u/APunch_Heh

I listened to Brise Audio Ibuki in the Shenzhen Headphone Expo recently. Even with a iBasso DC04 Ultra, the sound is just incredible. I played a DSD256 version of Aaron Nielsen's “It Feels Like Rain” - my chosen gear tester of the day. I don't think that song can sound any better by any stretch of imagination. I was expecting an marketing ploy due to its price tag ($6,499). What I got instead is the richest, cleanest, most immersive sound that is just as emotionally engaging as it is analytical. I also listened to EF Annihilator Prime ($4,299) in the same expo, and it is amazing as well, but not Ibuki amazing.

Now, I'm neither passionate nor rich enough to purchase a pair of either of these IEMs. I was happily frequenting my Xenns Tea Pro and EPZ P40, with a little Meze Advar as a treat when I'm feeling like pampering myself. But now, I'm just looking at my collection of IEMs and all I see are “not-ibukis”. The IEMs I loved are flawed. Even if diminishing returns is real, I suppose at some point it can still be taken to another level when it's expensive enough.

Do note that I don't feel that way about all expensive IEMs - out of the 10+ $2000+ IEMs I tried, I was whelmed by most of them, and I would never get them at their price point (the UM & qdc ones are REALLY not to my taste). I'm usually quite frugal. But Ibuki...damn. I really might get it some day.

To the expo/CanJam goers, how long did it take for you to recover from a situation like this, if at all? Or do you avoid the ones you can't afford?

What's that? Another rendition of a single DD IEM by a brand that isn't known for it? Give it to me!

Seriously though, it sounds VERY unfinished, so I can't even spoil anything except for, well, the only noteworthy is the bass, which is...bassy. But I have hopes for the finished product, especially after the beautiful MagicOne!