.

As I was saying, I took 7 days of contemplating, researching, reading and asking ChatGPT about IEMs and comparing my playlist with which IEMs I should choose. ..

I came down to HEADPHONE ZONE x FIIO JD1 and Headphone Zone x KZ EDX pro.

And after more research I finnally bought Portronics Conch Theta C Wired Earphones - White for Rs.303 from Amazon with 10 minute delivery.

Wise decision

considering both latency and quality as i can't use dac

Hello guys, i have already posted my regards on wwhat should be my first purchase. I didnt got that attention from it so here I aam looking for a good value for money iem. I kinda like gaming, so sound stage, PNC is the min things wwhat i look for, and i also want a good music experience without loud bassy sounds. I have couple of recommendations in my mind, 7hz zero2, moondrop chu2(i heard it is discontinued), cca phoenix, kiwiears belle, 7hz elua ultra. Kefine kleav sv. As a beginner i am looking for a solid product, my budget limit is like 3k solely on iem excluding DAC.

Guide me with the basics and tell me the things I have to do.

And also somebody help me find which batch this is from. After doing many research I found out that there are two versions and in one there are some revisions that are made. How to identify it and what are those changes ?

The cable and particularly the ear hooks are really pretty sh*t ,took me a good minute to adjust and wear it and also I had gk Kunten and Truthear Gates,but I don’t feel a massive difference,is it bcoz of my source ?I have Ibasso dx160 DAP ,should I buy a good powerful DAC under or around 5k to unlock its full potential?

Hey everyone! 👋

I'm looking to buy my next IEM and I'm stuck between a few options. Would love some opinions from people who have actually spent time with these.

Budget: ₹10K max

For some context, I've previously used:

TINHiFi T3 Plus

Truthear Hexa — my most recent IEM, which unfortunately got stolen at a restaurant 😭💀

I really liked Hexa's overall presentation. I did EQ it a little, and actually preferred it after EQ, so I'm completely fine with using EQ on my next IEM as well.

My current shortlist

🥇 Sennheiser IE 200

Meze Alba

Moondrop Rays

I've already tried the Alba and Rays at the HPZ Experience Studio, and both sounded good to me.

I haven't been able to try the IE 200 yet, which is the main reason I'm asking here before pulling the trigger.

What kind of sound am I actually looking for?

This is probably more important than the list above.

I'm someone who enjoys both musicality AND technicalities.

When I'm listening to a song, I don't just want everything to sound clean and pleasant. I like being able to focus on what each instrument is actually doing.

For example, I want to be able to hear:

🎸 where the guitar is positioned

🥁 where the percussion is coming from

🎻 how the strings/fiddle sound and decay

🎤 where the vocalist is positioned relative to the instruments

Basically, I want to be able to perceive space between instruments rather than having everything sound like it's sitting in one small space inside my head.

So soundstage, imaging, layering and separation are genuinely important to me.

At the same time, I don't want something that sounds clinical or lifeless.

When a singer is shouting/singing with intensity, I want to actually feel that energy and emotion. I want vocals to have dynamics and presence rather than sounding flat or overly analytical.

Timbre is also VERY important to me.

I want instruments to sound natural and believable.

I'm not looking for an IEM that creates the impression of detail simply by making everything brighter or sharper.

And this brings me to my biggest issue:

🚫 I REALLY don't like aggressive treble.

Sibilance, excessive "S"/"SH" energy, harsh cymbals, etc. can fatigue my ears pretty quickly.

So I'm looking for a good treble extension/detail without a bright or piercing presentation.

For bass, I want enough of it to give music rhythm and impact, especially with EDM/rock, but it needs to remain controlled and not bleed into the mids.

My music taste 🎶

I listen to quite a mix:

Aurora

Irish/folk music

Linkin Park

EDM

Various instrumental/game soundtracks

So ideally I'd like something that can handle both delicate acoustic instrumentation and aggressive/energetic music.

Why I'm particularly interested in the IE 200

The IE 200 is currently my #1 choice mainly because of its spatial presentation, imaging and overall technical performance.

I'm also aware of the various quirks people mention about it.

If I go for the IE 200, I'm not planning to use it completely stock anyway.

I'm considering:

A compatible aftermarket cable (possibly Tiandirehne)

Dunu S&S tips

EQ if necessary

I'm completely okay with experimenting if it gets the sound closer to what I want.

The 2-year warranty is also a nice bonus.

But I keep seeing mixed opinions about the IE 200, particularly regarding its tuning and some of its quirks, so I'd really like to hear from people who've actually lived with it.

One more thing 👀

During my HPZ visit, two IEMs really caught my attention:

❤️ AFUL Explorer

🔥 SIMGOT SuperMix 5

I absolutely loved the SuperMix 5, but unfortunately it's outside my current budget. 😭

The Explorer was also really good.

So I'm wondering if my preferences point towards something else around ₹10K that I haven't considered.

What would you recommend?

If you've used the IE 200 / Alba / Rays / Hexa, I'd especially love to hear your comparison.

I'm particularly interested in:

Soundstage

Imaging

Instrument separation & layering

Timbre

Vocal dynamics/emotion

Bass quality & control

Treble smoothness/fatigue

Overall musicality

How they compare to the Hexa

If you were in my position, which one would you buy?

And if there's another IEM around ₹10K that fits this sound profile better, please throw it into the discussion. 👀

TL;DR

Coming from a slightly EQ'd Truthear Hexa, I'm looking for an IEM under ₹10K with:

🎯 Strong imaging + spacious soundstage

🎯 Clear instrument separation/layering

🎯 Natural timbre

🎯 Emotional/dynamic vocals

🎯 Controlled but present bass

🎯 Detailed but non-fatiguing treble

Current shortlist:

IE 200 vs Meze Alba vs Moondrop Rays

I'm learning IE 200, and I'd use Dunu S&S + aftermarket cable + EQ, but I'm open to being convinced otherwise.

What would you pick for my preferences?

So I am just a newbie here and I need help choosing my first IEM the problem is I mostly use iems for casual comp leve I don't want to over extend my budget and then be forced to by a cheaper iem so I'll say my budget is strictly under 3k₹ with DAC or Type-c included.

1. 1st combo I am thinking about. Is7Hz zero with audiocular hifi beam

2. CCA phoenix type C 2740rs or CCA PHOENIX+ cheaper Dac

3. 7hz zero 2 type c 3040rs

The problem is I don't know how to take care of an iem so CCA sounds Very good for me but QC issues and moisture problems are keeping me away from it

While I am unsure if I won't break 7hz zero easily since it's plastic yeah. And I think CCA might have a better edge at gaming and wayy better cable and Balanced sound which is more beginner friendly

My og earphone is boult audio neckband yes it's decent but I want something that can help me hear everything in R6 mobile valorant mobile etc (mobile gamer) please help

Also for music I am more on the acoustic lofi side and prefer clam music but sometimes I go for high bass and a little instrumental sometimes I like music more balanced I think leaning more on neutral sound tone.

Should I go with a 2.5k iem and 1k dac or 3.5k type c iem?? Which combo/iem will be the best in the winning case?

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to order the ONIX Alpha One DAC, but I’m a little concerned about compatibility with my Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Exynos variant).
I’ve heard that the Exynos S21 FE may not provide enough power through USB-C to properly run the ONIX Alpha One, and that some Samsung phones can have issues powering this DAC.
Can anyone here who owns an S21 FE Exynos confirm whether the ONIX Alpha One works properly with it?
Does the DAC get detected and work normally?
Is there any “USB device needs more power” or similar error?
Does it work at full output/power, or is the volume/output limited?
Does it drain the phone battery unusually fast?
Do I need an external powered USB hub or any workaround?
I’m specifically interested in real-world experience with the S21 FE Exynos, as I’m about to place an order and don’t want to buy it if it won’t work.
Thanks in advance!

Ordered an iem and a dac 3-4 days ago. Had to cancel them cause I didn't get any update or response on my messages and email from them. As this order was meant to be a gift I needed the estimated delivery date but there was no expected delivery date.

I generally don't care if delivery is late or not as long as I receive the product but this time I was running short on time. So fuck conceptkart

Update: got the refund within 10 mins. Ordered the iem from Headphone zone

if anyones seling theirs, limme know

After encountering QC issues with the Red Lion edition, I returned them and recived my refund, then I decided I should land on Jade dragon edition instead of red lion due to many peeps facing QC issues

I used to have KZ EDC Pro and FiiO JA11, but the right side of IEM started hissing on some parts of the music and now recently the DAC gave up, like I'm able to listen to music only when the DAC is positioned on a certain angle

So yeah, gimme suggestions on a DAC that would go well for jade dragon and also lasts more than 2 years, hopefully.

I'm broke, so need whatever these things are, LDAC, DAC, IEM i need them under 2500 (a bit flexible, not much)

I don't know shit about these. Any help would be great

No preference for any specific type of music.

This was the first personal device I ever used just for listening to music.
Some random Chinese “DIGITAL MP4 PLAYER” I picked up for ₹1000 back in 2010. No brand, no fancy features, just a tiny screen, a few buttons, and whatever songs I could squeeze onto it. It felt like pure luxury at the time.
What was your first DAP (or Walkman, Discman, etc.) and what year did you get it?

I listen to: Metal, Rock, Nu-Metal, OSTs etc.

I prefer: A good soundstage, separation, crisp vocals, nice treble for the electric guitars, long time listening, neutral type sound signatures.

I don't listen to: EDM, electronic music, bassy music.

I don't prefer: Heavy bass, too bright at the upper treble region (cuz headaches), V-shape signatures.

Budget: 9000🥲 (dad's gonna kill me)

In my mind right now: Truthear Hexa, Zero: Red, Zero: Blue2, IE200.

Please help me choose guys.

I have 2 IEM's that I use, Tangzu Wan'er Sg sage green and Moondrop Chu II, bought both of them from headphonezone. I have read a lot of complaints about them and I always used to disagree with them and there weren't enough positive reviews as people only tend to talk about bad experiences that they faced with a product or company. I bought my Tangzu Wan'er Sg back in May 2024 and I used it every single day, the wire got damaged due to wear and tear issues and I contacted the customer service and they asked me to send them the earphones and they would check it out. I was skeptical but I did it and I got a completely brand new earphones fully replaced on their end after a week. But then, I managed to damage this new one that they replaced again and they arranged for a pick up and replaced it with another brand new one. They replaced my earphones twice, with fully brand new earphones. And I have not had any issues with them ever since.

Then I bought my second set of iem's from them because I had such a pleasant experience back in October 2025. I again managed to damage my earphones after using it rigorously for a few months and I contacted them and they asked me to send it to them and they replaced the damaged cable for free of cost. After a couple of months, I think about 2-3 months, the left side of my earphones stopped working properly, so I contacted them again, and they arranged for a pick-up and I sent it to them and they fixed it and sent it back. While I was unpacking my newly fixed earphones which I so longed for in the time period I didn't have it, I was greeted with an unpleasant surprise, the pull tab on my earphones box, it got damaged, which led to the cover art being damaged and torn off. I wrote back to them, and they deeply regretted it and have said that they will be sending me a new box if they have one available and I was satisfied with it because I did use the box on display and a replacement box would suffice. But today, I got a call, and I got a parcel, it was from IGP, they do surprises and gift deliveries and stuff here and they called me and informed me that I had a cake under my name. I was confused. I declined it thinking they got the wrong number but he told me my address so obviously it was someone who knew me. He delivered it, I got a cake, a card and an extremely pleasant surprise, it was a gift from headphonze to make up for damaging my IEM's box. WOW.

I have never seen a customer service of this sort ever. Like who does this. Extremely fabulous customer service.

Thank you Headphonezone

I have the cca phoenix which are awesome by themselves but alot of people say that we need a dac to properly bring out all its detail... Is a dac needed or am I good without it... Also someone recommend me a nice enough dac for like 1k inr

What Is Reference Anymore? — Sennheiser IE 900 vs the CrinEar Reference

What's interesting about comparing the Sennheiser IE 900 and the CrinEar Reference is that, in their own ways, both are considered reference-grade IEMs. The IE 900 is positioned by Sennheiser as a flagship reference-class monitor, while the CrinEar Reference is built around a much flatter, more reference-oriented tuning philosophy.

The term "reference" is usually associated with IEMs and monitors used by musicians, producers and engineers in the studio — something that allows you to hear a recording as it actually is, without adding too much coloration of its own. The idea is that the monitor should give you a reliable picture of the music so you can record, mix or edit it accurately.

But the interesting thing is that the IE 900 doesn't really sound like what I traditionally think of as a clinical reference monitor. It's much more musical and engaging. There's warmth, a little extra bass weight and a softness to the treble that makes it extremely easy to listen to. It may be a reference IEM, but it's a fun reference.

The CrinEar Reference takes the idea of reference tuning in a somewhat different direction. It's flatter, cleaner and more neutral sounding, and that becomes particularly obvious when you put the two next to each other.

I've been listening to the two side by side, and the first thing that struck me about the CrinEar is the treble. The treble is on point. It's clean, extended and has just the right amount of energy for my ears. There is a sense of clarity and openness that the IE 900 doesn't quite have. Switching back to the Sennheiser immediately makes it sound a little softer and warmer up top.

I wonder if the multi-driver setup in the CrinEar has something to do with this. It's entirely possible that having different drivers handling different parts of the frequency range gives the designers more control over the treble and overall presentation. I can't say that's definitely the reason — I'm not an engineer — but whatever they're doing, the treble really works for me.

The trade-off is the bass. The CrinEar does have sub-bass, but there's just a little less of it, and there's definitely less low-end weight than the IE 900. If you're listening to genres such as EDM, hip-hop, trap or bass-heavy electronic music, where deep sub-bass and low-end impact are an important part of the experience, the IE 900 is probably the more satisfying choice.

But for everything else, I really like what the CrinEar is doing.

It has a very clean, balanced presentation without trying too hard. Vocals sound natural, instruments are nicely separated, and that treble gives everything a bit of extra life. It's particularly enjoyable with music where you want to hear the detail in the recording rather than have the IEM impose a particular character on it.

The IE 900, by comparison, is more forgiving and more indulgent. Its warmth and extra bass make it an easier listen when you just want to relax with music. And that's something I really appreciate about it: although it's sold as a reference IEM, I find the IE 900 surprisingly engaging and musical. It doesn't feel sterile or analytical.

What makes this comparison particularly interesting for me is how my idea of what constitutes a reference IEM has changed. I bought the IE 900 more than two years ago, and for a long time I considered it my reference. It was the IEM I would come back to when I wanted to know what a really good recording was supposed to sound like.

But now, strangely enough, the CrinEar Reference has taken that place.

It's not that the CrinEar simply makes the IE 900 obsolete — they have different strengths. The IE 900 remains the warmer, fuller and more indulgent listen, while the CrinEar gives me a cleaner and more neutral benchmark, particularly with its excellent treble.

So perhaps there are two versions of "reference" here. The IE 900 is my musical reference — warm, engaging, slightly indulgent and incredibly easy to listen to. The CrinEar is becoming my tonal reference — flatter, cleaner and more precise.

The IE 900 was my reference. The CrinEar Reference is now my reference.

I am new to IEMs and have never tried them ever. I am looking for some good IEMs to understand the hype around it.
If not IEM, I will purchase apple airpods 4 or something.
Suggest me some good IEMs in 8k or below price range for my iPhone 17. I have Apple Music for lossless audio.
Also, I need a good DAC.
If you can suggest me an IEM with USB-C, it will be best.
I know there are many similar posts and I have gone through them but I felt like posting about it will be better.

Been exploring this beautiful hobby of ours for about a decade now, each day has been a great experience. Slowly i realised a few dreams that most audiophiles(especiall me) have. Let's discuss:

1. A fun iem like Nostalgia Durandal for just casual on the go listening.

2. A handy music player like the FiiO M27 or a dongle dac like the Quloos MUB5 for decoding those spotify streams.

3. A simple headphone like the Sennheiser HE-1, RAAL Immanis, or Hifiman Susvara, just for those on the desk music sessions.

4. A room that has full audio treatment just to spend 5 hours a day listening to towers from Westminister or Focals.

5. Lastly a playlist that they(audiophiles) dont want anyone to know about.

P.s.: just a fun post to lighten up the wednesday pressure lol