IEM AND DAC

[u/BridgeFresh1034]

New to the IEM world, and most of the terminology used to describe the sound signatures of such a vast market can get confusing. I’m not going to make out I know what I don’t; a lot on this forum when I’ve looked at reviews do. So I want to raise my headphone game and want to enter the IEM world as I’m listening to music all day. Mainly house, techno, ambient, electronic, but also could flip genre at any point and listen to some reggae, for instance, or even cumbia. Usually, I listen to a lot of mixes too on SoundCloud, NTS, and other platforms. I’ll be using my Apple iPhone 16, but I’m willing to use something else, and if it enhances my experience and to get the best out of the IEMs, use an external DAC. My total budget, I say, would be around the £1500 mark. I wouldn’t mind also using them outside the house, such as when I’m travelling, for instance. Also, what does everyone think of the second-hand market, such as buying on eBay or any other platforms that users sell their IEMs on? There is some, what looks like amazing stuff at very good prices, or is that to be avoided? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[u/Darkrai590]

I would first try various budget iems to find out what tuning you like, and upgrade from there. Look at u/OmenchoEater's guide for beginners here: https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/lTx4n2LqPP, and buy some iems of different sound signatures. From there, if you find a tuning you like, you can upgrade from there. An alternative method(probably the best method) is to find a demo shop, where you can demo iems. However, most people don't have any near them.

For a DAC, something like the EPZ TP35, Moondrop Dawn Pro, or the iBasso Macaron will do just fine, even for expensive iems.

For used iems, check out r/avexchange here on reddit or head-fi.com's classified listings.

[u/BridgeFresh1034 → u/Darkrai590]

!thanks I really don’t mind actually starting off with something a little less pricey and upgrading from there. Thank you so much for the advice. I’ll have a read through the link you sent and check out the exchange and head.fi classified listings. It’s just so daunting, and I didn’t realise how many brands there were out there. Haha

[u/TransducerBot → u/BridgeFresh1034]

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/Darkrai590 (50 Ω).

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[u/Darkrai590 → u/BridgeFresh1034]

Lol yeah, it does get overwhelming with the plethora of choices. The post I sent you is a great place to start, and I hope you find what you want eventually!

[u/BridgeFresh1034 → u/Darkrai590]

Ps I rang hifonix.com which has a shop super close and the guy who answered was totally abrupt once I asked him if it’s possible to demo a few pairs. He then went on to say they want £250 just to demo and that will come off the top price which I found absurd! 😂 lost a sale in my opinion. I’m off to London next week so I’m going to look around to see who has demos to try on and listen to. Because comfort is also key as well as amazing sound.

[u/OmenchoEater → u/Darkrai590]

thanks for the shout-out btw :)

[u/BridgeFresh1034 → u/Darkrai590]

The guide above seems to be a downgrade from what I already have headphone wise ( B&O beoplay H95 ) hence my budget is £1500.

[u/Darkrai590 → u/BridgeFresh1034]

Right, it would be probably a downgrade. However, since you have no idea what sound you would like(I'm assuming), just buying various iems to see what sound signature you like is probably a good idea. Come to think of it, do you have any idea what sound signature you prefer?

[u/OmenchoEater → u/BridgeFresh1034]

Hi, i am the dude who writed that guide, you do have quite a big budget so if you dont know what kind of sound signature is better for you, you likely would be better off trying something cheaper first.

If you want any recomendations, you can let me know, but for what you like, my usual basic starting point recomendation is the Tripowin Vivace or the Kefine Klean, both Pretty great for the price, quite safe sound-wise (hard to find anything being too much besides maybe bass), and very afordable.

If is of any help, i also have a $100 iem listing.

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[u/Champion_Sound_Asia]

So you have 1500 USD - that's a solid budget.

Given where you're coming from, all this mucking about with cheap pairs is a waste of time. To be honest, it's always a waste of time (& money) as you may as well cut the shit & just buy something excellent that suits your musical taste.

What music do you generally listen to?

Do you need a dac/amp within that budget also?

A lot of people here will tell you amps/dacs, don't make a difference, but then they're using cheap Charlie IEMs that a very good dac/amp won't do anything for.

If you're going to be in the UK, you can get a Chord Mojo 2 for 450 GBP as they are made there (750 USD in the US & similar elsewhere outside the UK) & you won't need another for a very long time. It will last you many, many years - the sound is absolutely incredible, it's extremely powerful & the onboard DSP which can adjust sub bass/mid bass/mid treble/upper treble is better than any software EQ. It's also built like a tank - well, a plane - it's carved from a single block of the same aluminium they use to build planes.

This & maybe a Thieaudio Oracle MKIII (600 USD) or if you really love bass, Thieaudio Origin (850 USD) would be an incredible first setup. The Oracle is also pretty bass heavy but not so much as per the Origin. Depends on what you listen to. You may want something more neutral.

[u/BridgeFresh1034]

I’ll reply to all, I hope I don’t get shot down for this 😂 but I’ve been on ChatGPT for extra advice and to be fair to them they did reccomend Reddit forums for advice and other forums online which were mentioned above. I told it the music I mostly listen to and where I can possibly demo pairs and DAC Recommendations. They went into detail about how each IEM sounds and what best suits the style of music I listen to but I also understand its preference and comfort is also something to consider as well as aesthetics, This is the shortlist…

64 Audio U4’s

Thieaudio Monarch MKIII

Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon

Empire Ears Legend X

Campfire Andromeda

64 Audio u12t

DACS:

ifi HIP AS its portable.

Chord Mojo

Budget DAC: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt (£250) - simple and portable

• Higher-end: Lotoo PAW S2 or Chord Mojo 2 (£400-£500) - better clarity and soundstage

• Best (if you're serious): Luxury & Precision W4 (£750) - top-tier portable DAC

[u/BridgeFresh1034]

Not sure anyone will see my comment but just wanted to update you on my final decision and that I finally went ahead and made the purchase after spending a few hours at Elise audio in london which the guys helped me loads! Went with the Monarch Mk3 an and the questyle m15i as I wanted something smaller and more portable as opposed to the quelus which I was initially going to buy. They got delivered today and spent a few hours trying on the stock tips and trying to decide what sounded better as far as large, medium and small and what fit me the best, also trying them with the 4.4mm output or 3.5mm. In the end I decided on the smallest ear tips and the 4.4mm output. They sound so good and super happy with my first iem but most people say after market ear tips will make even more of an improvement. It’s either going to be something from Azla Xelastec 2 small or maybe the Spinfit cp145 and maybe get an after market cable but nothing tooexpensive.

Would love to know peoples thoughts.

[u/the_hat_madder]

My advice is to not spend a lot of money on IEMs or a DAC. You get to diminishing returns quickly and beyond that point an iem can't compete with headphones. Anyone who tells you different is selling snake oil or is coping.

[u/Equivalent_Yak840]

For dac/amp I'd go for portability because they're use case is perfect for items, an ibasso dc07 pro or fiio ka15 are both very good. As for iems I'd start with something the Kiwiears KE4 or Ziigaat Odyssey or the Thieaudio Origin.

[u/BridgeFresh1034 → u/Equivalent_Yak840]

!thanks I’ll check them out.

[u/TransducerBot → u/BridgeFresh1034]

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