What exactly is the “new Meta?”
The in-ear monitor market has undergone rapid and continuous changes over the past decade, with more and more brands and manufacturers entering the scene. Over the past couple years we’ve seen a general shift increasingly toward target-based tuning approaches. This has, without a doubt, resulted in better and more affordable choices being released year after year. However, what constitutes the “perfect” target has always remained a contentious topic—this remains true to this day.
The introduction of more precise (and not surprisingly, expensive) measurement systems, particularly the B&K 5128, has sparked renewed efforts to establish a universal tuning standard for headphones and IEMs, culminating in the emergence of the JM-1 target in 2024 which aims to represent the population average anatomical baseline (DF HRTF) for IEMs. Whether this truly represents the “new neutral,” or not, this target has been christened the “new meta” tuning and manufacturers have been very quick to adopt this target and it has been a lucrative trend to follow.
But what does this all even mean?
One thing that must be noted is that the JM-1 target is not necessarily a rigid target curve but rather, it serves as a calibration baseline with range of preference bounds. Unlike speakers, where it is almost unanimously recognized that a flat frequency response is neutral, the variance of individual ear canal anatomy makes a single neutral target curve nigh impossible to achieve. Thus preference bounds are used to account for HRTF differences person to person.
The actual “new meta” target tuning sits roughly in the center of this preference range, serving more as a reference point than a magical target. That said, regardless of what the latest and greatest tuning target is at any given time, in ear monitors don’t necessarily need to follow this curve precisely to deliver excellent sound. There is a very wide range of preferences across the population, influenced by both anatomical differences, musical tastes, personal preference, etc.
Needless to say, IEM tuning preferences vary considerably and the JM-1 target is, in this reviewer’s opinion, best used as a good starting point and a neutral benchmark. And just like not everyone likes or wants a perfectly flat pair of speakers, not everyone is looking for a perfectly neutral set of IEMs.
Preceding the JM-1 target, the “it” target was Harman 2019 target. Manufacturers and reviewers commonly applied “Harman-tuned” label to any IEM that had a prominent mid-range and an elevated bass shelf (often limited to the sub-bass region). While Harman was adopted as the golden standard, some found it be shouty and lacking body, while others loved it. There have also been a wide variety of personal frequency response preferences shared by prominent reviewers, each featuring slightly different personal target curves that further illustrates the individuality of IEM preferences.
In the end, the JM-1 meta or the “new meta” should probably be seen as a good starting point rather than being seen as the end-all-be-all in frequency response target.
With this out of the way, as someone who values neutrality in sound very highly, the trend towards the JM-1 target has been a very exciting development for me and many of my favorite IEMs of all time fall within the preference bounds of the JM-1 target. Anyone new to IEMs or anyone looking for a benchmark reference IEM might want to look into this new wave of JM-1 tuned IEMs.
Notable New Meta IEMs:
Here are some of the more notable, recent examples of new meta IEMs (in order of when I received them):
DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinci ($299)
Warm and rich – but for some might be a bit too warm. Timmy’s DaVinci offers a warmer take on new meta tuning, essentially the opposite of the DUSK’s crisp and lean signature.
Bass: Elevated with satisfying body and fullness that lingers longer than the DUSK’s snappy response. While enjoyable and “fun” with decent oomph, it lacks DUSK’s precision and definition. Notable bloom and reduced articulation from longer decay, but avoids sounding smeared or bloated.
Midrange: Exceptionally well-tuned and satisfying with warmer presentation due to bass-to-mids transition. Natural tonality without disrupting enjoyment. Less clarity and detail than the DUSK but more consistent and smooth making it suitable for long listening sessions.
Treble: Despite appearing elevated on measurements, integrates well with the warmer character. Tasteful crispness without sharpness that imparts good definition.
Technical Capabilities: Competent but unremarkable across all aspects – soundstage, imaging, resolution, and layering are adequate for its price. Less precise imaging and articulation than the DUSK with occasional instrument blending, but bests the DUSK in richness and timbre.
Fit and Finish: Chunky but less problematic than the DUSK with no wings or curves. May cause fitment issues affecting security rather than comfort. Build quality and accessories are excellent as expected from DUNU.
MoonDrop x Crinacle DUSK ($399)
Buy Here:
The Hangout
Amazon US
Crisp, clean, and incisive – but compromised by DSP. Crinacle’s DUSK represents excellent new meta tuning but has a major dealbreaker: it requires MoonDrop’s FreeDSP cable to achieve proper JM-1 curve adherence, tying users to that cable or requiring PEQ.
Bass: Exceptionally tactile with elevated but tasteful quantity. Strong transient attack produces tight, responsive notes, though decay feels unnaturally quick. Those wanting more substantial bass shelf might consider the Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci instead.
Midrange: Very clean and reveals nuances but has a cooler tonality. Acoustic instruments and vocals lack natural warmth but electric guitars benefit from the clarity.
Treble: Well-controlled but bright-leaning. Can make cymbals distracting with poor recordings and occasionally sounds brittle, making it less forgiving of poorly recorded tracks.
Technical Performance: Commendably technical with good soundstage width and natural depth. Precise imaging and excellent layering reveal details effortlessly, competing with much more expensive IEMs.
Fit and Finish: Large shell that might not work for smaller ears. Build quality seems almost identical to previous Moondrop resin IEMs.
Hisenior Mega5-EST ($549)
Buy Here:
The Hangout
Amazon US
The OG with impeccable mid-range tuning held back by subpar bass response. Interestingly enough, the Mega5-EST precedes practically all other JM-1 tuned IEMs by a good amount. It was originally marketed as an Harman-tuned IEM but incidentally more closely follows the JM-1 target than the Harman target.
Bass: The bass shelf of the Mega5-EST is slightly elevated almost completely falling within the boundaries of the JM-1 preference curves (albeit near the top). There is very little in the way of impact and tightness. If bass impact and texture is something you index heavily on, you would be better off looking at any of the other IEMs on this list.
Mids: Exceptionally well tuned. Strikes a good balance of clarity and richness. The standout feature of this IEM. Very natural sounding with good richness and warmth without any smearing. Good definition and cleanliness without sounding clinical.
Treble: Mostly great but some might find upper treble peaks that can affect cymbal timbre. Not a deal breaker by any means.
Technical Capabilities: Par for course for this price range – competent but not standout. Not quite as technically capable as the DUSK, but a step up above the DaVinci if ever so slightly. Timbre is better than both the DUSK and the DaVinci. But the bass response is arguably the least appealing of these three so far (this was the dealbreaker for me).
Fit and Finish: Excellent fit – very comfortable, modest sized shells – which is surprising given the number of drivers in these earphones. Solid build quality with little to fault.
Ziigaat Lush ($179)
A budget entry that does punches above its weight. Ziigaat, being one of LinSoul’s growing portfolio of sub-brands, is known for releasing new IEMs every other day. The Lush is one of their most affordable models but is also the model that is closest to the JM-1 target, taking a more laidback tuning approach but does so commendably.
Bass: Tasteful bass shelf that imparts a pleasant bass response. It’s not incredibly tactile or tight, nor is it overly blooming and smoothed over. For a lack of better words it’s pretty close to hitting the sweet spot as far as bass tuning. Not much to fault for the price.
Mids: Neutral tuning with a slightly laid-back presentation. Strikes a good balance between clarity and warmth. Vocals and instruments sound basically just right.
Treble: Laidback without notable peaks or recesses. Largely inoffensive but some might find that there is a touch of forwardness in the lower treble in comparison to the more laidback nature of the midrange.
Technical Capabilities: Decent texture but not incredibly incisive. Smaller stage but decent instrument separation. Strikes a good balance between clarity and coherence. It does very little to offend and enough to keep it interesting.
Fit and Finish: Fit is fine but finish is not. Cheap plastic shell and driver flex to boot. In a nutshell, feels like a $20 IEM in terms of build but many $20 IEMs I’ve owned have come with better included accessories. That said, you probably aren’t buying this IEM for the accessories or build – the sound does make it worth it in my opinion.
KiwiEars Astral ($299)
Another Linsoul entry – the Astral clearly follows the JM-1 target with one major caveat – there is a huge peak in the upper treble region that may or may not be a dealbreaker for some (particularly those sensitive to that region).
Bass: Surprisingly tactile and textured bass with very well defined transient attack on bass hits. It is an elevated bass that many will find satisfying but some might find excessive. Notably similar in presentation to DUSK with a smidge less warmth.
Mids: Very clean, and like the DUSK, leans almost clinical. Very good clarity here but like with the DUSK, this may lend to the midrange lacking a bit of richness.
Treble: For the most part, treble is well controlled but there is a very large peak in the upper treble region that can add a notable sparkle and airiness which can be fun if not coming off as slightly unnatural.
Technical Capabilities: Very good clarity, instrument separation, and stage. Where the Dusk may have come off as a bit brittle at times, the Astral does that even more – so in this sense, I might prefer the DUSK DSP sonically but it does come in at $100 less and doesn’t require DSP.
Fit and Finish: Finish is great – build quality is good, with a solidly built shell and good included kit with plenty of eartips and a good cable. Fit is hit or miss – very deep IEMs and if you have shallower ear canals or concha, these may stick out noticeably which can make for awkward fit.
Crinears Meta ($249)
Possibly the most hyped IEM of 2025 – the one we’ve all been waiting for and the inaugural release from Crinacle. Does most things well but the treble may be a dealbreaker for many. Unfortunately the treble made this almost offensive sounding to me – but don’t let this deter you from trying one if you have the chance, because my tastes may differ from yours.
Bass: Fun bass – incisive, bouncy, textured. I would consider this bass boosted but tastefully so. There are those that would find the bass excessive but it’s very fun and carries a visceral punch that many will enjoy.
Mids: Simply excellent. Very well tuned, strikes a nearly perfect balance of clarity and emotion.
Treble: The aspect of this IEM that will make or break it for a potential owner. There is a forwardness/imbalance in the treble that imparts an incredibly metallic character to nearly every instrument/voice that never sounds quite right. The big caveat here is that it seems like this doesn’t affect everyone as there are many fans of this IEM. It’s a commendable first entry for the most exciting new brand on the market.
Technical Capabilities: Wide stage, good instrument separation, very clear. But there is a zing to the sound that kind of makes it sound digital and unnatural.
Fit and Finish: Excessively good. Seriously. There are multiple thousand dollar IEMs that don’t feel nearly as premium and aren’t kitted out as well. Fits incredibly well, and the metal shell and faceplate exudes quality. Kudos to Crinacle for putting this together. I’m glad it sold out and validated the market – paving the way for future IEMs to come (including the Daybreak which I absolutely love).
Crinears DayBreak ($169)
Buy Here:
Amazon US
Linsoul
TheHangout
A step forward for the new meta and possibly the best bang for the buck available today – many consider this a new benchmark IEM and I agree. Slightly V-shaped take on the new meta. Very clean sound – very neutral. A great reference IEM.
Bass: While not as snappy as the Meta, it is very close. Incisive transient attack that imparts a decently physical punch.
Mids: Very well tuned. Like the Mega5-EST, strikes a good balance of clarity and richness. Very natural sounding with good richness and warmth, leaning slightly towards the clinical but not overly so.
Treble: Definitely some coloration and slightly north of neutral here but unlike the Meta, it’s not offensive at all. This adds a bit of satisfying crispness to the sound signature that can be very exciting. There is a resonance that some might find annoying but this can be alleviated very easily with eartip rolling (this reviewer highly recommends the KBEear 4540 aka Coffee Tips)
Technical Capabilities: Punches above it’s price bracket. Perhaps a step below DUSK but more natural sounding in comparison. Good stage, good instrument separation and imaging. Good clarity and definition.
Fit and Finish: Coming it at more than $100 less than the Meta, it’s not surprising that it is a step down here but overall the fit is excellent (nearly the same as the Meta), build quality is comparable to many IEMs in the $500 price range, included accessories are excellent. Nothing to fault here and for the price, it’s frankly very impressive.
Nicehck Rockies ($499)
Buy Here:
The Hangout
The black horse – no one expected this release, and definitely not from this brand – mostly known for aftermarket cables and flathead earbuds. Gorgeous IEMs that essentially fix the Mega5-EST biggest drawback – bass is not lifeless. Rich mids and smooth presentation with good sparkle.
Bass: When I first listened to the Mega5-EST, I loved most things about it but couldn’t get past the lifeless bass response. While the bass shelf on the Rockies is slightly less elevated than the Mega5-EST, it comes off as much more physical and bouncy. That said, it’s not quite as textured or tactile as some of the other IEMs on this list but it is sufficiently satisfying with good amount of weight.
Mids: Like the Mega5-EST, mids on the Rockies is exceptionally well tuned, striking a good balance of clarity and richness. Very natural sounding with good richness and warmth. Perhaps a bit more clarity than the Mega5-EST as well.
Treble: This is the aspect of this IEM that will make or break it for most people. Notable coloration and elevation here that some might find detracts from the excellent midrange tuning – this is more apparent on certain tracks more so than others. There is a surprising bite to the sound signature that brings strings to life – for example with violins. If you are sensitive to treble, in particular lower treble, you may want to try this before committing to a purchase.
Technical Capabilities: Perhaps a step above the Mega5-EST, which is to say pretty good. Similar to the Mega5-EST, the overall presentation is smooth and coherent and natural but with a bit more sparkle and air.
Fit and Finish: Beautiful faceplates and a similarly beautiful presentation with perhaps one of the most impressive unboxing experiences available – living up to the flagship distinction in the Nicehck lineup. Fit is not completely stable, however, as there are no contours or wings to to help them sit more firmly within the concha.
Truthear Pure ($89)
Buy Here:
Amazon US
A direct sequel to the well-received Hexa, the Pure is what I would consider to be the new benchmark in IEMs. It also happens to be the cheapest way to get a taste of the “new meta.” According to our friend Griffin over at Headphones.com (widely known as Listener), the Pure is “the only [IEM] that actually follows the theory of JM-1 properly” given the bass and the treble are not egregiously elevated in comparison to the midrange tuning.
Bass: This is where the Hexa fell short for me. When I first heard the Hexa, I found the mids and treble to be excellent but the bass was disjointed, slow, and uncontrolled, ruining what could have been one of my favorite IEMs of all time. Thankfully the Pure does not have this problem. Looking at the frequency responses of both IEMs, the Pure fills in the 80hz to 600hz region ever so slightly, but this extra emphasis in this mid-to-upper bass region imparts a good amount of weight, authority, and punch – something the Hexa lacked completely. At the same time, the bass is not excessively elevated. I find that this adds a pleasant warmth to the overall sound signature.
Mids: Mids on the Pure are excellent – there is a good amount of clarity here. Overall instruments are well defined and natural sounding without any jarring peaks or dips. Smooth, pleasant, lush sounding.
Treble: The Pure takes a different approach than practically all of the other “meta” IEMs. Many IEM manufacturers have intentionally turned up the treble to impart an increased sense of sparkle and air, which can make them sound more “impressive” or more detailed. But this can often detract from how natural and correct they sound. This is certainly the case with practically all of the other “meta” IEMs to date. The treble response on the Pure is the darkest on this list. But this, as our Griffin will be quick to point out, is exactly what makes the Pure follow the philosophy of the “new meta” most closely. Overall the treble here is smooth and unoffensive, never detracting from the excellent midrange.
Technical Capabilities: This is not the most technically “impressive” sounding on this this list, but it does the job well. Decently wide stage with good instrument separation – enough to not feel overly congested. Good enough initial attack on notes to keep things interesting. The Pure doesn’t push perceived “details” to the forefront, yet it never feels lacking in this regard.
Fit and Finish: Nearly identical in build quality and kit as the Hexa but with what I consider to be an improved cable. The metal faceplate on resin shell feels nice in hand and aesthetically it looks great. Fit may or may not be an issue – the shell is very small and the shape may not conform well with all ears. You may need to experiment with different eartips to help increase fit security if you have issues maintaining proper seal.
Making the Right Choice
These new meta IEMs are excellent starting points for newcomers to the in-ear monitor hobby. Due to the emphasis on preference bounds, the JM-1 tuning likely will appeal to average listener preferences, making any of these options solid recommendations for first-time buyers.
For experienced listeners with existing collections, these IEMs offer valuable additions rather than complete replacements and may help further hone personal preferences. So without further ado here is my subjective ranking of these IEMs (take these with a grain of salt as your preferences may differ).
Subjective Rankings
- Nicehck Rockies ($499)
Rich mids with sparkly treble and great techs
Buy Here:
The Hangout - Truthear Pure ($89)
Warm leaning, rich mids with a bass and treble response that don’t distract. “Pure” is an apt name in this case.
Buy Here:
Amazon US - Crinear Daybreak ($169)
Slightly V take on the new meta but overall very clean and neutral sounding
Buy Here:
Amazon US
Linsoul
TheHangout - Ziigaat Lush ($179)
Laidback and inoffensive – very easy to listen to – very chilled out take on the new meta
Buy Here:
Amazon US
Linsoul - DUNU x Gizaudio DaVinci ($299)
Warm, and lush take on the new meta
Buy Here:
Hifigo
Amazon US - Kiwiears Astral ($299)
Very clean, very precise with very good air
Buy Here:
Amazon US
Linsoul - MoonDrop x Crinacle DUSK ($399)
Very clean, very precise, very textured and contrasty with the caveat that the best sound requires DSP
Buy Here:
The Hangout
Amazon US - Hisenior Mega5-EST ($549)
Great mids, and very smooth, but bass is
Buy Here:
The Hangout
Amazon US - Crinears Meta ($299)
Discontinued
Honorable Mention
Josh over at Prisma Audio is working hard to release the Light Series of flagship IEMs. The Lumen and Lux duo of IEMs embody the philosophy of the “new meta” very closely and likely will be the first flagship level new meta IEMs available. Full disclaimer, I have not personally heard these yet so I can’t rank them. I will likely, when the finance stars align, be picking one of the two up.
