Short answer: the SoftEars Cerberus. It ranks #377 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $2,099.99. The HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro ranks #385, rated 3.1/5, at $2,000, $99.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the SoftEars Cerberus: A seven driver hybrid with a dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned with a warm, relaxed balance. The tradeoff: Treble runs about 4 to 6 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz, with a 9.8 dB dip near 6.1 kHz, so cymbals, string texture and vocal consonants sound dim and distant.
The case for the HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro: A single dynamic driver in-ear with a preference score of 63 in crinacle’s measurement, close to the similarly priced 64 Audio U18S in rating. The catch: Its response deviates about 2.9 dB from target on average, so its tuning is noticeably uneven for the money.
Buy the SoftEars Cerberus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $99.99 you would save on the HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| SoftEars Cerberus | HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,099.99 | $2,000.00 |
| Ranked | #377 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #385 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 63 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.89 dB standard deviation | 2.90 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic | - |
| Impedance | 5 ohms | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/100mV | 103 dB |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How SoftEars Cerberus compares with other leading options:
- 64 Audio Tia Trio vs SoftEars Cerberus
- 64 Audio A12t vs SoftEars Cerberus
- Fir Audio e12 vs SoftEars Cerberus
- 64 Audio U12t vs SoftEars Cerberus
- 64 Audio A12t vs HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
SoftEars Cerberus: $2,099.99 HiFiGo eBay
Pros: A seven driver hybrid with a dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned with a warm, relaxed balance. Across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass sits within a decibel of target from 60 to 200 Hz and sub-bass stays within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, so low notes keep their weight. The subdued top end suits listeners who find most in-ears fatiguing. Its 5 ohm impedance and 104 dB per 100 mV sensitivity mean a phone drives it easily.
Cons: Treble runs about 4 to 6 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz, with a 9.8 dB dip near 6.1 kHz, so cymbals, string texture and vocal consonants sound dim and distant. The 64 Audio A12t rates higher for slightly less money. A preference score of 64 from crinacle and a 2.9 dB standard deviation point to an uneven overall response.
Full SoftEars Cerberus review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/100mV |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,728 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.79 |
| Peak | 262 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 1,896 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,226 Hz | -2.4 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 5,402 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.97 |
| Peak | 989 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.73 |
| Peak | 662 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.16 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro: $2,000.00 HIFIMAN eBay
Pros: A single dynamic driver in-ear with a preference score of 63 in crinacle’s measurement, close to the similarly priced 64 Audio U18S in rating. The closed design isolates well from outside noise.
Cons: Its response deviates about 2.9 dB from target on average, so its tuning is noticeably uneven for the money. The Sennheiser IE 900 earns the same rating at a lower price.
Full HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.90 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | -5.0 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 877 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 5,770 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 4,718 Hz | -7.7 dB | 3.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,705 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 2,076 Hz | +1.4 dB | 3.20 |
| Peak | 1,366 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.84 |
| Peak | 1,069 Hz | +1.2 dB | 4.83 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons