The Kiwi Ears Astral is the best gaming IEM I’ve tried at $299, especially for Valorant. You get a holographic 3D stage, super clean separation, and imaging that lets you track footsteps without gunfire getting boomy. My main nitpicks are slightly recessed mids and bass that’s a bit lacking in punch, plus the packaging is pretty minimal.
Pros
+Best soundstage and imaging in the price range (for me)
+Clean, crispy separation and layering for music and gaming
+Great for Valorant: gunfire doesn’t mask footsteps
+Easy to drive (works on an Apple dongle)
+Sounds good at low to mid volume
+Nice cable with interchangeable terminations
Cons
-Mids/vocals can feel a bit recessed
-Bass lacks a little punch (especially for hip-hop)
-Minimal accessories/packaging
-No lock on the interchangeable termination mechanism