Short answer: the SoftEars RS10. It ranks #27 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $2,099.99. The ARTPICAL Michael ranks #65, rated 4.6/5, at $1,550, $549.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the SoftEars RS10: A crinacle preference score of 84, and across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link the response stays within 0.1 dB of target from 200 Hz to 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: In squig.link measurements sub-bass sits about 3.2 dB below target from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in electronic and film scores is lighter than a dynamic driver delivers.
Why pick the ARTPICAL Michael: Tuned close to the Harman target that most listeners prefer in blind tests (preference score 82). Watch for: The rating reflects sound quality only; comfort, build and noise isolation are not part of the score.
Buy the SoftEars RS10. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $549.99 you would save on the ARTPICAL Michael does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
A crinacle preference score of 84, and across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link the response stays within 0.1 dB of target from 200 Hz to 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
HiFiGo $2,099.99 eBay
Tuned close to the Harman target that most listeners prefer in blind tests (preference score 82).
MusicTeck $1,550 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| SoftEars RS10 | ARTPICAL Michael | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,099.99 | $1,550 |
| Ranked | #27 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #65 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 82 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.49 dB standard deviation | 1.46 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Tribrid |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 11.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 109.2 dB/mW |
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 SoftEars RS10 from animagus, atechreviews, jaytiss, precog, recode, sl0the and tgx78; the ARTPICAL Michael from aftersound, dchpgall, hu-fi and soundignity, all via squig.link.
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