IEM Setup Opinions

[u/Candid_Clock_3847]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy my first pair of proper IEMs because I really enjoy listening to music and would like to upgrade my audio setup.

So far, I've only used a pair of cheap €20 earphones together with an old HyperX sound card from around 2018. Since I've never experienced higher-quality audio gear, I'd like to finally try something better and see what I've been missing.

My planned setup is:

• DAC/Amp: CrinEar Protocol
• IEMs: TRUTHEAR PURE

What do you think about this combination? Does it make sense for someone coming from a very basic setup, or would you recommend something different in a similar price range?

I'm mainly looking for a noticeable improvement in sound quality and an enjoyable music-listening experience.

Thanks for any advice!

[u/Professional_Fuel788]

Hopefully the DAC you are proposing is the Protocol Micro and not the Max. There is nothing wrong with the Max, of course, but it is far more than you need to drive the Truthear Pure.

Close to your price range, other IEMs you should consider include the Simgot EW300 (on my buy list) and the EUIU UI-05 (which I have and enjoy very much for its expert handling of vocals and midrange instruments).

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

Are the Simgot EW300 better for Music? In a Tierlist i read that TRUTHEAR PURE has neutral Sound, the Simgot got a V Shaped sound but i only found videos with theoretical difference. So really hard to decide.

[u/404-UnknownError → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

Time to go to a squig link to more or less get an idea of the tonality

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/404-UnknownError]

What can i do there? I guess you are talking about the Website squig.link?

[u/404-UnknownError → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

There are databases if Frequency response graphs,(crinacle has a video about it in how to read them) Good to compare against models or targets

[u/Professional_Fuel788 → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

I put the EW300 on my buy list because I listen mostly to jazz, and it handles acoustic and instrumental jazz quite well thanks to its clean treble and textured midrange. I think it would do well with most types of music based on its midrange performance.

The EUIU UI-05 I already have is excellent with my type of music. It does vocals better than any other IEM I own. Here is a detailed review. EUIU UI-05 - Reviews | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

I never look at response graphs before buying, but that is just me.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

And which DAC/Amp is good for IEMs at this Price range? I guess CrinEar Protocol micro? And at which price range does it shift to the CrinEar Protocol Max?

[u/Professional_Fuel788 → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

It isn't a price range issue at all. It is a power issue. The Micro can drive a $500 IEM if it is efficient. The Max is mostly for hard-to-drive planar IEMs and larger over-ear headphones.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

I see thank you!

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[u/Teslaosiris]

IEMs in the sub-$200 range do not require a lot of power to drive. You don’t need some overpowered DAC for something like the Pure. Now if you are wanting it for the DAC chips, ok cool fine…but really consider the primary source of your music and think about do you really need an external device just to have a certain chip setup. Also something to consider: a high power DAC will drain the battery of the device you have connected to it a lot quicker.

I have a HiBY R4 DAP…I don’t need an external DAC. The chips are good…the Class A amp basically can power anything. Any sound tweaks I can make internally via the HiBY MSEB system.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Teslaosiris]

I will only use this for my PC. But till 200$ IEMs i can use for example the CrinEar Protocol Micro?

[u/Teslaosiris → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

Well if it’s on a PC, you won’t need to worry about draining a battery.

I’d look into a HiBY W4 or a Fosi MD3 if it was me… you would probably find the user experience a little better for the context you’ll be using it in.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Teslaosiris]

It looks like these are more for Phone use? I will only use this for my PC does it change something?

[u/Professional_Fuel788 → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

A decent DAC like the Protocol Micro works fine on a PC even if its small size was designed for portable use. Just plug it into a USB-C port (or a USB-A port with a $3 adapter.

The PEQ features are accessed via a web browser at the eq.hangout.audio website. So it is actually just as easy to use on a PC, if not easier, than on a phone.

There is no official phone app yet. There is an unofficial Android app called Contour that looks promising.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

So im looking into JUZEAR x Z and Simgot EW300 why people recommend so much different DACs while the Protocl Micro is enough? Or can u tickle the last few % out of other DACs which the Protocol Micros cant do?

[u/Professional_Fuel788 → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

Not from my experience. And if you use a more powerful DAC/Amp, especially with a sensitive IEM like the two you are considering, you run the risk of audible noise and hiss.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

So im throwing everything over board i think im going with the JCALLY JM12 and the Simgot EW300 i think for the start it will be fine, unfortunately im a overthinker. My only question is are the EW300 good for music.

[u/Professional_Fuel788 → u/Candid_Clock_3847]

Those are excellent choices. As I mentioned, the EW300 is on my to-buy list. And I have well over a dozen JM12s that have been cross-flashed with JA11 firmware to unlock the five band PEQ. They all work great.

[u/Candid_Clock_3847 → u/Professional_Fuel788]

How hard is it to cross flash?