Short answer: the HiBy Crystal 6. It ranks #985 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $459; the Softears Edge ranks #1020, rated 2.9/5, and costs $499, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the HiBy Crystal 6: A lively V-shaped tuning with about 3.7 dB of extra bass and a treble lift of 5 to 6 dB above 6 kHz, which gives drums punch and cymbals plenty of sparkle. Watch for: Squig.link measurements show a 9.9 dB peak near 7.9 kHz, so sibilance and hi-hats can turn sharp and fatiguing at higher volumes.
The case for the Softears Edge: Bass is lifted about 4.5 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Watch for: The 4.5 dB bass lift can sound boomy and mask midrange detail.
Buy the HiBy Crystal 6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Softears Edge and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
A lively V-shaped tuning with about 3.7 dB of extra bass and a treble lift of 5 to 6 dB above 6 kHz, which gives drums punch and cymbals plenty of sparkle.
HiFiGo $459.00 eBay
Bass is lifted about 4.5 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HiBy Crystal 6 | Softears Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #985 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #1020 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 60 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation | 2.69 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.23 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW | 128 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the HiBy Crystal 6 from hu-fi, practiphile, precog and superreview; the Softears Edge from aden, aftersound, animagus, atechreviews, audioamigo, dchpgall, elrics, hbb, lumerion, precog, superreview, takeitslow7, theaudiostore and tonedeafmonk, all via squig.link.
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