THIS is how you do an end-of-year top list! Nice discussion of techs used, but most importantly a variety of price points covered! There is something for everyone!
Thanks. On some level, you can treat 1DD sets similarly, but it gets more complicated as you scale up so just a whack at covering budgets up to a couple hundred dollars.
Hello, I just wanted to thank you for recommending the Sigva Que. After seeing this video and the one you made about it before, I bought them and I can confirm they are a wonderful set of IEM.
People would like to forget it exists, but again, that set serves a purpose. Not everyone has $300usd to try a DD+BA hybrid or they compromise and get one that isn't really representative of what more expensive sets sound like. Hydro is a rare bird that has a lot of characteristics of more expensive sets but at $100. Is it perfect? No, but the $200 hybrids aren't perfect either.
Thanks for your video and all of your reviews! I purchased the HiFiGo Lucky Bag! I paid $133 Canadian. Going off yours and other reviews, I probably will love the Relentless. V-Shaped, Bright, Detailed, Sparkly Treble. Even though it's not on your list here. This will be the most expensive set purchased and it will be the most Highest Tier too. Plus, I have a chance to get an even Higher Tier Set! I still love my LV1 + Dunu Lyre Mini. I can't wait for my "Surprise Christmas Gift" for myself! Cheers Paul! 😊
I really love my Cadenza 4. Makes me think sometimes why am I still searching for something better in this price range. One has to go into $500 next, and I have OG Oracle there. But your summary of the lower tier IEMs is very interesting. I plan to try some for fun. Thanks. Brain Dance is also something I may consider unless there is something even better beginning of 2025.
I have lent my Cadenza4 out to a couple people, its a solid set. Letshuoer can tune and their DD is one of the nicest. I get the safe and boring comments, but those guys can put together a set that is hard to beat. If I am in the mood, I EQ it, but that set is better than most.
Tiandirenhe TD20 … tuned more my liking. Sold the S12 2024. Truly stunning set with mild planar timbre but makes up for that with truly amazing bass, musicality and note weight, and of course, treble detail. So much for KZ saying planars need a DD to add bass to planars!!
Nah, planars don't really need a DD. Do planars need a smaller treble planar? Not sure on that either but it might give Tangzu more control on the planar sound.
My favorite set (it's also my first in this hobby) is the Tangzu Wagn'er SE. It's helping me to understand my preferences when it comes to sound and also the experience of buying a product of this type. Excellent video, Paul. Happy holidays to you and your family.
@@PaulWasabii Watching the Tangzu Wagn'er SG reviews, the main difference is in the bass, which has been attenuated, and the addition of a higher quality cable. For ± 20 dollars it's a safe choice.
The Kiwi Ears Punch released a month ago is too late for 2024, but it’s so good that it will be many bassheads end game. Will make a big splash in 2025. Love your reviews, try to get a hold of the Punch for review. It’s surprisingly balanced for a bass heavy set. Maybe next year you’ll cover more iems with ESTs. I’m likely not going to spend over $250 on anything but go for the $400+ sets with ESTs. They’re so superior and worth saving up for. Still waiting for a bass heavy yet smooth planar but otherwise I’ll be slowing down a lot.
Yeah, the Arcadia in my head is a mini Punch. I bet Punch is much better. For marketing reasons I think they tried to market them differently, but sound, I bet they are similar. Just Punch is prob next level up.
@ I’m sure they sound great. I love my Doscincos and Estrellas but once ESTs are implemented (with good tuning) they are definitely a tier above. I will say that the Estrellas new super tweeter E50 BAs do a decent job of mimicking ESTS, as you say it sounds more expensive, but they did go a tad much on the treble. Short story is Jay loved and hyped the Doscincos (helped push me and they are amazing for bassheads through the entire tuning) that he wanted to do his version and had to do at least what was done to the treble to differentiate it from Doscincos. They’re practically identical from bass to 3k. They make a fantastic gaming set. I don’t think ESTs are needed for gaming. These hybrids also have more output usually. For those who like hybrids and don’t want to spend $400+, I understand, look for those Sonion E50 tweeters in 2025. Maybe even from Ziigaat again. A smoother tuning would be welcome. Paul, you always bring attention to drivers and design choices, we’re getting a better idea of what we like and want. Can’t buy everything so let’s take notice. I love Ziigaat, but did they (and us) really need to have an iem released almost every month? and odd having nothing in the $400-$1500 range out of all those? I suspect they have an answer to the Punch and M5estB+ soon. Tech is improving, prices will be coming down. The Punch (and not Estrella) has the drivers and tuning to be the true kilobuck killer for us bass fans. Companies have been enjoying crazy markups on design and drivers. I predict we’ll see 1 DD 2 BA 2EST under $400 this year. And new experimental designs. Bass is coming into vogue more. Times are good. Being selective is tough. Been listening to music while writing this, sorry to rant.
@@moonsofjupiter I am in the process of buying my first set of IEM and having a really hard time finding something I like that is not in the megabuck category. I have been thinking the same thing as you that prices will start coming down as more competition enters the ring for units using EST’s. I really want a Mega5EST but at a lower price. Looks like I will have to wait a bit more.
LOL. I try to go easy on you need to buy this now talk but the problem with the hobby is it is always moves forward, something new and better around the corner.
@@PaulWasabii i have some Sony and KZ iems, i tell myself my current collection is enough, already i only listen 2 of them mainly, others are in the drawer; but as you say, it never ends, the curiousity of hearing and enjoying better and more.😃
Thanks for the vid Paul. I really liked medusa this year and was suprised it wasn't at 30$ until I remembered it was only 30$ with the discounts lol. Was wondering if a planar would be an upgrade for the kind of sound it goes for?
I have wasted my share of money, part of the hobby, but it is not a good thing to have a mismatch between sets and customers. That is just returns or unhappy feedback, neither are desirable.
Passed on the Libra X for now because I have the ZVX Pro which is highly clear and technical. Most stunning sound from KZ yet (my Zenith is still in the mail.) If the Zenith has the technicality of the ZVX Pro and musicality of the Saga Balanced, it will really be an endgame KZ set.
I really like the Cadenza 4, but it could definitely use a smidge more bass when you play something like 'Another One Bites the Dust'. Other than that, they are one of my favorite sets in my semi-budget collection (all below $200). My top 3 are Letshuoer Cadenza 4, Simgot EA1000, and Penon Fan 2. I also really like the KZ ASX which has some odd tuning according to most reviewers.
Is there any way to use eq with an iPhone other than the pre-sets? I’d like to play around with eq but it seems I’d have to buy something other than my iPhone.
I have the Castor Bass but not sure why I'm not getting the bass that everyone is talking about. In a silent room i can catch the big bass and it's pretty alright but when I'm out and about, i am not feeling it. The bass notes and texture is big but somewhat bloomy and more soft or transparent. For me the point of using it outdoors was to regain back some of the bass but its just not quite there. Somehow ZVX does it much better even outdoors. The ZVX bass presence is better and bigger despite not having bigger bass than Castor on paper..? I don't know if i make sense or articulate it well enough. I wonder if you or anyone has any idea what's going on there or if i have a lemon set?
Your music and the bass probably hits lower. That was why I talk about Castor and Saga, those are really two very different bass styles. Sago is much lower, more subbass.
Same here, i love rumbling and thumping bass, feeling the air hits my inner ear, or feeling the instant pressure on and off (while not loosing details and seperation); on the other hand i also dont enjoy bass when listening Castor Bass, KZ Saga Bass version makes me feel better. I ordered Zenith and Hydro, also waiting for a KZ/CCA bass planar but these will suffice may be.
Bought kz EDC PRO, in the Christmas sale. Sadly I got one with channel imbalance. Requested for replacement & waiting for approval. And i got lot of SIBILANCE form my initial listening. May even out if I burnin for sometime.
I do not know if it is my T10 Pro but at the same loudness as S08 it blunts attack on the kick drum. I have not tried any mods yet. I kind of gave up on it for now.
What does "non planar planars" mean, do they still have the performance characteristics of other planars? I've never heard a planar driver before, would I be missing anything if I bought the S08 or T10 pro?
Hi Paul how about KZ Zenith vs EA500LM , i was thinking about buying the 500LM but now i know the Zenith exist and also a very nice single DD … i really don’t know what to buy anymore haha 😅
@@PaulWasabii Would you recommend the Zenith to someone who's treble-sensitive? I'm a fan of the EA500LM's techs and DD-timbre, but it quickly becomes fatiguing. Looking for something that has comparable technical performance, single DD but with warmer tuning.
KZ has really upped their game this year, the Castor & Rhapsody for their price really moved the goalposts for me so much so that I bought 4 Castors to give other people as they were only around £8 each. I do like single DDs & after watching your vid of the Blon & the Zenith I'll grab both but I'm looking forward to the Zenith. Hopefully you will be able to listen to the new TANGZU Zetian Wu Legend as this looks interesting, anyway have a good new year.
THIS is how you do an end-of-year top list! Nice discussion of techs used, but most importantly a variety of price points covered! There is something for everyone!
Thanks. On some level, you can treat 1DD sets similarly, but it gets more complicated as you scale up so just a whack at covering budgets up to a couple hundred dollars.
🏳️🌈👬🏳️🌈
You. Is. Awesomesauce! Thanks for the post Paul!
Hello, I just wanted to thank you for recommending the Sigva Que. After seeing this video and the one you made about it before, I bought them and I can confirm they are a wonderful set of IEM.
Thanks for all the great reviews this year!
Great video. Glad to see my surprise favorite of the year, the CCA Hydro make the list and not be forgotten about.
People would like to forget it exists, but again, that set serves a purpose. Not everyone has $300usd to try a DD+BA hybrid or they compromise and get one that isn't really representative of what more expensive sets sound like. Hydro is a rare bird that has a lot of characteristics of more expensive sets but at $100. Is it perfect? No, but the $200 hybrids aren't perfect either.
Thanks for your video and all of your reviews! I purchased the HiFiGo Lucky Bag!
I paid $133 Canadian. Going off yours and other reviews, I probably will love the Relentless. V-Shaped, Bright, Detailed, Sparkly Treble. Even though it's not on your list here.
This will be the most expensive set purchased and it will be the most Highest Tier too. Plus, I have a chance to get an even Higher Tier Set! I still love my LV1 + Dunu Lyre Mini.
I can't wait for my "Surprise Christmas Gift" for myself!
Cheers Paul! 😊
Thanks for all the great reviews and answering my many questions this past year. 🙏
I really love my Cadenza 4. Makes me think sometimes why am I still searching for something better in this price range. One has to go into $500 next, and I have OG Oracle there. But your summary of the lower tier IEMs is very interesting. I plan to try some for fun. Thanks. Brain Dance is also something I may consider unless there is something even better beginning of 2025.
I have lent my Cadenza4 out to a couple people, its a solid set. Letshuoer can tune and their DD is one of the nicest. I get the safe and boring comments, but those guys can put together a set that is hard to beat. If I am in the mood, I EQ it, but that set is better than most.
Glad you had a great year reviewing IEMs and sharing your experiences along the way, Thank you! 😃
Tiandirenhe TD20 … tuned more my liking. Sold the S12 2024. Truly stunning set with mild planar timbre but makes up for that with truly amazing bass, musicality and note weight, and of course, treble detail. So much for KZ saying planars need a DD to add bass to planars!!
Nah, planars don't really need a DD. Do planars need a smaller treble planar? Not sure on that either but it might give Tangzu more control on the planar sound.
Great video, but the Tripowin Vivace is $29 (07:42)
My favorite set (it's also my first in this hobby) is the Tangzu Wagn'er SE. It's helping me to understand my preferences when it comes to sound and also the experience of buying a product of this type. Excellent video, Paul. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Yep, Wan'er is a great start for most people and I haven't heard the SE.
@@PaulWasabii Watching the Tangzu Wagn'er SG reviews, the main difference is in the bass, which has been attenuated, and the addition of a higher quality cable. For ± 20 dollars it's a safe choice.
Cool! im tuned in!
Thanks considering everything you got going on.
@@PaulWasabii Just baby stuff, no big deal.
The Kiwi Ears Punch released a month ago is too late for 2024, but it’s so good that it will be many bassheads end game. Will make a big splash in 2025. Love your reviews, try to get a hold of the Punch for review. It’s surprisingly balanced for a bass heavy set. Maybe next year you’ll cover more iems with ESTs. I’m likely not going to spend over $250 on anything but go for the $400+ sets with ESTs. They’re so superior and worth saving up for. Still waiting for a bass heavy yet smooth planar but otherwise I’ll be slowing down a lot.
Yeah, the Arcadia in my head is a mini Punch. I bet Punch is much better. For marketing reasons I think they tried to market them differently, but sound, I bet they are similar. Just Punch is prob next level up.
@ I’m sure they sound great. I love my Doscincos and Estrellas but once ESTs are implemented (with good tuning) they are definitely a tier above. I will say that the Estrellas new super tweeter E50 BAs do a decent job of mimicking ESTS, as you say it sounds more expensive, but they did go a tad much on the treble. Short story is Jay loved and hyped the Doscincos (helped push me and they are amazing for bassheads through the entire tuning) that he wanted to do his version and had to do at least what was done to the treble to differentiate it from Doscincos. They’re practically identical from bass to 3k. They make a fantastic gaming set. I don’t think ESTs are needed for gaming. These hybrids also have more output usually. For those who like hybrids and don’t want to spend $400+, I understand, look for those Sonion E50 tweeters in 2025. Maybe even from Ziigaat again. A smoother tuning would be welcome. Paul, you always bring attention to drivers and design choices, we’re getting a better idea of what we like and want. Can’t buy everything so let’s take notice. I love Ziigaat, but did they (and us) really need to have an iem released almost every month? and odd having nothing in the $400-$1500 range out of all those? I suspect they have an answer to the Punch and M5estB+ soon. Tech is improving, prices will be coming down. The Punch (and not Estrella) has the drivers and tuning to be the true kilobuck killer for us bass fans. Companies have been enjoying crazy markups on design and drivers. I predict we’ll see 1 DD 2 BA 2EST under $400 this year. And new experimental designs. Bass is coming into vogue more. Times are good. Being selective is tough. Been listening to music while writing this, sorry to rant.
@@moonsofjupiter I am in the process of buying my first set of IEM and having a really hard time finding something I like that is not in the megabuck category. I have been thinking the same thing as you that prices will start coming down as more competition enters the ring for units using EST’s. I really want a Mega5EST but at a lower price. Looks like I will have to wait a bit more.
Great video Paul! Thanks for all your hard work!
Thank you Paul for encouraging me to purchase so many sets of IEMs this year 😆
LOL. I try to go easy on you need to buy this now talk but the problem with the hobby is it is always moves forward, something new and better around the corner.
@@PaulWasabii i have some Sony and KZ iems, i tell myself my current collection is enough, already i only listen 2 of them mainly, others are in the drawer; but as you say, it never ends, the curiousity of hearing and enjoying better and more.😃
Cadenza 4 is amazing!
Thanks for the vid Paul. I really liked medusa this year and was suprised it wasn't at 30$ until I remembered it was only 30$ with the discounts lol. Was wondering if a planar would be an upgrade for the kind of sound it goes for?
First! Thanks for all your efforts. They helped me a LOT picking budget iems without wasting tons of money. Thanks again.
I have wasted my share of money, part of the hobby, but it is not a good thing to have a mismatch between sets and customers. That is just returns or unhappy feedback, neither are desirable.
Any chance of you evaluating IEM Softears VolumeS, Paul?
I'd like to but not jumping into it until it appears to be better than the original. I am a Softears fan so that set has been on my radar.
@@PaulWasabii Cool. Thanks for your attention, Paul. 😁👍
Passed on the Libra X for now because I have the ZVX Pro which is highly clear and technical. Most stunning sound from KZ yet (my Zenith is still in the mail.) If the Zenith has the technicality of the ZVX Pro and musicality of the Saga Balanced, it will really be an endgame KZ set.
I'd guess Zenith tuning is a bit different, it is not really tuned like Libra X.
My favorite Ziigaat is still Doscinco with velvet wide bore.
I would love to hear all of their sets, but they basically have a decent recipe. Use quality drivers, keep the tuning in generally appealing ranges.
I really like the Cadenza 4, but it could definitely use a smidge more bass when you play something like 'Another One Bites the Dust'. Other than that, they are one of my favorite sets in my semi-budget collection (all below $200). My top 3 are Letshuoer Cadenza 4, Simgot EA1000, and Penon Fan 2. I also really like the KZ ASX which has some odd tuning according to most reviewers.
Yes, I have an EQ for it somewhere. As I said, they used a very nice DD, but didn't show it off. If you push it in EQ, it has a lot of potential.
Is there any way to use eq with an iPhone other than the pre-sets? I’d like to play around with eq but it seems I’d have to buy something other than my iPhone.
bass arc curve ftw 😤
I have the Castor Bass but not sure why I'm not getting the bass that everyone is talking about. In a silent room i can catch the big bass and it's pretty alright but when I'm out and about, i am not feeling it. The bass notes and texture is big but somewhat bloomy and more soft or transparent. For me the point of using it outdoors was to regain back some of the bass but its just not quite there. Somehow ZVX does it much better even outdoors. The ZVX bass presence is better and bigger despite not having bigger bass than Castor on paper..? I don't know if i make sense or articulate it well enough. I wonder if you or anyone has any idea what's going on there or if i have a lemon set?
Your music and the bass probably hits lower. That was why I talk about Castor and Saga, those are really two very different bass styles. Sago is much lower, more subbass.
@PaulWasabii Thanks for your input Paul 🙏 Curious about Saga now
Same here, i love rumbling and thumping bass, feeling the air hits my inner ear, or feeling the instant pressure on and off (while not loosing details and seperation); on the other hand i also dont enjoy bass when listening Castor Bass, KZ Saga Bass version makes me feel better. I ordered Zenith and Hydro, also waiting for a KZ/CCA bass planar but these will suffice may be.
I'm very curious about the kz zenith.
I dig it. I'd rather listen to it than review it so have been slacking off, but soon.
Bought kz EDC PRO, in the Christmas sale. Sadly I got one with channel imbalance. Requested for replacement & waiting for approval. And i got lot of SIBILANCE form my initial listening. May even out if I burnin for sometime.
Ah that sucks, hope you get it replaced.
I do not know if it is my T10 Pro but at the same loudness as S08 it blunts attack on the kick drum. I have not tried any mods yet. I kind of gave up on it for now.
I don't know what to say on that one, I know what they wanted to do, but it is a big trade off. Something was going to get lost along the way.
No EW300 mention in the up to 70 category?
Its in the microplanars. I like EW300, a bit more than Supermix because of the tuning. Did they need 3 versions of it? Nope
What does "non planar planars" mean, do they still have the performance characteristics of other planars? I've never heard a planar driver before, would I be missing anything if I bought the S08 or T10 pro?
Planar with warm or smooth treble tuning
Right as the previous commenter said, some tech, like a nice DD, but warmer and not as bright.
Hi Paul how about KZ Zenith vs EA500LM , i was thinking about buying the 500LM but now i know the Zenith exist and also a very nice single DD … i really don’t know what to buy anymore haha 😅
That is mostly a preference. EA500LM is very technical but also bright. That doesn't appeal to everyone. Zenith is closer to balanced, not bright.
@@PaulWasabii Would you recommend the Zenith to someone who's treble-sensitive? I'm a fan of the EA500LM's techs and DD-timbre, but it quickly becomes fatiguing. Looking for something that has comparable technical performance, single DD but with warmer tuning.
KZ has really upped their game this year, the Castor & Rhapsody for their price really moved the goalposts for me so much so that I bought 4 Castors to give other people as they were only around £8 each. I do like single DDs & after watching your vid of the Blon & the Zenith I'll grab both but I'm looking forward to the Zenith. Hopefully you will be able to listen to the new TANGZU Zetian Wu Legend as this looks interesting, anyway have a good new year.
Yeah the Legend looks super interesting, hard to say if that dual planar sounds better or just easier to tune.
I am in hopes that someone will come out with a cost-effective Mega5EST tuning IEM for around $200-300 price range.
I think that was supposed to be the KE4. Probably not the EST version but Mega5 something. Ignoring drivers, maybe Crinacle's Meta project
7hz zero's bass also nice its bass better than kz zs10prox .Oh kz zsx great memories waiting for pro version
Zero is a solid set.