Intro:
I have finally decided to put all my notes on the IEMs I own in a single thread. I do not intend this to be a full review thread – more of a quick reference guide. I intend to list every IEM that I listen to here (in due time), so I will make these true microreviews – no long-winded explanations of characteristics, just short notes. I will be adding these in no particular order; just whatever I am using on a particular day. If you have a request for something from my collection, let me know I can give it priority.
Teaser:
Why yes, that
is a Fuze looking very, very scared.
Approximate rating breakdown:
5/5 (9.5-10/10): Outstanding/best
4 - 4.5/5 (8 - 9/10): Very good
3 - 3.5/5 (6 - 7.5/10): Good
2 - 2.5/5 (4 - 5.5/10): Average/tolerable
1 - 1.5/5 (2 - 3.5/10): Poor
0 - 0.5/5 (0 - 1.5/10): Pathetic
Note that I am using prices for the US at the moment of this writing when discussing value. Adjust my value ratings accordingly. All ratings are scaled to how the particular IEM peforms compared to the best I’ve heard to date in a particular category (e.g. Etymotic ER4 is my 5/5 golden standard for isolation).
Please also note that my tier demarcations are
not representative of sound quality; only of street price.
Table of Contents:
Tier 3C ($0-15)
(3C1) Kanen MD-51
(3C2) MEElectronics SX-31
Tier 3B ($15-30)
(3B1) MEElectronics Ai-M9
(3B2) MEElectronics R1
Tier 3A ($30-60)
(3A1) RadiopPaq Jazz
(3A2) Head-Direct RE2
(3A3) JVC HA-FX300 BiMetal
(3A4) Nuforce NE-7M / NE-6
(3A5) MEElectronics Ai-M6
(3A6) MEElectronics M11
(3A7) Soundmagic PL50 - Added 11/08/09
(3A8) Cyclone PR1 Pro - Added 11/10/09
(3A9) Skullcandy TiTan - Added 11/12/09
Tier 2C ($60-100)
(2C1) Head-Direct RE0
(2C2) Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 - Added 11/10/09
Tier 2B ($100-150)
N/A
Tier 2A ($150-250)
(2A1) Etymotic Research ER-4S
Reviews:
Tier 3C ($0-15)
(3C1) Kanon (Kanen) MD-51
Current Price:
$4 from dealperfect.com
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
32 Ω | Sens:
100 dB |
Freq: 20-20k Hz |
Cord: 4’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
De-Cored Olives, Soundmagic PL30 biflanges
Wear Style:
Straight down (preferred) or over-the-ear
Accessories
(2/5) - Silicone single-flange tips (3 sizes)
Build Quality
(1/5) – All plastic build. Chrome paint tends to chip and there are gaps between the plastic parts. Cloth-wrapped cable is nice but lacks proper strain reliefs. Driver flex is an annoyance.
Isolation
(2/5) – Below average
Microphonics
(2.5/5) – Not bad when worn over-the-ear, but bothersome otherwise
Comfort
(2/5) – Hard to wear over-the-ear; very average fit otherwise
Overall Sound
(2/10) – Listenable but not special in any way, shape, or form. Poor treble with no extension or clarity. The mids are listenable; not too harsh for a $5 earphone. Little dimensionality/spacing and somewhat veiled. The bass is also veiled, muddy, and flabby all at the same time. More impact than many stock buds, but that’s no great accomplishment.
Value:
(4/10) – The Kanen MD-51 are similar in sound to many stock buds but with slightly more bass impact. It’s hard to find better options for the penny price, though adding $5 on top can yield a far better earphone.
Pros: Cheap, nice cables, reasonable isolation, upgrade from stock buds
Cons: awful build quality, no real strengths to the sound
(3C2) MEElectronics SX-31
Details: Entry-level Meelec IEM. Comes standard with the MiniMee II mp3 player
Current Price:
$9 from Overstock.com (MSRP: $14.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Sens:
96 dB | Freq:
20-20k Hz | Cord:
4’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock single-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down (preferred) or over-the-ear
Accessories
(2/5) - Silicone single-flange tips (3 sizes)
Build Quality
(1.5/5) – All plastic build. More solid than the Kanon but still very cheap-feeling. I can see the glue that holds the housings together. Cable is similar to Ai-M9 and (old) Ai-M6 cords but with hard plastic strain reliefs on housing entry, which makes me question the cord’s longevity.
Isolation
(2.5/5) – Average
Microphonics
(3/5) – Pretty good when worn over-the-ear. Just passable otherwise.
Comfort
(2/5) – Hard to wear over-the-ear. Housings are light but on the large side.
Overall Sound
(4/10) – Really, these don’t sound bad at all. They are competent all-around, with nothing particularly shining or missing. They have bass, mids, and treble, which is not necessarily a given in the price range. They also have a soundstage and at least attempt at positioning spatial cues properly. Definitely an improvement over stock buds. I could use these exclusively for a day or two.
Value:
(6/10) – The SX-31 is another competitive entry from MEElectronics. Though not shining in any particular aspect, they really don’t lack in anything. They are miles ahead of most stock earbuds, at least in sound quality. Build could be better, but of course a higher price would be justified then.
Pros: cheap, competent all-around sound
Cons: feels cheap, large housings
Tier 3B ($15-30)
(3B1) MEElectronics Ai-M9
Details: Same hardware as the Ai-M6 in a budget-oriented package. A version with a mic is also available.
Current Price:
$17 from Overstock.com (MSRP: $24.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Freq:
18-20k Hz | Cord:
4’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock single-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down (preferred) or over-the-ear
Accessories
(4.5/5) – Clamshell hardcase, cord wrap, airplane adapter, shirt clip, single-(3 sizes) and bi-flange silicone tips.
Build Quality
(1.5/5) – While the housing feels solid and has articulated strain reliefs, numerous people, myself included, have experienced build issues. I’ve been through three of these personally, with one developing a split housing, another one losing the strain relief on the plug, and a third with an electrical buzzing noise in one of the ears.
Isolation
(2.5/5) – The strain reliefs prevent particularly deep insertion, but they still isolate no worse than average
Microphonics
(3/5) – The cable is identical to the one in the Ai-M6. Surprisingly, even when worn straight down the microphonics aren’t any worse.
Comfort
(3.5/5) – Shallow insertion and light weight make these quite comfortable for long term use. Points off for being difficult to wear over-the-ear.
Overall Sound
(7/10) – These use the same transducers as the Ai-M6, which happen to be my favorites from the entire Meelectronics lineup. The M9 sound truly excellent even without regard for price. The soundstage is wide and they sound quite airy – much more so than the top-of-the-range M11. They have great extension at the top end and good bass. It is not excessive to my ears and very well controlled. They are quite smooth-sounding, with slightly recessed mids just like the M6. The clarity is great all-around. They can be overwhelmed a tiny bit by busy tracks and there is some harshness, but really, for the price, I can’t find any fault with them.
Value
(8.5/10) – The sound of these is easily worth the price of admission. Clarity and detail are superb and the soundstage is more airy than all of Meelec’s other models. However, build quality issues make them much harder to recommend. Meelectroncs’ excellent customer service deserves a nod here, though.
Pros: Excellent accessory pack, incredible sound at the price point
Cons: Shoddy build quality, difficult to wear over-the-ear
(3B2) MEElectronics R1
Details: New MEElectronics “woody” IEM
Current Price:
$27 from Overstock.com (MSRP: $39.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Freq:
20-20k Hz | Cord:
4.6’ L- plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Single-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down (preferred) or over-the-ear
Accessories
(4/5) – Comes with a soft carrying pouch, cord wrap, airplane adapter, shirt clip, and single-(three sizes) and bi-flange tips.
Build Quality
(3.5/5) – Housing is made of a light-colored wood and sealed with a clear lacquer. The cable is similar to the new M6 and M11 cables but in a dark grey color. L/R markings rub off way too easily.
Isolation
(3/5) – The bulge on the housing which holds the driver prevents deep insertion with single-flange tips. Bi-flange tips just don’t sound quite right.
Microphonics
(3.5/5) – Surprisingly bad considering the cable is similar to the (stellar) one on the M11. Wearing them over-the-ear with the shirt clip helps, but I am still puzzled.
Comfort
(3/5) – The driver bulge on the housing prevents these from being truly comfortable the way the M11s are. Also makes it more difficult than I would like to wear the cables over the ear.
Overall Sound
(5/10) – Warm. Very warm. These can almost make the RadioPaq Jazz sound cold in comparison. While the warmth makes them feel full and intimate, it really gets in the way of hearing detail, especially at the low end. There is very little texture to the bass, but a whole lot of power. As a result, it sounds poorly controlled, albeit rather smooth. The same warm intimacy really messes with the soundstage and positioning as well, which these severely lack. The treble extension is also harmed by the warmth – they just have too much low-end bias. The mids are definitely there, but they sound a little hollow. If the JVC HA-FX300 “BiMetals” sound metallic, these definitely sound “woody”.
Value
(6/10) – At $27, the R1 is an earphone to be considered only by true lovers of warm and bassy sound. While still providing good value for money, it just isn’t good enough otherwise to compete, even against Meelec’s other offerings. It should be noted that there are variances between individual production units of Meelectronics earphones in my experience. The fact that my R1 cables are very microphonic is a testament to this.
Pros: Interesting design, good build
Cons: L/R identifiers come off too easily, disappointing microphonics, not particularly comfortable, sound is too warm
Tier 3A ($30-60)
(3A1) RadioPaq Jazz
Details: One of the four RadioPaq IEMs ‘acoustically tuned’ for different genres
Current Price
£40 from Amazon.co.uk (MSRP: £60.00)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Sens:
120 dB | Freq:
18-20k Hz | Cord:
3.9’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock tips, VSonic $2 foamies
Wear Style:
Straight down (preferred) or over-the-ear
Accessories
(1.5/5) – Silicone single-flange tips (3 sizes)
Build Quality
(4/5) – Metal housing has a very solid feel and classy looks. Metal nozzle is very sturdy although the lack of filters is pretty odd-looking. Cable is sturdy but plasticky and missing the split-slider for some reason.
Isolation
(3/5) – Fat housing makes it difficult to get a deep seal and they occasionally pop out completely, but they can isolate well even with stock tips.
Microphonics
(3/5) – Pretty average. Can be reduced by wearing them over-the-ear. The lack of a shirt clip doesn’t help.
Comfort
(2.5/5) – Shells are quite large and weighty. Insertion is shallow and they can sometimes break seal or even fall out, requiring re-insertion. If inserted deeply enough the edges of the housing can hurt ears.
Overall Sound
(7.5/10) – Sound is warm and dynamic. Definitely cannot be called analytical, but can be more fun than the proverbial barrel of monkeys. Soundstage is just a bit wider than average but instrumental separation is quite good. The high end is fairly smooth, with good extension and plenty of detail for a budget-oriented dynamic IEM. The mids also boast good detail and clarity but are somewhat recessed compared to the bass and treble. They need a very good seal for the optimal bass experience, but can be incredibly deep and smooth. Bass often feels layered over the mids rather than integrated, yielding a pretty unique sound signature.
Amplification – not required to enjoy the smooth, easy-going sound. However, a good neutral amp will bring out more detail and make the Jazz more accurate and balanced all-around performers.
Value
(8.5/10) – The Jazz is a very interesting-sounding earphone at its price point. It provides a big, powerful, smooth, and warm sound that keeps it true to its name, and does all this at a bargain-basement price. Should be especially high on the short-list for European Head-Fiers who may have an easier time acquiring one of these than, say, a Nuforce or Maximo product. Price fluctuates wildly, so adjust accordingly. At the lowest-to-date £27 price, these are nothing short of unbeatable.
Pros: Good looking, sturdy, lots of fun, excellent bass and very smooth-sounding overall
Cons: Lacks accessories, large size can lead to fit issues
(3A2) Head-Direct RE2
Details: Old ($99) version of the RE2 IEM
Current Price:
$29 from Head-Direct.com (newest version) (MSRP: $99)
General Notes: Current version has different cables and no hard case. Seems to change without notice
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
32 Ω | Sens:
103 dB | Freq:
20-18k Hz | Cord:
5’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Soundmagic PL30 biflanges, stock small bi-flanges, De-Cored Olives.
Wear Style:
Straight down
Accessories
(4/5) – comes with spare filters, a nice selection of silicone tips (single- and bi-flanges), and a shirt clip. A nice leather-wrapped wooden case was included with my version but is no longer provided.
Build Quality
(3/5) – completely plastic shell, some reports of splitting; Cables are thick and sturdy but very plasticky and tangle easily. Hard plastic stem can damage cables.
Isolation
(2/5) – ported. Bi-flange tips help, but still below average isolation
Microphonics
(2/5) Rather poor and cannot be worn over-the-ear well. New cables are improved.
Comfort
(2.5/5) – cannot be worn over-the-ear; regular straight-barrel IEM otherwise
Overall Sound
(7/10) – The overall sound surprises with its clarity. The highs are detailed and sound extended, but roll off earlier than I expected and can sometimes be overly bright and a little forward. The mids have good clarity and detail. The smoothness is very impressive for the price, as well. The low frequencies roll off quickly but what is there is detailed and precise. Amping helps.
Amping: Likes a warm amp for a more well-rounded sound. Excessive power is not necessary. Bass boost helps with raising the low-end response.
Value
(9/10) – At $39, it was easy to recommend the RE2s for lovers of genres that benefit from a neutral/analytical presentation and high level of detail, such as classical. At the new $29 price, they are an absolute steal.
Pros: Great detail and clarity, smooth mids & highs, low price
Cons: Mediocre isolation, cannot be worn over the ear, poor low-end extension, not much bass quantity, can be bright
(3A3) Nuforce NE-7M / NE-6
Details: Same as the NE-6 but with a microphone
Current Price:
$49 from the Nuforce store at Amazon.com (MSRP: $49)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
12 Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
20-22k Hz | Cord:
3.9’ L-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Comply T400, Soundmagic Bi-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down or over-the-ear (preferred)
Accessories
(2.5/5) – Comes with a pleather carrying pouch and silicone single-flange tips in S/M/L sizes
Build Quality
(3/5) – Shell is made out of plastic with a metal insert. It feels fairly solid but there are numerous reports of shell splitting at the metal/plastic interface, which happened to mine as well.
Isolation
(4/5) – Fairly deep fit for solid isolation. Comply tips help further.
Microphonics
(4/5) – Very low when worn over-the-ear, but still not too bad otherwise.
Comfort
(4/5) – Straight-barrel IEM with a fairly long body. Stemless design very conducive to over-the-ear fit.
Overall Sound
(7/10) – Not always pitch-perfect but still lots of fun. The NE-7M is pretty smooth, with slight roll-off at the upper end and a voluminous bottom. They still manage to sound balanced and, most importantly, are loads of fun. The highs are not too detailed, but not tiring while the bass is powerful with somewhat long decay times, giving the impression of even greater bass quantity. They do extend quite deep on the low end, though the RadioPaqs are still better in that respect. Overall a little colored for my liking, but still a great-sounding set.
Value
(8.5/10) – Though not in a field of its own like it was a year ago, the NE-7M (and NE-6) is still a safe choice in the $50 range. They do nearly everything right and, most importantly, manage to retain the fun factor without significant sacrifices to SQ. And let’s not forget Nuforce’s excellent customer service.
Pros: Comfortable, low microphonics, very solid sound characteristics
Cons: May be too colored for some, not too strong in the highs, common build issues
(3A4) JVC HA-FX300 “Bi-Metals”
Details: JVC’s mid-range IEM featuring a bi-metal construction
Current Price:
$50 from Amazon.com (MSRP: $99.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
8-25k Hz | Cord:
3.3’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Comply T400
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear
Accessories
(3/5) – Comes with an egg-shaped hardcase and asymmetric silicone single-flanges in S/M/L sizes.
Build Quality
(4/5) – Possibly the most solid-feeling housing I’ve ever encountered. All metal with metal accents. Cable is identical to the one on the low-end JVC models, which is a bit disappointing at this price point.
Isolation
(3.5/5) – Not designed for deep insertion but the included asymmetric tips do a good job of compensating for the shallow fit. Foamies work better still.
Microphonics
(4/5) – Low due in part to forced over-the-ear design. Same cabling as other JVC models.
Comfort
(3.5/5) – Shells sit in the ear nicely, but could be too large for some. Insertion can be challenging due to the round housing and the way the nozzle is angled.
Overall Sound
(6/10) – Medium-size soundstage with very good positioning. Sound is slightly cold and metallic, but very dimensional and can be quite fun. Unfortunately, can also be very tiring with hard rock and metal. Good high-end extension and detail, but treble can sound artificially sharp, especially with silicone tips. I believe the proper term is ‘edgy’. The mids also boast good detail and clarity but are somewhat hollow-sounding and metallic, making the whole midrange sound recessed. The bass is punchy, but not very powerful. Missing the ‘oomph’ of some other phones. Accuracy is good but extension could be better. Has a little bit of that metallic feel to it, and the sharp impact can sometimes be downright unpleasant.
Value
(6.5/10) – At $50, the FX300s are another solid earphone from JVC, but as with the lower-end models better options can sometimes be had for the price. Sound can be characterized as somewhat bright and aggressive, sometimes harsh. Foam tips help tone down the timbre a bit. Not recommended for hard rock and metal listeners.
Pros: Solid construction, comfortable, low microphonics, good on detail and clarity
Cons: Slightly bright with odd peaks in frequency response, can be tiring
(3A5) MEElectronics Ai-M6
Details: MEElectronics’ previous flagship. Mine is the old version with black cabling. Cabling on new version is hugely improved.
Current Price:
$36 from Overstock.com (MSRP: $49.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Freq:
20-20k Hz |
Cord: 4’ I-plug (New version:
4.6’ L-plug)
Nozzle Size:
4mm | Preferred tips:
Sony Hybrids, Stock foamies
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear
Accessories
(4.5/5) – Comes with a nice clamshell hardcase (replaced with soft pouch in new version), cord wrap, airplane adapter, shirt clip, single-flange silicone tips (3 sizes), and a set of nice foamies (absent in new version). New version includes a set of tri-flange tips.
Build Quality
(3.5/5) (New Version:
5/5) – Solid-feeling housings let down by the thin, stringy cables that tangle easily but have nevertheless put up with months of abuse. Strain relief looks like a piece of heatshrink and the Meelec logo and L/R identifier rubbed off after a month of use. Note that new (clear) cables are much-improved.
Isolation
(3/5) – By design they cannot be inserted too deeply, but still isolate above average.
Microphonics
(2.5/5) (New Version:
5/5) – Pretty bothersome with my (old) cabling. Can render the earphone almost unpleasant at times despite the over-the-ear fit.
Comfort
(4/5) – Comfort itself is quite good but getting them fitted can be a royal pain in the friggin ass due to the memory wire. Luckily, memory wire can be removed with a bit of knifework. Sony Hybrid tips help a lot with getting a proper seal.
Overall Sound
(8/10) – Very refreshing sound. Despite sharing drivers with the Meelectronics Ai-M9, the M6 are just better in every way except airiness. They just don’t sound as breathy as the M9. They are, however, hugely detailed, with great extension on both ends. Soundstage is good for the price and positioning is excellent. Clarity across the range is uncanny, with excellent bass control and crystal-clear sparkle at the top of the range. They provide a very good all-around sound at the price point and can please both the detail freak and the casual listener.
Value
(8.5/10) (New version:
9.5/10)– At $36, the Ai-M6 is a steal. Techno/Trance and Electronica listeners need not look any further, but nearly everyone is sure to be impressed. Definitely one of my favorites in this class.
Pros: New version is well-built, comfortable, great sound
Cons: Can be an epic pain to get fitted
(3A6) MEElectronics M11
Details: New MEElectronics flagship. A version with a microphone is also available.
Current Price:
$36 from Overstock.com (MSRP: $49.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Freq:
20-20k Hz | Cord:
4.6’ 45 degree plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Biflanges, Soundmagic PL30 Foamies
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or Straight down (no preference)
Accessories
(4/5) – Comes with a soft carrying pouch, cord wrap, airplane adapter, shirt clip, and single- (three sizes), bi-, and tri-flange tips.
Build Quality
(5/5) – For the price, the build is sublime. Housing is all-metal and has a very solid and weighty feel while at the same time maintaining a feel of being delicately machined. The cable is probably the best I have ever encountered on an IEM. The hockey-stick shaped strain relief is somewhat odd, but not a major issue. A bigger issue on my (silver) set is the L/R markings printed in white 0.05-pt font. Nearly impossible to see under certain lighting.
Isolation
(4/5) – The housing is very narrow and they lend themselves well to deep insertion. However, they sound better inserted shallowly with the bi-flanges or foam tips and still isolate quite well.
Microphonics
(5/5) – Absolutely non-existent whether worn cord-up or cord-down.
Comfort
(4.5/5) – This is about as good as conventional straight-barrel IEMs get. The housing is tiny but easy to grip when inserting/removing.
Overall Sound
(6/10) – A more conventional sound signature than the M6 and M9 – smooth, thick, and intimate. Lacks the detail and refinement of the M6. Sound is very dependent on the tips used. Soundstage is lacking but positioning is precise. Certain tips (e.g. Comply foams) can make it sound distant and uninvolving. Good high-end extension but too laid back for my taste. The mids are a little warm, but still very pleasant. Bass is smooth and powerful with a fair amount of reach and decent definition. Overall, they are smoother, warmer, and darker compared to the M6. They would be an interesting alternative but some of the detail and all of the sparkle is lost in the differences.
Value
(8/10) – At $36, the M11 is a competitive entry. While slightly below the older M6 SQ-wise, its extreme user-friendliness and stellar build quality make it worth a look. It is one of the most well-designed IEMs I have encountered, and we can only hope that MEElectronics can keep improving their lineup to breed more well-rounded earphones.
Pros: Outstanding build quality, no microphonics, good bass
Cons: Not as resolving or detailed as the M6
(3A7) Soundmagic PL50
Details: Soundmagic’s (relatively) new flagship IEM
Current Price:
$55 from Focalprice.com (MSRP: $55)
Specs: Driver:
BA | Imp:
55.5 Ω | Sens:
109 dB | Freq:
15-22k Hz | Cable:
3.9’ L-plug
Nozzle Size:
4mm | Preferred tips:
Sony Hybrids
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear
Accessories
(4.5/5) – Comes with a hard carrying case, a set of over-the-ear cable guides and a large selection of single-flange silicone and foam tips.
Build Quality
(4/5) – Housings are tiny and very, very light. They seem sturdy. The cables are very nice – fairly thick, rubberized, with articulated strain reliefs at the y-joint and an L-plug. Early batch had problems with removing the stock foam tips, which sometimes resulted in splitting, but this has been resolved.
Isolation
(3/5) – Not bad at all but the design does not allow a very deep fit
Microphonics
(4.5/5) – Pretty much nonexistent
Comfort
(5/5) – With properly-fitting tips these are some of the most comfortable IEMs out there. The tiny size and low profile make it easy to forget about them.
Sound
(8/10) – The sound signature of these is a little different from most of the other IEMs I’ve tried in the price range. Instead of focusing specifically on the bass, the highs, or both, the PL50’s single balanced armature surprises with the smoothness and evenness of response across its entire (rather wide) frequency range. Extension on both ends is quite a bit better than average – on par, if not better than, the better dynamics. Surprising for a single armature setup, especially at such a low price point. I can see some people finding them bass light, and truly they don’t have any significant humps in the low-end response, but it is very detailed and can be felt as well as heard. Same goes for the highs – just a tiny bit of sparkle, no emphasis. If I had to attribute a term to these, I would call them mid-centric just because nothing draws attention away from the silky-smooth, liquid midrange. Soundstage is above average, but not as airy as the lower-end PL30. Overall, the sound they produce is very, very effortless. They are one of the least tiring earphones to listen to in my experience and also very forgiving of poor source material.
Amping: Good if it can be used as a hardware equalizer (i.e. a Fiio E5 with bass boost for those craving more bass), but these are quite efficient and don’t need one in general. They do respond very well to software equalization and can be molded to fit individual preferences quite well.
Value
(8.5/10) – With their unbeatable comfort, excellent accessory set, low microphonics, good build quality, and smooth sound I find very hard to find any cons whatsoever in these for the price. The sound may not be for everyone, but for what they offer they are incredible. I do recommend using them with Sony Hybrid tips, which add about $10 on top of the price but color the sound less than stock foamies and seal better than stock silicone tips.
Pros: Astonishingly comfortable, useful accessory pack, very practical, excellent sound
Cons: Laid back, mid-centric sound signature may be boring to some
More Impressions can be found
here.
(3A8) Cyclone PR1 Pro
Details: Entry-level IEM from Chinese manufacturer Cyclone. PR stands for “Pop and Rock”
Current Price:
est. $50
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
32 Ω | Sens:
106 dB | Freq:
20-22k Hz | Cable:
4.3’ I-plug j-cord
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Biflanges
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or straight down (preferred)
Accessories
(3.5/5) – Silicone single-flange (3 sizes) and bi-flange tips, small clamshell carrying case
Build Quality
(3/5) – Housing is made of metal and sturdy plastic. Metal filters are nice but the lack of strain relief is not.
Isolation
(3.5/5) – Ported but still adequately isolating, especially with bi-flange tips
Microphonics
(4.5/5) – Nearly non-existent
Comfort
(4/5) – Very typical of straight barrel IEMs. I find them light and comfortable
Sound
(8.5/10) –These have a very natural presentation. They are quite laid back for a dynamic-driver earphone. The soundstage is very wide and airy, with good positioning and separation. They have tremendous clarity across the range and the level of detail they put out, though not on-par with the RE0, is impressive. They have very gradual roll-off at both ends, which results in well-controlled high and low notes. No harsh treble or bass bloat here. I like the bass especially – it can go down pretty deep, but it never imposes and always stays musical. Their unique, gentle signature really agrees with me and works especially well with live recordings, acoustic music, and anything else that can take advantage of the incredible soundstage.
Value
(8.5/10) – They are stellar value for money. The unique sound signature alone makes them worth the price of admission for me. There is nothing else in their category that can match the wide open feel of these. Unfortunately, the j-cord can be bothersome for some, and the similarly-priced Soundmagic PL50s offer better accessories and a more comfortable form factor, which may be the deciding factor for some.
Pros: Wide, airy sound, great clarity and instrumental separation, comfortable
Cons: Lack strain reliefs on the cords, j-cord may be a problem
Full review can be found
here.
(3A9) Skullcandy TiTan
Details: Skullcandy’s latest creation hailed by HeadRoom as a 5-star value
Current Price:
$30-45 from amazon.com (Price varies by color; MSRP: $49.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16 Ω | Sens:
N/A | Freq:
20-20k Hz | Cable:
4.3’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Comply T400
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear (preferred) or straight down
Accessories
(3.5/5) – Mesh hardcase, single flange silicone tips (Medium) and 2 pairs of Comply T400 foamies. I don’t understand the case since it protects from neither significant impact nor dust.
Build Quality
(3.5/5) – Housings are metal and look pretty solid but still somehow feel cheap. The biggest problem is the “strain reliefs” on housing entry – they are made out of a hard, sharp-edged plastic that’s bound to damage cables over time. The strain relief on the plug isn’t much better. Cabling is a little thin but nicely rubberized and doesn’t tangle much.
Isolation
(3/5) – Ported; comply tips help quite a bit but they still don’t cut out all noise.
Microphonics
(3/5) – Very microphonic when worn straight-down. Over-the-ear is fine though.
Comfort
(2.5/5) – The big metal bulge on the housings cuts into my ear and I can’t wear them cable down for more than an hour. Over-the-ear is better but I still prefer straight-barrel designs.
Sound
(5/10) – The sound is tolerable. As expected, bass is their focus. I don’t mind big bass when it’s done right, but the Titans are only halfway there. While an improvement over the Ink’d, the bass is still fairly muddy, fat, and slow. The treble is harsh with the stock silicone tips but can be toned down a little with the (included) Comply T400 famies. The mids and highs are present and can boast some clarity but very little detail. Terms such as “soundstage” and “positioning” are not applicable here. These don’t sound anywhere near as flat as the Ink’d buds – in fact, they are quite full-sounding and dimensional with that massive bass impact - but they are still very confused about where and how far away things are.
Value
(5.5/10) – They may well be the best-sounding earphone Skullcandy has ever made, but in pure sound quality they are easily beaten by other manufacturers’ similarly-priced offerings. Still, they are a step in the right direction from the Ink’d and FMJ and I am sure that like any Skullcandy product these will often receive massive markdowns, raising their relative value. I think that they offer very reasonable sound for a $20-$25 earphone as the Comply tips alone are worth around $6. Do keep in mind that they sound much better with the Complys and replacing them is recommended every month or so under moderate use and can be pricy.
Pros: Big bass, included Comply tips
Cons: Big bass, harsh treble, painful and microphonic when worn cable-down, longevity concerns
Full review can be found
here
Tier 2C ($60-100)
(2C1) Head-Direct RE0
Details: Summer 2009 version of the RE0 IEM (cloth cable).
Current Price:
$99 from Head-Direct.com (MSRP: $239)
General Notes: Mine has the cloth cables and no hard case. Head-Direct seems to change these things without notice.
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
64 Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
16-22k Hz | Cord:
4.1’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Soundmagic PL30 foamies, De-Cored Shure Olives
Wear Style:
Straight down or over-the-ear (preferred)
Accessories
(3/5) - comes with spare filters, a nice selection of silicone tips (both single- and bi-flanges), a shirt clip, and an extension cable (75 cm). Lack of a case or pouch is odd at this price point.
Build Quality
(4/5) – classy-looking and solid metal shell feels sturdy, but there are occasional reports of splitting; Cables are nylon-wrapped and sturdy.
Isolation
(4/5) – above average - typical for a sealed straight-barrel IEM.
Microphonics
(4/5) – Unnoticeable when worn over-the-ear, and still not bad at all when worn straight down.
Comfort
(4/5) – Housings are fairly small and light. Comfort hugely dependent on tips.
Sound
(9.5/10) – No technical flaws in the sound. Reasonably wide soundstage, incredible clarity, top-notch separation. Very natural sound overall. The high-end is incredibly detailed and with great extension, easily the best I have heard. Very impressive also is the apparent flatness of response. The mids have good clarity and are also incredibly detailed. Very neutral with maybe just a hint of warmth. The lows are not huge in quantity, but very good in detail, extension, and control. These can drop below 40Hz and individual notes can be distinguished all the way down. Overall, it is a sound signature that makes it easy to both tune them into the background and pick out fine details, whichever strikes your fancy at the moment.
Amping: Like being amped, but don’t require it explicitly. High impedance rating is deceiving. Warm amp (e.g. T4) will make these more well-rounded for those who prefer a warmer, darker sound. A more powerful and transparent amp (such as a mini3) will take these to the next level, bringing to the table incredible speed and precision to match the best of the rest.
Value
(10+/10) – At $99, it is easy to recommend the RE0s as what is probably the best-value all-around earphone for the detail freak and accuracy lover. The RE0s’ sound signature is definitely not for everyone, but those looking for the absolute best detail to be had in the realm of reasonably-priced IEMs will not be disappointed.
Edit: New price of $79 for Thanksgiving. Good luck resisting the pull of these now..
Pros: Superb detail, accuracy, separation, and clarity.
Cons: May sound “boring” to some, some reported durability issues
(2C2) Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220
Details: Newer (2008) version of UE’s most expensive entry-level (MetroFi series) IEM
Current Price:
$69.99 from B&H amazon.com (MSRP: $79.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
18 Ω | Sens:
103 dB | Freq:
20-16k Hz | Cable:
3.8’ I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
Stock Single-flanges
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or straight down (preferred)
Accessories
(3/5) – Silicone single-flange tips (3 sizes) and a very convenient plastic carrying case
Build Quality
(2.5/5) – Housings are completely plastic and feel somewhat cheap. Cable is sturdy but lacks strain reliefs on housing entry. Of note are the colored nozzles – red for right, gray for left.
Isolation
(3/5) – Ported and shallow-insertion might sound like a bad combination, but really they work surprisingly well.
Microphonics
(3.5/5) – Not too bothersome even when worn straight down. A shirt clip would help.
Comfort
(3.5/5) – Housing is too fat for deep insertion and the stems make it hard to wear them over-the-ear. Still very light & comfortable for me, but buyers with small ears beware.
Sound
(6.5/10) – Overall, the sound is smooth and slightly warm. The soundstage is wider than average, with decent separation and positioning. The detail is nothing to boast about, but not a definite weakness, either. The mids and highs are present, although the top end is rolled off. The definite selling point of these is the bass – it is smooth, deep, and very powerful. It barely creeps in on the lower mid-range but I definitely wouldn’t call it bloated. A little muddy, maybe, but nothing drastic. There is a mid-bass hump typical of middle-of-the-road earphones, but it is well-integrated into the entire sound signature. I really do like how natural the bass sounds on these despite not being perfect from a technical standpoint. These are a good gateway drug for the budget-minded bass lover.
Value
(6/10) – At the $80 MSRP I feel that Ultimate Ears overshot the actual value of these by $20-30. They’re a very fun, tap-your-toes type earphone, delivering a dynamic sound signature with an emphasized low end and are quite competent all-around; it’s just too bad that the lower-tier entries by the likes of Nuforce and Meelectronics can do the same at a much lower price.
Pros: Very solid bass, fun sound, nice carrying case, shiny
Cons: Can be uncomfortable for some, hard to wear over-the-ear, mediocre build, pricy
Tier 2A ($150-250)
(2A1) Etymotic Research ER-4S
Details: Legendary IEM from Etymotic Research. Released more than a decade ago but still going strong.
Current Price:
$169 from Amazon.com (MSRP: $299.99)
Specs: Driver:
BA | Imp:
100 Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
20-16k Hz | Cable:
5’ L-plug
Nozzle Size:
3mm | Preferred tips:
Shure Olives, Etymotic tri-flanges
Wear Style:
Over-the-ear or straight down (preferred)
Accessories
(4.5/5) – Comes with a large selection of silicone and foam tips, a plastic storage case, a carrying pouch, two sets of spare filters with a filter tool, a ¼” adapter, and a shirt clip.
Build Quality
(4.5/5) – Housings are tubular and made out of a thick plastic. Stock cables are both sturdy and replaceable.
Isolation
(5/5) – Very deep fit. Etymotic claims a maximum isolation of 42db, and I believe them
Microphonics
(3.5/5) – Can be microphonic when used without the included shirt clip. Hard to wear over-the-ear due to long stem and thick cables
Comfort
(4/5) – Have to be inserted quite deeply for ideal seal. The thin housing makes this easier and Shure Olive tips work great.
Sound
(9.5/10) – Absolutely astonishing. There is just no way not to be blown away with the level of detail these things put out. Unlike the RE0, which let the detail sink in slowly, the Etys smack you in the face with it. The highs are detailed and extended, second only to the RE0 (and even that point is debatable). The mids are smooth, detailed, well-placed and very engaging. The bass probably has the best detail I have experienced from an IEM so far. Not bassy by any means, but definitely satisfying for those in search of more than just bass quantity. Extension is not mind-boggling, but texture is superb.
Amping: Really need an amp to shine. Though an mp3 player can drive them to decent volume, it will not unlock their full potential. Unamped, the RE0 are almost certainly superior. With a mini3, the ER-4S really opens the tap on the speed and detail.
Value
(9/10) – Make no mistake – Etymotic’s flagship is still a top-tier IEM 15 years later. The fact that it costs $170 to the other flagships’ $250+ is a testament to its high value, not low worth.
Pros: Some of the most detailed sound to be had, durable, replaceable cables, 2-yr warranty w/great customer service
Cons: Deep insertion not for everyone, can be difficult to wear over the ear, microphonics can annoy without shirt clip
Edit: One last note: I am sure most other reviewers will agree with me - no matter how high of a rating, in sound or value, we give to a particular product, always place your own personal preferences
first. I cannot stress this enough - sound is a subjective thing and we all have our preferences. I try to be as objective as possible, but complete objectivity is completely impossible, so take the numbers with a grain of salt and read the text!
Well, that's all for now, folks. Please let me know if I've screwed something up. Also feel free to make improvement suggestions, especially on the formatting. I am easy to contact via PM, as well.
Multi-IEM review thread - 16 earphoness compared - Updated 11/13/09
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I'll ask a mod to delete that post so you can get your reserve back 
Thoughts?
Looking forward to the review.
