decide between TANGZU XUAN NV and TRUTH HEXA, someone help me xD

[@PStars77]

Where may

[@aaronduong2]

What about the Moondrop May?

[@bilbobeutlin4897]

I am mainly annoyed by the lag my bluetooth earbuds have... Can anyone comment on that? is it just like that for all bluetooth devices or is there a difference with more expensive gear that is worth considering for gaming in particular?

[@percider]

This video came just right on time after I had washing machined and dryered my moondrop chu 2

[@NelsonMichael]

Does it... sounds clean now? 😬

[@percider]

@@NelsonMichael incredibly after I let it sit in rice last night and tried it again, it did sound cleaner, I can make out more details in the music than it did before it got washed.

[@mimimmo]

Focal clear og my favourite headphones👌 there will be an iem that sounds like them?

[@Trinity-zj1bm]

I am kinda new to the whole audio thing so my question might be stupid. Are these blind buy IEM‘s or the ones in the good category good for gaming?

[@deadgameplayer9358]

what do you think about the kinera celest wyvern pro?

[@unafflicted]

thank you for this list 🙏

[@loosewin7485]

Is there any ranking between the ones in blind buy? Regardless of the price difference

[@LeBeautiful]

Waners and Crin Red are the easiest blind buys for the money. Caps out at $60 too

[@0Roydashme]

Agreed with all except swap ZERO RED with TItan S. Titan S is a little more detailed and comfortable

[@sylfraeaveniore2684]

2nd Video where I ask for Timmy to review any Intuaura IEM

[@edi4ever1]

I like the wanner but build quality is so bad, I have to buy 3 per year. Do you have any recommendation with similar tuning but better build quality?

[@Razeri]

Chu 2 is very dependant from sound source, what you listen it with?

[@sylvestrestalin]

can anyone please tell me which IEM in this price range has the best technichal abilities? I usually EQ everything I have anyways so technichalities are more important to me than the original tuning unless it's just really off. It just feels like none of these videos really focus or even mention on that part and it's mostly about the tuning. (same with comfort)

[@MaiwandHimmat]

No way you said skip chu 2 that I ordered and I have been waiting patiently for 2 weeks for it :(

[@developerrk384]

I wan to buy a better iem, is there something good enough from the 50-100$ price point to make me main it more than my zero:2s?

[@chrisstroud60]

Just my opinion but the bl03 beats all these. All the budget stuff now has very safe bass and boring sound overall which at that point you should just go for something like the new dusk by crinacle or maybe the nova and variations.

[@BohmanderTCG]

Truthear Zero Red vs Crinacle Zero 2? Which one should i get? Is it worth the 30+$ extra for the reds?

[@valentin3186]

You get 2 dynamic drivers in Zero red. Which makes them have more open soundstage. Kz Castor Harman version for me compete with Zero reds and I got them for 7 dollars

[@ashi-tp2bd]

​​​@@valentin3186how's the kz castor doing? it enough for gaming?

[@Nopphadol-m3c]

Tangzu wan'er ดีจริงครับฟังได้ยาวๆไม่ล้าหู เสียงนักร้องนี้รายละเอียดต่างๆดีมาก แต่น่าลอง 7Hz Zero 2 จังอยากรู้เสียงเป็นยังไง

[@otaku-li7jn]

What do you think is the best dsp??

[@tonynguyen4918]

Where would you put the Moondrop May?

[@francisdelacruz6439]

Actually the 7hz Zero at usd 12 nowadays compared to the zero 2 at usd 25+ is compelling. Zero 2 at 2x the price of Zero in relative terms is not twice the performance far from it. A big miss could be the biggest bang for the buck on anyones list. 😮

[@hellothere9167]

Ended up buying the wan'er because it's the only one which is pretty cheap, in your blind buy and has a microphone

[@vireshsaluja]

Bro, Please Compare Tangzu Warn'er Vs TruthEar GATE

[@tonynguyen4918]

Where would you rank the Moondrop May?

[@lfa1908]

Xuan NV vs Truthear Hexa. Which do u think is more technically proficient between the 2? I am gravitating to the Hexa simply because It's around 13 dollars cheaper than the NV atm.