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✨ Dan's Wall of Joy✨
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Tinhifi T3+
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✨Balanced and fun recommendation for starting hobby✨

Has thump, as detail perceived, enough air to get through
An overall crowd pleaser and easy enough on the ears
Somehow, they are timeless. They sound like home
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Store | $70ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• Not the most "clean" sounding
• Doesn't accentuate either upper or lower end exceptionally. This one just kind of does it's thing and doesn't mess with it all. It carefully, but casually suggests we just enjoy the music and for a heck of a good price. No question, start the hobby with this if you aren't sure what flavor profile you want.

Special notes
There's something about these that just...never fail. No matter what expensive set I've listened to over the course of my exploration of 90-100+ IEMs now, these always have an easy and comfortable listening experience. And yet, even with that ease, they bring those nods of joy that I still want as an audiophile. The bass hits soundly enough to appreciate any track. The mids allow vocals to just be there without pushing too hard up or down. The treble isn't trying to hurt you ever. This set is the dictionary definition of "just listen to the music man." It ain't perfect in every way, but it's perfectly imperfect. It just is, and it somehow just is without being a bore like some of the "neutral" sets out there. I love these. They hold a special place in my heart for just how long they've stood the test of time no matter what keeps coming out. These are a hobby staple and should be a top consideration for anyone starting, or anyone wanting to give a start to a friend or family member.

These are good at any mood, any time of day, tired or awake, these just let you sit and enjoy. And my goodness, the shell is a classic fit that can sit in the ear all day. And that price...that price. It's easy to consider these for most budgets.
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HIDIZS x WDC MP145
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WARM/Detailed rcommendation
Bass sibling to the FUDU's warmth, plus detail up top
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Store | $165ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• Shell is long and somewhat thick. There could be comfort issues depending on ear. I had discomfort at first, but then I rotated it in my ear a bit and haven't had the issue since. Still, be warned!
• Not as open sounding as stuff gets out there. This IEM does have a warmth like the FUDU. So if you're used to enjoying things like the Timeless, DIOKO, Salnotes Zero, etc., then there is a chance that the low end warmth may feel like it isn't your thing. I think the bass hump is appropriate though for a more honest presentation of the warmth you get in live music.
• Hot treble spots. There may be a spot or two above 10kHz somewhere, wherein you could be distracted or, at worst, feeling discomfort with the treble heat. I think this will depend heavily on your own ear gain and treble sensitivity. EQ can take this out though rather easily, but you might want to play with different treble sections depending on your personal sensitivity.

✨Dan's EQ (softens the treble heat 😌)✨
Preamp: 0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 13000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 1.41
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 TANGZU x DIVINUS FUDU Verse I
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WARM recommendation

Easygoing upper end
Wonderful mix of warm, yet still clean sound
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Store | $90ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• It isn't the most detailed ever, in the sense of having treble brilliance like other sets might go for.
• Isn't wide and airy staging. More just very natural sounding with a touch of warmth to ease things.
• I want to explore how I can tweak this to sparkle more for my want for a smidgen more air.


✨Dan's EQ✨
Preamp: 0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain -1 dB Q 1.41
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 8000 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 1.41

For the EQ, it's all about leaning in to the strengths of the FUDU and simply softening any potential edges in the upper end. You can now raise the volume more and feel GREAT!
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Sennheiser IE200
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NEUTRAL / BRIGHT recommendation for starting hobby

Less warm alternative for starting hobby instead of FUDU
A brighter smooth style that hardly fatigues for most
More audiophiles may find this one their everyday IEM
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Store | $120ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• Could sound harsh, if you come from norally enjoying warm sets. Neutral, balanced, and smooth compared to bright IEMs
• Not trying to be flashy or push the limits of a range or two. It balances but adds some treble that warm-inclined
listeners may not necessarily love
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Unique Melody MEST MKII
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Clean, airy, clear, effortlessly balanced set
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Store | $1500ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• Not exactly lush. Very natural and open and gets you straight to a natural appearing sound for its upper regions, but
yes, it doesn't play warm. The bass is still there to present instruments with clarity, but there isn't a growl or huge
prominence of bass that some other IEMs might. Still, this is perhaps my top recommendation, for now, as an
all-arounder."
• Is not as boldly treble forward as its predecessor, the MKI. I may have preferred the MKI for a time. I might want to listen to the MKI more to see how it feels today in comparison to this MKII again for me. I also need to try MKIII (at time of writing).
• Though not pushing upper end frequencies too hot, it can get noticed more than perfectly ideal on some tracks. If there's just a lot of high female vocals and also cymbals, there's a chance a warmer IEM might be better suited for a person's preferences or mood. But the MEST MKII handles things like a champ. Even in its rare weaknesses are just strengths in most situations.
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THIEAUDIO Monarch MKII
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Natural balance with weight, with some crisp detail
Community members often say its "perfect" for their tastes
Timbre people fall in love with
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Store | $1000ReviewDemo
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Downsides

• Might not have the outrageous lush of some other sets
• Lacks the wild treble play that other gear may go for
• If you come from warm and easy listening for a long time, you may need some time with this for it's choices in treble
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FATFreq Maestro SE
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Warm, thick, lush, "immersive" sub bass
Strikingly wide stage perceived
Striking perception of detail retrieval in the upper end...
...without upper end fatigue
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