INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The Cayin Fantasy is an in-ear monitor (IEM) advertised as using a “10.3mm dynamic driver unit with a dual-cavity design.” The Fantasy has a suggested retail price of $800. I had the Fantasy for 10 days as part of a review tour. I was financially responsible for shipping the Fantasy to the next reviewer on the tour and am not being otherwise compensated for writing this review.

SOURCES:

I used the Cayin Fantasy with the Hidizs S9’s single-ended 3.5mm output.

I tested these headphones with Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:

The…

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The Thieaudio Legacy 2 (L2) is an in-ear monitor (IEM) advertised as using a “proprietary closed-back 10mm beryllium dynamic driver” and a “Knowles ED29689 Balanced Armature (BA).” The L2 is available at Linsoul for $99. I received the L2 from Linsoul in exchange for a fair and objective review.

SOURCES:

I have used the Thieaudio L2 with the following sources:

• Hidizs S9
• Qudelix 5K
• Audirect Atom 2
• JDS Labs The Element

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The Kinera BD005 Pro is an in-ear monitor (IEM) advertised as using a “custom-tuned 30095 series high-frequency balanced armature (BA)” and a “9.2mm beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver (DD).” The BD005 Pro is available at HiFiGo for $49. I received the BD005 Pro from HiFiGo in exchange for a fair and objective review.

Kinera’s claim that the BD005 Pro uses a beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver is worth parsing given that the BD005 Pro retails for $49, and the typical price of an IEM with a pure beryllium diaphragm DDs is perhaps 20 times that. The KB EAR Believe, which claimed to…

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The TinHiFi T5 is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring a 10mm “DOC” dynamic driver. TinHiFi claims that DOC improves on the now-commonplace diamond-like carbon diaphragm dynamic driver type. The T5 is available at Linsoul for $129. I received the T5 from Linsoul in exchange for a fair and objective review.

SOURCES:

I have used the TinHiFi T5 with the following sources:

• Hidizs S9
• Qudelix 5K

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:

The TinHiFi T5 comes in a large rectangular white cardboard box. This…

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The Softears Reference Sound Five (RSV) is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using five balanced armature (BA) drivers per housing. The RSV retails for $729.99 at ShenzhenAudio. I received the RSV from ShenzhenAudio as part of a review tour. I have had the RSV for just around three weeks and have listened to it extensively during that time. ShenzhenAudio will cover shipping to the next reviewer on the tour, but I am not being otherwise compensated for writing this review.

SOURCES:

Introduction and Disclaimer:

The Hidizs H2 is a Bluetooth receiver with a single 3.5mm output. It normally retails for $64.99. The H2 was provided to me by HiFiGo in exchange for a fair and objective review.

Packaging and Accessories:

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:

The Moondrop Aria is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring a 10 mm dual-cavity liquid crystal diaphragm dynamic driver. The Aria is available at ShenzhenAudio for $79.99. I received the Aria from ShenzhenAudio in exchange for a fair and objective review.

SOURCES:

I have used the Moondrop Aria with the following sources:

• Hidizs S9
• Hiby FC3
• Hidizs H2
• E1DA 9038D
• Qudelix 5K

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:

I wouldn't recommend either, there are simply better options out there.