Song:
Take Me To Church by Hoizer Genre: Alternative, Indie-Pop
The Challenges in This Song:
The song features a complex arrangement of vocals, piano, and drums, making it challenging for IEMs to deliver clear and balanced sound across all frequencies.
Source Chain:
The song was listened to using Apple Music’s lossless format from a laptop and was powered by a DAC/AMP from SMSL M300 MKIII.
Comparison:
1st Place: IKKO Asgard OH5
The IKKO Asgard OH5 came out as the clear winner in this comparison, delivering a very natural sound. All ranges, from lows to mids to treble, were present and well-balanced, and “clipping” was less pronounced compared to other IEMs. The OH5 also boasts great layers, with a clean snare drum and detailed choir.
2nd Place: AudioSense DT600
The AudioSense DT600 took second place, delivering a smaller stage with a reverberation effect. The bass drum was very present and gave great support to the song. Although “clipping” was similarly pronounced as in the 7Hz IEM, the DT600 still managed to make listening to the song a fun experience.
3rd Place: IKKO Obsidian OH10
The IKKO Obsidian OH10 came in third place, offering an open presentation of the piano and male vocals. The room was huge and you could hear different distances from the microphone. The background vocals were clear and layered, and the drum set was there but not in the main focus.
4th Place: 7Hz Timeless
The 7Hz Timeless IEM took fourth place, with a very present male vocal and a huge “churchy” room impression. The bass drum was present but not very obvious, and “clipping” was close to pronounced.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the IKKO Asgard OH5 stood out as the absolute winner in this comparison, delivering a natural and well-balanced sound across all frequencies. However, all four IEMs had their own unique sound and technicalities, making it a matter of personal preference. Regardless of the ranking, all four IEMs delivered a good listening experience for Hoizer’s Take Me To Church.
More of my Heavy Test Songs for Headphones and IEMs you can find here on Apple Music.
Join me on Instagram and let’s share our journey towards discovering the ultimate Hi-Res IEMs. Let’s compare notes and find our endgame together! You can also check out My Ultimate Guide to Affordable In-Ear Monitors in 2023 (Including IKKO Asgard OH5).
If you’d like to check more songs where I did A-B tests with my IEMs, you can find the post here.