The Best IEMs We’ve Tested In 2025

2025 was a standout year for Chi-Fi audio, particularly in the in-ear monitor space. With what felt like a new release every fortnight, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that good earphones are getting cheaper and cheap earphones are getting genuinely good. No matter your budget or sonic preference, there was almost certainly an IEM released this year that catered to it.

Over the past year, we reviewed IEMs from a wide range of brands and configurations, from humble single dynamic driver setups to more complex hybrid and tribrid designs. Below are five of our top picks from 2025, spanning multiple price points and sound signatures.

It’s worth noting that this list is limited to IEMs we’ve personally reviewed over the year, and as with any audio gear, these impressions are shaped by our own preferences, sources, and listening habits. Your experience may vary.

Let’s start with the first IEM on the list.

Juzear Defiant

The Juzear Defiant is a collaboration with Zeos from Z Reviews, featuring a hybrid configuration with a single dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. The first thing that stands out about the Defiant is its striking design. The resin shells and CNC-milled faceplates, accented with polished nickel, are paired with Juzear’s Flare cable in matching purple-blue candy tones, resulting in a visually cohesive and premium-looking package.

Sound-wise, the Juzear x Z Reviews Defiant goes for a clean, mildly V-shaped tuning with a relaxed and laid-back presentation. It is a safe and versatile sound signature that works well across most genres. At around 100USD, the Defiant delivers strong value through its packaging, build quality, and sound, making it one of the better deals in Chi-Fi this year.

Hangout Audio x Ziigaat Odyssey 2

Second on the list is another collaboration, this time with Hangout Audio. Crinacle, who runs Hangout Audio, has mentioned that one of his team members took the lead on tuning. The result is a familiar driver configuration of 1DD+3BA but with upgraded components and a refreshed tuning approach.

The second generation Odyssey features aluminium alloy shells and a complete set of accessories, including a modular cable with a 4.4mm termination option, though the cable itself is fairly plain. In terms of sound, it adopts a clean, neutral tuning inspired by the Harman curve, with a tasteful bass lift and some emphasis in the upper mids.

The Odyssey 2 does not aim to impress in any single frequency range. Instead, it delivers a coherent, well-balanced listening experience that works comfortably across a wide range of music genres. Much like the Defiant, it excels through consistency rather than standout traits.

7Hz x Crinacle Diablo

Yes, another collaboration but I assure you it’s the last one on this list. The 7Hz x Crinacle Diablo is not just another re-tuned release of the popular 7Hz Timeless. It represents years of development to create a new-generation 14.5mm planar magnetic driver. The result is a twin release in the form of the Divine and the Diablo, which share the same driver but differ in tuning philosophy.

The Diablo is very much the bass-accented option of the two. Its low end is substantially elevated, yet the overall tuning just about avoids tipping fully into aggressive V-shaped territory. There is still a sense of midrange presence, while the treble remains controlled rather than sharp or fatiguing.

It retains the familiar planar texture in both the bass and upper frequencies, but without the harshness or metallic edge that plagued earlier generations of planar IEMs. For those who enjoy a more fun, bass-forward presentation without sacrificing overall coherence, the Diablo stands out as one of the more interesting planar releases of the year.

Kiwi Ears Orchestra II

A follow-up to a popular series from Kiwi Ears, the Orchestra II adds two more balanced armature drivers over its predecessor, bringing the total count to a whopping ten. Despite the intimidating driver count, the tuning remains composed and focused.

The Orchestra II presents a clean, mostly neutral sound signature with a slight emphasis in the sub-bass. It clearly does not chase bass quantity, instead prioritising balance, clarity, and midrange performance. Detail retrieval is strong, and while some balanced armature timbre is still present, it is relatively minor and well-controlled.

If you have been listening to warmer or bassier earphones lately, which many releases this year lean towards, the Orchestra II offers a refreshing change of pace with its clarity-focused presentation.

Punch Audio Martilo

Saving the best for last, the Punch Audio Martilo is my personal favourite IEM of 2025. Punch Audio may be a newcomer to the scene, but it debuted with an IEM that truly punches above its weight. The Martilo features a complex 2DD + 2BA + 1 planar configuration, including American-made Knowles balanced armature drivers.

The packaging is well thought out, with a solid carrying case, multiple ear tips, and a thick modular cable with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. In terms of sound, the Martilo leans towards a U-shaped tuning, with a clear emphasis on bass and upper mids.

It delivers a warm, engaging presentation, while maintaining enough clarity in the mids and treble to keep things from sounding overly thick or muddy. While it is undoubtedly aimed at bass lovers, it does not completely sacrifice technical performance in the pursuit of low-end impact. Above all else, it’s simply just a very fun listen.

Well, those are our picks for the best IEMs we reviewed in 2025, in our opinion. It has been a great year for Chi-Fi audio, with strong options available across multiple price points. Collaborations were especially prominent this year, and many of them were met with positive reception. We also saw a resurgence of hybrids and a new generation of planar magnetic drivers.

The question now is, what comes next in 2026? Regardless of what it is, the year ahead in audio is certainly one to look forward to.