Softears

Softears is a Chinese audio brand founded in 2017, based in Shenzhen, and it emerged from a research-driven background rather than a long legacy consumer-audio lineage. Available reporting suggests the founder had already been active in the audio industry before launching the company, and some accounts link Softears closely with Moondrop through shared R&D and manufacturing resources, though the brands operate independently.

The brand is best known for in-ear monitors (IEMs) and related high-performance earphones, including both universal and flagship models. Its catalog is centered on premium portable listening rather than broader hi-fi categories such as amplifiers, speakers, turntables, or DACs.

In the market, Softears sits in the niche boutique / high-end IEM segment. It has built a reputation for technical tuning, careful engineering, and polished build quality, with a particular following among serious earphone buyers in China and the wider enthusiast community. It is not a mass-market brand; its appeal is strongest among listeners looking for refined, modern audiophile IEMs rather than traditional full-size hi-fi components.