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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Fanmusic Softears Studio4 — biggest strength: a four balanced-armature, three-way crossover design with a flat, wide frequency response and strong isolation, built specifically for studio monitoring. Biggest trade-off: it is a specialist tool — 120 ohm impedance, no tuning options, and a neutral character that won't flatter bass-heavy listening.
• ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster — biggest strength: a single 12.2mm aluminum-magnesium dynamic driver with dual interchangeable tuning nozzles and a modular cable that supports both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced connections. Biggest trade-off: a dynamic driver in a metal shell can't match the driver count or isolation focus of a dedicated studio monitor.
• Who the Studio4 is for: engineers, musicians and anyone who needs an accurate, isolating reference.
• Who the Purecaster is for: listeners who want one flexible IEM for commuting, study and casual monitoring.
• Quick call: accuracy and isolation → Studio4. Flexibility and everyday comfort → Purecaster.
The Studio4 is not trying to be a fun earphone. It's a tool. Softears built the Studio series around studio recording, mixing and stage monitoring, and the spec sheet backs that up: four balanced armature units, a three-way crossover, and a flat frequency response with an effective range of 20–20kHz (plus a 5–40kHz frequency range at -3dB). If your job is to hear what's actually in a mix rather than what you wish were there, that flatness is the whole point.
The isolation angle matters just as much. Balanced armature designs are described here as having excellent sound insulation, which is exactly what you want when you're tracking in a room with a live amp, or on a stage where bleed ruins everything. The 120 ohm impedance and 123dB/Vrms sensitivity, combined with a nearly straight impedance curve, mean it behaves consistently across different sources and audio interfaces — that's a big deal if you move between gear. The 3D-printed medical resin shell is thinner than the previous RS-series molds, so it should sit deeper and more comfortably, and the smaller nozzle diameter opens it up to more eartip options.
Who should buy it: recording engineers, session musicians, and anyone doing online meetings or critical listening who needs a neutral, isolating reference. Who should skip it: if you mainly want thumping bass, warm vocals and a cable you can swap for a balanced source, this isn't the earphone for you. It's also a wired-only, touch-controlled set — no wireless, no noise cancellation — so plan around that.
The Purecaster takes the opposite approach. Instead of chasing flatness, ORIVETI gives you options. The heart of it is a 12.2mm aluminum-magnesium alloy dynamic driver, tuned for clean detail, balanced dynamics and a spacious stage across vocals and instruments. That's a classic HiFi personality rather than a clinical monitor one, and it's the kind of sound most people actually reach for when they're listening for pleasure rather than for work.
The two features that stand out to me are the tuning nozzles and the modular cable. The dual interchangeable nozzles let you switch between a balanced, reference-style signature and a warmer, bass-forward one — so the same earphone can lean accurate for monitoring or fun for music, depending on your mood and genre. The detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable is modular, supporting both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced connections, which means you can match it to a phone, a laptop, or a balanced DAP without buying a whole new IEM.
The CNC-milled aluminum shell is genuinely nice to see at this tier. It adds durability and helps control unwanted resonance, and the compact ergonomic shape is designed to reduce fatigue over long sessions — commuting, studying, extended music listening. You also get a proper accessory kit: a carrying case and two full sets of bullet-shape ear tips in S/M/L. At 32 ohm and 112.5dB sensitivity, it's easy to drive from almost anything.
Who should buy it: everyday listeners who want one flexible, well-built IEM they can tune and upgrade over time. Who should skip it: if you need maximum isolation and a dead-flat reference for serious studio work, the Studio4 is the better tool.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for studio mixing and critical reference work → Fanmusic Softears Studio4. Four drivers, three-way crossover, flat response.
• Best for isolation while recording or on stage → Fanmusic Softears Studio4. Balanced armature design is explicitly built for sealed, interference-free listening.
• Best for source consistency across gear → Fanmusic Softears Studio4. 120 ohm impedance and a nearly straight impedance curve.
• Best for balanced-output listeners → ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster. Modular cable supports 3.5mm and 4.4mm.
• Best for long, comfortable everyday sessions → ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster. Lightweight ergonomic shape designed to reduce fatigue.
• Best for durability and premium feel → ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster. CNC-milled aluminum housing.
• Best for bass texture and musical dynamics → ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster. 12.2mm aluminum-magnesium dynamic driver.
In my opinion, the Fanmusic Softears Studio4 is the one I'd buy if monitoring accuracy and isolation are the job. Four balanced armatures, a three-way crossover and a flat response are exactly what a reference monitor should be built around, and the consistency across sources is a real advantage for studio work. If you're not doing that work, though, I'd pick the ORIVETI bleqk Purecaster — the tuning nozzles, modular balanced cable and comfortable aluminum shell make it the more enjoyable and more flexible everyday earphone. Match the tool to the task and you'll be happy either way.
what is studio monitor headphones
Studio monitor headphones are designed to reproduce audio as accurately and neutrally as possible rather than to flatter it. The idea is to hear the recording as it actually is, so you can make mixing and recording decisions that translate to other systems. The Softears Studio4 is built around exactly that goal, with a flat, wide frequency response and strong isolation.
what are reference studio headphones
Reference studio headphones are the same concept by another name: a neutral, uncolored presentation used as a fixed reference point. They prioritize a flat response and consistent performance across sources over bass boost or warmth. The Studio4's 120 ohm impedance and nearly straight impedance curve are the kind of traits that make it behave predictably on different interfaces.
what are studio monitor headphones
Effectively the same thing as studio monitor headphones — an in-ear or over-ear tool meant for monitoring rather than casual listening. They usually emphasize isolation and accuracy so external noise doesn't skew your judgment. The Studio4's balanced armature design is explicitly noted for reducing external interference, which is why it suits recording and stage use.
can you connect headphones to monitor
Yes — a wired IEM like either of these plugs into a monitor's headphone output through its 3.5mm jack. The Purecaster goes further with a modular cable that also supports a 4.4mm balanced connection, so it can pair with gear that offers balanced output. Just match the plug to the output your monitor provides.
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