IEM Recommendations

ThadtheChad on 22/02/2013 - 15:07

Hi guys,

I've been doing a fair bit of research on getting a pair of IEMs that meets my needs. Have tried a few but am yet to find a suitable pair… :(

  1. RE-0 : By far the best IEM that I've tried. Loved the punchy tight bass and the feeling of open-ness. Sounded pretty crap out of the box, but the difference after burn-in was quite noticeable and made it very enjoyable. Would've gotten this again (gf lost them) but I'd like to "move up a bit". Also, lack of iphone controls is another big negative.

  2. Yamaha EPH-100SL: Nice signature, but extremely uncomfortable. Also very fatiguing to my ears for extended listening (get a dull headache).

  3. Audio Technica CK400i: Very comfortable and has iphone controls. SQ is meh! If this had good SQ, would've been perfect!

I have an ATH-M50 as my main "full-size" set. SQ is very good… BUT again, it is quite uncomfortable as the band tends to compress my ears, as a result, it doesn't see much use.

Please fire away your recommendations. :)

SQ and signature very similar to my RE-0.
Comfortable (like my relatively inexpensive CK400i).
iPhone control supported (this is invaluable as I will be using this to control playback as well as make calls on the odd occassion).
Budget is $200-$300 (although if there is something really good I may be able to stretch it a bit further)

Thanks guys

General Discussion

Comments

  • plmko on 22/02/2013 - 17:07

    Skip everything and get the Sony XBA3ip, they are now half the price of the competitors but the SQ does loops around them.

    Get yourself some Comply tips too.

    • bargainr on 22/02/2013 - 22:15
      +1

      Thanks. That's an interest read. Do you own the Monoprice IEM?

      • mskeggs on 22/02/2013 - 22:23
        +1

        Not yet, but next time I order from Amazon…

  • ThadtheChad on 23/02/2013 - 02:16

    @plmko,

    Comply tips are not my fav though. Will definitely check out the XBA3ip.

    @mskeggs

    Interesting mate. I'll definitely get a pair to satisfy my curiosity

    @fickre
    Hehe, yep. That's how I bought the RE0 and the EPH-100. :) Looking for some recommendations from audiophiles…taking into account my experience with the other two. For instance, everyone goes ga ga over the M50s, after owning it for over a year, I'm still not convinced.

    Thanks a lot for responding guys. Any more recommendations?

  • ThadtheChad on 23/02/2013 - 02:18

    Also, the issue is that most mid/high end IEMs don't have the inline mic and volume controls. :( Some have variants which support that (e.g. TF10vi, but not sure whether I'll like the signature; its supposedly a bit too bright).

    • ShortyX on 23/02/2013 - 08:12
      +1

      You could do what I did and get the TF10 and get them reshelled into a custom with an extra mid driver to change their V shaped response into a more flat response. It's a bit outside your budget and not sure if Unique Melody have iPhone control cables but you should be happy with the sound.

      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/38946

      To keep the cost down, other options may be the Westone or Shure universals.

      • ThadtheChad on 25/02/2013 - 22:02

        Wow Stix. That would be truly awesome. However, I don't have that sorta cash to burn at the moment. I'll look at CIEMs further down the road… Maybe when I get my tax refunds :P

        Any other IEMs that meet the sound signature + have iphone controls? Head-fi is awesome but the "noise" is tremendous. I've been reading up (as before), but its really hard to get an idea as there is quite a lot of stuff out there. I'm really trying to avoid another EPH-100 or M50…. (pretty good sq but was nothing to write home about).

        • ShortyX on 25/02/2013 - 23:27
          +1

          Maybe the Klipsch X10i?

          Or some more reading below. You can get an iPhone cable for the Shures.

          http://www.earphonesolutions.com/best-earphones-251-350.html
          http://www.earphonesolutions.com/best-earphones-101-150.html
          http://www.earphonesolutions.com/best-ear-buds-81-100.html

        • ThadtheChad on 26/02/2013 - 11:11

          Hey mate,

          What do you think of the UE-900? I know it's wayyyyyy out of my budget. Is it worthwhile waiting and saving up for that?

          The source is still going to me my iPhone 4s playing Apple lossless.

        • ShortyX on 26/02/2013 - 22:11
          +1

          From what I've read, they would be great and definitely worth considering. Being a new model though, they are quite pricey compared to perhaps a double or triple BA driver in Shure or Westone.

          Since you're listening to lossless, it might be worth getting a mid-high end BA driver earphone now then reshelling it later to a custom.

        • ThadtheChad on 26/02/2013 - 23:08

          They are frightfully expensive… and when I told her about getting a $400 pair of IEMs, it didn't go down too well.

          So for mid-high end BA driver earphones, I'll take a look at the Shures and Westones (and the TF10 vi). However, I'm still quite keen on the UE900s (damn they look so good!).

          Any other recommendations? I'm really shying away from stuff that sounds analytical as I like my music to be more "fun" and I really like a bit of mid + lows (and don't like the spectrum to be too bright).

        • ShortyX on 26/02/2013 - 23:28
          +1

          I'm no expert but maybe consider the IE8 as well since it's a dynamic driver. It seems like you might want dynamic drivers over BA drivers as you don't want crisp and analytical but warm and fun instead. I don't think you'd be disappointed with BA drivers though.

        • ThadtheChad on 27/02/2013 - 14:56

          Goddamnit! apparently DSE has a sale on the UE900 during boxing day (for ~299). Now it's a whopping $500 here. $300 wouldve hit the sweet spot.

          Also toying with the IE80. Need to do a bit more research. :)

      • sama on 26/02/2013 - 00:55
        +1

        Nice, Stix. I always avoided customs because I'm afraid once I hit that price mark it would be hard to ever downgrade again. But that looks like a very interesting option.

        • ShortyX on 26/02/2013 - 08:11
          +1

          You're right though - after using a custom, I find it really hard going to a universal for jogging. The fit and comfort you get from a custom is awesome.

  • mskeggs on 23/02/2013 - 09:22
    +1

    Bear in mind you can get an iPhone control adapter wire to convert normal earphones.

  • ThadtheChad on 23/03/2013 - 10:20

    Just an update; I got myself a pair of UE900s. :)

    • ShortyX on 24/03/2013 - 10:31

      Great, how much did you end up paying?

      • ThadtheChad on 24/03/2013 - 10:55

        $434 There was an ebay seller in NSW. :)

        My mind has truly been blown. Have been listening to Lindsey Stirling's music on these…. bloody great!

        These sounded amazing from the get go.

  • bob_wangkar on 04/04/2013 - 00:43

    Since you liked RE0's, you should of gotten yourself a pair of RE-Zeros! Almost the same thing as RE0 but better!
    http://www.headfonia.com/hifiman-re-zero-and-re-0/

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