Intro:
In the world of audio gear, In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) are highly sought after for their portability and high-quality sound. In this post, I’ll be comparing the sound quality of four different IEMs using Falling in Reverse‘s “Voices in My Head” as a reference track. The IEMs tested are the IKKO Obsidian OH10, 7Hz Timeless, IKKO Asgard OH5, and AudioSense DT600.
Song:
Falling in Reverse’s “Voices in My Head” is a high-energy rock song that features fast-paced drums, powerful guitar riffs, and emotive vocals. This song is a great test track for IEMs as it showcases a variety of elements that can challenge even the best audio gear.
Genre:
Falling in Reverse is a rock band that falls under the post-hardcore and metalcore genres. “Voices in My Head” showcases their aggressive style and musical prowess, making it a great test track for IEMs.
The Challenges in This Song:
The fast-paced drums, powerful guitar riffs, and emotive vocals in “Voices in My Head” can challenge IEMs in a few ways. For one, the song demands a high level of accuracy in reproducing the different instruments and vocals. Secondly, the song’s loudness changes frequently, requiring IEMs to be able to handle sudden spikes in volume. Finally, the song’s fast tempo can test an IEM’s ability to produce clear, punchy bass.
Source Chain:
For this comparison, I used my laptop as the source and played the song through Apple Music’s lossless format. The IEMs were powered by the Topping E70 and Topping L70 amplifiers.
Comparison:
1st Place: IKKO Obsidian OH10
The IKKO Obsidian OH10 takes the top spot in this comparison, offering a well-defined sound with excellent separation of all instruments and vocals. The OH10 also produces great impact in the high pitch, making your head move with the music. The drums are very well-defined and the depth of sound is the best of all the IEMs tested.
2nd Place: 7Hz Timeless
The 7Hz Timeless offers a very engaging sound that can sometimes be a little muddy. Despite this, the sub-bass is very impressive and makes for a great short listening session. The loudness drops and raises in the song are amazing and the sound is very direct.
3rd Place: IKKO Asgard OH5
The IKKO Asgard OH5 impressed me with its close and intimate vocal presentation. Although it didn’t have the same level of differentiation in sound as the OH10, it was still highly detailed and well-controlled. The vocals in particular were nicely close to the ears, making them easy to follow along with.
4th Place: AudioSense DT600
The AudioSense DT600 held its own with its nicely executed vocals that were close to the ears and more controlled compared to the 7Hz Timeless. However, the bass was a bit laid-back and didn’t have the same impact as the 7Hz Timeless. Additionally, the loudness jumps were not as intense. Despite these shortcomings, the DT600 was still a solid choice for single voices.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the IKKO Obsidian OH10 took first place with its outstanding ability to create depth and separation, while the 7Hz Timeless came in second with its engaging sound and direct presentation. The IKKO Asgard OH5 and the AudioSense DT600 rounded out the top four, each offering its own unique strengths.
More of my Heavy Test Songs for Headphones and IEMs can be found here on Apple Music.
I invite you to join me on Instagram and 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) for even more recommendations and insights.
If you’re interested in more songs where I did A-B tests with my IEMs, you can find them in this post.
