Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 17 hours ago
So you're thinking of buying a new IEM with a planar magnetic driver, but you're concerned the source you're using -- your dongle, laptop, or DAP -- might not have the power required to get the best sound quality out of it. But are planar IEMs really that "hard to drive"? To find out, I compare 5x modern planars to some common benchmarks. With measurements.
Get planars on HiFiGo:
- Letshuoer S12: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/shuoer-s12?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- 7Hz Timeless: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/7hz-timeless-14-2mm-planar-in-ear-earphone?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Updated Timeless AE: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/7hz-timeless-ae?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Latest planar IEMs 👉 hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems?rfsn=8539789.379f98
00:00 Intro
01:02 Definitions
05:25 Loudness benchmarking
10:15 The results
14:41 Does power change more than volume?
18:00 Conclusion
Also watch:
- youtube.com/watch?v=EaoVlriOa74
- youtube.com/watch?v=MwXmrbG0fKo
- youtube.com/watch?v=CdHOji8FeUg
- youtube.com/watch?v=MirtN5L3k0A
----
Thanks to HiFiGo for sponsoring Wave Guide and making these videos possible.
- See what's new 👉 hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival?rfsn=8539789.379f98
Available on HiFiGo:
- IEMs: hifigo.com/collections/in-ear?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Ear tips: hifigo.com/collections/eartips?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Headphones: hifigo.com/collections/over-ear?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- IEM cables: hifigo.com/collections/headphone-cable?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- DACs & amps: hifigo.com/collections/amp-dacs?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Portable audio players: hifigo.com/collections/portable?rfsn=8539789.379f98
----------
- Join the Super* Discord: discord.com/invite/ZBpXZnp
- Super* merch here: shop.squig.link
- Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/thisreviewissuper
Disclosure: This video IS sponsored by retailer HiFiGo. Check them out at hifigo.com
AI music via Udio (udio.com/)
#WaveGuide #planar #IEMs #headphones #audio #audiophile #SuperReview
So you're thinking of buying a new IEM with a planar magnetic driver, but you're concerned the source you're using -- your dongle, laptop, or DAP -- might not have the power required to get the best sound quality out of it. But are planar IEMs really that "hard to drive"? To find out, I compare 5x modern planars to some common benchmarks. With measurements.
Get planars on HiFiGo:
- Letshuoer S12: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/shuoer-s12?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- 7Hz Timeless: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/7hz-timeless-14-2mm-planar-in-ear-earphone?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Updated Timeless AE: hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems/products/7hz-timeless-ae?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Latest planar IEMs 👉 hifigo.com/collections/planar-iems?rfsn=8539789.379f98
00:00 Intro
01:02 Definitions
05:25 Loudness benchmarking
10:15 The results
14:41 Does power change more than volume?
18:00 Conclusion
Also watch:
- youtube.com/watch?v=EaoVlriOa74
- youtube.com/watch?v=MwXmrbG0fKo
- youtube.com/watch?v=CdHOji8FeUg
- youtube.com/watch?v=MirtN5L3k0A
----
Thanks to HiFiGo for sponsoring Wave Guide and making these videos possible.
- See what's new 👉 hifigo.com/collections/new-arrival?rfsn=8539789.379f98
Available on HiFiGo:
- IEMs: hifigo.com/collections/in-ear?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Ear tips: hifigo.com/collections/eartips?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Headphones: hifigo.com/collections/over-ear?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- IEM cables: hifigo.com/collections/headphone-cable?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- DACs & amps: hifigo.com/collections/amp-dacs?rfsn=8539789.379f98
- Portable audio players: hifigo.com/collections/portable?rfsn=8539789.379f98
----------
- Join the Super* Discord: discord.com/invite/ZBpXZnp
- Super* merch here: shop.squig.link
- Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/thisreviewissuper
Disclosure: This video IS sponsored by retailer HiFiGo. Check them out at hifigo.com
AI music via Udio (udio.com/)
#WaveGuide #planar #IEMs #headphones #audio #audiophile #SuperReview
