I know many readers will come directly to the conclusion page without going through all the details provided in the previous ones, so let me reiterate that I don't yet have the most experience with the so-called summit-fi IEM space, at least when it comes to properly testing them at home. But even so, it is quite obvious that PMG Audio is here to stay. The debut product, the Apx Amber, sold out even before I finished writing my review. It was a highly limited set of 25 pieces worldwide that the brand put out to showcase what it can do, and was perhaps also held back by the amber pieces personally collected by the founder. The end result is enough people heard it to provide feedback that PMG Audio took to heart for its latest, and arguably even better, offering. The Apx SE (Stone Edition) builds upon the already impressive base set by the Apx Amber in almost every single way. It does this by also managing to cost less, owing to a larger production run of 100 retail units and a more production-friendly choice of Lapis Lazuli/brass hybrid stone faceplates which I personally think look even better. As such, we've gone from a ~$6500 set to a $6000 one, and arguably it's even more competitive in Europe where the brand is based out of, with an asking price of €5500 (inc. VAT). Keep in mind that the stock cable is separately listed for ~€1500, and this includes the new, more premium collection of cases + tips which cost €500 separately. I will be the first to say a lot of audio products have got way more expensive than they should be, but this is a pleasant change from the norm in that you get more for less compared to the predecessor it directly replaces. The accessories and unboxing experience provided by the Apx SE are right up there with the most expensive IEMs and headphones, if not arguably being the best balance of luxury, build quality, and practical use.

Balance comes to mind also with the sound, which is ultimately what matters most. The Apx SE re-works the drivers from the Apx Amber to put out a highly balanced sound, which comes off more U-shaped and neutral in the mids now. It manages to not be overly bright or fatiguing anymore, let alone sibilant, yet retains that exceptional resolution throughout. The bass measures only slightly more emphasized on paper, but feels like it has gone through a typical Rocky Balboa training montage to put out stronger, deeper bass with more accurate timbre at the same time to rival others which are often quoted as the bass gods of IEMs. It's not the most amount of bass as some, and yet I already found the Apx SE was becoming what I wanted in my ears. Going further, or even having more tactility, might have pushed things too much for me—your mileage may vary. This sense of control, despite the unshackled drivers themselves, is what makes the Apx SE special. It's not a neutral set, and is colored deliberately to offer a musical and engaging tonality which also has some ear tip and source dependency. Having a deep and secure fit is paramount to achieving a good time with the set too, and I will acknowledge the shell and nozzle design may not work for everyone as with other Custom Art/PMG Audio sets recently released. I suspect most will be able to fit it in though, and the new clear tips will also help tame down the upper treble shimmer if it is overly energetic and airy. Between the positive changes made to the entire experience, be it sound or otherwise, you can see why my review tagline feels appropriate here.

Ultimately, I need to bring up the cost again because £5000/€5500/$6000 is a lot of money. I know many will continue to shake their heads seeing headphones and IEMs cost more than many months of rent/mortgage, let alone also a car for most of the world. The Apx SE is absolutely an indulgence more than a must-have. You can get well-tuned IEMs for ~$15 these days, so I have to point out tonality alone is not what you are paying this amount for. If anything, it's actually a deviation from a simpler neutral w/bass boost tuning that makes the Apx SE special. The increased number of drivers with the more complex audio engineering brings out the best of 3-4 different driver types here too, and the overall experience is quite different sounding from a single DD even if it was tuned the exact same. Subjectively speaking, the Apx SE spanks budget sets in the non-tangible parameters, the so-called technical aspects of IEMs. It's more resolving, more dynamic, images and layers like no other, and manages to do all this while still being able to get to nearly its best off a $10 dongle source. This is a luxury product which is obviously not what you should be looking at unless you are able to purchase it without changing your daily routine and future financial plans. If you are one of the lucky few who can afford it, as well as want to have it, then please contact your local dealer and arrange for a demo session first. I suspect the PMG Audio Apx SE will also sell out sooner than later though, and yet there will be enough units in the wild this time to allow for more people to listen to it, and the Apx SE will almost assuredly be in the discussion of TOTL (top of the line) IEMs for a long time to come. More than this, seeing the brand take feedback this seriously helps put more confidence in PMG Audio too, as no doubt now more people will be looking forward to seeing what they come up with in the future.