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I was considering upgrading IEMs for a long time, but the P6 Pro is so good I’m considering staying within the $1k price range for a while to give it another chance before I upgrade to a higher tier.
I’m looking for a good all-rounder IEM to complement my Hyla Sardas for under $1k used. I’ll be using this IEM for more critical listening with new music I discover, while also being more of an everyday carry set. Neutral-warm/balanced is the sound sig I think I’m looking for. I enjoy texture, organic/natural timbre, and good spatial recreation. I listen to “everything,” but I might have a bias towards rock-oriented music. I’ve been looking at the Fir VxV and MMR Gae Bolg for this. Would like to know if there are any other IEMs that would be good
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Hmmmmm, at that price point I might say look for a used tia trio perhaps, that’s a pretty solid all rounder that’s reasonably organic, and given how cheap they get (more around 1.2-1.3k used or less) it’s a pretty solid value. But if you can’t stretch for that the vxv is really nice at it’s price and likely wouldn’t disappoint. I haven’t heard the gae bolg but I hear very good things about it at the price point, @Kron has one
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I was also going to recommend to save for a tia trio as well. That was actually my replacement to sarda. It still has a v shape but not as drastic but an improvement in presentation and comfort. It will keep the same use case but be an improvement
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I’d say it’s a more slightly relaxed U shape, generally the signature to me had more width than the sarda, didn’t punch as hard, but had more tonal density and richness, more detail and nuance, a bit more of a micro than macro focus. And yes comfort is great. To me it’s a good alternative not really a sarda replacement but some may disagree lol
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I’ll be able to confirm what the MMR GB sounds like on the p6p soon, although personally I think I prefer the Graces in almost all aspects. I’m gonna try to do some proper thoughts on the GB when I get the p6p. If I didn’t have the Grace I would love the MMR a lot though. I think I would personally look at something like the VxV or the Trio over it though as you guys suggested.
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OH I forgot you can get graces in this price range if you can find the right deal, those might really nail what he’s looking for too
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Yeah I’m totally not using “under $1k” as an arbitrary limit to my audio spending lol. Maybe I should just keep saving before I buy.
On another note, is the Oriolus Crassirostris good for my use case? Just found out about it
Actually yeah, not sure how that slipped my mind too, I actually have a comparison with the sarda on the forum here somewhere, if you search for it you would likely find it
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Looks like the Crassirostris or the VxV are what I’m looking for. Think I’m gonna try some tip rolling and upgrading the cable to a PWAudio Silver+Gold to squeeze some more performance out of my Sardas before I buy another pair of IEMs though. Thanks everyone!
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I currently have a the great sounding JVC HA-FDX1 but have comfort issues because of the sharp edge of the rotating earpiece. I found molded earpiece of Starfields faaaaarrrrrr more comfortable.
Could someone suggest aIEM for enjoyment listening with neutral warm or U shaped FR (not bass cannons), and fun tuning for MSRP $500-600? Will be driven with a L&P W2 dongle.
Currently considering (but not limited to) Dunu EST112, Dunu Zen (one on sale), Thieaudio Oracle, Moondrop Variations, Campfire Mammoth, FiiO FA9.
Thank you all!!
New condition only iirc, right?
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I own a Dunu Zen and I do like it quite a bit, but I don’t think it matches your preferences here. It rolls off the high-end a noticeable amount and I’ve been using some more treble-y eartips to kind of shore it up. Just my two cents.
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Yeah… maybe someday I’ll get over my ear wax issues, lol. But for now I’m looking at new only.
I did with headphones as I got into higher priced models where the used discount is more impactful, lol.
Thanks for those two cents! Probably not exactly what I’m looking for then. Thanks for the info!
was gonna say you might find a used Meze Rai Penta at the upper end of your range, but for new I unfortunately don’t have much experience to draw from at that pricepoint. Maybe the Oriolus Isabellae? Haven’t heard it, but feedback I’ve seen is largely positive, though perhaps not quite the ‘mini bird’ some have claimed.
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If they are still selling the FIR VxV for like 700 or so on drop, I’d go for those, imo logical upgrade from the jvc (1k normally though). I wouldn’t personally suggest the isabellae given it’s signature, is worth a look but I don’t know if it would be exactly what he is looking for.
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I’m such an Amazon abuser- I saw that Amazon (not a independent seller) is selling FiiO FA9’s so I bought one. No idea what to expect, but it’s Prime, so I’ll just to try it out. It will arrive tomorrow and for all I know I’m shipping them back tomorrow too, lol.
I like those, but I’m not ready for used IEM’s yet. LOL. Working on it. I never considered myself a germ-a-phobe, but it seems IEM’s triggered that part of me.
If you are worried about germs with iems which btw is totally understandable, what I do is use alcohol swabs (isopropyl based) to clean the iems when I get a used pair it does a good job of making sure all skin oils and other bacteria is disinfected and they are also good for just cleaning the iems periodically.only warning is that you probably don’t want to clean tips with alcohol, silicone will become dry and brittle over time with some types of alcohol.
I second the suggestion for the FIR 5x5 if you can find one
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I’m with ya on the alcohol, and been softening on the idea of used. Thank you for the understanding of my foibles, 
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The FIR 5X5 is hard to find!
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Anyone tried out the new Campfire Audio IEMs?