Using IEMs for Gaming - My Experience

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Are IEMs better than open-back headphones for gaming? More comfortable? Better sound? Here's my experience after a few months.
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[@altrdgenetics]

The "I Don't" single frame popup was a nice touch

[@Bruh-cj8pt]

I laughed so hard at that xD

[@jazmineash8450]

Where is it?

[@Vary180]

@@jazmineash8450 3:56

[@Vary180]

it's actually there for 6 frames

[@SuQmEdIc69]

@@Vary180 does it matter?

[@JamesEPhilp]

I used to wear IEMs a lot back in the day. Mostly Shures and UEs with foam tips. Eventually, after a number of years, I found my ear canals got aggravated by having them in. That said, recent IEMs do seem a bit smaller when it comes to what actually goes into the ear, and I’m sure these problems don’t exist if you get some custom moulds. I also never really used them in a desk environment - always on the go, where cable drag and body movement make them move around in your ear a lot more. Eventually I developed eczema in my ear canals, which I think in part was due to this aggravation. Certainly not everyone will have this experience, but I wanted to chip-in a view from someone who wore IEMs for probably something like 10 years. Good video as always though.

[@optimumtech]

Thanks for your input!

[@zajlord2930]

same reason im not using those even throught they would be much better with glasses

[@shubhampatil4679]

dude i quick tip clean your eartips every week with soap not suggested for foam tips tho but silicon you can clean with little bit skin friendly soap just a quick wash so that bacteria on those tips gets destroyed and trust me i was dripping water like thingy from my ears but after washing my tips every week it stopped and no more scratching inside ears! tell me if it worked after a week or so !

[@JJW410]

@@shubhampatil4679 M,y girlfriend got me to start using toner at night and wiping the inside of your ears with a cotton pad of toner works really well as well. Not aggressive either, just feels nice and clean and would probably help with ear problems like OP talks about.

[@shinoMusic]

@@shubhampatil4679 Isn't really going to help long term. Let's say you use these 8 hours a day for work + gaming sessions, this means your ear canal will be sealed off for 8 hours a day, not to mention sound is only gonna come into your ears through your ear canal and not through your skull, which you will compensate for with volume. Every ear specialist will advise you to not use IEMs for this extended amount of time. That's why they are for live music/broadcast events etc., because at other times people will use normal headphones.

[@NolzXD]

honestly my biggest gripe with using IEMs is just that my ears get super waxy whenever I wear them for a prolonged period of time. I don't know if this is a problem for anyone else, but it definitely keeps me on team headphones

[@presence5834]

Me too

[@maxloval775]

Me too man, me too...

[@GangityBirdity]

Same man. I love IEMs but man them long sit hours will just create an ocean of wax in my ears

[@zeffmalchazeen3429]

this and when trying to talk/eat or drink, it feels weird.

[@recode8453]

i'm the opposite my ear produce more wax when i use my hd600 🤣

[@akiraishu4453]

Nice video! I used to use a lot of different IEMs, but ever since I switched to open-back headphones I never really use them that much in comparison. The main reason being that IEMs and closed headphones tend to generate more hearing fatigue, specially over long sessions. Open-back are still the best option when you have a comfortable pair and a quiet environment around you, but if you need isolation make sure to take rests every hour or so to avoid damaging your hearing, particularly over high volumes (that drown out any other sounds). Take care of your hearing, folks!

[@oscara.2636]

Grade on your footage is top tier on this one mate. Really, really good job, skin tones look amazing, contrast is good. Nice one.

[@pyrobunny_mdpl]

I used IEMs for gaming exclusively for around 3-4 years, including in competitive and semi-pro tournament play. I also collect some higher end headphones and audio gear, both IEMs and over ears. Here are the opinions I formed over that time period: You really need to sit down and utilize a pair of IEMs for 2+ weeks for the mental burn in to kick in. If you are moving to a new pair of anything after using a different headphone for a long period of time without change, it will sound weird and off to you. I find that 2 weeks is around the minimum point to actually adjust to something new, and over the first 1-2 months you will still be adjusting. Bass can be good, if you like that feedback, but I find that a tighter, controlled, and quick bass is better than having more. AKA, quality > quantity. Of course, this is a preference, and YMMV, so just like all of these opinions, take it with a grain of salt. Comfort is key, so finding an IEM that fits you well, and swapping tips to find one that suits your ears is a huge part of using them for gaming. Sessions can be long, especially during scrims or in tournament play, so finding the right fit is the biggest thing. Do keep in mind however, that changing tips does make a noticeable difference in sound presentation in IEMs, and this change can make or break something. Sometimes trying different tips on an IEM will make you like it a lot more, sometimes it will be a terrible tradeoff. Soundstage is important, but imaging is even more so. IEMs naturally tend to have smaller, more "intimate" soundstages, which actually is not a bad thing. For competitive play, you actually don't want too large a soundstage, as it can get congested with the amount of audio cues you are looking for. What is more important for competitive play is imaging and separation, as you want to be able to pick out the individual sounds and where they are coming from, even if yhou don't have as large a space to place them in. Of course, if you are looking for immersion in something like a singleplayer RPG, you will probably want soundstage instead. Price is not a good representative factor of quality. Some things that cost quite a lot of money may not be the best fit for you, and some things that are cheap may be just right. I have experimented with IEMs from $10 up to around $1000, and my personal favorite pair for gaming costs a nice solid $40. At the end of the day, the best way to find something that works for you is to find the things that don't. When you try something, really give it a go for a week or two, and write down the things you like or don't like. Use these lists to slowly lock down the features and qualities you like, then try the next pair. Is this the cheapest way? Not at all, but start with very cheap budget options to get yourself into this, then if you are wanting to invest in a more expensive pair, do a LOT of research to see what scales up those qualities you find the most important to you. Hope this helps someone!

[@hachikuji]

what's your favorite gaming pair?

[@rahmankind2196]

@@hachikuji blon bl -03

[@elizarr3069]

"semi pro" more like you played on a team with your friends and never went anywhere with it and now have an inflated ego about it.

[@Shraavaan]

@@hachikuji Moondrop Aria

[@nahdifferentguy4888]

After all that not going to list your favorite pair at 40 bucks? Lol

[@itsyaboymaaaa]

Love your channel, the quality is phenomenal, and always seem to get my click, especially compared to other tech channels, where some videos may not appeal to me, but your more esports/competitive and production viewpoint really hits the nail on the head for me. Thanks!

[@t1995roger10]

Yes! I'm contemplating on what type of audio upgrade I need to make for my gaming setup and this is the perfect video!

[@thomast6907]

Hate wearing headphones, hate sticking things in my ears even more. Such is life.

[@ventilate4267]

same

[@Tard129]

Koss KSC75 👌

[@Rapto832]

Speakers 😳

[@ToxicTheEagle]

@@Tard129 how is the audio quality on those?

[@iNViSiBiLiTi]

@@ToxicTheEagle one of the best headphones under $150, biggest downside is the rolled off bass.

[@YngHstlr]

Huge fan of your channel bro, production quality is phenomenal in every aspect! Keep it up 😁

[@silentnative0134]

Great video, and info as usual dude. Thank you for your content.

[@DavidFrycSaber]

I just bought Shure SE846, their flagship model. Fantastic audio across the entire soundstage My open backs, Hifiman DEVAs, were fantastic at high and mid clarity, sometimes spooking me with how lifelike the sound was, and excellent at pinpointing location, but the weaker bass (a tradeoff you make for planar magnetic technology compared to traditional cans for the superior mid and highs but lacking that sub effect) affected gameplay at times, notably in the detection of soft foot steps.

[@MatMediaTV]

Yes!!! Finally an IEM video from you. Wooo hoooo!!!!

[@This.Is.Ambient]

Something related to audio finally something that I always wanted

[@ziggyziggler]

Great video, I have always wondered about iems. Thanks and keep up the good stuff.

[@hypist]

The timing of this upload is crazy. I was considering purchasing some IEMs yesterday, ended up buying some HD6XX’s and a schiit stack. Maybe in the future I’ll give IEM’s a try. Great upload as always 🙏

[@TheDeadBacon]

If you guys like what was said about the comfort of the IE300 but don't wanna break the bank, I'd recommend the SSP, another Moondrop IEM (same brand as the Arias). Those things are honestly insanely good for their $40 price tag (Focusing on a bit of mid-bass thump) and easily the most comfortable headphones I have ever used.

[@absp2006]

We're entering "Joshua Valour" levels of aesthetic in these vids now that we're taking about audio.

[@yujonpradhananga9999]

Thats what i noticed

[@E3NoMODz]

Thank you for sharing your experience !

[@Boemtie]

Love this, we need more iem options! great review

[@JSONNN]

Really glad you came out with this. I've been trying to find some good buds/iems for gaming but didn't want to waste money 3-4 times to find a good product!

[@dil173]

from where i'm at, the climate and weather always makes me perspire. i'm using the logitech G733, Philips SHP9500 and the moondrop aria from time to time, using the IEM gives me alot more isolation and clarity but it really needs to fit in snug sometimes when it came off without you realizing and suddenly everything sounded awful....

[@dude4054]

I too often P e r s p i r e

[@joshuagoh1087]

Don’t u just hate it when you P E S P E R A T E

[@jasonfriesen5145]

I have a pair of desktop monitors hooked up to my evo 4 for everyday use and work, and then for more sound critical work (I work from home) and gaming I have a headset. You don't get the spatial sound for gaming with desktop speakers, but for music and general productivity I've really appreciated them.

[@spark9_]

Each of your videos are golden man

[@andreas5914]

Open back headphones are unbeatable in my opinion but you do need a quiet environment and PC.

[@CODE-BROWN]

A quiet environment helps but it doesn't have to be that way. Eventually, you tune out the noise in the background. I wear open backs in a busy house with loud, obnoxious Beagles. No issues with open backs over the years.

[@geraldfitzgerald499]

@@CODE-BROWN Problem is you have to turn the volume up pretty loud in order to do that. Can't tune out the outside noise when all the passing vehicles and roommates talking are louder than the sound cues in games or dialogue in movies or TV shows.

[@daks5323]

@@andreas5914 That’s more of a you problem honestly. I use Senn 800s and have a roaring fan beside me while loud cars and bikes drive by my house every now and then. I barely get annoyed much less distracted.

[@andreas5914]

@@daks5323 of course it's a me problem. I cant speak for others in my comments.

[@daks5323]

@@andreas5914 You stated it like it was a problem for open backs in general. Open backs let you hear your surroundings in game and in real life. I still hear footsteps no matter how faint pretty well no matter what. It isn't necessary to have a quiet environment for it, unless you're a musician who produces and listens to music for a living. But then again, they have studios for that.

[@taanneth]

I've actually been gaming with moondrop aria's for a while now! I took it one step forward and paired them with the null audio ethos mkIII pro (cable), which gives you a boom mic and combo jack for a real headset/mic for gaming

[@drewmorg.]

That is really cool, good to know

[@glickstar1023]

is the mic quality like modmic quality or hyperx cloud quality?

[@taanneth]

@@glickstar1023 honestly I don't really know. I only ever use it for voice chat so I never record with it. My friends say it sounds really good but my last mic was a toaster so anything is a step up

[@anurag2877]

I was looking for this kind of video for sometime now

[@RebornzHItman]

Awesome video I was thinking about getting some Moondrop IEM as well

[@Vonliktenstien]

Had the Moondrop Starfields for years. The Arias are supposedly the same (very slightyl warmer) for cheaper so def can recc

[@talalalghamdi342]

Do you use an Amp or a Dac with the Moondrop?

[@feasttree]

@@talalalghamdi342 No amp needed, a dac is always nice but not needed either. I can run my arias straight from my phone with more than enough volume.

[@feasttree]

I consider arias a more "fun" starfield.

[@animealpha4795]

for years ? it's like a year old.....

[@copsfoundme]

Do you use it for gaming aswell? Fps games particularly?

[@theWynn3]

Just recently switched from a headset to earbuds for playing apex. The comfort after long sessions really is a game changer. Honestly just been using the cheap Apple earphones that used to come with the iPhone and they work great for apex and discord. Saw some pro players using them so I gave it a try

[@ElvB]

aceu

[@rionlkzz]

Same here...

[@syedarman4720]

one of my friend said the same thing.He was inspired by aceu

[@kannamustafa6043]

I think all of you struggling with headphone have used bad headphones so far when it comes to comfort ,try a pair of Sony MDR-1A ,they are the most comfortable headphones

[@ErnPrivado]

I been using earpods and for me its the most comfortable sets of earphones ever.

[@Alan-up6gr]

i've been using the MoonDrop Aria for last 6 months or so! i can tell you overall gaming or music, it's the best bang for ur buck

[@egsi]

I really appreciate how you make it easy to understand, using words like directional audio, instead of imaging. In competitive shooters, for reasons other than immersion, a good soundstage is not needed. Imaging is paramount to give you the most competitive edge.

[@Dasbeerboots]

You must not understand what soundstage is then.

[@egsi]

@@Dasbeerboots Why is that? There's a reason most pros use IEMs

[@SLiX-thatguy11m-]

I shifted to IEMs but have them plugged in my HyperX 7.1 Sound Card from my Cloud 2s. Of course I don't use 7.1, but the sound card just really works so well for games.

[@driftwize]

Did you get any noise floor or hiss using this set up?

[@JJGAMERCOOL]

@@driftwize I am using the same setup with crinacle x truthear zeros and have had no issues as long as the 7.1 feature is off

[@user-gh1be5vj8u]

I also recently swiched to IEMs after using the Sennheiser HD598 over 6 years. I am using the Sennheiser IE400pro with balanced cable connected into iFi ZENDAC and sound is amazing! Not only the sound quality and confiness but the foot steps on APEX are easier to hear. I dont see myself going back to headphones

[@Elrics_Allenn]

never expect to see aria and ie300 from this channel at all but wow nice touch

[@valoranttrashcam802]

3:50 loved the touch of "depending on how you go outside". sounds fair

[@silentofthewind]

I have triple driver Shure IEMs that I've used for a while now for music listening. I tried them out for Valorant at one point and was blown away by how much more I could hear. Definitely recommend swapping.

[@frostokonma]

how much?

[@OhKrezy]

whiche model of the shures? Im between buying the AZ's or Shures

[@ryanbaker81]

I’m a guitar player who plays out live a lot, I use custom molded IEMs when I gig. I started using them for gaming and mixing audio at home and I don’t think I could ever go back to over the ear headphones. Not only do they sound better in games, they are significantly more comfortable and less sweaty lol.

[@---us7qf]

@Ryan Baker: "less sweaty." Hahahahaha! I want the Sennheiser IE900

[@gaarajeffri1512]

Oh wow that's super awesome! What kind of IEM do you use and how you custom molded it :o

[@ryanbaker81]

@@gaarajeffri1512 I got mine through a company called Alclair and had the molds done at an audiologist.

[@garrettpants]

i'd love to see more about iem's! I'm considering getting a pair after seeing this video

[@techwolfcave]

Started using IEMs for 2+ years now, it's great. Amazing sound when listening to music and especially playing games. I agree with you.

[@playingcalm5116]

The FiiO FH5s is great for this purpose, especially VR. They sound great for music but also have a large soundstage due to being semi-open back.

[@hal9xxx321]

YAY more Moondrop stuff

[@lukewoods4985]

I have gotten to the point where I have one set of IEMs and they are basically strictly what i use for everything. I use them when i play drums, gaming, listening to music, school, etc. basically anything that involves audio I use a pair of shure SE215 (tho i have been looking into getting some custom molds lately)

[@DI0NY5US]

I use my LZ A7 IEMs for gaming on the go. They have a good soundstage for IEMs and sound great. You can even tune the sound sig a bit.

[@diamondxdragons]

I started using my FiiO FH3 IEMs right when I got them, curious to see how they did in gaming. I like soundstage more than anything and they got the job done, almost on par it sounded like with my Philips Fidelios X2HRs.

[@DaneHarrigan]

Is the stock cable long enough for desk use? I'd love to see some Optimum Cable Management

[@Flux000]

Nice video. I use UE5 pro custom IEMs and never looked back. Definitely prefer them for comfort over headphones and especially in summer your ears stay cool. Definitely the way to go with glasses too (used to wear glasses)

[@mauree1618]

Been looking for this.

[@brynrls]

I personally love my IEMs for gaming. I use it for music as well though and its very amazing. I used headsets in the pasts and well its very uncomfortable for a guy who wears glasses (in my experience). So earphones and IEMs work best for me.

[@This.Is.Ambient]

Very satisfying videos

[@prodigy_xd]

I recently started looking into IEM and got the "7hz Dioko x Crinacle Salnotes" which has a planar driver and a more entertainment oriented bass response. They are also just around $100 and great value. I didn't like the bass though, but later found out about the importance of the tips used. You need to get a good seal and therefore investing into a collection of tips at various sizes to find one that fits ($20 or so) can get you the sound to where you want. Often times it is not the driver, so don't give up on them immedietly.

[@Dropo__]

Thank you for this review! I been on the fence about buying the Sennheiser IE 300s, but after watching this… I’m gonna pull the trigger!

[@Morden97]

Aria are an excellent all-rounder, I'm SO HAPPY with them, I seriously just love them

[@furiouslx5303]

Im planning on buying those, how is the directional sounds?

[@saajith]

my two biggest fetishes being a gamer and an audiophile, thanks for such a great perspective on the topic mate.

[@timekeep3r]

@bruh He said what he said

[@Blapsta]

No matter how matter how many different cans or IEMs I try, I always find myself coming back to my Philips SHP9500s. Comfort in my opinion is a 10/10 and in game audio just sounds right (This could be due to them being my go to gaming pair for a few years now) all for the low price of I think $70 4 years ago

[@ItsAkile]

I did the opposite and do miss the light weight and in ear experience, however the experience and sound stage of over-ear cans due to being high priced one were just better. thanks for the recommendations I want to give some good in-Ear a shot again

[@TheLEGITstuff]

a few months ago i got sick of having "headset hair" so i got a pair of shure 215's and although headset quality is better, i do really enjoy using them. the sound is pretty solid but the only downside is that with the shure 215's the "sss" sounds can be quite harsh (in game example - sound effect when picking up armor in doom). also note if you switch from headset to IEM's you will need a mic of some kind. cool video! unlike a lot of other pc and tech channels you always make vids on some great/interesting topics and of course always excellent quality!

[@zahitemremetin606]

Shure SE215 is pretty much outdated, its sound quality is not that good for its price and yes, its treble response can be quite harsh as you said.

[@Soundaholic92]

Sounds like you're very sensitive to sibilance which is something I also suffer from

[@KelvinKamsg]

google equalizer APO + peace gui for a windows system wide equalizer. It's free, then reduce the sibilance frequencies (somewhere around 5-8khz from what I can recall) and you should be good.

[@BugsAreFeatures]

I wonder what IEMs they use on pro cs/val stages, as far as I've been told those big bulky headphones are just for noise cancelation and they actually have IEMs for sounds..

[@TurkeyOW]

Correct, I have no clue either as to the specifics but what goes over the ear are ear muffs like the ones you get for a gun range.

[@NyteStalker89]

Most of those are probably custom molded IEMS, not mass produced ones. Custom molds are just better over all

[@alfredjones8576]

@@NyteStalker89 You'd be surprised by how many just use the sponsored inears. In siege, the whole Faze roster was using Razer hammerheads. I think the Shure SE215 or 535 was incredible popular for a couple years. Now custom molded are getting more popular. Just people put so much emphasis on having the best inears, when a lot of the time the best players just use what they're given.

[@TSFLYER4]

not sure if they use iems for val lans since there arent any crowds but I think cs plays mainly used ones that were given to them by sponsors

[@tempurarocky9171]

Pros dont use good audio.

[@fishchit.biscuit499]

I used the Acoustune 1677ss iem with an upgraded 4.4mm cable to my Lotoo paw s1. Great sound and great details, the 500 USD is worth it since it was on sale. I also have an Austrian audio Hi-55x which is also an amazing headphone. Both have excellent detail but the iem is more bassy with a closer soundstage while the headphones have a wider soundstage vertically and horizontally, with a flater response.

[@deathVIAavatar]

I recently did the same experiment after seeing HardwareCanucks post a video about it. It came at a good time because I was using a wired pair of Steel Series Arctis 7 with the included mixer, but they were trapping heat on my ears, and I couldn't stand the sound of the cord rubbing on stuff and coming through the earcups. So, I switched to a pair of kz linsoul IEMs. Budget friendly at like $45. They were half the price of the Arctis 7s and all around better for my use case - no more heat, no more cord sound. I'm keeping my eye though on the wireless IEM scene as it appears to be kicking off, so fingers crossed we get a solid offering that doesn't break the bank.

[@xxxMaddysoNxxx]

I've been contemplating recently about custom IEM's for gaming and I thinka great endgame option would be some hybrid (balanced armature for highs and dynamic driver for lows). I really contemplate going for that although the price for it is gonna reach like $600-650. Nothing will beat the comfort of the custom molded earpieces of the IEM's but you will probably need to EQ them to your taste and break them in and it might take a while.

[@kannamustafa6043]

Have you tried Chifi ?KZ earphones like ZSN are a good place to try ,very comfortable out the box

[@abdullahwasif4623]

@@kannamustafa6043 seconded

[@kannamustafa6043]

@彡SEＮPＡí彡 not sure which models you have tried but for me that I always struggled with earphones the KZ with their shape plus over ear cable have been unmatched ,EDXs are super comfy because they are lightweight

[@madl99]

@@kannamustafa6043 kz trash brand

[@shadowfury880]

Try the Moondrop Blessing 2’s! They have a nice semi-custom shape, although they’re quite large so if you have small ears they might not be for you

[@genmaicha_]

holy crap, a tech channel that actually respects audiophiles instead of blowing them off like most other tech channel. kudos!

[@papaowen]

You've sold me on the Moondrop Arias! Thank you

[@johnnynighthawk156]

I'm using a tfz s2 with upgraded 8 core spc and foam tips. Works amazing, good bass, detail and direction.

[@deviouslaw]

I've got HD58X that I use more for music but also HD598's that are always attached to my PC. They're a lot looser and more comfortable in the long term compared to the 58X, at least mine are. Literally never an issue with comfort - more comfortable than IEMs in my experience.

[@softxpandguest708]

Second voice chiming in for the old HD598 cans. They are ridiculously comfortable - you can wear them all day long and never notice. They have a HUGE soundstage for gaming, and ridiculously good audio quality for the price range. (But I find IEMs to be *incredibly* uncomfortable and give me ear infections.)

[@CODE-BROWN]

I've never had luck with Sennheisers, my head is too big and the clamping force sucks on them. If you want a fresh experience without breaking the bank, check out the Philips SHP9500's or whatever the current equivalent is. They are VERY GOOD for the price, $80 the last time I bought a set.

[@deviouslaw]

@@CODE-BROWN Point of my post is that every Sennheiser does not fit the same - my head is on the larger side and no comfort issues with 598s - the old "Noctua-esque" color scheme. My 58X on the other hand, yeah they fit a bit tight for very long term wear. I would like to check out a pair of the philips though.

[@giuniral]

I suffered sudden hearing loss in my left ear about four ears ago, so sound stage is irrelevant in my case. IEMs allow me to use very low audio levels to protect my right ear, because of its natural sound isolation. I have a pair of Samsung/AKG that are surprisingly good. I wish I could get 50% off for the purchase of new ones though 😅.

[@mammy24]

Try KZ ZSN Pro X in Ear Buds, They are 25 bucks and amazing.

[@onikrux]

Love my Sennheiser IEMs maan, I'm so impressed w the directional audio, and I too love listening to music with a punch while I game 😅🍻 I use the ie45 which is alot cheaper but still hits.

[@imthe13thdoctor]

Sick video! I have been wondering about this topic as well. I am personally interested in a set of CIEM's and would love to see an update video with your thoughts on getting a CIEM that works well for gaming. I bet that custom fit will make these the real long term solution we both want.

[@Raumpilot]

I'm still using a 30€ Headset bought on Amazon five years back. This video comes just in time as I am looking for some upgrade

[@TheDeadBacon]

If you want great quality at a budget, consider the Moondrop SSPs (same brand as the Aria). Most comfy things ever (at least for me), plenty resolving, and a pretty laid back sound signature. Definitely my go-to for budget buds.

[@ishan21212]

@@TheDeadBacon did you use a dac/amp with the moondrops?

[@shaggy0917]

If you're still looking for an upgrade, buy the Etymotic ER2XR IEMs and a simple USB microphone. You can get both for like $125CAD so probably under 100 Euro. It'll be leaps and bounds better audio quality for both yourself and everyone who you're talking to.

[@vlthara]

I am currently using Blon Bl03, it also has a fun sound signature and i use it to Play PUBG PC. Using Equalizer APO and with some tweak in EQ, It is really comfortable and the sound stage is quite good. Footsteps are clear and the direction of gun shots are easy to identify.

[@EisMann61]

I have a Blon 03 too and i've been using it since 2019

[@asherjacob00]

I've been using iems for so long and even after buying headphones that I really wanted, I still end up using the iems most of the time cause its just do convenient and the sound trade off isn't too bad

[@bloba6969]

your videos are very good as always

[@jeus_saaa]

hey your video's getting a lot of attention in the audiophile community. awesome! been using Arias and BLO3s myself for sound direction reliant games like R6 and Valorant. You're probably the first western techtuber who dove in Chifi IEMs (not sure if Joshua Valour and DMS are considered techtubers since they're heavily focused on audio and audio only)

[@ishan21212]

Are you able to drive the arias sufficiently from your pc without the need of a dac/amp? I've heard the moondrop ones, particularly the arias and the spaceship reference series need proper driving to achieve their full potential.

[@minapenguin7107]

I have a question, which has better sound quality, the Arias or Blon 03? I have the Blon 03 and I want an upgrade. Are the Arias good upgrade from Blon 03?

[@mjl8083]

@@minapenguin7107 if you want an upgrade from Blon BL03, you may consider Tanchjim Oxygen, single DD (~$280) or 7hz Timeless, planar (~$200)

[@jeus_saaa]

@@minapenguin7107 since you already have the BL03 i don't think you would need an Aria anymore. The Aria is more of a sidegrade with a better balance between bass and treble.

[@jeus_saaa]

​@@ishan21212 I mean I can use them with my phone just fine so I think it should be fine on a stock pc as well. The notion of "achieving full potential" really depends on what you're doing on it. If for critical listening with flac etc then yes. If gaming, I don't think so.

[@enoch7794]

I've been using $25 KZ ZST X for 4 months now, couldn't be happier. Heat buildup in headphones made me switch to IEMS.

[@kamranbay9303]

Hah, just wrote KZ if I can find someone using one. I use that too. I have AT m50x, Sennheiser 598, sony 1000xm4.. But KZ + Foam tips is my fav!

[@Xerathful]

@@kamranbay9303 How are the basses,lows,tribes and gaming performance?

[@sergei9912]

So excited to see IEM scene get some love

[@l0pkast]

Got the Moondrop Arias cause of this vid and I am extremely happy. Much appreciated and keep up the good work mate.

[@newvideocomingsoon2889]

What about mic is it good ?

[@mr.lonely_xi1829]

Yo I've been wanting this review for so long

[@mimotojiyt]

FINALLY SOMEONE DOES A VIDEO ABOUT THIS THANK YOU!!

[@kimsushiii]

cheeky lil sky nade and wall jump in that areans clip.

[@bernvergara]

I've been using a KZ zst combined with bluetooth 5.0 transmitter and receiver for a year now and won't say I'm coming back to headsets (Cloud II) anytime soon bc I still enjoy the fact that my head feels lighter and I can go anywhere in my room without removing and putting something in my head everytime I walk away on my pc. audio quality was also decent with no noticeable delay and I hear Foam tips are better than silicon in terms of seal if falling off of your ear is an issue.

[@imribiy]

I just started chifi IEMs for gaming last week too, actually im surprised how greatly it performs (KZ ZSN PRO)

[@TheKb117]

and as with every hobby, you have just been introduced to a gateway "drug"... tread lightly, it's a rabbit hole... with perk of being affordable (dependent on your region, though)... Happy journeys... ChiFi, where innovations is affordable. Your buying the tech and design, not the name, IMHO... hahahah Safe Travels and Be Well

[@imribiy]

@@TheKb117 thanks, im actually surprised how well made these things are. im thinking about to get another one, so i guess im just at the beginning of the rabbit hole lol

[@abhilashaanil7440]

Kz zs10pro blon bl03 , kbear ks2 , tin iems r all cheap and very good iems they really puch way above their price tag

[@Hyydrotoo]

For me it's the opposite, I prefer headsets over iem because in ear feels way less comfortable to me. I wear in ear all day for music on the go, and switching to headset at home just feels better.

[@-kahmi-]

I used to think like you but turned out I never had the right size of tips for my ears is all it was

[@nezunish-2-824]

IEM for me is really good for when your going outside , it easy to carry and portable , but the downside is that my right inner ear is slightly bigger than my left so the bass sound doesn't become balance which is really annoying

[@DuBstep115]

@@-kahmi- My Creative Outlier Gold IEM came with 8 different tip sized and no of them are perfect fit. Got my Rig 800hd for 49€ from sale (149€ normally ) and it just perfect. zero weight even after 8-12h and +24h battery life.

[@Arado159]

That's one reason, another is that I just find it easier to put on and take of an over ear headphone than having to pull out IEMs everytime and worry about getting a good seal again each time that I get up to from my chair.

[@JDSPonYT]

Watching this review with my Moondrop Arias in my ears, wowie

[@humbertovelasco6858]

because of this video i bought some IEM’s for gaming!! Thanks for the video man

[@The_only_Higgsinspace]

I use the ThieAudio Monarch. Can feel the rumble in my chest (weird what the brain can do)

[@buzzlightyearoh]

I expect $700 headphones to wipe my ass when I poop honestly

[@trench6118]

The monarch mk2 is on sale where I live. Think I should go for it? I have the hd800 headphones now but I’m looking for IEMs to supplement ( annoying wearing headphones all of the time)

[@SilverioVicente]

Interesting take especially given the HD58X aren't really that wide sounding for Open back headphones.

[@NNfullsend]

I guess i need more headphones/headsets/earbuds content from you..much love

[@michakrzyzanowski8554]

Thank you, I'm happy enough with my JBL extreme sitting 50 cm from my ears. So good!

[@-kahmi-]

for low budget, some chi-fi IEMs are pretty good, I tested the KZ EDX which are incredibly good for how cheap they are but mostly use Blon 03 which are a little bit pricier but still far less than moondrops

[@ulfricstormcloak7142]

There are Moondrop Spaceship & newer Moondrop Quarks (last month) which cheaper than Blon 03

[@DschungelKatze]

@@ulfricstormcloak7142 And now there's Moondrop Chu for just $20. Also the cable on quarks is just unbearable.

[@ulfricstormcloak7142]

@@DschungelKatze I'm tempted to buy Chu when they announced it last month but managed to hold myself XD

[@DschungelKatze]

@@ulfricstormcloak7142 I just went ahead and bought it

[@RealTheNatoorat]

I've been using KZ ZSN Pro X (thanks Dankpods!), and they are excellent, however I still do prefer full closed back headphones (I have AKG K275). On th other hand, I do have Crative SoundBlaster Audigy FX and a separate amplifier, so they do sound "more" if that makes sense. Also, I would like to point out that wearing IEMs does make more damage to the skin inside of your ears and (I did hear about it ages ago) they tend to greatily increase risk of ear infection, if worn over long persiods of time.

[@TheKb117]

thus the need for a more periodic cleaning both for the iem and tips, and your ear canals. Also you have to explore what type of material suits you best for tips, the one you won't have any allergic reaction to. If no health issues, foams are best for isolation but not economical (though would still depend on how cheap a good foam is), silicon best for economy with some isolation (imho, better to splurge on good silicon for durability). From exp, been using inverted silicon star tips included in my KZ ZSN PRO on my Blon-03. Had soreness/infection issues earlier on (music is so sweet I almost have them on 24/7. hahaha... Resolved with almost daily maintenance of nozzle, tips with alcohol, and after bath ear canal cleaning with a metal earwax pick, just don't overdo it to irritation... hth, fyi

[@dwisdaname2454]

as an owner of kz zsn pro x's, i agree that its actually great for fps games imo like valorant and csgo.

[@kamranbay9303]

I got Foam eartips for my ZST x, and trust me, it will change your mind about IEMs ))

[@ol1mar]

Yoo this came at such a good time. I've been thinking about getting IEM's for a while now because I'm sick of gamer dent lmfaoo

[@Asd777.]

Just got my IE 300 THEY ARE AMAZING!!

[@Tarkov.]

For some reason IEMs always hurt my ears after about a day of usage and it takes like a week to recover. I've been thinking about getting some on-ear headphones like the old Koss everybody loves

[@ventilate4267]

superlux best

[@Dionyzos]

I had the same problem with my AirPods Pro but it seems like my ears got used to it after a while. Maybe it's worth a shot to push through the pain for a while haha

[@can1bbl3]

Bought a pair of KZ ZSTx for like $20. It sounds insane. Perfect for gaming too! Footsteps are clear and soundstage for gunshots are pretty good too!

[@fabricionaweb]

This is good stuff! There are a tons of chi-fi over there that worth attention

[@enoch7794]

@@fabricionaweb Same here, I've beat mine up for 4 months and still holding up well.

[@PyrianVT]

I have been using my 7hz Timeless for both gaming (wired) and listening to music (with TRN BT30 wireless adapters to my phone) for quite some time now, and I don't think I will ever go back to using over ears. The sound stage is honestly just as good, if not better than my previous gaming headset (Steel Series Arctis Pro), as well as sounding better and being more comfortable. They are on the bulkier side of IEMs, but they still stay in well due to the ear hook of the wire.

[@PowerL1N3]

These are really F#%*IN’ GOOD! My setup for these are: IEM: BLON BL-03. Custom Cable: Acid Purple Hart Audio PC-3: Dual Angled 2-pin (QDC) Balanced IEM Cable w/ a female 4-pin mini XLR and a male 4-pin mini XLR to a 90 degree 3.5mm TRS interconnect line. Custom Ear Tip: Midnight Purple Eartune Fidelity Custom IEM Ear Tip Altogether for me is the ultimate band for your buck in an IEM!

[@z_Cobb]

1:10 - The Incredible True Story! This channel gets better and better every day

[@id104335409]

How did you grow these bear arms sitting 12 hours on the desk???

[@boomerang-digital8514]

by lifting heavy things

[@FromDkWithLove]

Dumbbells tied to both arms, neck and balls. Also that gamer chair is only for video purposes. Off camera he squats for 12 hours straight every day.

[@RG-eh3ds]

One of us! One of us! Scale of the soundstage is much less important than the ability to draw a precise sound stage and localize sounds within it. Just wait until you’re tempted into a CIEM, the comfort is significantly better than a universal fit IEM.

[@David-bf6vt]

I just got the moondrop starfields and used an eq to turn up the bass frequencies and gotta say it sounds amazing.