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The eartips are listed in alphabetical order.

Latest Additions

March 2024 additions: SoundMAGIC Silicone Eartips (Pumpkin-shape), ICE CLEAR Earphone Plug, Azla SednaEarfit XELASTEC II, Azla SednaEarfit Max ASMR (Standard), Azla SednaEarfit Foamax (Standard), INfiter Variety Dot IE45 Short for TWS (Dow Corning silicone and graphene), INfiter Variety Dot IE45 Short for TWS (Dow Corning silicone), Nfiter Variety Dot IE45Pro Short for TWS (Black), Nfiter Variety Dot IE45Pro Short for TWS (Clear), INfiter WS38 for TWS (Clear white), INfiter WS43 for TWS (Clear blue).

February 2024 additions: Azla SednaEarfit ORIGIN for In-Ear Monitor & TWS, Jomo Audio ONYX Double Flanges Premium Silicone Eartips (For IEMs), Penon Audio Liqueur Silicone Eartips (Black), Penon Audio Liqueur Silicone Eartips (Orange).

January 2024 addition: Z Reviews Render Eartips.

Testing Parameters and Disclaimer

The following tests of silicone eartips are based on my evaluations and listening observations. All test are conducted in a quiet listening environment. Fit is ensured such that eartips are properly inserted and seated into the ear canal with good seal. I have to elaborate, your experiences may vary.

Associated equipment list: Sources – Luxury & Precision W4, Questyle M15 and Sony WM-A105. IEMs – 7Hz Timeless, 7Hz Salnotes Zero, 7Hz Sonus, Tanchjim Oxygen and Moondrop Blessing 2.

Disclaimer: All scores are subjected to change without notice. I may update or add new scores every few months when I acquire new eartips.

NOTE: I don’t have favorite eartips but if I want neutrality, SpinFits CP-145 is my first pick usually. For IEM tuning, I always use reversed KZ Starline, follow by stock eartips from the manufacturer. 

A

Acoustune AEX07

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.00

For neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange. The AEX07 sounds closer to AET07a than AET07. Improved overall tonal texture and clarity over the latter. Note weight is is denser than AET07a however it sounds less congested than AET07. A good middle-ground between its two predecessors. My new favorite Acoustune eartip.

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

Acoustune AET06
Bore size: double flange, regular
Stem length: extremely short
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 5.0
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 5
Similar to AET08 in many ways but with an even tighter bass punch. Vocal is bodied and three-dimensional
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

Acoustune AET06a (Enhanced comfort)
Bore size: double flange, regular
Stem length: extremely short
Feel: firm and pliable (slightly softer than AET06a)
Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 5
Virtually identical to AET06 with a hair bit cleaner and more sparkling upper-midrange and treble. Feels softer than AET06 thus less pressure inside the ears.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

Acoustune AET07
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4
For neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange. Similar to SpinFit CP-145 in many ways but with better bass texture and vocal presence.
Purchased from Japan through a friend

Acoustune AET07a
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
Slight improvement over Acoustune AET07 in texture, detail, tonal purity and vocal clarity.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Acoustune AET08
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 5
For vocal, midrange and solid bass
Purchased from Japan through a friend

Acoustune AEX07

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.00

For neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange. The AEX07 sounds closer to AET07a than AET07. Improved overall tonal texture and clarity over the latter. Note weight is is denser than AET07a however it sounds less congested than AET07. A good middle-ground between its two predecessors. My new favorite Acoustune eartip.

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

Acoustune AEX50

Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular 
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 1.50
Midrange: 2.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 3.50

Acoustune AEX50

Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular 
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 1.50
Midrange: 2.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 3.50

What was Acoustune thinking when they came out these?! 

These eartips are “directional” (meaning you must wear them in a certain way) and a pain in the butt to put on. You need lots of patience and time to get them to sit well inside the ears. Getting the proper “ear seal” is nearly impossible. There is literally zero isolation. The design adopts a WW2 helmet-like umbrella shape with double “wings” design. The wide wing is to face the inner-part of the entrance to the ear canal, and the narrow wing facing out (see attached photos). 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get them to fit in my ears properly not matter how hard I tried. Although made of soft memory polymer, they become uncomfortable, irritating and warm inside my ears after a while.

Sound-wise, these eartips thin the sound so much that they make your TOTL IEMs sound like 1950s transistor radio. Everything sounds distant, lean and sibilance. 

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

Acoustune AEX70
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.00

Another addition to the new Acoustune AEX family. To me, these sound the most open and airy among the AEX members. Tonality and note weight are lighter than AEX07, as well as the older AET07. Overall, the AEX70 sounds cleaner and clearer than both AEX07 and AET07.

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong.

ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips (horizontal fit)
Bore size: small (4mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible, soft and pliable
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 3.5
An interesting elliptical eartip which fits two ways and can affect sound. The not so interesting part is it projects a smaller soundstage and vocals get thrown backwards. In both fittings, I experienced quite significant treble roll-off and details lost. Isolation is NOT GOOD!
Sample from ADVSound, courtesy of co-blogger Baskingshark.

ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips (vertical fit)
Bore size: small (4mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible, soft and pliable
Bass: 3.0
Midrange: 3.5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 3.5
An interesting elliptical eartip which fits two ways and can affect sound. The not so interesting part is it projects a smaller soundstage and vocals get thrown backwards. In both fittings, I experienced quite significant treble roll-off and details lost. Isolation is NOT GOOD!
Sample from ADVSound, courtesy of co-blogger Baskingshark.

AKG Anti-allergenic Sleeves for K3003
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 5.0
Yes, it is called “anti-allergenic sleeves”. If you can find these at your local earphone stores, GET IT! These sound extremely close to Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC but at half the cost. If you are not used to the grippiness or tackiness of the XELASTEC, AKG is the best alternative. Vocal is forward with very good dimension and ambience. 3D. Best of all it doesn’t affect bass and treble.
Purchase from a friend who bought from AKG outlet in Germany

ALPEX Hi-Unit HSE-A1000
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.25
These wide bore eartips bear an uncanny resemblance to JVC Spiral Dot in look but they don’t sound alike. The HSE-A1000 is brighter, more open and livelier. Midrange has more sparkle and life. The bass is cleaner, tighter and more textured. Best of all, they cost only a fraction of the JVC. I am surprised how good these are. What a hidden gem!
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Audiosense S400 Soft Silicone Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.5
Both Baskingshark and Vannak Pech are fans of this eartip. It adds “round-meatiness” (a.k.a smoothness and body) to the music without clouding the low-mids. Vocals can be a tad forward but still very pleasant. I would rank its sonic signatures between SpinFit CP-145 and Final Audio Type E eartips. Similar to SpinFits, it has a pivoting cap design.
Purchased from Audiosense Official Store on AliExpress

Audio-Technica FineFit ER-CKM55M
Bore size: small
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flrm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3
Vocal presence: 4
Bassy eartips that accentuates on vocal. Soundstage is smaller than most tips.
Purchased from Stereo Electronics (Singapore)

Azla SednaEarFit Crystal (Standard)

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 5.0

Another pricey eartip offering from Azla. Feels just like XELASTEC. Both XELASTEC and Crystal excel in the midrange and vocals. Their most obvious differences are in the upper-mids and mid-bass range where Crystal adds a touch more instrument presence, separation and space. Mid-bass is cleaner and clearer than XELASTEC yet doesn’t sacrifice warmth and body. It is good to note that Crystal does not have the upper-midrange “ringing” that plagues XELASTEC.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarfit Crystal (for TWS)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 5.0

Another pricey eartip offering from Azla. Feels similar to XELASTEC but with a shallower in-ear fit. Both XELASTEC and Crystal excel in the midrange and vocals. Their most obvious differences are in the upper-mids and mid-bass range where Crystal adds a touch more instrument presence, separation and space. Mid-bass is cleaner and clearer than XELASTEC yet doesn’t sacrifice warmth and body. It is good to note that Crystal does not have the upper-midrange “ringing” that plagues XELASTEC. Can be used for both IEM and TWS.

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Azla SednaEarfit Foamax (Standard)
Bore size: wide bore with Waxguard.
Stem length: regular
Feel: medium density firmness and spongy

Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

I came across the SednaEarfit Foamax ear tips and was intrigued by users who claimed they were a superior alternative to the significantly more expensive Sony EP-NI1000M. If these claims hold true, Azla could have a major success on their hands.

In terms of sound quality, the SednaEarfit Foamax offers a crisper and clearer soundscape compared to the Sony. Vocals are more prominent and detailed, and the treble boasts a touch more vibrancy. However, the bass performance and soundstage are largely comparable between the two.

The SednaEarfit Foamax feels softer and plusher than the Sony, thanks to its slow rebound foam that regains its shape completely within 30 seconds. Additionally, the built-in mesh avoids causing any discomfort to the ear canal, unlike the Comply’s own Waxguard.

So, is the SednaEarfit Foamax better than the Sony EP-NI1000M? While I believe they offer a compelling alternative at a significantly lower price point, I personally favor the Sony’s more balanced sound signature. Nevertheless, considering they cost slightly more than half the price of the Sony, SednaEarfit Foamax is definitely worth considering.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarfit Max ASMR (Standard)
Bore size: narrow bore with Waxguard, short cap
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and flexible

Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.25
Vocal presence: 5.00

This eartip, the narrow bore version of the SednaEarFit Max, offers a distinct variation within the family. Compared to its sibling, SednaEarFit Max ASMR tightens the sound, resulting in a smaller perceived soundstage. However, it compensates with a more precise and focused sonic image. Additionally, it delivers superior tonal density, improved textural clarity, and richer vocals. As the name suggests, vocals are emphasized and brought forward in the mix, creating a sense of intimacy. However, there is a trade-off in the form of reduced treble extension and a lack of high-frequency sparkle. This translates to a smoother and more natural but potentially less detailed listening experience overall.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarfit ORIGIN for In-Ear Monitor & TWS
Bore size: regular, tapered to a wide opening
Stem length: long
Feel: firm and flexible

Bass: 5.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.75

The ORIGIN eartips are, without a doubt, the most bass-forward I’ve ever encountered. But fear not, bassheads, because this is a good thing! They deliver a satisfying low-end rumble that’s surprisingly free from bloat and muddiness. While they might not pack the same punchy, dynamic punch as the Penon Audio Liqueur black eartips, the ORIGIN compensates with a smooth, fluid presentation for vocals, offering a truly captivating listening experience. However, there’s a catch. While the lower frequencies are a feast, the upper treble frequencies exhibit a slight roll-off, meaning they lack some sparkle and airiness. So, if you crave razor-sharp highs, these might not be your best bet. Overall, if you’re a bass aficionado who values smooth vocals, the ORIGIN eartips are definitely worth considering. They excel at creating a rich and immersive listening experience, but may not be the ideal choice for those seeking a more analytical or balanced sound signature. Perfect eartips pairing for Simgot IEMs especially with EA1000.

Purchased from Amazon Japan.

Azla Sedna EarFit (Regular)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: long
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
For long nozzle good midrange
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarFit Short

Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.50

Imagine the SednaEarFit Regular but with the stem chopped down a bit. These shorter SednaEarFits bring the music closer to your ears, making everything sound crisper, clearer and a bit more forward. They offer a similar experience to the SednaEarFit Light Short but with a delicate overall sound.

Purchased from Amazon Japan.

Azla Sedna EarFit (Light)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: long
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.25
A “lighter” version of the regular Sedna EarFit. More balanced-sounding overall.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarFit (Light) Short
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
A “short-stem” version of SednaEarFitLight. Both nozzles are brought closer to the eardrums thus enhancement in overall clarity and vocal presence, which means stereo image and presentation are slightly more forward.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Azla SednaEarFit Max (Standard)

Bore size: wide (with waxguard)
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm

Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 3.50
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.00
Vocal presence: 3.50

Another highly-requested eartips from the audiophile community. However, just like its TWS sibling, these are not my favorite! First of all, their fitting is awful. It is too short for my ear canal. Second, I am not a fan of having waxguard inside the nozzle. And finally, why people like these are the main reasons for my dislikes. They introduce too much bass and mid-bass boost. The treble clarity and extension are suppressed and restricted. Vocals have a thick nasally undertone and are pushed forward. Overall, these present an average tonality that is surpassed by many cheaper eartips. If you haven’t purchased these, save your money. Azla SednaEarFit (Light) Short is better. It is another déjà vu moment for me with SednaEarfit Max series.

Purchased from Amazon, Singapore.

Azla SednaEarFit Max (for TWS)

Bore size: wide (with waxguard)
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 3.50
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.00
Vocal presence: 4.00

I was “urged” to review these eartips and I can understand why so many people like it. However, these are not my favorite! First of all, their fitting is awful. It is too short for my ear canal. Second, I am not a fan of having waxguard inside the nozzle. And finally, why people like these are the main reasons for my dislikes. They introduce too much bass and mid-bass boost. The treble clarity and extension are suppressed as well. Vocals have a thick nasally undertone and are pushed forward. Overall, these present an average tonality that is surpassed by many cheaper eartips. If you haven’t purchased these, save your money. Azla SednaEarFit (Light) Short is better in my opinion.

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Azla SednaEarFit Vivid Edition

Bore size: narrow 
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.75

At first glance, these look like colourful version of SednaEarFitLight Short. Upon close examination, they are very different in looks, feel and sound. SednaEarFit Vivid Edition feels softer and plusher. It has a narrower bore and sounds livelier than SednaEarFit Light Short. Bass is punchier, better texture and definition. Vocals sound cleaner, clearer and slightly forward. Upper-registers are brighter and slightly more extended than SednaEarFitLight Short. This eartips definitely deserve the “Vivid Edition” title. Not suitable for bright or shouty IEMs. 

Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.0

The most expensive eartip in my collection. Isolation is impeccable. If you love vocals, THIS IS IT! Vocal presence is extremely 3D. Best of all it doesn’t affect bass and treble. Projects soundstage a bit narrower than regular SednaEarFit.

Azla SednaEarfit XELASTEC II
Bore size: regular, with Waxguard
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and grippy

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

Compared to its predecessor, XELASTEC II offers a less sticky, dust-resistant surface. The flexible Waxguard improves the sound with smoother treble and reduced upper-midrange glare, all while preserving the core strengths of the original. For fans of the original XELASTEC who prefer a less sticky feel, XELASTEC II is the perfect choice.

Purchased from Amazon JP

B

BGVP A07 Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
Suspiciously similar to Acoustune AET07. Heck… It sounds closer to AET07a than AET07. Neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange and top-end sparkle. I find this eartip to have better bass texture, dynamics and vocal presence than SpinFit CP100 and CP145. The A07 is often labeled as “vocal” eartip for most stock tips offering.Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

BGVP A08 Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 5
Suspiciously similar to Acoustune AET08, this eartip adds thickness to bass and midrange. However, unlike Acoustune AET08, I find it a speck bright. The A08 is often labeled as “bass” eartip for most stock tips offering.Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

BGVP Electric Blue “ArtMagic VG4” Silicone Vocal Eartip
Bore size: regular 
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.0This eartip comes stock with BGVP ArtMagic VG4, ArtMagic V12 and DH3, labeled under “vocal” eartip. Highly-praised by Singaporean audiophile Reza Emmanuel as his standard reference, I must say this eartip is extremely comfortable, literally fatigue-free for long listening sessions.

Sound is clean, tight and very well-textured. Bass and low-mids are detailed, punchy and dynamic. Midrange is clear with excellent separation. Upper-mids and treble are smooth and extended with good amount of air and spacial cues. Vocal position is ‘just nice” – that is neither too forward nor too laid-back. Soundstage is realistically wide without sounding too spread-out. Similar to SpinFit, this eartip comes with a pivoting umbrella/cap.
Specially-ordered from BGVP Taobao Official Store as they do not sell this eartip individually. 

BGVP E01 Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4
Looks identical to Final Audio Type E eartips it has a balanced sound that tames harshness. I find it lacks the smoothness of original Final Audio Type E eartips. This style of eartip is often labeled as “balance” eartip for most stock tips offering.Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

BGVP S01 Eartips
Bore size: Very wide with narrow opening
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 3.0
Vocal presence: 3.0
A very interesting eartip with an exceptionally wide nozzle and narrow opening. Treble is vastly emphasize with a hint of bass and midrange. Works very well for dull-sounding earphones but make sure you can fit it 6.5mm diameter bore.
Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

BVGP W01 Eartips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short and stubby
Feel: short and flexible
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5Short stem and wide bore brings nozzle closer to the eardrums thus enhancement in overall clarity and vocal presence, which means stereo image and presentation are slightly more forward. A slight boost in mid-bass is noticeable. 
Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

BGVP Y01 Eartips
Bore size: Very wide with narrow opening
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 3.0
Vocal presence: 3.0
A very interesting eartip with an exceptionally wide nozzle and narrow opening. Similar to BGVP S01 but with a smidgen more bass. Works well for dull-sounding earphones but make sure you can fit it 6.5mm diameter bore.
Purchased from BGVP Taobao store

C

Canal Works CW Dual Nozzle (CWU-DECM)
Bore size: wide / short cap
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 3.75
For neutral tonality with slight bass reduction and laid-back vocal compared to SpinFit CP-145. Otherwise both sound quite similar.
Purchased from Japan through a friend

Canal Works CW Dual Nozzle 《肉球》”Nikukyuu” (CWU-GDECM)

Bore size: wide / short cap
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 3.75

This eartip is basically Canal Works CW-DECM with silicone “gel” infused to the inner-cavity of the cap. For neutral tonality with improved bass weight, otherwise both the “gel” and “non-gel” versions sound quite similar.

Purchased from Amazon, Japan

Canal Works CW Single Nozzle (CWU-ECM)
Bore size: small
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.25
Eerily similar to Radius Deep Mount but with slightly less vocal presence and less transparent. Not suitable for bright earphones.
Purchased from Japan through a friend

Canal Works CW Single Nozzle 《肉球》”Nikukyuu” (CWU-GECM)

Bore size: narrow
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

This eartip is basically Canal Works CWU-ECM with silicone “gel” infused to the inner-cavity of the cap. Improved bass and lower-midrange over the “non-gel” version. Not suitable for bright-sounding earphones.

Purchased from Amazon, Japan

Canyon Silikon-Eartips ET400 (Bass)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 3.25
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 3.0
Canyon is a German company however these eartips are made in China. Interestingly, I find these eartips very pleasing, especially in staging. The ET400 is laid back yet retains imaging scale and focus very well. Although the packaging says “bass”, the ET400 isn’t bassy or rumbly. I would classify it as balanced with a touch of midrange warmth.
Purchased from Canyon Official Taobao Store.

CleanPiece Anti-bacteria Silicone Eartip
Bore size: narrow
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.0
Treble: 3.0
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 3.0
An interesting audiophile’s “sanitary” product from Japan, and made in Japan. How true is the anti-bacteria, anti-microbial and anti-virus properties I don’t know (it comes in a plastic “petri dish”) but I do know these eartips roll-off treble and thicken bass and mid-bass. You lose clarity but gain body and smoothness. Recommended for bright and harsh sounding IEMs.
Purchased from Amazon.jp

D

ddHiFi ST35 Silicone Eartips (Standard)

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

A slightly more bassy version of Acoustune AET08. The ST35 has solid and punchy bass, full-bodied midrange and good vocal presence. Nonetheless, it has a slightly rolled-off treble. Similar to the AET08, soundstage and stereo imaging are average. Instruments and voices are tad front forward but non-offensive. It has a pivoting umbrella just like SpinFits. Comes in a nice plastic storage case with 3 pairs of your chosen size.

Purchased from ddHiFi Official Taobao Store

Divinus MOCHI TIP (for IEM/TWS)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: very short
Feel: soft, elastic and pliable
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

These eartips have an extremely shallow fit due to their noticeably short stem. They produce a very midrange-forward sound with suppressed mid-bass and forward vocals. The soundstage is open and airy. They remind me of Moondrop Spring Tips with a sturdier cap and shorter stem. Vocals can sound sibilant and piercing when matched with bright earphones, so be very careful with your pairings.

Purchased from Audion Shopee Store (Indonesia)

Divinus Velvet Eartips (Standard)
Bore size: tapered, narrow to wide
Stem length: short
Feel: smooth and soft
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.50

If you don’t look closely, this eartip looks almost identical to Radius Deep Mount. It has the Beefeater bearskin shape which is wide on top and narrow at the bottom. Quite a transparent sounding eartip I must say. Sounds brighter than Deep Mount with slightly less bass. Korean Radius Deep Mount? Not suitable piercing or lean sounding IEMs.

Purchased from e*earphone, Japan

Divinus Velvet Eartips (for TWS)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: very short
Feel: smooth and soft
Bass: 3.00.
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

A shorter version of standard Divinus Velvet Eartips with very noticeable bass and low-mids reduction. Comfortable but unsuitable for earphones or TWS with short nozzle.

Purchased from e*earphone, Japan.

Dunu Candy Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 3.50

I am neither impressed by its lightweight nor its relaxed presentation. Vocal is a tad too recessed for my liking. Nevertheless, stage is spacious and airy. Goes well with forward-sounding IEM.

Purchased from Dunu Official Taobao Store

Dunu S&S Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: rubbery and elastic
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 4.00

The first time I tried these eartips was when I auditioned the Dunu Talos. The S&S eartips was part of their stock accessories. I immediately fell in love with these eartips. It presents clean yet balanced sound signature with a large soundstage, both width and depth, and good imaging. Perfect match for planar IEMs (these are attached permanently to my Timeless and Timeless AE). My only complain is they have an awkward fit and can be uncomfortable for some people. Comes in a plastic storage case with 3 pairs of your chosen size. Good stuff!

Purchased from Dunu Official Taobao Store

E

EarrBond Barreleye Blue 
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft with sturdy core
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 4.5
Vocal presence: 4.0
Different from EarrBond New Hybrid series, Barreleye eartips use a sturdy silicone core which give an surprisingly good seal without the squishy feel of foam. Similar to the New Hybrid series, sound is laid back. Barreleye Blue has better clarity, instrument separation, treble extension, stage depth and layering than Barreleye Green and New Hybrid.

However due to its emphasis in the upper-midrange and treble regions, Barreleye Blue isn’t suitable for bright, sibilant or harsh sounding earphones. Group member Vannak Pech described the sound as if “when you apply contrast filter to your image…”.
Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

EarrBond Barreleye Green
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft with firm core
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 4.0
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5
Different from EarrBond New Hybrid series, Barreleye eartips use a firm silicone core which gives an surprisingly good seal without the squishy feel of foam. Similar to the New Hybrid series, sound is laid back. Barreleye Green adds body and bass punch but it lacks the clarity, instrument separation, treble extension, stage depth and layering of Barreleye Blue. 
Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

EarrBond EBT New Hybrid Design Eartips with Metal Core (CU) Copper

Bore size: regular, with copper insert
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft with semi-firm core

Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.25

At US$50 for two pairs (mimimum order quantity is 2 pairs), these hybrid eartips are one of the most expensive eartips in my collection. Equally as comfortable as original EarrBond EBT eartips and feels softer than Pentaconn COREIR Brass eartips. Isolation is exceptional. Are they worth US$25 a pair? Frankly, no! Performance is on par with silicone eartips such as Final Type E and Divinus Velvet. However, if you are looking for foam-level isolation with upper-midrange clarity, look no further. The difference between copper and stainless steel is copper eartips sound warmer and fuller. The vocals are more intimate also.

Safety concerns: Since the metal cores are inserted halfway into the nozzle. It may accidentally slipped out and leave inside the ear canal… Let’s say I am paranoid.

Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

EarrBond EBT New Hybrid Design Eartips with Metal Core (SS) Stainless Steel

Bore size: regular, with stainless steel insert
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft with semi-firm core

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.50

At US$50 for two (mimimum order quantity is 2 pairs), these hybrid eartips are one of the most expensive eartips in my collection. Equally as comfortable as normal EarrBond EBT eartips and feels softer than Pentaconn COREIR Brass eartips. Isolation is exceptional. Are they worth US$25 a pair? Frankly, no! Performance is on par with silicone eartips such as Radius Deep Mount and Acoustune AET08. However, if you are looking for foam-level isolation with upper-midrange clarity, look no further. The difference between copper and stainless steel is the latter sounds brighter and has a more sparkly top-end. Vocal sounds livelier as well.

Safety concerns: Since the metal cores are inserted halfway into the nozzle. It may accidentally slip out and leave inside the ear canal… Let’s say I am paranoid

Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

EarrBond New Hybrid Design
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and spongy
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.25
EarrBond is softer and more squishy compared to other hybrid eartips, thus more comfortable for long-listening sessions. The moment you put them on, they simply disappear into your ear canals. Furthermore, they isolate well too. Sound-wise these are a bit too laid back for my taste. Also, I could detect some sibilance on a some female vocal tracks. In term of wearing comfort and isolation, this win hands down.
Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

Elecom Spare Ear Cap (EHP-CAP10)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.25
The brand Elecom is relatively unknown outside of Asia. These eartips surprised me with their exceptionally good sound and budget-friendly price. For ￥250 or US$2.50, you’ll get 4 pairs of eartips consist of X-Small, Small, Medium and Large sizes. Sound-wise, it is neutral tonality with emphasis in upper-bass and midrange regions (which adds body) as well as in vocals. I rank these higher than SpinFit CP-145 and on-par with Final Audio Type-E (black) eartips. Everybody should get these eartips if they ever come across it.
Purchased from Amazon.jp

Elecom Spare Ear Cap (EHP-CAP20)
Bore size: narrow
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm

Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

I will like to thank Jeremy Phua for bringing this eartips to my attention. Japanese consumer electronics brand Elecom is relatively unknown outside of Asia. But even in Singapore (where I live), Elecom products are uncommon.

Some online rumours claimed that Tanchjim includes this as the stock eartips with some of their IEMs. I have the stock eartips from Tanchjim Tanya. After comparing both, my conclusions are they look “quite” similar but sound different.

Nonetheless, this eartip sounds energetic but balanced overall. My only gripe is that vocals can sound a bit strident and nasally. Not as refined as Acoustune AET07 or SpinFit CP-100.

Purchased from Amazon.jp

Eletech Baroque Luxury Hi-Fi Eartips

Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: smooth and soft

Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.75

These eartips are so soft and smooth, they feel like luxury! The texture is similar to Divinus Velvet eartips. They suppress the mid-bass and bring the midrange and upper midrange forward, making them perfect for warm or muddy sounding IEMs. The soundstage is wide, deep, and tall, giving a sense of space around every instrument and artist.

My only gripe is that the silicone material feels thin, which affects the ear seal and isolation.

Compared to Azla SednaEarFit (Light) Short eartips, the Azlas have better low-end punch, vocal clarity, and airiness. The Baroque eartips sound smoother overall.

Compared to Moondrop Spring Tips eartips, the Spring Tips have more vocal presence and are clearer and cleaner. However, the Baroque eartips sound more organic, have better tonal weight, and are less fatiguing.

Overall, the Baroque is a great addition to any eartip collection.

Purchased from Element Technology (Singapore)

Epro Horn-shaped Tips
Bore size: cone-shaped, tempered (4mm nozzle end, 5mm bell end)
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4 25
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.25
Made of graphene and unlike most eartips, Epro has a cone-shaped tempered bore of 4mm at nozzle end to 5mm at the bell. It adds warmth, body and texture to vocals It tames harsh and peaky treble exceptionally well too. It DOESN’T roll-off highs and kills the air and ambient like some other foam tips. What I really enjoy about the Epro is that it adds a buttery smooth to the overall sound which make harsh-sounding earphones, such as the KZ ZS6, listenable again.
Purchased from Treoo Singapore

Epro Horn-shaped Tips (EP01)
Bore size: a cone-shaped tempered super widebore (5mm nozzle end, 8mm bell end)
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

Epro Horn-shaped Tips EP01 has a cone-shaped tempered bore of 5mm at nozzle end to 8mm at the bell. These eartips have the widest bore I have seen. But unlike conventional wide bore eartips, which usually makes everything sound thin and clear, EP01 adds body and texture to the overall sound. Just like its sibling the EP00, these eartips tame sibilance and peaky treble exceptionally well. However, it DOESN’T roll-off highs and kills the air and ambience like some other foam tips. Epro EP01 adds smoothness to the overall sound which tames harsh-sounding earphones. The best eartips to have if you want clarity, smoothness and note weight at the same time.

Purchased from Amazon US.

Epro Horn-shaped Tips Truly Wireless (for TWS)
Bore size: cone-shaped, tempered (4mm nozzle end, 5mm bell end)
Stem length: Short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.50
Made of graphene and unlike most eartips, Epro has a cone-shaped tempered bore of 4mm at nozzle end to 5mm at the bell. It adds warmth, body and texture to vocals, It tames harsh and peaky treble exceptionally well too. It DOESN’T roll-off highs and kills the air and ambient like some other foam tips. What I really enjoy about the Epro is that it adds a buttery smooth to the overall sound which make harsh-sounding earphones listenable again. This short nozzle version has more vocal presence and less mid-bass bloom than regular Epro Horn-shaped Tips.

Purchased from Treoo Singapore

EPZ Eartips (double flange)
Bore size: narrow
Stem length: very short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 3.00
Vocal presence: 4.00

Do take note that these eartips fit smaller than normal (I am wearing Large instead of my usual Medium). Extremely short and narrow nozzle that I have tough time trying to put them on. Although double-flanged, they did not fit inside my ears properly. Nonetheless, a comfortable set of eartips if they fit you. I find the soundstage narrow and compressed.

Purchased from EPZ Taobao Store

EPZ Eartips (short cap)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

Do take note that these eartips fit smaller than normal (I am wearing Large instead of my usual Medium). Neutral tonality with a clean and clear overall presentation. My only gripe is the short cap which makes this eartip unsuitable for earphones with short nozzles.

Purchased from EPZ Taobao Store

F

FAudio “Vocal” Premium Silicone Earphone Tips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 5
Accentuates on vocal and midrange but it also makes sibilance more noticeable. My favorite vocal eartip is still the SednaEarFit XELASTEC.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

FAudio “Instrument” Premium Silicone Earphone Tips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 5
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.25
Very punchy, fun, musical-sounding eartips. Sub-bass is exceptional. Vocal and mids are laid-back. Soundstage is average.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

Fender SureSeal Tips
Bore size: tapered widebore
Stem length: short
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.0
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
Vastly similar to Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC, Fender SureSeal offers a more laid-back presentation with balanced sound. Mid-bass is a tad fuller. Soundstage slightly wider than XELASTEC but imaging is less precise. SureSeal does not suffer from the upper-midrange ring that plagues XELASTEC especially with DD-based earphones. Expect dust-magnet. All thermoplastic elastomer eartips require regular washing and sanitizing to prevent ears infection.
Purchased from Amazon.jp.

Feaulle Latex H570 For General Earplugs
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: plush and grippy

Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 5.0
Soundstage: 4.75
Vocal presence: 5.0

These “latex” eartips remind me of TRI Clarion. So, if you enjoy TRI Clarion, you will definitely love these. Overall tone is bright and lean. Vocals are sibilant but give very good enunciation. Stage and imaging are quite good. Resolves very well. Fit and comfort are good. These don’t feel sticky or attract dust like Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC.

Purchased from Feaulle Taobao Store.

FiiO Silicone (Balanced Ear tips)
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.25
Nice sounding eartips with a toned down bass and treble.
Purchased from FiiO store on Taobao (Mainland China)

FiiO Silicone (Bass Eartips)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 3.5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4
This is similar to many stock tips like those from TRN.
Purchased from FiiO store on Taobao (Mainland China)

FiiO Silicone (Vocal Eartips)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 2.5
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 5
These tips cut bass drastically!
Purchased from FiiO store on Taobao (Mainland China)

Filter H270 TPE Eartips
Bore size: regular with grille
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 5.0

Is this US$7 per pair Chinese-made TPE eartip comparable to Azla SednaEarFits XELASTEC and Fender SureSeal? I am sorry to say the H270 eartip doesn’t feel and wear like a TPE eartip. Thus, I do suspect it isn’t made of TPE at all. Probably made of silicone at best. Nonetheless, H270 is a very lively-sounding eartip. Bass is quite punchy.

Sub-bass rumble is good. Midrange is crisp and clear. Treble extension is very good. Soundstage and imaging are good. If you can overlook the fact that this isn’t made of TPE like they claimed, this is a pretty decent eartip. In terms of sound, it is closer to SureSeal than XELASTEC. Both eartips have accentuated upper-mids and treble.
Purchased from Filter Taobao official store

Filter H370 Latex Eartips
Bore size: elliptical-shaped, regular with grille
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 2.0
Midrange: 3.75
Treble: 3.0
Soundstage: 3.0
Vocal presence: 3.5

This Chinese Filter H370 does remind me a bit of ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical eartip but performs far worse… Yup, in my encyclopedia of eartips this one is pretty bad. First thing you will notice is how boomy and wooly the bass is. It is so bad that it bleeds into the mids. Upper treble is rolled-off, thus lacking a sense of space and openness. All-in-all, the H370 is a dark-sounding eartip with poor technicalities. Comfort-wise is quite good though. What a pity!
Purchased from Filter Taobao official store

Final Audio Type A
Bore size: narrow
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 4. 8
Vocal presence: 4
Less common than Type E. Let’s call this Type E with a slightly boosted treble and thus lesser bass. As a whole it gives better clarity. The overall tonality remains quite balanced.
Purchased from Amazon.jp.

Final Audio Type B
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and plush
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4
Less common than Type E. Let’s call this Type E with a slightly boosted bass. Overall sound is more round robust as well. My favorite eartips for diffused-field oriented earphones
Purchased from Amazon.jp

Final Audio Type E
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4
For balance sound. Tame harsh earphones
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

Final Audio Type E (Clear, Clear/Red) 2020 Edition)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4 25
Vocal presence: 4.5
Sounds cleaner, clearer, brighter and tighter bass than conventional black Final Audio Type E eartip. Improved vocal lucidity. Tonally more accurate as well.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Final Audio Type E (Canjam Singapore 2023 Edition)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4 25
Vocal presence: 4.50

It comes in various colours, as well as glow-in-the-dark green. Sounds cleaner, clearer, brighter, and tighter bass than conventional black Final Audio Type E eartip. Improved vocal lucidity. Tonally more accurate as well.

Raffled from Project Perfect Pte Ltd (DITA) booth at Canjam Singapore

Final Audio Type E (for TWS)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.75
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

Quite the opposite of regular Final Type E eartips sonic-wise, These tips intensify upper-mids and treble, which unfortunately, introduces sibilance to female vocals and makes cymbals sound tinny. This can be unpleasant especially when used with bright earphones. Staging and ambience are better than regular Type E. Use with caution!

Purchased from Final Audio Official Taobao Store

Final Type E Silicon Eartips for True Wireless (clear)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 5
Vocal presence: 4
Overall, similar to Final Type E True Wireless (black) but with slightly less bass.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

FiiO HS18 Silicone Ear Tips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and light
Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

The FiiO HS18 is extremely thin and I was afraid this might affect its seal and isolation… Well, I worried too much. The HS18 is soft, lightweight and comfortable. Seal and isolation are good. Neutral tonality with very “bouncy” bass. Midrange is smooth and laid-back. Treble is crisp and sparkly however its presence is not emphasized (which is a good thing in general). Soundstage is very open and airy. One of the better eartips I have tested in 2022. Yes, the FiiO HS18 can rival some of the pricier offerings from SpinFit, Acoustune and Azla. For the record, I hardly, almost rarely, praise a FiiO product.

Purchased from FiiO Taobao Official Store

I

ICE CLEAR Earphone Plug
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: grippy but firm
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

These eartips, likely made by TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), offer surprising competition to the Azla SednaFit Crystal eartips. At only $10 for three pairs, they deliver performance that rivals the Crystal’s, with just a slight decrease in the emphasis of bass and sub-bass notes. However, the true strength of these TPE eartips lies in their exceptional clarity, resolution, and ability to create a wide soundstage. My one complaint is that the material feels a bit too rigid and produces a cracking noise whenever I move my jaw

Purchased from 德海基业数码专营店 (Dehaijiyeshuma) Taobao store

INfilter Variety Dot Ear Tip
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: pliable and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 3.75
Treble: 3.00
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.00

A JVC Spiral Dot clone but more bassy and a tad smoother. Midrange details are a little smeared, resolution lacking. Unfortunately, this still can’t replace the good ol’ Spiral Dot.

Purchased from Focus Audio Taobao Store

INfilter Variety Dot Pro Ear Tip
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: pliable and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.00

A JVC Spiral Dot clone. Sounds almost identical to the Variety Dot but with cleaner and more open upper-registers. Personally, I will choose this over the original Variety Dot.

Purchased from Focus Audio Taobao Store

INfiter Variety Dot IE45 Short for TWS (Dow Corning silicone and graphene)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: pliable and firm

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

The Infiter IE45 eartips are designed primarily for True Wireless earbuds, but they can also be used with traditional In-Ear Monitors. They are known for their smooth, balanced sound signature that prioritizes clarity. The IE45 eartips deliver a smooth and balanced sound experience that is pleasing to the listener. They avoid harshness or excessive emphasis on any particular frequency range. These eartips prioritize clarity, ensuring that vocals and instruments are well-defined and easy to distinguish within the mix. The graphene-infused version of the IE45 eartips further enhances the smoothness and reduces listener fatigue. This is achieved through the unique properties of graphene, a material known for its excellent damping properties. The IE45 eartips offer good value for the price. They provide a significant improvement in sound quality for both TWS earbuds and IEMs, without breaking the bank.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

INfiter Variety Dot IE45 Short for TWS (Dow Corning silicone)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: pliable and firm

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

Originally designed for True Wireless earbuds, the Infiter IE45 eartips are also compatible with In-Ear Monitors. Known for their smooth, balanced sound, these eartips prioritize clarity, making them ideal for listeners who prefer a clean and accurate listening experience. Vocals are clear and well-defined, making it easy to understand lyrics or dialogue. The smooth, non-harsh treble ensures a pleasant listening experience without any fatiguing sharpness. The Clear version offers an open and airy soundstage, creating a wider and more immersive listening experience. They provide a decent overall sound, with a focus on clarity and comfort, making them a suitable option for value-conscious listeners who prioritize comfort.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

INfiter Variety Dot IE45Pro Short for TWS (Black)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: pliable and firm

Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.20
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

Originally designed for True Wireless earbuds, the Infiter IE45Pro eartips can also be used with In-Ear Monitors. They are known for their smooth, balanced sound signature that prioritizes clarity, making them a good choice for listeners who prefer a clean and accurate listening experience. The Black version is made from a soft, comfortable material that allows for extended wear without fatigue. Vocals sound clear and well-defined, making it easy to understand the lyrics or dialogue in your audio. The treble is also smooth and free of harshness, ensuring a pleasant listening experience without any fatiguing sharpness. The soundstage offered by the Black version is open and airy, creating a wider and more immersive listening experience. They provide a decent overall sound experience with a focus on clarity and comfort, making them a suitable option for listeners who prioritize comfort and good value.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

INfiter Variety Dot IE45Pro Short for TWS (Clear)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: pliable and firm

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.25

While primarily advertised for TWS earbuds, the Infiter IE45Pro eartips can also be used with traditional IEMs. They offer a smooth and balanced sound signature that prioritizes clarity. The Clear version delivers a smooth and non-fatiguing sound profile. However, certain listeners might find that vocals, especially female vocals, can take on a slightly nasal quality. The treble range lacks a bit of sparkle and vibrancy, which can make the sound feel a bit dull or veiled. The soundstage feels somewhat compressed, meaning the instruments may not seem as spacious or separated as with other eartips. Despite the mentioned limitations, IE45Pro Clear offers good value for the price. They provide a decent overall sound experience.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

InFiter TPE Eartips (PT37-TWS)
Bore size: wide bore
Stem length: short
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

Although these are stated for TWS, they can be used on normal IEMs but with a caveat. This eartip is a fine example of why TWS eartips aren’t so appealing for high-fidelity use. Because of their short stem, many TWS eartips have the tendency to push vocals and upper midrange too forward, making them shouty. Sub-bass, bass and mid-bass take a back seat. Good match for muddy-sounding earphones. Do take note that TPE eartips are dust and dirt magnet. They will deform and lose its shape over time.

Purchased from InFiter Taobao Store.

InFiter TPE Eartips (PW-10)
Bore size: wide bore
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

A leaner-sounding version of Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC. Bass is less impactful. However, midrange preserves most of the characteristics of XELASTEC. Soundstage seems wider and more open as well. Nonetheless finishing is nowhere close to Azla’s.

Purchased from InFiter Taobao Store.

InFiter TPE Eartips (PW-20)
Bore size: 7mm superwide bore
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

A clearer version of Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC. You’ll get 70% of XELASTEC performance at a fraction of the cost. Is it worth a try? Sure… But take note these are TPE eartips (just like XELASTEC) thus they are dust and dirt magnet. They will deform and lose its shape over time. Finishing-wise not as beautiful and smooth as Azla’s. Great value for money if you don’t want to pay the XELASTEC price.

Purchased from InFiter Taobao Store

INfiter WS38 for TWS (Clear white)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: thin and soft

Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

These eartips are constructed from very thin and soft silicone and unfortunately these contribute to a poor fit. They struggle to stay securely in place and are prone to flipping over during use, compromising both comfort and sound quality. The thin material significantly impacts the sound signature. The overall sound comes across as bright and lacking in body. Bass frequencies are noticeably suppressed, resulting in a weak and underwhelming low-end experience. The lack of “punch” and “noteweight” refers to the absence of impact and definition in the bass notes, leaving the sound overall thin and hollow. Not recommended.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

INfiter WS43 for TWS (Clear blue)
Bore size: wide with short cap
Stem length: very short
Feel: thin and soft

Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 5.00

These eartips are identical to the INfiter W38 model but come in a light blue color. While constructed from soft, thin silicone for comfort, this material unfortunately contributes to a poor fit in the ear. They struggle to stay secure and tend to flip out during use, negatively impacting both comfort and sound quality. The thinness of the material also significantly impacts the sound signature. The overall sound becomes bright and lacks body, with noticeably suppressed bass frequencies. Overall, due to the poor fit and compromised sound quality, these eartips are not recommended.

Purchased from INfiter Taobao Store

Intime iReep 01
Bore size: wide (reversed cap)
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 4.00

An incredibly unique eartip that resembles a whiskey barrel with the entire stem fully concealed within the reversed cap, which forms a dome. It is extremely comfortable, isolates and seals very well. Because sound is reflected into the dome, it has an echo (reverb) effect. This presents a wide soundstage with particularly good height and depth. Unfortunately, this echo effect causes vocals, female voices especially, to sound nasally and wheezy. As if the singer is singing with his or her nose pinched. Without a doubt, the iReep 01 is the most unusual eartip in my collection.

Purchased from e*earphone, Japan

J

Jomo Audio ONYX Double Flanges Premium Silicone Eartips (For IEMs)
Bore size: double flange, very wide
Stem length: extremely short
Feel: soft, thin, and springy

Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00
Double-flange eartips with wide bores are a rarity. The Acoustune AET06 series is another example of such eartips that I’ve reviewed. In comparison, the ONYX double-flange eartips deliver a brighter, clearer, and more open sound signature. However, they also significantly reduce low and mid-bass frequencies, sacrificing dynamics in the process. While this is ideal for those seeking to reduce bass bloat or muddiness, it makes them less suitable for bright or lean-sounding IEMs. The thin flange material tends to curl upwards when removed from the ears.

Purchased from Let’s Go Audio Online Store, Hong Kong

JVC Spiral Dot (Regular)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4
For balance sound. Tame harsh earphones
Purchased from Japan through a friend

JVC Spiral Dot SF (Short Flange / Shallow Fit)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short (shallow fit)
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 4.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
These eartips are meant for true wireless earpieces. These have more bass and vocal presence than SpinFit CP-350 and CP-360. Comparable to Final Type E True Wireless (black) but sound less open and less treble extension.
Purchased from Amazon.jp

JVC Spiral Dot++ (EP-FX10)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: supple and grippy
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 3.75
Treble: 3
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4
For balance sound. Tames harsh earphones. Cleaner but lesser bass and midrange compared to regular Spiral Dot. Very comfortable for long listening sessions.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

JVC/Victor EP-FX2 (Poor men’s Spiral Dot)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and grippy
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
You get 80% performance of Spiral Dot at 30% of its price. Comfortable for long listening. Good value for money.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

K

KB EAR 10 Silicone Eartips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 3.75
Treble: 3 5
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4
For balance sound. Tames bass-heavy earphones. Smooth tonality suitable for long listening sessions.Purchased from KB EAR Taobao store

KB EAR A07 Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
Suspiciously similar to Acoustune AET07. Heck… It sounds closer to AET07a than AET07. Neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange and top-end sparkle. I find this eartip to have better bass texture, dynamics and vocal presence than SpinFit CP100 and CP145. The A07 is often labeled as “vocal” eartip for most stock tips offering.Purchased from BGVP Taobao storePurchased from KB EAR Taobao store

KB EAR A08 Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 5
Suspiciously similar to Acoustune AET08, this eartip adds thickness to bass and midrange. However, unlike Acoustune AET08, I find it a speck bright. The A08 is often labeled as “bass” eartip for most stock tips offering.
Purchased from KB EAR Taobao store

KB EAR “Columbia” Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5
This eartip is worthy of the title “Sony clone”. Sounds virtually identical to Sony EP-EX11M eartip, which my sensitive ears couldn’t tell them apart. For neutral tonality with slight treble roll-off.
Purchased from KB EAR Taobao store

KZ Starline
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 3.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3
Vocal presence: 2.75
Purchased from KZ store on Taobao (Mainland China)

These stock KZ eartips come in two versions. The older version was included with KZ ZS3 and KZ ZS5, etc, were no longer available. They are softer and more pliable compare to current ones. Sound-wise, co-blogger Slater prefers the former. They give smoother midrange and cleaner treble. The ones tested here are the current/ new version.

KZ Starline (reverse)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: long
Feel: soft and grippy
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 3.5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4*
Vocal presence: 3
For bright, clear and crisp sound
*soundstage has more depth and height than width
Purchased from KZ store on Taobao (Mainland China)

KZ Whirlwind Silicone Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 2.0
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.50
Similar to Tennmak Whirlwind, these eartips reduce bass and mid-bass significantly. Projects vocals forward with good presence.
Purchased from KZ Official Store on Taobao

L

LIZER LAB JIJUFIN Earpiece
Bore size: regular
Stem length: not applicable
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.75
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 4.75

The most unique and unusual eartips in my entire collection. From the Land of the Rising Sun, LIZER LAB eartips feature a patented metal phase-plug which promise to “reposition” your music to sound as if music is coming from the front, rather than from inside and above your head. LIZER LAB claimed their eartips to give the listener an “out-of-head localization” concert and live performance experience. Is this snake oil or real? Does it works? My conclusion is it depends. The effects on some earphones are prominent while others are not as outstanding.

Nonetheless, vocal is extremely clean. Bass is slightly recessed (compared to conventional silicone eartips such has Final Audio Type E), nonetheless still sounds full and weighty. Treble extension is good. Soundstage and stereo imaging are exceptional. Pairs well with neutral-warm sounding earphones.

LIZER LAB JIJUFIN eartips don’t come cheap. A pair will set you back 3,880 Japanese Yen or around US$28. Nonetheless, it gives the listener a unique experience and definitely a conversation piece among audiophile friends.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

LIZER LAB JIJU-JET Earpiece
Bore size: regular
Stem length: not applicable
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.75
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 4.75

The most unique and unusual eartips I have used. From Japan, LIZER LAB eartips feature a patented metal phase-plug which promise to “reposition” your music to sound as if music is coming from the front, rather than from inside and above your head. LIZER LAB advertised their eartips to give the listener an “out-of-head localization” concert and live performance experience. Is this snake oil? Does it works? My conclusion is it depends. The effects on some earphones are prominent, while some are not as outstanding.

Nonetheless, vocal is extremely clean. Bass is suppressed but not rolled-off. Treble extension is good. Soundstage and stereo imaging are the stars of the show. Compared to JIJUFIN, JIJU-JET sounds leaner and crispier. Dynamics and impact are snappier and sharper. Pairs well with dark-sounding earphones.

LIZER LAB JIJU-JET eartips don’t come cheap. A pair will set you back 3,680 Japanese Yen or around US$26. Nonetheless, it will give the listener a unique experience and definitely a conversation piece among audiophile friends.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

LIZER LAB JIJU-JET2 Earpiece
Bore size: regular
Stem length: not applicable
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

The most unique and unusual eartips I have seen. From Japan, LIZER LAB eartips feature a patented metal phase-plug which promise to “reposition” your music to sound as if music is coming from the front, rather than from inside and above your head. LIZER LAB advertised their eartips to give the listener an “out-of-head localization” concert and live performance experience. Is this snake oil or real? Does it works? My conclusion is it depends. The effects on some earphones are prominent, while some are not as outstanding.

JIJU-JET2 is the revised version of original JIJU-JET. Vocal projection is brought forward creating a better 3D-effect on human voices. Soundstage has better depth and instruments have more breathing space around them. Similar to its predecessor, bass is suppressed but not rolled-off. Treble extension is excellent. However, I do notice a slight metallic timbre which makes female voices sound a tad cold and steely. Pairs well with dark-sounding earphones.

LIZER LAB JIJU-JET2 eartips don’t come cheap. A pair will set you back 3,780 Japanese Yen or around US$27. Nonetheless, it will give the listener a unique experience and definitely a conversation piece among audiophile friends.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

M

Marunana 七福神 silicone eartips
Bore size: narrow
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4Vocal presence: 4.25
Marunana eartips is recommended by a friend who discovered it from a native Japanese audio enthusiast. These eartips are surprisingly affordable (880¥ for 12 pairs!). Great midrange texture and vocal presence. My only nitpick is they tend to cloud the mid-bass a little but it adds body to lean earphones.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Moondrop Spring Tips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft with pliable stem
Bass: 2.50
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.0
These originally come stock with Moondrop KATO. First impression is how suppressed the bass and mid-bass are, which thins the overall note-weight and body. Midrange is textured with good details. Vocal is forward with very good presence.

Treble has good sparkle and crisp, however it lacks that last bit of extension and airiness. Great match for earphones with too much mid-bass or has bleeding mid-bass. The caps are too soft in my opinion. They flap over every time I remove them from my ears, which is very annoying.
Purchased from Moondrop Taobao Official Store

N

New Bee Olive Replacement Earbud Tips
Bore size: semi-wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: Firm and stiff
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

These eartips rival most “vocal” eartips I have tried for under US$10. Very good bass punch and dynamics as well. My only gripe is they feel a bit too stiff for my ears.

Purchased from Yongse Taobao Official Store

NF Audio MS42 IEM Silicone Ear Tips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and supple
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 3.75

These are probably the smoothest eartips I have tried. Its relaxed and delicate sound is neither harsh nor strident. Low-end has good body and punch. Midrange has that silky “tube-like” tonality. Upper-registers are fluid and gentle. Soundstage and imaging are average. Boy… It feels like I am having a head massage every time I listen to these. Very comfortable both in sound and in fitment. Highly recommended!

Purchased from NF Audio Official Taobao Store

Nostalgia Audio Extra Wide Bore XWB Eartips
Bore size: very wide
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible but firm

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.00

Hailing from the vibrant city of Hong Kong, Nostalgia Audio is an IEM brand that has quietly carved its niche in the audiophile world. Their XWB eartips mark their debut in the realm of eartips, and let me tell you, these little wonders are a pure delight for any audio enthusiast seeking a touch of extra sparkle in their upper registers without compromising the depth and richness of the low end.

Compared to the Eletech Baroque eartips, the XWB eartips stand out with their sturdier and more substantial cap material, offering a sense of reassurance and durability. And when pitted against the Divinus Velvet eartips, the XWB eartips emerge victorious with their ability to inject a dash of extra zing into the treble, resulting in a livelier and more energetic listening experience.

In a world of eartips, the XWB eartips shine as a star of their own, offering a unique blend of clarity and vibrancy that elevates your music listening experience to new heights. If you’re seeking a touch of extra sparkle without sacrificing the fullness of your sound, the XWB eartips are your perfect companion.

Purchased from Super King (Hong Kong)

Nuarl Block Ear+ Antibacterial Silicon Earpiece
Bore size: wide (5mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.25

If you like the comfort of JVC Spiral Dot++, you will enjoy this. A crispier and more sparkly version of Spiral Dot++. Not suitable for bright-sounding earphones. Comes in multiple sizes of Small, Medium-small, Medium, and Large.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

Nuarl Block Ear+ 6 Antibacterial Silicon Earpiece (for 6mm bore)
Bore size: wide (6mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.00

A firmer version of Nural Block Ear+. Slightly bass-boosted and mid-bass feels more thumpy than Nuarl Block Ear+. Smoother treble and more luscious midrange. Comes in multiple sizes of Small, Medium-small, Medium, and Large.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

Nuarl Block Ear+ 7 Antibacterial Silicon Earpiece (for 7mm bore)
Bore size: wide (7mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

Same as Nural Block Ear+6 but with a 7mm bore diameter. The bigger opening presents a more forward midrange and vocals. Comes in multiple sizes of Small, Medium-small, Medium, and Large.

Purchased from Amazon Japan

O

Openaudio Studio 003 Earfits
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: very soft and rubbery
Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

Do take note that these eartips fit smaller than normal (I am wearing Large instead of my usual Medium). The “003” on the case does remind me of something that is also rubbery and made of latex. Nonetheless, this eartip has a clear and sparkly presentation especially in the upper-mids and treble. Bass and midbass are attenuated. Unsuitable for bright and lean sounding earphones.

Purchased from Openaudio Studio Taobao Store

Ostry OS100 Tuning Eartips (Blue)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.25
Vocal presence: 3.5
Sounds 90% identical to SpinFit CP145 but with a touch more bass and narrower soundstage.
Purchased from Ostry Official Store on Taobao (Mainland China)

Ostry OS200 Tuning Eartips (Red)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.25
Soundstage: 3
Vocal presence: 3.5
Similar to Ostry OS100 but with a tad more bass and less crisp in the treble. Quite a balance-sounding eartip. Narrows soundstage.
Purchased from Ostry Official Store on Taobao (Mainland China)

Ostry OS300 Tuning Eartips (Black)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and sturdy
Bass: 5
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 2.5
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 3.5
The most bass-heavy Ostry tuning eartips of all. Also rolls-off treble the most. It adds tightness and punchiness to the overall sound. However, I find them a bit too forward for my taste.
Purchased from Ostry Official Store on Taobao (Mainland China)

Ortofon silicone eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: very soft and pliable
Bass: 2.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
For good midrange, best female vocal, tames bass and brightens treble
Purchased from Ortofon direct (Denmark)

P

Penon Audio Liqueur Silicone Eartips (Black)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: grippy and rubbery

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.00

Penon Audio Liqueur eartips stand out from typical TPE options like the SednaEarFit XELASTEC due to their dust and lint resistance. This unique property, stemming from their non-stickiness, makes them a practical choice. The Black version offers a cleaner, clearer, and brighter sound signature compared to the Orange version. However, it sacrifices some punchy bass in favor of increased clarity and transparency.

Purchased from Penon Audio Online Store

Penon Audio Liqueur Silicone Eartips (Orange)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: grippy and rubbery

Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 3.50

Penon Audio Liqueur eartips stand out from typical TPE options like the SednaEarFit XELASTEC due to their dust and lint resistance. This unique property, stemming from their non-stickiness, makes them a practical choice.
In terms of sound presentation, these vibrant orange eartips deliver the most dynamic and punchy performance I’ve encountered thus far. The bass extension, elasticity, and textural detail are truly exceptional, exceeding any other eartips I’ve tried.

However, it’s important to note that vocal clarity and treble extension suffer slightly compared to the Black version of the Liqueur eartips. Despite this, the overall sound remains fun and engaging, making them a compelling option for listeners who prioritize bass impact and energy.

Purchased from Penon Audio Online Store

Pentaconn COREIR Nickel-plated Brass core Eartip (PTM01) 

Bore size: wide 
Stem length: long
Feel: firm, sturdy and gripy

Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.75

At 3,850 Japanese Yen (US$35) for 2 pairs of eartips, the COREIR is currently the second most expensive eartip in my collection right now (most expensive is the Sony EP-NI1000M). However, is it worth the high-price it is asking for? Personally, I say “no” and here are the reasons… 

I find the COREIR eartip only suitable for certain types of IEM, particularly those with a very warm, very fully low-end and a recessed midrange, such as the Acoustune HS1650.

When used on Harman-tuned IEMs such as the Tanchjim Oxygen, Salnotes Zero or TangZu Wan’er, the COREIR thins midbass, pushes the midrange and vocals a tad too forward to my liking. Also, occasionally it can sound shouty and nasally especially on female vocal tracks. 

Because of its forward presentation, I find the soundstage a bit narrow. Air and separation around the instruments isn’t as spacious  or as defined as I expected.

Comfort-wise, COREIR falls in between Moondrop Spring Tips and Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC, although not as grippy as the latter. However, because of the brass core, having the correct fit is crucial… More than ordinary silicone eartips in fact. Just like many TPE eartips, these can heat up the inner-ear and cause discomfort. 

I was disappointed to be honest… But some of you may find good use with the COREIR. I know quite a few reviewers like it. 

Purchased from Fujiya-Avic, Japan. 

Q

Queen Lab Hybrid Silicone Memory
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5 
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4 5
Exceptionally good vocal presentations for hybrid. Tighter bass and clearer midrange compared to Symbio W. My favorite hybrid eartip. 
Purchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

R

Radius Deep Mount
Bore size: small
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5
Just like the company’s slogan – Pure Comes True, Deep Mount is the most transparent of all eartips I have tested. Not suitable if your earphone is already bright.
Purchased from Bic Camera (Osaka, Japan)

Radius Deep Mount Clear (Antibacterial)
Bore size: small
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and gripy

Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 4.75

Thank you Jeremy Phua for bringing this eartips to my attention. I didn’t notice Radius came out with a clear version of their ever popular Deep Mount until he mentioned it.

These sound a smidgen cleaner and clearer than the regular black version. Soundstage is a bit better. I could hear more air and separations around the vocals and every instruments.

Regardless of colours, Radius Deep Mount still remain as one of the most transparent eartips I have tested.

Purchased from Amazon.jp

Raptgo Adaptive Ear Tips

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: pliable and firm
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.25

These eartips from Raptgo come with pivoting cap design similar to that in SpinFit. They add “round-meatiness” (a.k.a smoothness and body) to the music without clouding the lower-midrange. The vocals are forward but still very pleasant. I would rank its sonic signatures between SpinFit CP-145 and Final Audio Type E eartips. Same as Audiosense S400.

Purchased from Raptgo Official Taobao Store

RHA dual density silicone eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
These eartips enhance details and stereo imaging extremely well. Tighten bass. Projects midrange and treble frequencies more than some eartips. Not recommended for bright earphones.
Purchased from RHA in UK

Rose Technics QT Series Eartips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.25

A very typical wide bore eartips. Nothing special or unique I find. It is a very comfortable set of eartips nonetheless.

Purchased from Rose Technics Taobao Official Store

S

Sennheiser Momentum Eartips
Bore size: regular with “sound beam”
Stem length: very short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 3. 5
Vocal presence: 3.5
This is the stock eartip from Sennheiser Momentum series of earphones. It has a bold, thick and robust sound signature with buttery-smoooth upper-midrange and treble. Can sound overly warm and muddy when used on dark-sound earphones. Clarity, soundstage, imaging, and details are average.
Purchased from Sennheiser Singapore

Simphonio Diamond Earfit
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 2.50
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 5.0
Vocal presence: 5.0
This eartip has rhombus patterns stamped around the cap (or umbrella) thus the name “diamond” Earfit. This eartip bears some resemblance to Moondrop Spring Tip, however Diamond Earfit is a bit shorter height-wise. Vocal is forward with very good presence. Midrange and treble feels more open and livelier than Spring Tips. Just like Spring Tips, Diamond Earfit thins bass and mid-bass, reduces note-weight. Skip if you prefer bassier eartip.
Purchased from RoadRunner Taobao Store

Softears Liquid Silicone Ear TipsBore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and grippy
Bass: 3.0Midrange: 5.0Treble: 4.50Soundstage: 5.0Vocal presence: 5.0
Very pricey eartips from Softears. Appearance and texture feel just like SednaEarfit XELASTEC, although it says “Liquid Silicone”. Frankly, I have no clue what liquid silicone is other than those used in aesthetics surgery.

However, I find these eartips sound very much cleaner, clearer and airier than both XELASTEC and Crystal. Midrange and vocal presentation are outstanding. Softears Liquid Silicone does not have the upper-midrange “ringing” that plagues the original XELASTEC eartips. Unfortunately, these eartips attracts dirt and dust just like XELASTEC, so clean them regularly if you decide to try.
Purchased from Softears Taobao Official Store

SonicMemory Cup Tips
Bore size: cone-shaped, tempered (4mm nozzle end, 5mm bell end)
Stem length: short
Feel: medium soft and pliable
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 3.75
An alternative to Epro Horn-shaped Tips. It has an overall softer yet balanced tonality. Bass not as impactful and robust. Vocals don’t stand out as much. Nonetheless, I do enjoy the “air” it gives to the sound. Also, these eartips present slightly wider soundstage and more spacious than Epro. Comes with antibacterial properties added, which is a good thing if you don’t have sensitive skin.
Purchased from SonicMemory Taobao Official Store

SonicMemory Fungus Tips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft with a sturdy stem
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 4.0
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 3.50
These eartips look like little pink champignon mushrooms thus the name “fungus” tips. A balanced-sounding eartip with emphasis in bass and low-midrange. Vocals sound slightly nasally and laid-back. Treble lacks air and extension. Soundstage is of average width. If you prefer an open and airy sound with wide-staging, do consider its sibling the SonicMemory Cup Tips. Infused with antibacterial properties.
Purchased from SonicMemory Official Store on Taobao

Sony Clear White
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: pliable and soft
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 4.5
I consider the Clear White an improvement over Sony Triple Comfort. This enhances overall clarity and vocal presence without sounding overly bright or harsh. Top-end sounds more airy. Bass texture improved as well. My only gripe is it isn’t as smooth as I would prefer but this is a small trade off in my opinion.
Purchased from Amazon.jp

Sony EP-NI1000M Noise Isolation Earbud Tips

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: spongy and sturdy
Bass: 5.0
Midrange: 4. 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 5.0

This is the most expensive eartips in my collection as of October 2021. These tips retail for US$20 A PAIR! Yes, you hear that right… Two Hamiltons for a pair of eartips!

Deemed to be a replacement for Sony Triple Comfort (EP-TC50), these are eartips with an attitude. They sound like silicone but seal and isolate like a good pair of foam tips. Extremely comfortable and stable fit.

Are they better than XELASTEC? All I can say is both are very different. If you are always a “foam person”, the EP-NI1000 sounds more lively and open than, say, Comply or Dekoni.

Heard from a friend that these eartips don’t last long, so it is better to keep them dry and away from heat. Purchased from Amazon, Japan

Sony Spare Earbuds EP-EX10A / EP-EX11

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5

Neutral tonality with warm mid-bass and slight treble roll-off. Midrange is smooth and laid-back. Ideal choice for bright and lean sounding earphones.
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

Sony Triple Comfort
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: spongy and sturdy
Bass: 5
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.25
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.25
For similar to Sony Hybrids but with boosted bass
Purchased from Bic Camera (Osaka, Japan)

Sony Hybrid (discontinued)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5
For neutral tonality with treble roll-off
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

SoundMAGIC Silicone Eartips (Bowl-shape)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and supple
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.25

These wide-bore eartips unlike many do not introduce and add glare or brightness. They remind me of JVC Spiral Dot but with a slightly more forward vocal presentation and wider staging. Good stuff if you love JVC Spirial Dot but hate its high price.

Purchased from SoundMAGIC Official Taobao Store

SoundMAGIC Silicone Eartips (For Sports)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and supple
Bass: 2.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.00

Similar to TFZ “Pumpkin”, these eartips are shaped like jack-o’-lanterns. They suppress bass and sub-bass like nobody’s business. Their “enhanced” upper-midrange and treble are the two main reasons why people would buy them. Then again, these look more like Halloween novelty items than proper audio products. The soundstage is open and airy but lacks depth and dimension. Great eartips to sabotage your basshead friend.

Purchased from SoundMAGIC Official Taobao Store

SoundMAGIC Silicone Eartips (Bullet-shape)
Bore size: very narrow
Stem length: short
Feel: firm and supple
Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 3.00
Treble: 3.50
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 3.50

Very mediocre eartips. They congest bass and low-midrange so much, making the lower-registers sound murky and blurry. On a positive note, they feel comfortable and seal well in my ears.

Purchased from SoundMAGIC Official Taobao Store

SoundMAGIC Silicone Eartips (Pumpkin-shape)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable

Bass: 2.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

These pumpkin-shaped eartips dramatically reduce bass and sub-bass frequencies. Their emphasis on upper-midrange and treble frequencies is the primary selling point. While their unique design might suggest a novelty item, they offer a surprisingly open and airy soundstage, though lacking some depth. Overall, their sound transparency is excellent.

Purchased from SoundMAGIC Official Taobao Store

SPEAR Labs nFORM XTR SERIES 500
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: spongy and sturdy
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 3.25
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.25
An alternative to Sony Hybrids (EP-TC50M). Compared to the Sony, nFORM has a clearer and tighter bass, with forward midrange. Human voice can sound nasally (a common problem with foam-based eartips). Soundstage is narrow and stereo imaging less distinctive and precise. Nonetheless, nFORM is extremely comfortable for long listening sessions. Suitable for bright and lean sounding earphones.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

SpinFit CP100
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.25
For neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange.
Purchased from Stereo Electronics (Singapore)

SpinFit CP100+
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 4.0
Vocal presence: 3.75
Slight improvement over the original CP-100 especially in the midrange and upper-midrange. However, I feel the top-end is less airy than CP-100. Bass also lacks a bit of punch and dynamics. The “plus” addendum probably comes from the better portrayal of the human voice. True enough, vocals sound slightly more forward and crispier.

Imaging, focusing, instrument and vocal separation definitely improved over its predecessor. Personally, CP-145 is still my most favourite SpinFit.
Purchased from Amazon.sg (Singapore)

SpinFit CP145
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.5
For neutral tonality with emphasis in midrange and vocal
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

SpinFit CP155
Bore size: regular
Stem length: long
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.5
Vocal presence: 4.25
1 mm longer than CP-100 and CP-145, the additional length and bullet-shaped caps of the CP-155 allow deeper insertion to bring more bass and fuller vocal. 
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

SpinFit CP220
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular (double flange)
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4
For neutral tonality with emphasis in bass, midrange and vocal. For clarity and bigger soundstage, choose CP-240.
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

SpinFit CP240
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular (double flange)
Feel: soft and sturdy
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4.5
Vocal presence: 4
Exceptional clarity with good treble extension. Soundstage is one of the biggest I have heard. Vocal presentation is forward. Can get sibilant when matched with bright earphones.
Purchased from Stereo Electronics (Singapore)

SpinFit CP350
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short (shallow fit)
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 2.0
Midrange: 5
Treble: 5
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.5
These eartips are originally meant for TWS wireless earpieces but a friend of mine suggested they are very good at cutting down bass and midbass. Indeed, these are the “Diffuse Field Target-equivalent” of eartips. They clean up the bass.

Reduces mid-bass bloat or muddiness. Upper-midrange is sparkly and treble extension is one of the best I have heard among universal eartips. Vocal is forward with good clarity. NOTE: SpinFit CP-350 has a very shallow fit. Make sure the earphone nozzle length is at least 5mm in order to fit securely.
Purchased from Stereo Electronics (Singapore)

SpinFit CP360
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.0
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4.75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence’ 5
These eartips are meant for true wireless earpieces. If you find SpinFit CP-350 too short, this one fits between regular CP-145 and CP-350. Bass and low-mids are stronger than CP-350. Vocal is forward with good clarity.
Purchased from ConnectIT (Singapore)

SpinFit CP500
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 4.25
Midrange: 5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.0
A lesser known SpinFit model. CP-500 gives tighter, punchier bass, better vocal presentation than the popular (and common) CP-100 and CP-145. May add sibilance and harshness to bright-sounding earphonesPurchased from MTMT Audio (Hong Kong)

SpinFit OMNI
Bore size: tampered, narrow to wide
Stem length: regular, with dual layered core design
Feel: soft and flexible
Bass: 3.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 5.00
SpinFit OMNI is the direct successor to the CP-360, with a longer nozzle stem and the distinction of being the first SpinFit product to offer “in-between” sizes, which are common among eartip brands such as JVC Spiral Dot and Azla SednaEarFit.

Compared to the CP-360, the OMNI delivers a thumpier bass response with heavier note weight, forward vocals with good clarity, and treble extension that is slightly less pronounced.

Compared to the W1, the OMNI has a shallower fit and does not provide as good of an ear seal. The low end of the W1 is also more substantial. However, the OMNI offers better vocal clarity, cleaner and crispier highs, and a slightly deeper soundstage.

TAKE NOTE: OMNI will not fit nozzle diameter larger than 5.5mm.

Purchased from Amazon (Singapore)

SpinFit W1
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and grippy

Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.75
Vocal presence: 4.50

The SpinFit W1 is probably the most anticipated silicone eartip release from the Taiwanese company in recent years, and they certainly deliver. If you like Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC but dislike its “dust magnet” and tacky properties, SpinFit has answered your prayers with the W1. A hybrid between XELASTEC and Moondrop Spring Tips, SpinFit W1 gives superb clarity, improves soundstage and stereo imaging and cleans up bass and mid-bass. However, I find it unsuitable for bright or harsh-sounding earphones. May exaggerates metallic timbre if and when implemented incorrectly.

Purchased from Amazon US.

Symbio Orange Peel
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 3
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4.25
Vocal presence: 3.5
Good midrange. Punchier bass, better treble extension and more open-sounding compare to Symbio W.
Purchased from Symbio direct (Hungary)

Symbio W
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 3 75
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.5
For good midrange, slight treble roll-off
Purchased from Symbio direct (Hungary)

Symbio Eartips Wa
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 3 75
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 3.50

This is Symbio W with a softer stem. Because of this, I feel that Symbio Wa doesn’t put as much pressure in the ear can thus slightly more comfortable than other oranges. Sonic-wise, both are similar.

Purchased from Symbio direct (Hungary)

Symbio Eartips Wn
Bore size: regular
Stem length: short
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.25
Midrange: 4.75
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 3.75

Barely 1mm taller than Symbio W, the Wn sounds a bit more vocal forward otherwise it is identical to the W in every aspect.

Purchased from Symbio direct (Hungary)

T

Tanchjim T-APB Air Pressure Balance Silicone Eartips T300T (Treble Enhancing)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.5
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4.5 
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4What’s is T-APB? Simply put it, a hexagonal-shaped internal wall of the nozzle that Tanchjim claims “enhance the comfortness (is there such a word?) by evenly balancing the air pressure inside the ear canal, thus to prevent swelling of the ear canal caused by prolonged use of earphone”

… Marketing aside, the T300T (Treble Enhancing) eartip does pushes some high frequency through but it causes the entire bass spectrum and low-mids to “muddle up”, resulting in a loss of texture and low-end details. Does not go well with “thick-sounding” IEMs but good match for leaner-sounding ones BUT be very careful as it might brighten sound too much. 
Purchased from Hifigo

Tanchjim T-APB Air Pressure Balance Silicone Eartips T300B (Bass Enhancing)
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 3.75What’s is T-APB? Simply put it, a hexagonal-shaped internal wall of the nozzle that Tanchjim claims “enhance the comfortness (is there such a word?) by evenly balancing the air pressure inside the ear canal, thus to prevent swelling of the ear canal caused by prolonged use of earphone”

… Marketing aside, the T300T (Treble Enhancing) eartip is surprisingly neutral despite the “Treble Enhancing” name tag. I find the vocal slightly laid-back and lower-mids a tad muffled. Otherwise, a good choice for IEMs with diffused-field tuning, such as those from Tanchjim and Moondrop.
Purchased from Hifigo

TangZu Tang Sancai (唐三彩) Advanced Eartips (Wide Bore)

Bore size: extra wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and pliable

Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.75
Vocal presence: 4.50

Tang Sancai (唐三彩), known as “Tang Dynasty three-color ware,” refers to a type of glazed ceramic pottery that originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The term “Sancai” (三彩) translates to “three colors” in Chinese, which refers to the typical color palette used in this type of pottery. Characterized by its distinctive tricolor glaze, Tang Sancai pottery consists of a combination of yellow, green, blue, and white colors, which explains why these eartips come in yellow (Small), green (Medium), and blue (Large).

These eartips are upper midrange forward with a sense of clarity and space, without sacrificing tonal weight. I prefer this to Tang Sancai balanced eartips. Compared to my reference – the SpinFit CP-145, Tang Sancai wide bore sounds cleaner, clearer and has more texture. Treble extension is much better, providing more space around the instruments.

Compared to the crowd favorite – TRI Clarion, Tang Sancai wide bore sounds less open and not as crisp. Soundstage is a tinge narrower as well. However, it has a heavier note weight than Clarion.

The final comparison is with Moondrop Spring Tips. Here is where both eartips share more similarities. Both eartips are upper-mid forward but Tang Sancai wide bore sounds a tad smoother and less sibilant. It also seals better in my ears but fit is subjective.

Do take note that my audiophile buddy broke one of his Tang Sancai wide bore eartips while trying them the first time. Be very careful when swapping tips.

Purchased from Angelears AliExpress Store.

TangZu Tang Sancai (唐三彩) Advanced Eartips (Balanced)

Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: firm and pliable
Bass: 4.50
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

Tang Sancai (唐三彩), known as “Tang Dynasty three-color ware,” refers to a type of glazed ceramic pottery that originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The term “Sancai” (三彩) translates to “three colors” in Chinese, which refers to the typical color palette used in this type of pottery. Characterized by its distinctive tricolor glaze, Tang Sancai pottery consists of a combination of yellow, green, blue, and white colors, which explains why these eartips come in yellow (Small), green (Medium), and blue (Large).

These eartips are vocal forward, full-bodied, and bass-heavy, with an average soundstage projection and a slight top-end congestion. Compared to my usual reference, the SpinFit CP-145, Tang Sancai sounds bassier, more robust, and fuller. Vocals are pushed forward with a bit of nasal undertone, especially on husky female vocals, such as Patricia Barber. Treble extension is much better on the CP-145, providing more space for instruments to breathe.

When compared to Acoustune AET07 and its 07 variants, both eartips become more similar. However, to my ears, AET07 sounds cleaner and clearer. On the other hand, Tang Sancai sounds bolder, with thumpier bass and smoother overall sound.

The last comparison is with Final Audio Type-E. To me, Final Type-E is like a glass of smooth, rich, and creamy oak-aged whiskey. Tang Sancai’s full-bodied presentation can’t match Type-E’s. However, Tang Sancai excels in vocal projection, has slightly better treble extension, and delivers a snappier mid-bass thump. In terms of soundstage, Final Type-E is better but not by much.

Purchased from Angelears AliExpress Store.

Tennmak Whirlwind
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and firm
Bass: 2
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 4
Vocal presence: 4.5
Reduces bass and mid-bass significantly. Let vocal shines through.
Purchased from Tennmak Store on AliExpress

TFZ “Pumpkin” Silicone Ear Tips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 2.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.50
Vocal presence: 4.50

Shaped like a white pumpkin, these eartips suppress bass and sub-bass like nobody’s business. Their “enhanced” upper-midrange and treble are the two main reasons why people would buy them. Then again, these look more like Halloween novelty items than proper audio products. Soundstage is open and airy but lacks depth. Overall, sound transparency is surprisingly good. Great eartips to sabotage your basshead friend.

Purchased from TFZ Taobao Official Store

TRI Clarion
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

These are probably the most sibilant eartips I have tested so far thus avoid using them on earphones that sound bright and tizzy. These eartips reduce mid-bass and sub-bass to the point whereby there is very little bass rumble. Vocals are pushed forward. Of all the traits, what impresses me most is the huge soundstage they project.

Purchased from KB EAR / TRI AliExpress Official Store

TRN Silicone Eartips
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: flexible with firm stem
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 3.25
Treble: 3.0
Soundstage: 2.50
Vocal presence: 3.0
Listening to these eartips is like having a thick veil covers the entire frequency spectrum. They simply muffle sound! Bass is clumpy, lacks texture and details. Midrange and upper-registers cover by a layer of haze. Vocal is lackluster and lifeless. Staging is flat and narrow. Imagining is fuzzy. One of the worst eartips I have tested so far.
Purchased from TRN Official Store on AliExpress

TRN T-Ear Tips

Bore size: regular
Stem length: very short
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.50
Treble: 4.50
Soundstage: 4.75
Vocal presence: 5.00

These onion-shaped eartips fit smaller and shorter than, say, SpinFit. Overall tonality is upper-midrange and treble emphasis, with a hint of boosted bass. Vocal presence is good but forward and sibilant, so be careful when pairing with bright-sounding IEMs. Soundstage is spacious with good depth and height.

Review sample from TRN.

U

Unique Melody Liquid Silicone Ear Tips (Standard)
Bore size: wide bore
Stem length: extremely short
Feel: soft and grippy
Bass: 3.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00

Made of the same transparent liquid silicone material as Softears UC eartips but at a lower cost. I find these tulip-shaped eartips sound clean, clear and airy. Midrange, vocal presentation, and soundstage are outstanding. Bass and mid-bass are on the lean side. Unfortunately, these eartips attract dirt and dust, so clean them regularly if you use them frequently.

WARNING: Due to its EXTREMELY short stem, DO NOT use earphones with short nozzle.

Purchased from Unique Melody Official Store

Unique Melody Liquid Silicone Ear Tips (Vented)
Bore size: wide bore
Stem length: extremely short
Feel: soft and grippy
Bass: 0.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 5.00
Vocal presence: 5.00 (SHOUTY!!!)

It isn’t a typo error. The bass score is 0.00, meaning ZERO bass. Vented means no seal. Without a good ear-seal, bass disappears. There is no noise isolation as well. Other than vent holes on the cap, it is the same eartip as standard Unique Melody Liquid Silicone Ear Tips with SHOUTY upper registers!

WARNING: Due to its EXTREMELY short stem, DO NOT use earphones with short nozzle.

Purchased from Unique Melody Official Store

Whizzer Easytips ET100 (natural)

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.0
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 4.5
Vocal presence: 3.5

W

A very interesting eartip that looks like a toilet plunger. The shape may be odd but the sound isn’t. Balanced, clean and clear tonality that is neither too bright nor too bassy. Seals and isolates well too.
Purchased from OperaFactory Taobao Official Store

Whizzer Easytips SS20 (soundstage)

Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and pliable
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 4.25
Soundstage: 5.0
Vocal presence: 3.5

As the title implies, this eartip improves soundstage, and this isn’t a gimmick. It really adds dimension to sound, giving it a more spacious presentation.
Purchased from OperaFactory Taobao Official Store

Whizzer Easytips VC20 (vocal)

Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft and firm
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 3.75
Treble: 4.0
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 2.5

Not very good. This eartip clouds midrange and boosts low-mid a bit too much for my taste. Resolution is poor as well. Everything just sounds stuffy and dull. Perfect for bright-sounding IEMs though.
Purchased from OperaFactory Taobao Official Store

Z

ZhuAudio (竹林鸟) Bamboo Rhyme (竹韵) Latex Bamboo Tips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: plush and grippy
Bass: 4.00
Midrange: 5.00
Treble: 5.00
Soundstage: 4.75
Vocal presence: 5.00

These latex eartips remind me of FEAULLE H570 latex eartips but cost a fraction less and come in 3 size-pairs per box. Overall tonality is bright and lively. Bass is girthier than H570 with a good thump. Vocals are sibilant but give particularly good enunciation. Stage and imaging are quite good. Resolves nuances very well. Fit and comfort are good. These don’t feel sticky or attract dust like Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC.

Purchased from ZhuAudio Taobao Store.

Z Reviews Render Eartips
Bore size: wide
Stem length: short
Feel: soft and spongy

Bass: 4.75
Midrange: 4.00
Treble: 4.00
Soundstage: 4.00
Vocal presence: 4.50

Zeo’s Render hybrid eartips offer a compelling combination of comfort and exceptional isolation, surpassing the softness of Symbio W tips. Their bass performance takes center stage, delivering a punchy and satisfying low-end without the mid-bass bloat common in many foam eartips. In terms of sound signature, they closely resemble the very expensive Sony EP-N1000M, albeit with a slight compromise in upper-midrange clarity. Compared to Zeo’s other favorite, the Dekoni Bulletz foam tips, the Render eartips offer a significant boost in clarity, vocal presence, and bass impact.

Purchased from HiFiGo Online Store.

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The Flip Tip: Creating Big Widebore Tips From Reversing Starlines by Slater (2019-09-16)

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Cons — Dirt attractors: need regular washing; can get out of shape and need to be re-shaped in hot water; not for short-nozzles iems; pricey.

Distinctive Features — Best fitting of all eartips I have used; enhances vocals in many earphones.

Executive Summary

The Azla Xelastec are completely unique short-stemmed wide-bore eartips in that they provide the perfect fit through their incredible grip AND move vocals forward in many earphones.

Introduction

Azla is a company out of Korea that offers two earphones, an amplifier, and lots of different silicone eartips. Their most famous product has been the Azla SednaEarFit Original Series, consisting of four models, two of them long-stemmed, two of them short-stemmed, all of them wide-bores.

These are very popular with audio enthusiasts, typically hard to get outside of Asia, and mostly sold out. The designs are based on the analysis of almost 800 ear shapes. All Azla products are manufactured in the Republic of Korea.

Xelastec Design

Azla have recently added the Xelastec eartips to their portfolio, short-stemmed wide-bores made of German Kraiburg TPE different to any other earphone on the market.

TPE is short for Thermoplastic Elastomers, also known as thermoplastic rubbers, a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties.

The benefit of using thermoplastic elastomers is the ability to stretch to moderate elongations and return to its near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials [see Wikipedia].

The material is extremely grippy and also extremely deformable. The umbrella moulds perfectly into the shape of one’s ear canal. Fit, hold, seal, and isolation of the Xelastec are therefore perfect.

And when the eartips retain their deformed shape, the original shape can be restored in a bath of warm to hot water (but not too hot; rinsed off with cold water). The TPE is unfortunately a dirt attractor, but can be washed easily with water.

In terms of earphone fit, the short stems require a certain nozzle length. The inner stem diameter of 3.6 mm is stretchable enough to fit standard 4.5 mm nozzles. All Azlas come in 6 different umbrella sizes (see size chart above) to fit any ear canal. Be aware that their sizes are unusual: Azla’s L corresponds to other company’s XL. Check your numbers before ordering.

Sound?

I typically do not give sonic descriptions of eartips, as different designs yield different results depending on earphone and individual ear canal. The Azla Xelastec are somewhat of an exception as they have a tendency to work well with more iems than other makes models in my experience.

I have not found many earphones the Xelastec did not make a difference to the better. Their risk of failure/dissatifaction is smaller, but you pay for it.

In my experience (almost 1 year of testing them), the Xelastec show the biggest improvements with V-shaped sound profiles. They move the vocals forward and therefore, passively, the bass backward, considering the human ear hears the whole frequency spectrum in context. Bass boom was decreased or disappeared altogether.

This worked well for me with the Meze RAI Solo, Shozy Form 1.4, Shozy Form 1.1, Shozy Rouge, and NiceHCK NX7 Mk3, in less so with the KBEAR Believe.

In comparison, the Azla SednaEarfit (Original Series) Light, shortstemmed, boost the bass and move the vocals back in many iems. The difference is substantial.

What KopiOkaya says

Co-blogger Larry Fulton alias KopiOkaya summarizes the main characteristics of the leading third-party eartips in his famous eartips guide, including the Azla Xelastec. His professional opinion is as follows:

Azla SednaEarFit XELASTEC
Bore size: regular
Stem length: regular
Feel: soft, grippy and sticky
Bass: 4.0
Midrange: 5.0
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.50
Vocal presence: 5.0

The most expensive eartip in my collection. Isolation is impeccable. If you love vocals, THIS IS IT! Vocal presence is extremely 3D. Best of all it doesn’t affect bass and treble. Projects soundstage a bit narrower than regular SednaEarFit.

Concluding Remarks

The Azla Xelastec are probably the best and most versatile eartips on the market – and unfortunately the most expensive. They work well with most earphones and have a higher rate of success “fixing” an iem’s sound than the competition I have tested, particularly when addressing the vocals department. Yes, they are pricey but they need to be in the “tips box” of every audio enthusiast.

Until next time…keep on listening!

Gallery

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Disclaimer

The Azla Xelastec eartips were kindly provided by Azla in Gangnam almost a year ago. And I thank them for that.

Get more information from Azla’s Xelastec product page.

Our generic standard disclaimer.

The post Azla SednaEarfit Xelastec Eartips Review – Vocals Enhancer appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Cons — Availability of Spinfit tips can be a bit spotty
– Some experimentation required

INTRODUCTION

Third-party eartips are one of those things that you end up with a large collection of as you fall deeper into audiophilia. The reason is quite simple: universal earphones (i.e. non-custom IEMs) require fiddling with the tips more often than not. Moreover, eartips are just about the cheapest (and often most reproducible) way of tuning an earphone. So we all end up with boxes of eartips of our own, sooner or later.

Spinfit have been making eartips for a while now, and their claim-to-fame is the name-sake “swivel” mechanism that rotates the top of the inner-stem. This in turn helps to achieve a deeper, more secure seal as the top of the tip (along with the sound-tube) literally bends to get closer to the inner-ear.

In this round-up, we shall explore how well this mechanism works across a variety of IEMs. Models to be evaluated: Spinfit CP-100, CP-100+, CP-145, CP-145 (medical-grade silicone), CP-240, CP-360, CP-500, and the CP-800. The only two in-production models that I don’t have with me are the CP-155 (I don’t have a large-nozzle IEM at the moment) and the Airpod-specific CP-1025 (I don’t have an Airpod). With that out of the way, let’s head right in.

Update [06-02-2023]: Guide updated with impressions about Spinfit W1.

Note: The Spinfit CP-100 and the CP-500 are units I purchased myself. Rest were sent in by Spinfits themselves for evaluation. A huge shout-out to them. You can check out there entire catalogue of eartips here.

GENERAL BUILD QUALITY

All of the Spinfit eartips share some similarities in terms of build. They have a colored stem and the outer material is medical/food grade silicone. Each tips also has a depression/joint around the top of the internal sound bore. This joint allows the top of the tip to swivel 360 degrees around inside the ear-canal and (ideally) move past the bends in the ear-canal.

In all cases the internal stem is made of a stiffer material than the eartips themselves, though the stiffness varies depending on model. Now, let’s get into the details of individual models. For a more thorough look into the various dimensions of the tips themselves, please check out co-blogger Jürgen’s take on the Spinfit eartips.

SINGLE-FLANGE SPINFIT EARTIPS

CP-100/CP-100+

The Spinfit CP-100 is probably the most popular Spinfit eartips around. They are also the most widely available one. The original CP-100 model had a fairly stiff, color-coded stem (with color changing upon size) and the outer material was also fairly stiff. This model suited a number of IEMs especially those with a shallow nozzle (e.g. Dunu Luna, pictured below). The CP-100 was pretty much a utilitarian eartip, as in it would suit most models without affecting the FR too much or causing discomfort. I personally found the surface of the tip to be somewhat itchy after long-term use, and the stiffer outer layer didn’t have the best grip with the inner-ear wall.

Thus, we enter the Spinfit CP-100+. The new variant (which shall be released on Amazon soon) addresses my key complaint with the original CP-100: the stiffness and feel of the silicone. The new material is more supple and grips better. Most of all: the itchiness after long sessions is gone completely. In terms of ergonomics, this renders the CP-100 irrelevant.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Moondrop Aria, Moondrop Starfield, Dunu Luna, Meze 12 Classics V2, Shozy Form 1.1, BLON BL-03/BL-05S

CP-145/CP-145 (refresh)

These are currently my favorite Spinfit tips. They are the most comfortable in Spinfit’s lineup along with the CP-100+ and pairs well with most IEMs with the given nozzle size (~4.5mm). Usually the bass seem to get tighter with these tips on and in some IEMs I’ve also experienced a perceived expansion of soundstage. The older CP-145 has a more supple, grippier texture on the outside whereas the new, medical-grade silicone version has a more coarse texture and has slightly worse seal. The choice between older and the newer CP-145 isn’t as straightforward as they both perform very similarly and are equally comfortable. Whichever you get, however, you shall find them stellar.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Moondrop Blessing2/Aria/Starfield, 64Audio U12t, Final A8000, Dunu Luna, Reecho Insects Awaken

CP-360

The Spinfit CP-360 are specialist eartips meant to be used with TWS earphones. If you’re having trouble getting a fit with the stock tips that came with your earbud, give these a shot. The flange material is soft silicone and it’s very comfortable to wear due to the nozzle material not being too stiff. Isolation is also top-notch. Generally a good tip to have in your collection if you are into TWS earphones.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Samsung Galaxy Buds/Buds Plus/Buds Pro, FIIL T1XS, Lypertek Tevi

CP-500

The most interesting offering in Spinfit’s entire lineup has to be the CP-500. It has a larger bore diameter (~5.5mm) and is meant for large nozzle IEMs that require a wide bore to work best. However, I have found them to work on slightly smaller bore IEMs too. I purchased the CP-500 initially to use with the Final E5000 (as stock E-type black tips have too much mid-bass). The CP-500 was the only tip available at that time for final’s E-series IEMs thus I pulled the trigger. Ironically, I ended up using the CP-500 on IEMs other than the Final E-type, most notably Dunu Zen and the IMR R1 Zenith. The CP-500 with Dunu Zen, specifically, have an incredible pairing that elevates the (already great) Zen to new heights. The difference between the Zen + CP-500 and other tips were far too noticeable.

That preamble aside, the CP-500 has a soft flange along with a similarly soft bore. The flange also has a somewhat oily texture to it, resulting in a fit that’s not the most secure and requires a bit of a deeper insertion. It’s a very comfortable eartip but isolation is worse than the CP-100/145/360. This is an eartip I’d recommend if you’re someone who’s into “tip-rolling” (as in, experimenting with various eartips). The CP-500 provides interesting results with many IEMs.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Final E4000/E5000/E1000, Dunu Zen (best pairing for me), JVC FX-700, JVC FW-10000

CP-800

The Spinfit CP-800 is a specialized eartip meant for using exclusively with narrow-bore IEMs like the Shure, Etymotic ones. In case of Etymotic ER2XR this provides an interesting alternative to the stock triple/double-flange tips. The CP-800 has about the same bass and midrange rendition so those who find the stock triple/dual flange tips on Etymotics intrusive might find the CP-800 far more comfortable. I would recommend going for a smaller size than what you usually use with these tips (so if you usually need M, go for S). A size smaller will help with deeper fit. Sadly on the ER2XR at least, the CP-800 makes the treble roll-off earlier than the dual/triple flange tips. If you need more treble sparkle, the CP-800 might let you down on those IEMs. Shure IEMs like SE-215 worked just as well as the Shure Olive tips, however, with slightly improved fit.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Etymotic ER2XR/ER4XR, Shure SE215/SE846.

W1

The Spinfit W1 is good for IEMs with large and heavy shells. The core of the stem has a ribbed pattern, which deforms less than the usual Spinfits. As such, even with deep fit, the nozzle retains a relatively straight sound path.

They also tend to isolate better due to grippier texture. I think this is how Azla Xelastecs should have been, but couldn’t be due to a lof of other issues.

The one nitpick I have with the W1 is that you must buy it in packs of three, with all three different sizes. At least that’s the case for the time being.

If you don’t own heavy IEMs then you can stick with CP-145. But if you have large, multi-driver IEMs then the W1 is a must try.

DOUBLE-FLANGE SPINFIT EARTIPS

CP-240

The Spinfit CP-240 is their only dual-flange offering. Usually dual-flange tips offer a deeper seal along with improved isolation. The CP-240, however, is a strange case. Due to the larger gap between the swiveling part on top and the second flange below, the seal breaks inside the ear canal and may lead to a loss of isolation. Moreover, the bass response lightens up a lot as a result. This might help if you want to tone the bass down on some IEMs but for me this particular tip didn’t really have a permanent place on any of the IEMs I’ve tried them on. The CP-240 also comes with adapters that you can slot inside the bore to reduce bore size and use narrow-bore IEMs like Etymotic/Westone/Shure.

Some suggested pairings for these tips: Westone, Shure, Etymotic IEMs with adapter, Meze 12 Classics V2 without adapter.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Writing about eartips can be confusing since it’s such a personal thing after all. This article is not meant to be taken as an absolute guide, rather a primer into what you might expect from the several Spinfit offerings. In the end, I can only speak from my personal experience along with the feedback I’ve gathered over time from other experienced users.

The Spinfit offerings are a must-have if you’re into collecting IEMs and love to experiment with several eartips. If I had to choose one SpinFit eartip among the 8 reviewed here, I would pick the CP-100+. It’s going to be widely available soon, it improves upon the original CP-100, and most of all it pairs well with most of the IEMs out there barring those with thin nozzles. Similarly, the CP-145 is a great choice and improves the comfort and sonic performance of many IEMs I’ve tried them on.

Among the rest, the CP-360 should be in your stable if you’re into TWS earphones, they are one of the few TWS-specific eartip after all. The CP-500 is a specialist eartip that can be unpredictable, and being the widest-bore tip in Spinfit’s lineup offers something unique. Finally, the CP-240 is something I couldn’t find a use for and the CP-800 didn’t perform as well as the tips it’s supposed to replace (for me). So these two don’t excite me as much.

Thus, I’ve covered most of Spinfit’s mainstream offerings. In the future I plan to make an entire post/thread where the eartips of all major manufacturers (along with a few obscure) ones will be covered. Let’s see how that one goes.

MY VERDICT

CP-100+/CP-145: Highly Recommended
CP-360/CP-500: Recommended

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DISCLAIMER

SpinFit Eartips can be found on Amazon.

Our generic standard disclaimer.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

The post Spinfit Eartips Roundup: A Comprehensive Comparison Between 8 Variants appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Cons — Difficult to pick the right model.

Distinctive Features — Swivel mechanism; narrow-bore tips.

BOOKMARK ME – PAGE WILL BE UPDATED

Executive Summary

I have tested SpinFit eartips for this review since summer 2019, the results are reported here, and an overview of the different models is given. The main advantage of Spinfit eartips are in the added comfort, appealing appearance, and most importantly in their “kaiten”, the Japanese word describing their swivel mechanism (they don’t really “spin”). Kaiten results in deeper insertion and therefore sonic improvement over stock tips in many cases. Results may vary between earphones in combination with individual ear canals. While it cannot be said that Spinfits are universally better than other tips, they frequently are. They therefore fill a niche and should be in everybody’s eartips box. IMO, SpinFits are a good investment particularly for more expensive earphones.

Introduction

There are different ways to alter an earphone’s sound: cable, modding, nozzle-screen replacement…but eartips is the easiest and one of the cheapest, even taking the premium prices of some into account. The tips are at the end of the audio chain and can be a real bottleneck. If they don’t fit our ear canals properly, the whole listening experience is spoilt.

Some earphones come with a generous selection of eartips, others don’t. And in some cases, none of the eartips fit or provide an effective seal for the listener, so that the sound quality is compromised. In such situations, third-party eartips come to the rescue.

Eartips manufacturers can frolic as there is no real competition between them: all their products are different and there is no universal fit for any earphone/ear canal combination.

Eartips of the different makes are rather complementary and listeners have to acquire a box full of different types before “tip rolling” to find the best sound appeal for their individual ear canal geometry. So third-party eartips companies must be the best of friends.

SpinFit out of Taiwan are one of the pioneers of third-party eartips and their products have become somewhat of an industry standard. Most premium earphones that went through my hands as a reviewer came with SpinFit CP145 silicone tips, and these have become one of my starting points for “tip rolling”.

SpinFit have not only produced sonically appealing and comfortable eartips, they have also rolled them into some kind of appealing eyecandy, with coloured inner stems indicating type and size – for the advanced users. I sometimes feel like eating them. They are generally soft and pliable, comfortable, and durable.

Each of SpinFit’s offerings have distinct bore sizes (to fit the earphone nozzle) and umbrella size (to fit the ear canal). A unique swivel mechanism in all models helps connecting the two in an optimal manner – earphone and ear canal, that is. The swivel mechanism helps optimizing sound transfer and comfort. The mechanism also corrects for unfavourable nozzle angles on the earphone.

The Japanese word “Kaiten” describes the spin, which is actually not a spin at all, but a swivel. Some Japanese words also read as Chinese, because both languages share the “Kanji” characters.

Selecting the Right SpinFits for Your Earphone

Eartips are a very personal thing. There is no good or bad in most cases, there is good fit and lesser fit, which depends on both the devices they are mounted on and the listeners’ ear canals. These variables create a large number of possibilities and uncertainties so that no eartip is fitting universally. These variables are:

Fitting earphone nozzles: the first problem for the novice is – and it certainly was for me – to find the right SpinFit model to fit a particular earphone. First, one has to select the right diameter of the inner stem so that the SpinFit is being held safely in place. As a rule of thumb, most earphones have a nozzle diameter of 4.5 mm so that the CP145 is the most universal model for initial tip rolling.

Fitting ear canals: the second problem is that the umbrella size has to fit one’s ears. Size M fits most listeners (use the stock nozzles for comparison). I personally need L or XL. Also important is the length of the inner stem. Earphones with short nozzles such as the Blon BL-03 work best with a long-stemmed eartips, and most TWS earphones require short tips such as the CP360.

Check out the SpinFit Size Chart

[collapse]

Optimizing sound: the SpinFit’s swivel mechanism corrects for unfavourably angled earphone nozzles, which contributes to sound optimization. Another parameter that influences perceived sound is the eartip’s bore diameter. All Spin Fits are narrow-bores and they therefore are even less competition to JVC Spiral Dots and Azla SednaEarfit tips, which are wide-bores. Narrow-bores and wide-bores differ in their sonic characters with most earphones [explained in detail here]. Trial and error rules, and there is no recipe for success.

I’ll give you an illustrated overview of the available below. Check the underlined links in the figure captions to follow up on the details.

The SpinFit Catalogue in Pictures

Please note that the SpinFit CP350 have been discontinued.

Co-blogger Kazi is going a bit more into detail of the individual models in his complementary SpinFit article.

What KopiOkaya says

Co-blogger Larry Fulton alias KopiOkaya summarizes the main characteristics of the leading third-party eartips in his famous eartips guide. He covers most of the SpinFit catalogue. You find his thoughts behind this spoiler.

Concluding Remarks

Eartips are the cheapest sonic upgrade of an earphone (without modding). SpinFit have established themselves as one of the industry leaders because of their special swivel mechanism, their comfort, fit, durability, and last but not least their optical appeal. I have dropped a few dollars on their offerings in my time as hobbyist.

SpinFit eartips are no miracle cure in all cases, but they are possibly the first ones to choose for “tip rolling”. They should therefore be in everybody’s audio toolbox.

Until next time…keep on listening!

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Disclaimer

I spent about $100 in my lifetime on SpinFit eartips, mainly on CP145, CP100, CP500, and CP800. Some of the SpinFits used in this review were kindly provided by SpinFit, in several stages since Aug 2019.

Get more information from the SpinFit website.

Our generic standard disclaimer.

The post JK’s Introduction To SpinFit Eartips appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Beginnings

ADV has ventured into the premium eartip market but are also known for their custom fit series.

The eartips are definitely unique, no one else is making elliptical shaped eartips that I know of, so when they were asking for volunteers I raised my hand and yes please. They boast some interesting features that on paper make sense, and some of it translates to reality.

Quick Summary

-Pick one size up from your normal, normal size might not fit.

-Bore is medium sized, not wide

-Short nozzle allows tip to move around and might block openings on IEMS that have molded in sound tubes.

-Thin silicone, not thick like Alza Sedna (Light or Regular) or JVC Spiral

-Position long dimension vertically in your ear, however might still feel uneven pressure

Good news is that they are made from non-itchy silicone, and I do agree this is a nice feature if you have ever wondered if something is crawling in your ears after using some cheaper silicone eartips. The silicone material is on the thinner side, so they will not put too much pressure on your ears and slip in like a cozy pair of slippers. JVC Spiral Dots are much stiffer in comparison and even the Alza Sedna Light are also on the stiffer side. These don’t appear much thicker than run of the mill included eartips, which is good for sensitive ears.  I selected medium size since that is the most common for me, but I also found the large work too, small and extra small are also offered.

The wide-bore is a stretch, I call them medium bore. I have plenty of other eartips such as the JVC spiral dots that are true wire-bore. Maybe they mean the end of the eartip? The nozzle portion is fairly short and not as thick as other premium eartips. Thicker nozzles typically keep the eartip in place better and also increase bass, so these Eartune Fidelity tips are not something you would select if that is your goal.

I kept you waiting for the most intriguing feature, the elliptical shape. I had to wonder why they picked this shape, was it to reduce standing waves? Perhaps, but I was surprised to learn that our ear holes are not round, but actually elliptically shaped. I assume ADV decided this shape was beneficial based on their customer eartip side of the business? Me being the dummy had to ask ADV though which direction they should sit on the nozzle for proper fit. I could have experimented, but I wanted to know for sure. The long side should be vertically placed into the ear canal. Despite this assurance, and experimentation, I still felt a slight pressure as a result after longer listening sessions. Perhaps my ear holes are more round. At least they are not itchy.

Sound

I did notice they have a minor effect in the middle treble, and it does help to take some ringing out of horns and electric guitars. I decided to use it on the TRM STM which has some lively treble in this area. I am aware of the funny business of the tips costing more than the earphones. It does smooth out this area a bit, and it is measurable. I prefer the TRN STM with the stock tips however, because it removed some of the magic. I could see using these tips on something that deserves better tips, say the Shozy Rouge, or mid to upper tier IEMS that need some smoothing of the mid treble.

End Result

Value-wise I cannot make a judgment since those who invest in better eartips don’t bother worrying about cost. They are definitely unique and the science side of oval openings makes sense, but the elliptical shape seems like a better on paper concept. I will be glad to have them in my collection for taming stubborn earphones that need that edge taken off, I would say these are a great alternative to foam eartips that conform and also take the bite out, but wear out over time. This helps raise their value over throw away foamies. On the other hand, they are awkward to use since the shape and short nozzle tube make it hard to position, and the silicone is on the thinner more flexible end of the spectrum. They are not plug and play so keep that in mind.

Disclaimer

The ADV EARTUNE FIDELITY U Elliptical Audiophile IEM eartips were supplied unsolicited by the company through Head-Fi – and I thank them for that.

Get them from ADV directly

Our generic standard disclaimer.

You find an INDEX of our Eartips Reviews HERE.

The post ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips Review II – Unique Position appeared first on Music For The Masses.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips offer an unconventional geometry mimicking the human ear canal. But they have limited application as their 3 mm inner bore (company claims 4 mm) does not fit most earphone nozzles (with their 4.5 mm diameter) – and the small umbrellas may not seal large ear canals.

INTRODUCTION

Eartips are a very personal thing. There is no good or bad in most cases, there is good fit and lesser fit, which depends on both the devices they are mounted on and the listeners’ ear canals. These two variables create a large number of possibilities and uncertainties so that no eartip is working universally.

As a minimum requirement, the eartip has to fit the nozzle of the corresponding earpiece. Many of these nozzles have a 4.5 mm diameter, which fits the SpinFit CP145, JVC Spiral Dots, and all Azla models. That’s why any given company offers different tips models – and sometimes none of them may work with the chosen earphone model. The advantage for the premium manufacturers is that their eartips do not really compete with each other but are rather complimentary. So go and fill your toolbox with tips for all cases.

ADV, a New-York based company came up with the interesting idea to produce elliptical silicone eartips which contour the naturally elliptical ear canal. The company claims that the improved fit creates optimal comfort and seal (compared to essentially all other eartips).

This should result in “the most transparent way with zero compromise in the original sound signature by maximizing acoustic mass through its Wide-Exit-Bore (WEB) design”. And since a photo says more than…yes, you know this saying, we added some below for you to study the geometry of the ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips IEM Ear Tips. Our eartips expert KopiOkaya has already implemented this model into his famous “Simplified Guide”.

WHAT KOPIOKAYA SAYS

ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips (horizontal fit)
Bore size: small (4mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible, soft and pliable
Bass: 3.5
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 3.5
An interesting elliptical eartip which fits two ways and can affect sound. The not so interesting part is it projects a smaller soundstage and vocals get thrown backwards. In both fittings, I experienced quite significant treble roll-off and details lost. Isolation is NOT GOOD!
Sample from ADVSound, courtesy of co-blogger Baskingshark.

ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips (vertical fit)
Bore size: small (4mm)
Stem length: short
Feel: flexible, soft and pliable
Bass: 3.0
Midrange: 3.5
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 2.5
Vocal presence: 3.5
An interesting elliptical eartip which fits two ways and can affect sound. The not so interesting part is it projects a smaller soundstage and vocals get thrown backwards. In both fittings, I experienced quite significant treble roll-off and details lost. Isolation is NOT GOOD!
Sample from ADVSound, courtesy of co-blogger Baskingshark.

WHAT WE SAY

We are primarily concerned with the fit: no fit, no sound. And the ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips create a fit problem for both, our ears and the nozzles of most of our earphones. Let’s address the issues in detail.

Size of umbrella vs. size of ear canal: the bottleneck is the narrow diameter of the umbrella – and even the largest size is effectively too small for JK’s ear canals (he typically uses 14 mm Azla SednaEarfits). He therefore sent a package to co-blogger Biodegraded. Most of the reflections below are by him.

Bore diameter vs nozzle diameter: it is claimed that the ADV’s bore diameter is 4 mm and therefore will fit nozzles between 4 and 6 mm in diameter. But bore diameter is actually only about 3 mm, so it does not fit typical wide-bore nozzles like the FiiO FD1 or anything that the Spiral Dots or Azla SednaEarfit typically go on. And the Spintfits come in difference bore sizes.

Short stem vs. nozzle length vs.: the short stem limits the ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips to earphones with long and skinny nozzles (thinner than 4.5 mm), which are quite rare. In fact one of these rare earphones with a 4 mm nozzle is the KZ ASX, however the nozzle is too short for a good fit (photo below).

Positioning on nozzle: it is really difficult to rotate the ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips into the right position on the nozzle. Because they are elliptical, positioning w.r.t. the cable connector is quite critical, especially on earphones that have interesting ear-mimicing shapes – playing around in the mirror is necessary (and fun if one’s ears are slightly different from each other).

Membrane thickness/strength vs size selection: they are quite soft, which combined with the elliptical shape means they tend to fit “smaller” than indicated. Potential buyers may underestimate their size. S-users may need size M, M-user size L, and L-users…well they may be out of luck – like JK.

All of the above considered leaves a very limited application of the ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips. Be prepared.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips offer a few good ideas that have been incompletely implemented. As they are now, they are of very limited use – and far from universally applicable. And since we have always been happy with circular eartips even on the most premium of earphones, we wonder whether the elliptical shape is more nuisance than benefit. And they are not cheap at $25 for 3 pairs. The potential buyer has to be careful when selecting the earphones they are planning use these with.

Until next time…keep on listening!

DISCLAIMER

The ADV EARTUNE FIDELITY U Elliptical Audiophile IEM eartips were supplied unsolicited by the company through Head-Fi – and we thank them for that.

Get them from ADV directly

Our generic standard disclaimer.

You find an INDEX of our Eartips Reviews HERE.

IMAGES

The post ADV Eartune Fidelity U Elliptical Silicone Eartips Review I – Boondoggle? appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Gear of the Year: Just in time for Christmas we list our our personal favourites of 2020 – the portable audio we personally enjoyed most. Note, these are not necessarily the best, but the ones we…you got it. Therefore, these are highly personal, subjective listings. Please be aware we don’t offer reviews for everything we like/we list here (yet).

That Christmas tree on the right is a carryover from last year. It stood in the lobby of the Windsor hotel at the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro…and it should be a symbolism for looking forward to travelling again. Viva Brazil!

Most of our reviews would have not been possible without our 2020 cooperating partners. We thank:

Acoustic Effect, ADV, Akoustyx, Apos Audio, Azla, Bill Barraugh/Audiotiers, Blon, Cozoy, CVJ, ddHifi, Dekoni, Dunu, EarMen, Earstudio, Hifigo, iBasso, ifi Audio, KBEAR, Keephifi, Moondrop, NiceHCK, Opa Audio Store, Sennheiser, Shenzhenaudio, Shozy, Smabat, Tempotec, Tronsmart, TRN, Vision Ears, V-Moda, Wooeasy Earphones Store, Yaxi, Don’tkillusifweforgotyoujustsendusanotandwefixit. 

For the companies: you can check for your products/yourself in the search field on the right-hand side.

Note: we do not make any money (or getting compensated by products) through the gear we review. No affiliate links, trackers etc. We keep the conflict-of-interest potential as low as possible by attempting to stay at arm’s length.

As to the popularity of our reviews with you, the reader: our top-viewed BLOG POSTS for 2020 were (click to go to the respective article):

1. Simplified Guide To Silicone Eartips (~13,000 views in early Dec 2020)
2. Tin Hifi T2 Plus Review
3. Blon Bl-03 Review
4. KZ ZSN Pro Review
5. Blon Bl-05 Beta Photography
6. Tempotec Sonata HD Pro Review
7. Moondrop SSR Review
8. Drop JVC HA-FDX1 Review
9. Apple Audio Adapter Review
10. Earphones Of The Year 2019
11. Sennheiser IE 500 PRO Review
12. Reversing Starlines Eartips
13. TRN V90 Review
14. Moondrop Starfield Review
15. Sony MH755 Review

Total Number of Blog Posts in 2020: 186

Facebook Group (est. 2020-01-01)| https://www.facebook.com/groups/audioreviews: >5200 members

YouTube subscriptions | https://www.youtube.com/c/audioreviews: 660

Our most-watched YouTube Video of 2020:

And yes, this blog grew and grew and grew in 2020. We are now 8 reviewers on 3 continents. Below are our personal favourites of 2020…

Baskingshark…Singapore

My 2020 favourites in the following categories are:

Earphones

$300 – 500 USD:
LZ A7. Provides a mind boggling 10 tuning configs (or more with aftermarket tuning nozzles). It has excellent technicalities, good fit, good isolation, and the best part that surprised me is that the LZ A7 has very natural timbre for a BA/piezo containing tribid (other than the higher treble frequencies handled by the piezo). Most folks would find an ideal sound signature with it, maybe except diehard bassheads. 

$200 – 300 USD:
Audiosense T800. It has good technicalities, is “fun sounding” and excellent isolation nearing 30 dB. Even though it contains a BA bass, it sounds like a DD bass due to a vented subwoofer. The T800 may be a bit on the bright side, so it isn’t the best option for treble sensitive folks, but you can use knowles filters, warm sources or eartips to tame the treble.

@ $100 – 200 USD:
TRI I3. Smooth, balanced, grand and coherent despite the weird 1 planar + 1 BA + 1 DD config. It needs amping though, the planars handling the mids are quite power hungry. It has one of the best soundstages at the $100ish region when amped, with sweet planar mids. Treble is safe, bordering on darkish, so maybe not for trebleheads.

KBEAR BElieve. “Bearly believable” for a full beryllium set at this price? The KBEAR BElieve sports a smooth and refined U shaped tuning, great technical chops in the mids and treble areas for a single DD. It has good timbre for acoustic instruments but is very hard to drive, as per the 98 dB sensitivity. It sounds muddy, congested and slow in the bass with a low powered source, but scales beautifully when optimally amped, so those that don’t intend to get an amp best look elsewhere. With power, the KBEAR BElieve does hit about 70% of the technical performance of the famed DUNU LUNA, at 10% of the price! 

@ Sub $100 USD:
HZSound Heart Mirror. Nice mirror like shells, as per its namesake, it is a neutralish bright set, excellent timbre for acoustic instruments. I like how it manages to get a forward upper mids without going into harsh or shouty territory, a very fine line to balance. The Heart Mirror has good transients and speed on the driver. Note weight is thin and soundstage is not the best though, and it needs amping to shine, sounds meh from a smartphone. Good set for vocal lovers and timbre lovers, but maybe not so all rounded due to the lack of bass, but it takes to EQ in the bass like a champ.

Favourite earbud for the year:
SMABAT ST105 Black Gold. Neutralish set with subbass and upper mids boost. If you have always looked down on earbuds for not having subbass, think again. The SMABAT ST10S Black Gold has the best subass quantity and extension I’ve ever heard in a bud. It has excellent technicalities, is MMCX
detachable and can be worn over ears or cable down. It needs amping though, as per the 150 ohm impedance. Not to be mixed up with the SMABAT ST10S Black Silver, which is tuned differently (and has lower impedance).

Best lucky bag/Fukubukuro/Mystery bag:
Urbanfun YBF-ISS014 – it is extremely exciting to see whether u get a beryllium vs “noble metal” driver. Or a working versus wonky mmcx. Even newer batches of the Urbanfun have been reported to have QC problems in the audio forums.The Urbanfun can be summed up in this statement by Forrest Gump: “My Mom Always Said Life Was Like A Box Of Urbanfuns. You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get.”

Best price to peformance joke IEM of the year:
TRN golden ears $14,750.00 USD IEM paired with $3400 USD xiaofan ortiz “king of the gods” cable. Mere mortals cannot hope to use these gear if not you’ll be struck down by lightning! I hope the Bellsing BAs inside are also made of gold!

Biodegraded…Vancouver, Canada

Sorry, from me you get stuff that mostly hasn’t been reviewed. In no particular order; and most aren’t new this year.

Digital transports:
Pi2Design Pi2AES (+ Raspberry Pi)
For streaming (via wifi or Ethernet cable) digital music from your computer, you could go cheap and crap like a Chromecast or Airport, brutally expensive like an all-in-one streamer from Naim or PS Audio, or this $US 149 HAT for a Raspberry Pi which will produce excellent quality AES or S/PDIF digital audio to feed into your audiophile DAC. DIY aesthetic & philosophy, audiophile quality, fantastic convenience once you figure out how to set it up (variety of OS solutions, some better than others).

Amps/Preamps:
Ifi Audio Zen Phono RIAA phono preamp
$US 149 for excellent resolution and transients and the ability to work with a wide range of cartridges. Might benefit from an improved power supply such as Ifi’s own iPower, but my jury remains out on that. Audioreviews summary here.

Amp accessories:
GE JAN 5670W vacuum tube
Cheap and widely available true new-old-stock military-surplus tube that works really well as a 6DJ8/6922 preamp tube substitute (great in the Schiit Vali 2).  Nice tight lows, smooth but detailed mids, sparkly highs. 6922 to 5670 adapter required to translate the I/O pin pattern so nothing blows up.

Headphone accessories:
Yaxi pads for Porta Pro / KSC75 / PX-100
Tastefully boost bass and treble while (on the Kosses) lowering the prominent 5kHz peak. And they’re comfortable! Audioreviews summary here.

IEMs:
Drop/JVC HA-FDX1
Champion single-dynamic earphone with great DD timbre and almost BA-fast transients. Slightly boosted in the uppermost mids, heavy in the ears, intermittent availability, but huge bang-for-buck. Audioreviews summaries here and here (note that Loomis isn’t their greatest fan).

Headphones:
Fostex T50RP Mk3 with cheap angled pads and other mods
Closed or semi-open (depending on how much you stuff the cups) planar magnetic phones that with a little effort (see eg here for ideas) can be made both neutral and extended while retaining deep bass and technicalities. Need amp power to perform.

Players:
USB Audio Player Pro
Gets better with every update. Neutron is more configurable, but unnecessarily so. Put this on your Android phone, plug in a USB DAC/amp, and enjoy great lossless sound quality on the go. Equalizer plugins available. Android only though.

Durwood…Chicago, USA

CCA this year might as well been a lump of coal, it’s only two letters shy of selling your soul. If you want to talk to your boring Uncle Bob, (no offense Bob’s of the world) get yourself an iBasso IT00 or Tin Hifi T2 Plus you knob. Your uncle Bob is the guy who has lots of interesting things to say, but leaves you wondering what did you just listen to today. My only favorites this year were TRN STM who is the punk that your family doesn’t like to talk about and the Shozy Rouge as your killer looking date that likes to party but not shout. Waiting to see if Shozy Form 1.4 is in good form, only thing I decided to buy during the holiday sales storm. BQEYZ Spring 2 was a nice lively upgrade to the BQEYZ Spring 1, but fix that bass man, maybe take some lessons from the Nicehck NX7 Daniel son. Some of my friends from last year are still good folks to have around, Sony MH755, BLON BL03 for sleeping, and TinHifi T4 (I just wish you would hang in my ear longer than a few minutes of sound). Simgot EN700 is a carry over as well. I like a mild V if you can see.

Jürgen Kraus…Calgary, Canada

Blon BL-05s: These are very articulate playing single DDs also appeal to me through their hideous colour. Probably my most used items of the year (together with the JVCs and Shozy Form 1.4 below). Following the footsteps of the popular Blon Bl-03 – the Blon Bl-05s disappeared fast in the big black hole of anti-hype. And for a good reason: they look like the Bl-05, smell like the Bl-05, measure like the Bl-05, but the Bl-05 had been thrown on the market prematurely, and they sucked. The more distinguished audience may have realized that Bl-05 and Bl-05s have different drivers and sound completely different.

Drop JVC HA-FDX01: Hailed as arguably the best single DD on the market until Dunu Luna and Final Audio A8000 took over, this labour of love was originally only available 665 times….which has extended to above 2000 by now while the price dropped to $200. Carryover from 2019. Still my best earphones because of their organic timbre and great resolution.

TRI I3: Planar magnetic. Something totally different. Big and bold sounding yet soothing. Nothing offensive, nothing dull.

Sennheiser IE 400 PRO ($349): The best of their PRO series. Classic Sennheiser quality midrange. Super ergonomics. Nobody will dislike this one.

Shozy Form 1.4 ($199): The Shozy team somehow got their tuning 100% right. The Form 1.4 simply sound appealing to my ears…warm and fuzzy.

Guilty Pleasure: I pull the $70 FiiO FD1 out for the road: nice’n’punchy.

Vision Ears Elysium in the Endgame category. At 2500 EUR hand made by elfs and some Rhine mermaids in Cologne, out of reach for longer than a week (borrowed). Produce vocals better than real life but also melts credit cards. Cymbals as crisp as Swedish bread…

Perversions and Subversions: the Moondrop Spaceship at $20 beats the Moondrop SSR and SSP…less accurate but the better “junk food” for my ears. Moondrop have a history of undercutting their own mid-tier earphones with their budget offerings…we remember the $30 Crescent and the $180 KPE.

Inasmile Cable Protector: Discovery of the year. 20 cents that protect my fraying Apple cables from total breakage.

I still use the Koss PortaPro headphones with Yaxi earpads for video conferencing and listening when I need comfort around my ears. Also great are the Koss KSC75. Grab all of them when you can, they are affordable standard staples. And my standard full-sized cans are still the Sennheiser HD 600.

Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dac/amp dongle ($40): comes at the price of an adapter – but with all possible adapters to connect this little rascal to anything, including iPhones. Good enough to drive any iem. The very best dongles are the $199 EarMen Sparrow run on their balanced output, and the $120 Earstudio HUD100. In terms of larger portable dacs/amps (with integrated battery), I like the $199 ifi Audio Nano BL, the $149 ifi Audio hip-dac, and the $249 EarMen TR-amp. And I don’t think I need a bigger desktop amp.

Question mark of the year: The KBEAR Believe with their Japan sourced Beryllium drivers were too cheap to be true…which was underlined by some competing cheater Be-less Beryllium earphones and doubt seeded by the Dunu competitor. Hey, but the Luna have that Chi-Fi peak…

Personal Disappointment of the year: the continuing Chi-Fi peak between 2 and 4 kHz that kills western eardrums…TRN are leading the charge…the TRN BA8 cuts steel like butter.

Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir…Munich, Germany

I’ve tried and reviewed more stuff this year than ever, and part of it (actually, most of it) is due to the awful home-arrest that we’ve all succumbed too. Hope things get normal soon, sigh.

IEMs: 

Final E500 ($20): This otherwise “cheap/beater” IEM does one thing better than *anything* under $100 – binaural tracks and gaming. At least it did so until its brethren VR3000 came out, but I’m yet to hear that and that’s got a 4x price tag attached to it. People call the Sony MH755 the best value IEMs, for me it’s the Final E500.

Dunu Studio SA6 ($550): This is a great all-rounder IEM. Great bass for an all-BA IEM, the lower-mids are full and organic whereas upper-mids tread the fine line between forwardness and shoutiness. The treble has good amount of sparkle and air. Great design and accessory pack. Really, hard to pick a fault.

Honorable mentions: Final E5000, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Moondrop Blessing 2, Sony IER-M9, Final FI-BA-SS, Dunu Luna

Headphones:

Koss PortaPro X + Yaxi Pads ($40): Just buy one. Don’t be stingy. Thank me later. 

Sennheiser HD650 ($300): The once and forever king. The HD6XX esp is a no-brainer. Scales better than any headphone I’ve tried.

Honorable Mentions: Hifiman Sundara, Focal Clear, Final D8000

DAPs:

Sony NW-A55 ($200): If your primary need is to run efficient IEMs, look no further. Great ergonomics, actually usable UI, good display, fantastic battery life, and then there’s the MrWalkman mod to turn it even more awesome. The only “budget” DAP I recommend. 

Questyle QP1R ($600): Questyle made the QP1R 6 years ago. It’s still one of the best DAPs out there when it comes to overall dynamics.

Honorable mentions: Cowon Plenue V, iBasso DX160, Sony ZX300

Desktop sources:

YULONG Canary II ($230): One of the best budget all-in-ones I’ve come across. Criminally underrated too which is a royal shame.

Questyle CMA-400i ($800): The all-in-one system I ended up with after countless trials and tribulations. Perfectly aligned to my tastes.

Honorable Mentions: iFi Zen Can, Headamp GSX-Mini

And that’s a wrap. Hopefully 2021 brings us better times.

KopiOkaya…Singapore

This year there are 8 of us, thus there are more choices for our readers to choose from.

This year also marked the year of COVID-19…. Meaning, people are staying home longer and more often, thus they can listen to their gears on desktop systems other than portable music players and phones. Fortunately, desktop gears are much better and more affordable now.

Desktop DACs:

Denafrips Ares II (US$700): I don’t own one but my friend do. If you like natural, organic sound with a huge, deep, tall soundstage and don’t mind its higher price tag, look no further… This is it! 

Topping E30 (US$130): A nice warm-neutral DAC. It doesn’t sound as natural, as organic or has a huge soundstage like the Ares II but it offers great audio at an affordable price.

Note: Extremely sensitive to the quality of power supply used. Make sure you power it with something decent like the iFi iPower X.

Desktop Amps:

Yulong Canary II (US$250): This is actually a DAC/Amp with a Class A amplification stage. It posseses a warm-neutral sound signature with lots of low-end drive thanks to the Class A topography. Very good value and performance consider this is both a DAC and an amp! 

Topping L30 (US$140): My current reference amp… If you have noticed, so far I don’t have any balanced amp in my list. When I tune earphones, I never tune them in balanced, simply because if it sounds good in single-ended, it should sound even better in balanced… Well, this is usually the case! The L30 is great (for me) because it has a gain REDUCTION switch for IEMs with high sensitivity… Not many headphone amps have such feature. This is a very neutral, clean and transparent amp that doesn’t colour the sound of the source. That’s all I ask for when tuning earphones.

Portable DAC-Amps:

FiiO BTR5 / Shanling UP4 / EarStudio ES100 MK2 / Qudelix 5K (US$120 or less): I don’t want to decide which is better. To me, each has its pros and cons but my point is… acceptable Bluetooth quality listening is finally here! Almost everybody owns a smartphone these days, so why not use it as a music player? Some of you despise this idea but c’mon… A TOTL DAP still runs slower than my $150 Android phone operating on Android 10.

Earphones:

Etymotic ER4XR (US$350): My reference for tuning hybrid earphones. If you are familiar with Etys you should know their earphones have a near-neutral Diffuse Field Target tuning. The “XR” version has slightly more bass. 

Etymotic ER2XR (US$100): Similar to the ER4XR except this uses a single dynamic instead of balanced armature, thus my reference when I tune dynamic earphones. The ER2XR has more natural timbre and punchier bass than ER4XR. You can forget about Moondrop SSR/SSP if you plan to buy one. This is better.

Note: Etymotic earphones are to be worn deep inside the ear canals touching the bone… #Etyheads call “deep insertion”. This can cause discomfort to first time Etymotic users but you will get used to it eventually… I used to hate it but I am OK with it now.

Headphones:

Singapore is too damn warm for headphones, unless using air-conditioning while listening to music… Sorry, I am too cheap for that. Electricity is expensive here.

Loomis Johnson…Chicago, USA

TRN STM–$20 wunderkind is not, as Durwood aptly states, a purist’s earphone, and it veers towards sounding over-pixilated and artificial. However, it has that certain toe-tapping rightness that keeps me reaching for it over much pricier “audiophile-tuned” pieces. Did I mention it’s $20?

KBEAR Diamond—you can spend a lot more and get a bigger stage or a richer timbre, but this smooth, highly-resolving single DD is awfully refined for the price, with class-leading coherence and premium aesthetics and build.

Cambridge Melomania TWS—they don’t have ANC, EQ customizability or the bells and whistles of their Apple/Samsung peers, and microphone is sub-standard. However, they sound damn good for wireless buds—and are surprisingly good value at <$99. 9 hour battery life a plus.

Honorable Mentions: Shozy Rouge, Shuoer Tape.

Slater…Cincinnati, USA

Slater is short for “See Ya Later”…and you will see him later…

And This Was The Previous Year:

The post Gear Of The Year – Our Personal 2020 Favourites appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Cons — Sizes don’t fit everybody; not cheap.

Distinctive Features: Size definition different from other brands; long-stemmed (2 of the 4 varieties).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Azla SednaEarfit Original Series consist of four varieties of bulbous silicone eartips with wide bores, two of them long stemmed, two short stemmed. The long-stemmed/short stemmed varieties come in regular and light, referring to membrane thickness and therefore comfort. Because of their special features the Azla SednaEarfit Original Series is entirely complementary to other premium brands such as SpinFit.

INTRODUCTION

Azla is an innovative company out of Gangnam, Korea that designs and produces their designs domestically. I had introduce the company in this previous article. Azla SednaEarfit Original Series are wide bore silicone eartips that have been very popular with audiophiles for quite some time. Hard to get outside of Asia in the past, many European and North American users relied on Japanese sources for their supply. Azla kindly sent me a generous amount of SednaEarfit tips over a year ago – and I had ample time testing them. In the meantime, the company has released another kind, the Azla SednaEarfit Xelastec, which will be subject to a future review.

THE FOUR TYPES OF THE ORIGINAL SERIES

Here the four types of AZLA eartips, depicted in size L (14 mm diameter of canopy). They are all wide-bores with identical umbrellas that and come in long stemmed and short stemmed, and with thick membrane (black; “regular”) and thinner membrane (translucent white, “light”).

Here some images that makes these distinctions clear.

PHYSICAL THINGS AND USABILITY

All models have in common that the sizes are unusual. L is 14 mm and ML is 13.3 mm diameter, regular L of most other brands is at 13.5 mm. But: the short-stemmed SednaEarfits have a 4.5 mm inner stem diameters that fits most earphone nozzles – it is the most universal size. The long-stemmed Azlas have an inner diameter of 5.4 mm but fit the same; I wonder whether this is a typo. Also unusual is the shape: all models are equally bulbous. Here the Azla SednaEarfit size chart:

The regular SednaEarfit and SednaEarfit Light further are special in that they are wide-bores with long stems. The long stems work very well with short-nozzles such as in the Blon BL-03, Blon BL-05/Bl-05s, and essentially all Tanchjim iems. There is no other tip design that does that other than the “reversed KZ Starlines“. The short-stemmed varieties work best with – you guessed it – long nozzles, frequently found in Bluetooth earphones.

In contrast, the Spinfits are narrow-bores which takes them out of competition with the Azla: the eartips of both brands are complimentary; one does not replace the other.

The umbrellas shapes between the SednaEarfit Original Series varieties are identical. The principal difference between the Regular and Light models is the membrane thickness: the black Regular ones are thicker, they are probably the sturdiest eartips on the market. I jokingly compare them to plungers (see photo underneath). The thinner Light tips have less tension, they are more supple and excert less pressure on the ear canals, which some may find more comfortable.

TONALITY?

There is no doubt that eartips are one of the the cheapest and effective ways to alter sound towards personal preferences, more so than cables, and both are less finicky than our reversible modding suggestions. However the perceived sonic changes through eartips rely on individual ear-canal shape.

As a rule of thumb, the bulbous shape of all four Azla SednaEarfit Original Series varieties mainly affect and reinforce the low end (for my ears). They solidify, tighten, and firm up the bass and sub-bass which boost its perception tom some extent. Good for improving muddy, softer low ends. This principally also adds volume to deeper voices. The long stemmed types also correct for short nozzles to get basic seal.

The thicker membrane of the regular black varieties probably minimizes in-ear resonance and produces a marginally thicker, fuller bodied low end than the Light varieties that are marginally leaner…in some cases. These differences may be small and perceived differently by different users with their individual ear-canal geometries. Test it for yourself before I start fantasizing too much.

Co-blogger KopiOkaya wrote on the Azla SednaEarfit Original Series in his famous Simplified Guide To IEM Silicone Eartips – make sure your dog is on the leash before I tell you: our most watched blog article – from his personal perspective:

Azla Sedna EarFit (Regular)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: long
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 4
Midrange: 4.5
Treble: 4
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
For long nozzle good midrange
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla Sedna EarFit (Light)
Bore size: wide
Stem length: long
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4
Treble: 3.5
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.25
A “lighter” version of the regular Sedna EarFit. More balanced-sounding overall.
Purchased from Amazon Japan

Azla SednaEarFit (Light) Short
Bore size: wide
Stem length: regular
Feel: sturdy and very firm
Bass: 3.75
Midrange: 4.25
Treble: 3.75
Soundstage: 3.75
Vocal presence: 4.5
A “short-stem” version of SednaEarFitLight. Both nozzles are brought closer to the eardrums thus enhancement in overall clarity and vocal presence, which means stereo image and presentation are slightly more forward.
Purchased from MTMT Audio, Hong Kong

PERSONAL USE

I certainly had a long testing period and these Azla tips have made it permanently on the nozzles of many of my earphones. Note that I don’t use the short varieties permanently, mainly because I don’t have any Bluetooth earphones. Before I go into the nitty gritty, I just list these earphones:

AZLA SEDNAREARFIT

• Blon BL-05
• Blon Bl-05S
• Cambridge Audio SE1
• Fidue A66
• NAD VISO HP20
• Tanchjim Blues
• Tanchjim Cora
• TinHifi T2 Plus
• TRN V90s
• TRN VX

AZLA SEDNAEARFIT SHORT

NA

AZLA SEDNAEARFIT LIGHT

• Blon BL-03
• B&W C5 Series 2
• Cozoy Hera C103
• LKER I8

AZLA SEDNAEARFIT LIGHT SHORT

NA

In summary, I mostly used the regular black original ones – and wonder whether the coincides with the general purchasing pattern.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The Azla SednaEarfit Original Series silicone tips belong into every earphone enthusiast’s toolbox. Yes, they don’t come cheap, just start with small amounts…if they are not sold out right now. The main difference is not between the Regular and Light varieties but between the long-stemmed and short-stemmed ones. It appears that the long-stemmed SednaEarfit tips, Regular or Light, are more universally deployable, as they specifically target short earphone nozzles.

Until next time…keep on listening!

Contact us!

DISCLAIMER

The SednaEarfit Original Series silicone eartips were kindly supplied – and int generous amounts – by Azla in Gangnam, Korea. I thank them very much, also for their patience.

Find more information on the Azla SednaEarfit Original Series on the Azla Product Page.

Our generic standard disclaimer.

About my measurements.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

PHOTOGRAPHY…

The post Azla SednaEarfit Original Series Eartips Review – Take The Plunge, Gangnam Style appeared first on Music For The Masses.

The answer will surprise you…it also surprised me.

AZLA SednaEarfit eartips out of Gangnam, Seoul, are very popular in Asia. In the west, audiophiles put in great efforts to order them from Japan. Only recently have they been available in North America on amazon.com: 2 pairs for $14.99 plus tax. The question is: are they worth their price? My answer from a consumer’s perspective: I didn’t know when starting this article but there is a definitive and somewhat surprising answer. Be aware: this article is not about value (quality for the cost). I have yet to test the SednaEarfits extensively in real life situations to comment on that. No, this article is about the research & development and production cost that went into the eartips, which may cause their price to be high.

When Apple introduced their iphone in mid 2007, they also released accessories, for example a fitting case. Many of these accessories probably cost pennies to produce and sold at $30-40 each. A cash cow for the company. Printer manufacturers sell their hardware cheaply knowing that the consumer relies on their proprietary ink cartridges. You quickly put ink for several hundred $$$ into a $89 printer. When you count your cartridges, a litre of ink cost you somewhere around $3500. That’s insane. Nevertheless it appears that we consumers have been brainwashed enough to accept these crazy prices for accessories.

Then came aliexpress, gearbest etc. who offered such accessories at a fraction of the price of the original. Admittedly, I have yet to find an iphone case that is as good as the “brandnames” in the Apple store, but hey, they are typically good enough. And then these Asian sellers started carrying earphones, now dubbed Chi-Fi, that rose from cheap and crappy to good and still reasonably priced. These Chi-Fi products were accompanied by manufacturers supplying accessories and eartips. While many of these are no-name, two eartips manufacturers in particular have made a name for themselves. One of them, SpinFit, out of Taiwan, provides a variety of nicely coloured and swivelling narrow bores, which have been widely available around the world for some time. The other, more cryptic one, is Azla out of Korea (ok, there is also JVC with their Spiral Dots…).

I had approached AZLA and asked them for some review “samples” [I guess you can call an eartip a “sample”] and received a pair of each of their four different designs [in M and ML]…I am lazy and have not done much with them yet. But I had the chance to communicate with the company’s founder Ashulley. And he gave me a bit of inside which I would like to repeat in my own words.

Ashulley used to work for Iriver and was involved in establishing Astell&Kern. After some local industry shifts, he left and established his own business in 2014. He spent some time researching until he had developed the first AZLA earphone in 2017 — and the first SednaEarfit tips simultaneously.

For the development of the AZLA earphones, almost 800 molds of Koreans between 17 and 53 were collected. The earphones were developed based on this dataset. The simultaneously developed SednaEarfits are based on 33 metal molds. The production process for the tips is complex and elaborate, and only high-quality materials are used. The total initial investment was in the hundreds of thousands of $$$ before one item was sold. The SednaEarfits and all other AZLA products are exclusively produced in Korea. “Made in Korea” is probably as pricy as production in the USA or Germany…and certainly much higher than in China (even German manufacturer Sennheiser produces some of their gear in China). SednaEarfit are the only tips manufactured in Korea.

The ultimate goal was to produce a good product, claims Ashulley.

The result: SednaEarfits are so popular that they are almost always sold out. People praise them and the discrepancy of high request and short supplies resulted in a cult status among earphone aficionados. Chinese dealers and Hong Kong and Japanese distributors soak up the stock so that the SednaEarfits are constantly on back order — and only the fewest make it out of Asia. And word went around with premium earphone manufacturers so that you may find some SednaEarfits bundled with your latest purchase.

In summary, the price of the SednaEarfits is dictated by high R&D costs in a high-price production environment (which produced a prosperous, democratic society). And to cut a long story shore, the price of the SednaEarfit IS JUSTIFYING ITSELF as the stock is permanently sold out. The customer spoke. Bingo!

Oh, and I owe you my listening impressions with the SednaEarfits…and whether “Made in Korea” tips harmonize with my “Made in Germany” ears…maybe I should send Ashully an imprint of my flappers. Sound impressions coming later in the season. Co-blogger KopiOkaya claims the SednaEarfits work particularly well with the Tinaudio/Tin Hifi T2…will have to test that.

Keep on listening!

FURTHER READING

Tweaking Tips – A Simplified Guide To IEM Silicone Eartips by KopiOkaya (2020-03-24)

Announcing The Premium Eartips Project by Jürgen Kraus (2019-10-01)

The Flip Tip: Creating Big Widebore Tips From Reversing Starlines by Slater (2019-09-16)

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

The post The Iconic AZLA SednaEarfit Silicon Tips – Is Their Price Justified? appeared first on Music For The Masses.

Ok, there are also foams as alternative to silicone tips. Foams seal better but I personally don’t like them as they suck life out of the sound for my ears. Suum cuique…

Some earphones come with a healthy selection of carefully selected eartips, others don’t. The latter may include a company’s standard selection of tips, regardless of whether these combinations sound good and/or fit well or not. And if it does not in many cases, the whole earphone underperforms. What a pity. In order to unlock the full capacity of an earphone, aficionados swear on “tip rolling” that is fitting different tips in search of the optimal sound.

One can buy third-party tips on the internet, some really cheaply such as the famous “Starline” tips. Most of these cheaper tips are narrow bores, and the fewest of them look attractive. Yes, some people treat their earphones, especially their expensive ones, like jewelry, and functionality alone may not please them. A $$$ earphone that has a visual bottleneck at the nozzles may not be good enough. Those may choose both a fancy looking cable and fancy looking eartips.

After having been skeptical and deterred by the price, I recently started purchasing some premium eartips, starting with JVC Spiral Dots, Ostrys, and SpinFits. By coincidence, Spinfit supplied me with a few free review units on top of it, and so did Azla. Azla is a rather cryptic company that distributes their stuff exclusively in Asia. Their eartips come recommended by my Asian colleagues.

As was established above, narrow-bore tips and wide-bore tips do different things to the sound perception. The SpinFits and the Ostrys are narrow-bores, the JVC Spiral Dots and the Azla are wide-bores: apples and oranges. But apart from sound, the Spinfits also target an improved fit to correct for poor nozzle angles. In order to test the advantages of premium tips over stock tips, apples and apples and oranges and oranges will have to be compared: this means similar shapes and bores in all cases. A comparison of premium narrow-bores with premium-wide bores is futile.

In some future earphone reviews as well as dedicated strip reviews, I will compare compare compare: stock tips with premiums, premiums with premiums, etc. for a statistically sound sample size in order to come up with general and specific observations and interpretations.

The fundamental question is: are premium earphones generally “better”, is their high(er) price universally justified. Should we or shouldn’t we?

Rest assured, the answers will not be as clear-cut as you may think.

Until next time…keep on listening!

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You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

FURTHER READING

Tweaking Tips – A Simplified Guide To IEM Silicone Eartips by KopiOkaya (2020-03-24)

The Iconic AZLA SednaEarfit Silicon Tips – Is Their Price Justified? by Jürgen Kraus (2019-12-22)

The Flip Tip: Creating Big Widebore Tips From Reversing Starlines by Slater (2019-09-16)

The post Announcing The Premium Eartips Project appeared first on Music For The Masses.

In May 2019 I came up with an idea that I had never seen anywhere before. It involved turning a KZ Starline silicone eartip inside out, in what I dubbed the “Flip Tip”. The process is very easy, and (other than a pair of Starline eartips) only involves a few tools you have around the house.

TOOLS NEEDED

To perform this mod, simply get something with a round shaft that goes through the core of the eartip, but also has a large head on it. I’ve had success using a screw, a nail, and a golf tee.

THE PROCESS

Here, the process is demonstrated using a screw:

1. Insert the screw through the bottom of the Starline eartip.

2. Now pull down on the screw, which pulls the center of the eartip core inside out.

3. Once the core is inside out, you want to pull the eartip skirt down around the eartip core, like the top of an unbrella. You can do it with your fingers, or using something like the screwdriver shown in the next photo.

4. The surface of the ‘flipped tip’ is made of a stickier silicone than the normal surface of the eartip. This alllows the eartip to grip the skin of your ear better, but it also attracts dust. Simply clean the dust off using a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth (such as micro fiber).

RESULT

This is what the ready inverted eartip looks like. Pull it carefully off the screwdriver’s head…and bingo!

When the 2 ear tips are placed side by side, you can see that the flip tip is different in 3 ways:

A. The center core of the flip tip is longer than the stock Starline tip. This is particularly useful to use on earphones that have short or stubby nozzles.
B. The flip tip has a wider bore at the top, like the bell of a horn. This will allow the flip tip to sound different than the normal Starline tip.
C. The flip tip has a slightly wider profile, allowing a more secure fit in some ears vs the stock Starline tips.

The final shape reminds me of the shape of Comply foam tips. And the soft and sticky silicone feels very similar to Sony Hybrid tips.

The flip tips are very comfortable to wear. They seal well and the stickier silicone material grips the ear and stays in place. I also found that the flip tips do not need to be inserted as deeply as a regular Starline tips to get the same tight seal. Because of this, the flip tips should increase the maximum time you can comfortably wear your earphones.

Of course, depending on individual ear shape and size, YMMV.

FURTHER READING

Tweaking Tips – A Simplified Guide To IEM Silicone Eartips by KopiOkaya (2020-03-24)

The Iconic AZLA SednaEarfit Silicon Tips – Is Their Price Justified? by Jürgen Kraus (2019-12-22)

Announcing The Premium Eartips Project by Jürgen Kraus (2019-10-01)

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

The post The Flip Tip: Creating Big Widebore Tips From Reversing Starlines appeared first on Music For The Masses.