Kiwi Ears - Airoso

Of all the IEMs I have, for some reason, the one I like the most is the Aful Explorer. I also have the Kefine Klean, Kefine Delci Ae, Sivga Que, Kiwi Ears Airoso, Lesthouer S08, Simgot EW300, Hidizs MP143, and MP145. All of these IEMs have a somewhat neutral, warm signature, but they all have excellent, very different sounds. I recommend the Aful Explorer, it's the best without a doubt. I won't tell you about the Hidizs MP145 because they're too big and can have adjustment problems if you have a narrow ear canal. Another thing I recommend is that you play with different types of cables and eartips, they can make a difference.

So what's ur use scenario? My suggestion in general for whoever enter this hobby (it they care about gaming) is getting the Tripowin Vivace+ Azla asmr max tips (obbligatory with this iem) cus i think even up to 500 there is nothing (in game) that outperform by a huge margin this. So if u care about gaming u can choose this combo first and then also buy an iem where u can focus only on ur music preferences (+ having the Asmr max automatically open u the doors for every harsh treble iem, cus this can tame anything). And with 120 u can do something like: Vivace combo+ Kz Am16 bass (best Kz with Ba rn and pretty cheap on Ali, meanwhile the best DD from Kz is in their Kz Zenith that i put way above the Zero Red if the qc is good). Anyway my favorite iem under 50 are the Cadenza, i read someone above saying that the Zero red is overall better, but for me the Cadenza is way better than the Zero red (not in game) the timbre is of the Cadenza is better (Cadenza Berillium timbre is my favorite timbre even up to 300) and the bass hit more satisfing and that bump in the high give u an impression of high technicality and is pretty berable + they are way more comfortable (worst than the Red in gaming if u use the adapter and obv they have a worst final extension in the trebble as u can see in graphs) some people prefer the Kefine klean in this price range and overall can do more things (especially in gaming) but music wise i prefer Cadenza. So i covered the combos...now let's talk about the best all rounder/sets under 120 (sometimes with discount) Kiwi ears Airoso (incredible iem for music,for me the best, a direct upgrade from Cadenza, not the best in game but still usable) Kefine Delci Ae (great valuable iem) Simgot Ew300 (not great in game, but 🔥 music) Juzear Defiant (if the qc is good, pretty close level wise to the Airoso if not better for someone) Arti t10/t10 pro if u want to try planar Truthears Hexa (neutral and all rounder, exquisite, better than the Red, but can be boring) Simgot Em6L (great allrounder) Aful explorer (if u want to raise the volume, this is great, in game they kinda 🙃😅) Tanchjim Fission (best 1DD at this price) Idk if i forgot something but this should be pretty 😏. This is kinda it i think.

Oh! So, for music production u want something as flat as possible, this are not bad, but maybe slightly bassy (for music production obv, cus this are not bassy at all) probably something like the Fission if u still want some sparkiness in the treble, but buying something studio focussed and not this type of iem is way better in that sense...(And u can get overear studio for really cheap, im not really into this Sector,but i have friends that works professionally and rarely they use iem). So don't count the music production in ur buy for iems, cus audiophile and music production are 2 separate things. My raccomandation rn are: U want bassy (not basshead obv) and warm (like a Jbl speaker): Kiwi ears Airoso U want basshead (don't start with a pure basshead set like the Legato,the Martilo..., never) U want best neutral (with great trebble so not completely flat): Tanchjim fission U want "neutral" with boosted bass (like the red...): if Qc work, Defiant? (But slightly more get u a lot more) Like the Ziigaat (Ziigoat) odissey and sincerely 99% of iem are tuned like this...so pick ur favorite Budget (under 50 and even 40/30) Warm (my goat) and comfy af(important, cus the Red are massive...):Kiwi ears Cadenza Bass: Qkz x Hbb Cheaper: Kz edx pro 2 (try this mf) My main: Kiwi ears Airoso (music), Ziigaat arete (gaming)

Under 50$: Tanchjim Zero Ultima DSP, KZ Saga Under 100$: Sliivo SLA3, Letshuoer S12/Artti T10, Kiwi Ears Airoso, Under 200$: Kiwi Ears Aether It is really hard not to love these!!

I currently use Kiwi Ears Airoso, it's good, I play Valorant. However, you will need a DAC and probably some ear tips. I use Spinfit W1.

You might want to check out the Kiwi Ears Airoso. One reviewer said, “It takes everything great about the KE4 and refines it, adding better control, enhanced layering, and an airier, more spacious presentation” I can’t personally confirm the comparison because I haven’t heard the KE4, but I do have the Airoso and really like it. And they’re cheaper than the KE4. MSRP is $130 but they can be found on sale on Amazon for $81.

I was almost tempted into getting them a couple of times due to all the hype, but then I’d see just enough comments about the bass being lacking or the treble being shrill and/or unnatural that I’d back off. I’d still like to hear them one day to see if I’d be one that would love them or hate them, but I pretty much decided they would not be a safe blind buy, unless maybe I stumbled onto an unbelievably bargain price or something. I recently got the new Airoso, though, and was comfortable enough to go into that one blind based on the reviews.

That might work. It has two dynamic drivers in isobaric configuration for better bass. You might also check out the newer Kiwi Ears Airoso. It also has great bass but would have better highs. It has an MSRP of $129 but goes on sale for under $100.

Looks like a good roundup. I have both the Kiwi Ears Quartet and Airoso among others. The Airoso is my current favorite, but I don’t listen to the same kind of music you do so I can’t speak to its suitably for that type of music.

I have the Explorer and the Airoso and don’t think you can go wrong with either one.

KiwiEars Airoso. Get it while its still under $100. >Truthhear Gate, Tanchjim Bunny, and KZ Klean for a blind buy or the Truthhear Hexa, Truthhear Nova and Letshouer 12 Pro (but my friend said the 12 Pro has weird bass) Gate = No. Plastic shell resonates. Feels like garbage. People that love the gate, i question all of their listening tastes. Bunny = Fantastic. Probably one of the best $20 IEM's available. The USB DSP and app make it more fun. KZ Klean = Uh... Kefine Klean, maybe? Kefine Klean is a great choice at $50. But i think the Inawaken Dawn is better. Hexa = Good, but very dull to someone who is new to the hobby, and used to V shaped tunings (i.e. boosted bass and treble, Hexa is very flat) Nova = Tuned to the popular Harmon Curve. Which is very V shaped. THe Simgot SuperMix4 is a common alternative. S12 Pro = Planar. Fantastic IEM. BUT...and this is probably why your buddy said ti had "weird bass", it will require you to use a higher powered Dongle DAC/Amp, because Planars need a lot of power to push around. If you underpower them, they sound muddy, thuddy, and dead. With enough power, they have amazing tactility and speed. But they do suffer from a somewhat metalic timbre that can be off putting to some people, as they are not "natural" sounding. But very fun. Overall, like i said, i think the KiwiEars Airoso is your best bet. It is a hybrid IEM that plays very clean, provides tons of detail, and bass when you need it. And seems to play about every genre of music you throw at it, without feeling like its lacking. Its not a neutral tuning, but it plays naturally. If that makes sense?

I think your preferences would be far better served by something like the KiwiEars KE4, or the also new Ziigaat Odyssey. As your preference with Fan3 would indicate you like that later JM1 style upper mids Pina Gain. An out of left field alternative would be the AFUL Performer 5. Or possibly the Performer 5+2 (or Performer 7 as some people call it). Personally the Performer 5 is a little brighter, which leans more towards the Fan3, but the 5+2 has a little more clinical detail up top. And way out in super right field, is the KiwiEars Airoso, it might be a little too U shaped for proper monitor use. But it is very clean in the upper mids and treble, and has excellent detail. There really isnt anything i have found that the Airoso cant play well. And for the current sub-$100 price, it punches WAY above its price target. Not that you came here looking for advice, buuuuttt...its interesting to get some alternative perspectives. https://audioamigo.squig.link/?share=Ziigaat_Lush,Ziigaat_Cinno,Ziigaat_Odyssey,Penon_Fan_3_BC_Off,Kiwi_Ears_KE4,AFUL_Performer_5,Kiwi_Ears_Airioso

For your preference, i would look at the Kefine Delci AE, or the KiwiEars Airoso (provided its still available under $100). Both offer fantastic bass impact, and solid treble details, that translate well to gaming. I would also consider getting the Fosi DS2 USB Dongle for using with your phone and PC. The measurements for it are stellar, very neutral, maintains good musicality, and clarity for gaming. And the price is excellent.

Kiwi Ears Airoso has a 50% off Coupon, making it $64.50. Absolute banger V shaped hybrid for $65. Great gaming IEM as well.

Kiwi Ears Airoso Kiwi Ears Aether Aoshida E60 (flat head) Cables and others - 5x NiceHCK cables, 1x ZiSin cable, Angelears AE301 dongle, Drop BMR1 speakers, Audioengine S8 subwoofer

Between these two, I'd get the Zero: Red easily. Since you mentioned you can stretch your budget up to $120, I'd definitely get something like the Kiwi Ears Airoso (just a good set in general, a pretty good all-rounder with nothing to complain about, and good value too), the Simgot EW300 (a real banger for the price, good sound overall, though it could be a bit "harsh" for gaming), or the Xuan NV (good for gaming and music, the value is kinda insane). If you are looking for "neutral" sets, you could go for the Truthear Hexa, but for some people, they may sound "boring". I'd also recommend the Truthear Pure too since they are basically Hexa but with more bass and a bit less treble. I don't think you could go wrong with either of these.

Airoso is nice warm/airy set you're good

Hi and thanks for the amazing write up, I feel like I’ve learnt a ton from reading it! Sorry to butt in with a noob question, but when you say “EQ’ing up to a graph,” does this mean doing it with a headphone measurement coupler? Or is this something you do by ear? I fell into this rabbit hole after attempting to EQ my Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW2s to not sound like a puddle of mud and haze (read: Harman target because that’s all I knew of at the time). I managed to successfully do it with sine sweeps, and then some refinement purely by intuition and A/B tests with my Linkbuds S with AutoEQ. Essentially, I’m just wondering if this method you’re talking about is something I can do, or if I should just stick to sine sweeps+pink noise (I’m gonna have to look into the pink noise). And in case you’re wondering how I ended up on this subreddit, I’m now the proud owner of a set of 7hz Zeros and Kiwi Ears Airosos :) Edit: And yeah, I was genuinely shocked at the result I got with the SQ1s after about few sessions of tweaking and listening. They’re quite an enjoyable pair of earbuds now, with some oddly satisfying details that I can hear without all the haze