Hi, I found myself drawn into IEM's (in ear monitors). Does anyone have recommendations for a set for critical and/or leisure listening since there are soooo many out there to chose from? Budget < 1200 USD.

 

Shure SE846 Gen 2 Jade - 1.049 €
www.thomann.de/de/shure_se846_gen_2_jade.htm?utm_medium=affiliate&offid=1&affid=195&subid=mrd-de-1281552622137136100

 

Truthear red

Simgot EM6L

and

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2-iem-review.50534/
I have them, incredible quality and dirt cheap. A recomendation from the RME forum.

 

You don't need a budget that high for best-in-class sound with IEMs.

As someone who's extremely picky about my IEMs, I'd say that the choice entirely revolves around if you can use EQ on them.

If you can't use EQ, the Simgot Supermix 4 and Moondrop Variations are some good recommendations, but keep in mind that those have inverted polarity, so for a true reference sound, you'll need to plug their cables reversed.

If you can use EQ, literally any IEMs with a simple, single dynamic driver design. These are the best as their distortion is usually pretty low unlike with BA drivers, and there are no damping issues unlike with some electrostatic drivers. Going from 600$ Moondrop Variations to 30$ Kiwi Ears Cadenzas with EQ was literally an upgrade in sound for me. You just need to have the right EQ settings, the tutorial shared by Lieglein is pretty good.

 

I have a Moondrop Chu 2 for checking mixes and some general listening, it's not only dirty cheap, but it's also incredibly well made and sounds very balanced. I paid like, between 20 and 30 USD for it. There are great IEMs that are more expensive, but you can always start very low like this and see if you're happy with what you're getting.

 

Thank you so much for the replies people, much appreciated!