Back in 2016, my friend introduced me to the world of IEMs—and I had no idea it would completely change how I experience sound. My first pair was the humble KZ ZSTX. Nothing fancy, just plugged into my OnePlus 5. But the moment I hit play, it felt like I’d been listening to music wrong my entire life. Details I never noticed before, layers in songs I didn’t even know existed—it was like stepping into a new dimension. That setup stayed with me for four years straight. No upgrades, no chasing gear. Just me, those IEMs, and countless hours of music, gaming, and even video editing. They became part of my daily life.
Over time, I realized this wasn’t just about better audio—it was a whole hobby. A mindset. Sitting down, unplugging from everything else, and just listening. No distractions, no notifications—just sound.
I’ve tried wireless along the way, and yeah, it has its place. I keep a pair of Moondrop Space Travel for convenience when wires don’t make sense. But for everything that truly matters? Wired, always. There’s just something about the connection—both literally and emotionally—that wireless hasn’t matched for me.
Now, years later, I’ve finally taken the next step. Picked up a dedicated DAP (Snowsky Disc) and paired it with the KZ AM16. It feels like a new chapter, but also a continuation of that same journey that started in 2016.
I’ve also built my own music library over time—stepping away from constant streaming and endless scrolling. Less phone usage, fewer distractions. Just intentional listening. Albums, start to finish. The way it’s meant to be. It’s kind of wild looking back. What started as a simple recommendation turned into a full-on passion.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.