Don’t sacrifice sound quality for affordability. Discover the best budget IEM on the market with our roundup of Linsoul’s top picks, including the RAPTGO HOOK-X, LETSHUOER S12 PRO, THIEAUDIO Elixir, and 7HZ Timeless.
If you’re looking for high-quality earphones that won’t break the bank, you’ll be glad to know that Linsoul has some great options for under $250. The RAPTGO HOOK-X, 7HZ Timeless, THIEAUDIO Elixir, and LETSHUOER S12 PRO are all top-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs) that offer impressive sound quality, decent build, and comfort. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these IEMs and explore what makes them stand out from the crowd. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to discover the best upper-range budget IEMs from Linsoul.
1. Budget IEM: RAPTGO HOOK-X ($239.00)
Sound:
Comfort:
Build/Features:
Overall
Pros: Great looks – Detailed, open sound – Remarkable resolution
Cons: A bit “shouty” in the upper mids
The Linsoul RAPTGO Hook-X is a revolutionary budget IEM that brings together the best of two worlds: a planar magnetic driver and a piezoelectric (PZT) driver. This hybrid IEM design is the first of its kind, and the team at Linsoul worked tirelessly to make sure that this product was not only a novelty but a remarkable-sounding earphone tuned for perfect balance and tonal accuracy.
The Hook-X features a 14.2mm open planar diaphragm driver along with a custom 18 Layer Double-Sided PZT driver, which together produces a sound that is powerful, detailed, and balanced. The highs are crisp and clear, the mids are full and insightful, and the bass is tight and punchy. The soundstage has lots of focus and depth, which gives you a sense of space and a heightened sense of realism.
On the other hand, I did find the upper midrange/highs to be a bit “shouty” at times, which caused a bit of distraction on things like horn solos and female vocals. I also could’ve used a little more “slam” to round out the bass dynamics. That said, these are quite engaging, and I love their dimensionality and layering. They bring a lot of life to your music.
The Hook-X comes with a detachable 0.78 2pin OCC cable which is both durable and flexible. The cable is tangle-free and provides a secure and comfortable fit. It also comes with 3 interchangeable connectors (4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm unbalanced jacks), which allows for use with a wide variety of devices.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for an IEM that can deliver a powerful, balanced sound with lots of openness and depth, then the Hook-X is a good choice. Additionally, I think the Hook-X is great for audiophiles who want a product that is both versatile and looks great.
2. Budget IEM: THIEAUDIO Elixir ($209.00)
Sound:
Comfort:
Build/Features:
Overall
Pros: Warm, Organic sound with plenty of resolving ability – Rich bass – Comfortable fit
Cons: Cable is a little stiff – lacks some of the texture you get from Planars
The THIEAUDIO Elixir is an incredible set of IEMs that are designed to offer audiophiles the smooth, warm analog sound of their dreams. Featuring the latest driver innovations, the Elixir utilizes a 3-Dimensional Velocity Transducer diaphragm dynamic driver with stronger pole magnets and a completely copper voice coil actuator for unparalleled audio resolution. Crafted from precision printed and CNC components, the Elixir also includes a high-quality Litz cable for even better sound.
The audio quality of the Elixir is nothing short of impressive. The sound is incredibly balanced and natural, with the perfect tonality to capture the spirit and emotion of the sound. It truly sounds like a vintage sound system, but with modern resolving ability. It provides a truly organic and coherent listening experience.
All portions of the audioband are crisp and measured with realistic timbre and good resolution. In addition, it has truly rich bass that Planar’s usually can’t match, especially at this price range. No matter what genre I threw at it, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
That said, it doesn’t provide some of the textural nuance and spacial queues of the Planar IEMs. However, it still manages to do really well in that regard without sounding quite as synthetic as the planars.
As far as accessories go, the quality is ok, and they will get the job done, but there’s nothing to rant and rave about. The detachable cable is fine, but I found it to be just a touch too stiff.
Overall, the THIEAUDIO Elixir is a great choice for audiophiles looking for a smooth-sounding IEM with great resolution and comfort. If you find the planar IEMs to be a little cold and synthetic, then you should try this one. With its combination of high-quality components and innovative driver technologies, the Elixir offers a good all-around audio experience that is sure to delight any headphone enthusiast.
3. Budget IEM: 7HZ Timeless ($219.99)
Sound:
Comfort:
Build/Features:
Overall
Pros: Comfortable fit – Flexible Cable – Balanced with Fast, Punchy Bass, and good depth through the midrange
Cons: A little “zingy” in the upper mids – doesn’t have the openness of the open-back planars
If you’re looking for an immersive audio experience, the 7HZ Timeless is an excellent choice. This ultra-thin diaphragm and lightweight body are designed to give you a sense of nothingness and timelessness when wearing this IEM. Its 14.2mm planar driver and unique structure are intended to provide fast response, excellent dynamic range, and tonal balance.
Each earphone shell is made of a whole piece of aviation-grade aluminum CNC and has the highest strength level of hard oxidation treatment, making it incredibly durable and wear-resistant. The lightweight and comfortable design makes it easy to wear and take with you wherever you go. Additionally, the pliable and detachable MMCX cable (which comes in 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 2.5mm flavors) allows you to easily connect the earphones to any device.
The 7HZ Timeless also features a double-sided array N52 magnet and ultra-thin diaphragm, giving you a vibrant sound experience. Like the Hook-X above, it can be a little “zingy” in the upper mids, but I feel like the Timeless brings them a little more in balance.
On the other hand, the 7HZ doesn’t quite have the spaciousness or soundstage width of the Hook-X. That said, it’s still very immersive, has fast punchy bass with good impact for a planar, sweet mids and highs, and a remarkable natural texture for both vocals and instruments. Like the Elixir above, it has a good all-around sound that works well with every genre, except with a little more planar “edge” to it.
Overall, the 7HZ Timeless is a great choice for anyone looking for an exceptional audio experience. With its fast response, excellent dynamic range, great tonal balance, and lightweight, comfortable design, you can’t go wrong with the 7HZ Timeless.
4. LETSHUOER S12 PRO ($169.00)
Sound:
Comfort:
Build/Features:
Overall
Pros: Excellent build quality – Nice accessory package – Remarkable comfort
Cons: Could use a little more focus thru the midrange
The LETSHUOER S12 PRO is an impressive budget IEM that offers a rich audio experience. It’s custom 14.8mm large-diaphragm driver provides great details retrieval, punchy bass, and clear treble. With a 102db high sensitivity, it can be easily driven to volume through both cell phones and dongle DACs.
The stock cable is constructed with silver-plated monocrystalline copper and has four 98-strand cores that are woven together. It is terminated in standard 0.78mm dual pin connectors, and the other end is a swappable jack with 2.5mm / 3.5mm /4.4mm jacks. This makes it compatible with a great number of sources.
The sound of the LETSHUOER S12 PRO is a little warmer and more lively than most planar earphones. That said, the highs are still clean, and the lows are powerful without being too overwhelming. The mids are warm and clear, although thicker than most planars, providing an immersive listening experience. The soundstage is wide and open, making it great for listening to live recordings.
While the S12 PRO may not be the end all be all of sharp focus and resolution, it has an engaging way of presenting music that sounds right. This is the Planar IEM that works the best with modern beat-driven music.
Overall, the LETSHUOER S12 PRO is an excellent IEM that provides great sound quality and is highly compatible with a variety of sources. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a lively planar listening experience with a fuller low end. BTW, if you don’t care about the cable with the swappable jacks, then you can save a few bucks and get the original S12 IEM.
Conclusion
While they aren’t new (and now have tons of variants), the RAPTGO HOOK-X, 7HZ Timeless, THIEAUDIO Elixir, and LETSHUOER S12 PRO are all top-quality in-ear monitors (IEMs) that offer impressive sound quality, decent build, and comfort. Each one has its own strengths (and weaknesses), and if you’re looking to grab a budget IEM, then these four models are probably where you should start.
If openness and soundstage are your primary needs, then you should check out the HOOK-X. If you want a smooth and warm-sounding IEM with organic textures, the Elixir is probably where you should start.
On the other hand, if you crave a neutral sounding planar with just a touch of warmth, the Timeless is probably where you should go. If you want a good all-around planar with nice detail and punchier bass than your average Planar IEM, then the LETSHUOER S12 PRO will probably be right up your alley. Happy Shopping!
Hifitrends is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site. Prices are subject to change at any time.
Leave a Reply