In-Ear Monitor Recommendations

The following In-Ear Monitor (IEM) recommendations are ranked from S-Tier to C-Tier, reflecting their overall performance, sound quality, and value. These rankings are based on Art_Is_War’s IEM tier list, which offers a general assessment of various models, with S-Tier representing the absolute best in the category and C-Tier representing solid options that might not stand out in certain areas. This tier list helps guide users in selecting IEMs based on their preferences and priorities, whether that’s pure sound quality, comfort, or other factors.

S-Tier

• Xenns Mangrid Tea Pro
  • New top dog pick, great detail and separation as well as positional info. Great bass response. Large shell though, can be uncomfortable.
    • $360 / £274 (https://amzn.to/49MPeqX)
• Tipsy M3
  • Cleaner, more detailed and lower reaching bass, sound stage/imaging on par with Tea Pros, GREAT detail retrieval in chaotic settings. GREAT price.
    • $229 / £167 (https://tipsyaudio.com/products/tipsy-m3)
• Kiwi Ears Septet
  • $269 / £ (https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-septet)
• Ziigaat Luna
  • $379 / £287 (https://www.ziigaat.com/products/ziigaat-luna)
• Kiwi Ears Astral
  • $299
• ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete
  • $249
• Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
  • $249
• Xenns Mangrid Top
  • $499
• Xenns Mangrid Top Pro
  • $499
• Punch Audio Martilo
  • $329
• Yanin Canon Pro
  • $399

A-Tier

• Kiwi Ears Quintet
  • Smaller the Orchestra Lites, vented, similar but less detailed sound
    • $219
• TinHiFi P1 Max II
  • Planar magnetic drivers IEM with TONS of bass and great “3D” sound
    • $139
• Truthear Nova
  • BASS HEAVY with a great soundstage. On the larger side physically. Include a nice cloth cable (can be noisy)
    • $149
• Kiwi Ears Canta
  • Great depth, detail retrieval and sound stage. Can be a little shouty in the treble, rec foam tips!
    • $89
• Tipsy M1
  • Impressive detail and soundstage for a single driver IEM, darker treble, full bass.
    • $99
• Padsmith IEM
  • Finished, polished sound especially in music. Can sound crowded in game.
    • $115
• 7hz G1
  • New budget king. Small metal shell, very comfortable. Incredibly spacious sounding for the price. Great for positional information in game.
    • $36

B-Tier

• SIMGOT Supermix4
  • Not exceptional for COD, okay for music. Other options I like way more at this price
    • $169
• Apevoix Grit
  • $299
• Kiwi Ears KE4
  • New “meta” tuning is a bit too bloated in the mids and bass to justify the price. Lacks detail retrieval, can feel cramped
    • $199
• Kiwi Ears Quartet
  • Ran them with both switches OFF, too bassy/muddy for COD imo
  • $109
• 7hz Sonus
  • Stock cable is a flat, wide cable, kinda weird.
    • $59
• KZ ZAR
  • KZ has had quality control issues in the past, other options are safer IMO
    • $98
• Truthear x Crinacle Zeros (Blue)
  • Large nozzle can cause ear pain for smaller ears.
    • $59
• Meze Alba
  • Rather run of the mill single driver with a nice small metal shell.
    • $159
• Intuaura Splendor II
  • Lacks a lot of detail retrieval I’d like to hear at this price point.
    • $259
• Moondrop Chu II
  • Very cheap but better/clearer sound quality than a lot of gamer headsets. Great intro to IEMs
    • $23
• Tripowin x 0DiBi: Vivace
  • Affordable and okay sounding. 7hz G1 is a better option at the price point.
    • $30
• 7hz x Crinacle Zero:2
  • Another great intro option. On par with the Chu 2, just crappier shell construction
    • $25

C-Tier

• SIMGOT EM6L
  • Very popular amongst reviewers, I really don’t like the sound (sounds boring and lifeless) and feels flat
    • $125
• Truthear Hexa
  • Really flat sound, bassless.
    • $90
• 7hz Five
  • Weird driver makeup, tubey bass, poor positional performance under load
    • $149
• BLON BL03
  • Cheap single driver IEM, lots of better sounding options for less. Weird shell design, weird cable connector
    • $37
• 7hz x HBB Elua
  • Cheap single driver IEM, lots of better sounding options for less. Weird shell design, weird cable connector
    • $30
• Heartfield Blanc
  • Comfy, cool looking, terrible tuning for COD, okay for music. Many better options at this price
    • $249

Zeos Render Foam/Silicone Hybrid Tips: https://amzn.to/4qJ2uT7	Tripowin Braided Cable: (3ft, not long): https://amzn.to/3LDlAv2
TRI Clarion Tips: https://amzn.to/47V7mwj	KBear Braided Cable 2 meters: https://amzn.to/4drK5TO (Longer)
TANGZU Sancai Tips: https://amzn.to/3N6BhIs	Coiled Extension Cable: https://amzn.to/4eKjSAZ
Divinus Prism Wide Bore: https://amzn.to/4nifJs7	Custom Cables: https://hartaudiocables.com
Tipsy Comfort Eartip Set (use code ART for discount!): https://tipsyaudio.com/collections/accessories/products/tipsy-comfort-eartip-set-silicone-foam-combo-6-pairs-gift-box	THIS IS ALL YOU NEED IF YOU’RE JUST PLAYING COD: https://amzn.to/4dwHUyi
	Dedicated DAC Option 1: https://amzn.to/4jls0LA (will need a 1/4” to 3.5mm adapter: https://amzn.to/40llZFK )
	Dedicated DAC Option 2: https://amzn.to/3WfClyn (will need a 1/4” to 3.5mm adapter: https://amzn.to/40llZFK )

Table View

Tier	IEM Model	Price (USD/GBP)	Description	Link
S-Tier	Xenns Mangrid Tea Pro	$360 / £274	Great detail, separation, and bass response. Large shell, can be uncomfortable.	Link
	Tipsy M3	$229 / £167	Cleaner, detailed sound with great bass and soundstage/imaging. Excellent detail retrieval in chaotic settings. Great price.	Link
	Kiwi Ears Septet	$269 / £ (unknown)		Link
	Ziigaat Luna	$379 / £287		Link
	Kiwi Ears Astral	$299
	ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete	$249
	Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite	$249
	Xenns Mangrid Top	$499
	Xenns Mangrid Top Pro	$499
	Punch Audio Martilo	$329
	Yanin Canon Pro	$399
A-Tier	Kiwi Ears Quintet	$219	Smaller than Orchestra Lites, vented, similar sound but less detailed.
	TinHiFi P1 Max II	$139	Planar drivers, tons of bass, and great “3D” sound.
	Truthear Nova	$149	Bass heavy with a great soundstage, physically large. Includes a nice cloth cable (can be noisy).
	Kiwi Ears Canta	$89	Great depth, soundstage, and detail retrieval. Can be a little shouty in the treble, rec foam tips needed.
	Tipsy M1	$99	Impressive detail and soundstage for a single driver IEM, darker treble, full bass.
	Padsmith IEM	$115	Polished sound for music, but can sound crowded in gaming.
	7hz G1	$36	Budget king with a small metal shell, great positional information for gaming. Comfortable and spacious for the price.
B-Tier	SIMGOT Supermix4	$169	Okay for music, not great for COD.
	Apevoix Grit	$299
	Kiwi Ears KE4	$199	“Meta” tuning is too bloated in the mids and bass. Lacks detail retrieval and can feel cramped.
	Kiwi Ears Quartet	$109	Too bassy/muddy for COD, ran with both switches off.
	7hz Sonus	$59	Weird stock cable, flat and wide.
	KZ ZAR	$98	KZ quality control issues, other options are safer.
	Truthear x Crinacle Zeros (Blue)	$59	Large nozzle can cause ear pain for smaller ears.
	Meze Alba	$159	A run-of-the-mill single driver with a nice small metal shell.
	Intuaura Splendor II	$259	Lacks detail retrieval for the price.
	Moondrop Chu II	$23	Great value for its price, better sound quality than many gamer headsets. Excellent intro to IEMs.
	Tripowin x 0DiBi: Vivace	$30	Affordable and okay sounding. 7hz G1 is a better option at this price.
	7hz x Crinacle Zero:2	$25	Great intro option, similar to Chu 2 but with worse shell construction.
C-Tier	SIMGOT EM6L	$125	Popular but sounds boring and lifeless. Feels flat.
	Truthear Hexa	$90	Really flat sound, lacks bass.
	7hz Five	$149	Weird driver setup, tubey bass, poor positional performance under load.
	BLON BL03	$37	Cheap single driver IEM, lots of better options at this price. Weird shell design and cable connector.
	7hz x HBB Elua	$30	Another cheap single driver IEM with weird design and connectors.
	Heartfield Blanc	$249	Comfortable and cool-looking, but bad tuning for COD. Better options at this price.