$700 Question

IEMs / In-Ear-Monitors General IEM Discussion
1

I have about $600-700 for my next audio purchase and I’m looking at best options for my portable system.

For reference, my home setup is a Schiit Modius e and Midgard with the DT 1990 Pro mk1 with the analytical pads. I like detail and resolution and am willing to forego the low end for it.

My current portable setup is a Dragonfly Cobalt and an Etymotic ER3SE. I’ve been eyeing the Chord Mojo 2 but I think it would be overkill for the ER3SE. I’m also looking at the Sennheiser IE600.

Another factor is I only use my portable system when traveling, which is a few times a year.

For my tastes, what would be the best upgrade path? Should I just continue saving? Should I invest in my home setup?

I welcome any and all opinions.

1 Like
2

Interesting challenge you have there.

It really depends on what your priorities are. Some people love brands, or design ethos, and some are more interested in the actual specifications, the technology behind the scenes and the justification for why one device may be objectively or subjectively superior to another.

In theory, there is no reason to expect any significant or audible difference from your Dragonfly Cobalt, in comparison to anything else out there. Why? At the heart of it is a pretty well specified DAC - the DAC Chip ESS ES9038Q2M, this is about as good as it gets, of course there will always be better, but not sure if there is any point going down the rabbit hole of diminishig returns, and spending more.

I sincerely think the Chord Mojo 2 will only be a wondeful asset and you would be a proud owner, but objectively and subjectively better to listen to, I sincerely do not think so. Technically it may measure better using tools, depending on the quality of the Cobalt’s analog implementation by Dragonfly. But will it make an audible difference, or sound better, I really do not think so.

At this level - i.e what you already have, on the DAC side of things, there may be no point seeking any better. The only concerns one may have with the Cobalt are :

  1. It does not offer a balanced headphone connection, such as a 4.4mm balanced socket, which would be nice to have, if you ever acquire balanced cables for any of your headphones/IEMs. Advantage would typically be more power. Albeit most headphones and IEM’s do not need the extra power(effectively resulting in higher volume/loudness).

2.The Dragonfly implemementation of the ESS DAC, is somewhat limited to a frequency response to 96Khz far below what the DAC is capable of.

  1. Dragonfly has chosen to use only one low pass filter, rather than give the end user a choice.

  2. Dragonfly does not (as is their custom) provide any measured specification data, on the performance of this dongle DAC, so you just have to believe their marketing blurb, as they are too unbothered to share such information, with potential purchasers.

On the DAC side of things, for not too much money, about $70 or less, I would suggest you may be interested in alternatives based on either the CS43131 or CS43198 DAC chips, which are also excellent. Examples of such products would include the Moondrop Dawn Pro, Moondrop Pro 2, TempoTec Sonat BHD, and the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro. There are probably another 50+ Dongle DAC products based on these DAC chips. Although this is a subjective opinion, the CS DAC chip based products, are said to have a neutral yet detailed sound, balanced without over emphasizing any frequency.

  1. These alternatives would be much more reasonably priced than the Cobalt.

  2. Have published specifications, so you know what you are getting.

  3. More likely have been reviewed by credible independent testers, such as AudioScienceReview.com, so you can hear what others think of such products, objectively as well as subjectively.

  4. Have the missing 4.4 mm balanced headphone output, in addition to the standard unbalanced 3.5mm headphone output on your Cobalt.

I have had a TempoTec Sonata BHD, for 14 months, and have been pretty satisfied with it, to the point that I see no reason to upgrade, to anything else. I’m a professional audio engineer and musician, and this is what I listen through, for many hours a day, when I’m at home. I generally do not listen to music or audio when I am on the go, out of the house, I consider any ambient noise detracts from proper listening. !!

On your choice of possible alternatives, to the Etymotic ER3SE, I would suggest you consider taking a look at the progress in recent years, in planar magnetic IEMs, which typically you can find excellent examples of, from about $60 for the ARTTI T10, to the ARTTI T10 Pro for about $80 or less, others like the Letshouer S12 for about $100, and the Letshouer S12 2024 Edition which unfortunately was a limited edition and may be difficult to find as new!, or the 7Hz Timeless, the 7Hz Timeless 2, the Hidizs MP145, Letshouer S15 is about the most expensive of these suggested planar magnetic IEMs, for about $300 IIRC.

I use an ARTTI T10 and have been astonished at the quality of the product, and it was so well packaged, I bought for other members of my family. I’m pretty sure you’ll find any of the Planar Magnetic IEM’s I have suggested satisfactory, and more likely stunningly good at reproducing any audio.

WHile I own other even more highly specced DACs and Headphone amplifiers, I have been truly satisfied and impressed with the combination of the ARTTI T10 and the TempoTec Sonata BHD, I feel no need to upgrade for many many more years, to come. My point is you do not have to spend huge sums for truly stunning quality. I bought both of these for a total of less than $100, cos I got them on a sale. At full price, I still would not have spent more than about $140 for both of them, most likely less.

Fo a total of anywhere between $100 and about $300 max, I am pretty confident you can get an alternative set of dongle DAC (i.e portable DAC) and a planar magnetic IEM, which sounds stunning.

I would include in that total cost, the cost of 3rd party ear tips, costing no more than $30 for a pair of ear tips. In my experience while all IEM manufacturers, especially the likes of Letshouer and ARTTI, do a really good job of providing a good choice of ear tips, you may want to consider other options, which in my experience takes the sonic performance of the ARTTI T10, even further than any of the stock eartips.

1 Like
3

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I admit that planar iems intrigue me but I have heard only mediocre reviews of them.

Amazon has the T10 pro for $120-130. Is it worth it at that price? Have you compared the detail retrieval of the T10 pro to Etymotic’s?

4

Get the original T10. They’re better than the Pro. Don’t let the plain look and low price fool you.

Another great planar is the Kiwi Ears Aether.

1 Like
5

I have only listened to the T10, not the T10 Pro, and definitely never listened to any Etymotic IEMs.

Mediocre reviews of planars !. That’s a bit of a surprise. I think there is a bit of snobbery in the audiophile world, and some of it is just plain conservatism, i.e what people have known for decades. I had some industry standard headphones like the AKG K702, for 9 years, at the time I acquired my T10, based on a really glowing review from a Youtuber reviewer. I had some other inexpensive IEM’s, at various times such as the 7Hz Zero 2 that is well loved by some. And own some well regarded budget IEMs’ like the KZ SAGA, and KZ PRX which is KZ’s very best planar IEM.

The T10 is the most balanced yet detailed listening device I own, to the point that I rarely now listen on speakers unless I have to. When I mix live events, as an audio engineer, I’m monitoring privately with the T10. That’s as much as I can say.

The key issue why there is a lot of variance in opinions about IEM’s is poor fit. It takes some effort and experience to consistently get a good fit. And in some cases, it takes a while for the physical ear tissue itself to adapt and enable you to insert without pain. But if you can stand an Etymotic with its deep insertion, I don’t think any other IEM would be an issue, unless your ear canals are smaller than most. I submit any negative reviews of decent planar magnetic IEMs’ are probably just bias.

I’m in my 60’s and have been listening to many audio reproduction systems, for a good while. As long as you have a good fit, using appropriate ear tips, and make the effort to get a proper fit, any of the decent planar magnetics, would be superb.

Some prefer the T10 to the T10 pro and vice versa. Just a matter of taste, and personal preference. The Letshouer S12 is now about the same price as the T10 Pro, from the costs you quoted. And the S12 is a very well received planar IEM, which seems to have dropped in price, most likely cos the T10 pro which has now gone up in price, is the Emperor’s new clothes - shiny new toy.

In the “budget” category, can’t go wrong with any of the T10, T10 Pro or S12. All very well recieved, dare I say acclaimed planar IEMs. If the S12 2024 Edition was available, I would have just said buy that one, but it is a revised version of the S12, with a limited run. I regret not buying it, but I could not justify spending again on an IEM, when I already had the T10, which to me sounds pretty good.

I’ll end with this. If you want a new toy, there will always be something shinnier, supposedly better, and newer. That trend never ends, but if you ignore the shockingly low cost of the T10, which belies its performance, anything better is in the realm of diminishing returns. I have no valid reason to even think of buying any other IEM, cos it is already a bit TOO REVEALING..I hear everything, including the errors in recordings, which is good for me as a recording engineer, but not so good when I’m just listening to music.

If you want to take a dip in the planar pool, without spending much, the kind of money you will not even think about - a good lunch, in a nice restaurant. I have no hesitation asking you, to get the KZ PRX, as a taster. With good ear tips, it is shockingly good, a bit trebly, just a bit. It will give you an idea of how good a planar can sound. Cost $35 max. The T10 is definitely in another league above the PRX

I think the problem with people’s opinions on these less expensive listening devices, is they cannot imagine that products costing from $35 to about $200 can sound this good, and give the traditional dynamic driver products, a run for their money.

Letshouer is the company also behind ARTTI, so the general concensus is that the ARTTI T10 Pro is a budget version of the Letshouer S12 2024 Limited Edition, while the ARTTI T10 is a budget version of the Letshouer S12. When I use the word budget here I mean only cost. The ARTTI brand is aimed at the more budget conscious consumer, while Letshouer is aimed at those able to spend more. Quality wise, I do not think there is much difference between the products of these brands. Consistenty well received, the Letshouer and ARTTI planar IEMs. But please avoid the Letshouer S08, which has a bit of a different sound, due to its use of smaller drivers, than the others mentioned here.

2 Likes
6

Thank you for the advice. Something to think about.

2 Likes
7

OK , to counter the First Part of the Problem

  1. You need resolution, well there aren’t many well resolving set under $1000. (Considering Resolution is just FR and details are not real, etc. etc.)

Under $600, yes - IE600 is well enough resolving for the price but that’s not the most resolving set I heard, since it severely lacks the texture of some instruments and vocals. Juzear 81T on the other hand, is not popular and very underrated - is by far the most resolving / well imaging set, that can rival way higher priced set. Yes, it’s not tonally perfect since there isn’t much bass to start with, coupled with the treble. Now it sometimes retail with a pricetag of $200 but don’t ignore it for the price tag, nothing under $1000 can really come close to it’s contrasty & detailed sound.

  1. Now, I won’t recommend you this dac becuse it will steal a lot of musicality further but since you mentioned Resolution - “Tanchjhim Luna“, this thing can sound sharp at high volumes but it cuts the music and extract details from it.
  2. Now, I wan’t to recommend you another Portable DAC that reches close to Mojo 2 but offers way better functionality and Power added with bluetooth. Quloos MUB1. You can find it under $450. Which has a tiny warmth tilt to the sound which matches perfectly with the 81T, and it will give you gobs and gobs of resolution.

If you are spending 700 on a portable setup, I wouldn’t recommend you chasing for Resolution but if it’s your need then - to my opinion , the aforementioned combo will serve you the best, though it’s not rational anyhow. But the combo I mentioned LUNA + 81T, added with some Wide Bore Tips - is Flagship Killer in terms of resolution only.

1 Like
8

Appreciate the responses. Any suggestions outside of chi-fi?

1 Like
9

Yes, Jomo Nautilus.

Singaporean Brand, most of their IEMs are made with Resolution in mind.

Or Icelab Prismatica

Which will be my recommendation for balancing out everything with Resolution.

1 Like
10

The Westone MACH 80 is mind-blowingly rich in information. If you subscribe to Westone/Etymotic’s online newsletter you can take advantage of their frequent half-off sales and probably get it for around your stated budget. You won’t need to invest in a DAC/Amp, because even an Apple dongle can drive it fairly well.

1 Like
11

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll check out Jomo and Icelab — though they look pretty niche and harder to source where I am. Do you have any impressions of how they compare to something like the IE600 or ER4SR, which I’ve actually heard?

1 Like
12

Thanks, I did just that!

1 Like
13

Jomo One is Killer for tech related stuffs, might be a bit sharp on high volumes on different head. Compared to IE600… they are definately more resolving.

IceLab though is not massively better in resolution than IE600 BUT it is tonally more mature. Doesn’t have those spicy tuning choices as ie600.

14

Thanks—just to confirm, are you recommending Jomo One or Nautilus? Have you A/B’d either directly vs IE600? If so, could you share chain (source/amp), tips/fit, and 2–3 tracks/time-stamps where you hear higher “resolution” (microdetail, separation, stage depth) than IE600? A non-affiliate measurement link would help too.

1 Like
15

Jomo One is The Nautilus

Yes and Mojo 2. But don’t aim for it , since I do Reviews I need to do it on a neutral source. You can get something way cheaper.

Ohh, not 2/3 tracks - everything sounded more detailed. Now, you have to bear in mind that it’s for my ears, you might find it a bit sharp - and I can’t confirm that. On top of that, Resolution/Imaging are just derivative of detail perception which you can EQ.

Personally I would recommend you 81T since it resolves better than IE600 (Tonality is worse). And costs 3X less.

16

Curious on “imaging via EQ”—are you saying a filter can replace driver/phase/fit behavior? If you’ve got an EQ setting that makes Jomo out-image IE600 at matched volume, I’d love to try it.

1 Like
17

Well Imaging is two things basically, Driver Matching & Clarity/Detail a.k.a FR. Except these two things everything depends on the track.

Now IE600 or Jomo Nautilus have very good driver matching on my sets. So if you can EQ the detail region (16Khz or 10khz region, depending on your library and preference).

You will get a more detailed presentation.

18

If “detail” = a 10–16k shelf, my DT1990 would be endgame :joy: I’m after low-level detail at normal volume, not extra sparkle. Got time-stamps?

2 Likes
19

I never said Shelf, I am not talking about anything Low-Q

Details are nothing but FR at the End. There is no Magic trick that manufactures do to make headphones more resolving, it’s just the spectral balance & peaks to give certain boost to certain regions.

And the clarity coupled with the positioning of instruments in the track is imaging.

Every headphone you will encounter in modern world will provide 20hz-20Khz. And all the details/resolution you hear lies in that region. It’s just the matter of linearity & avoidance of masking in FR.

20

FR & matching matter, but imaging usually tracks time/phase/decay & channel symmetry too. Got an A/B where FR-matched IE600 still loses to Jomo, with tracks + timestamps?

1 Like