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Sub-$100 IEMs?

post #1 of 14
8/11/09 at 10:22am
Thread Starter 
This will be my first foray into IEMs. They'll be mostly for use on the train commuting back and forth to work. Source will be my ipod, mp3s generally with 192+ bitrate (some 160s might've snuck in there).

Budget should be about $100 max (if you have a recommendation that's a bit over, throw that in as well). Types of music I listen to: pretty varied, rock, rap, r&b, some techno, etc. I'd like a decent amout of bass, but nothing overpowering (I like the sound signature of my ATH-A700s, for example). Thanks for the help guys.

I know the Etymotic Research ER6i are on sale right now on Amazon for $60, but I've heard they're very light (read: nonexistent) on bass.

I've also seen suggestions in other threads for the shure e110, super fi 3, ie6 (bit higher priced), monster turbines (again, a bit higher), the hf5 (on sale for $100) and the nuforce ne7m.
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post #2 of 14
8/11/09 at 11:21am
I like the ADDIEMs for that price. Very inexpensive for a dual driver
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post #3 of 14
8/11/09 at 11:56am
I just ordered the Denon C710. I had recommendations for that as well as the FX500. People have told me that they are both very good with bass and the C710 has very good clarity with sound. The Denon also supposedly has good mids and treble.
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post #4 of 14
8/11/09 at 12:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jj94 View Post
I just ordered the Denon C710. I had recommendations for that as well as the FX500. People have told me that they are both very good with bass and the C710 has very good clarity with sound. The Denon also supposedly has good mids and treble.
Could you provide links for these? I see the Denons on Amazon, but they're only sold by one person for about $200.
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post #5 of 14
8/11/09 at 1:44pm
B&H has them for $99.95.

Denon | AH-C710 In-Ear Stereo Headphones (Black) | AH-C710K
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post #6 of 14
8/11/09 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 
Ugh, so many options. The Denons are nice, no doubt. I've also seen a lot of praise for the monster turbines on the forums, as well as many recommendations for the hf5. Can anyone offer any further guidance? Are any of these easier to drive with only an ipod? How about comparisons on sound signature?
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post #7 of 14
8/11/09 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeshmo1985 View Post
Ugh, so many options. The Denons are nice, no doubt. I've also seen a lot of praise for the monster turbines on the forums, as well as many recommendations for the hf5. Can anyone offer any further guidance? Are any of these easier to drive with only an ipod? How about comparisons on sound signature?
I'll offer some further guidance. Go to Walmart and buy some JVC Marshmallows for $20.00 and see if you even like wearing IEM's.

BTW, IMHO you can't get any better sound for $20.00!
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post #8 of 14
8/11/09 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwom View Post
I'll offer some further guidance. Go to Walmart and buy some JVC Marshmallows for $20.00 and see if you even like wearing IEM's.

BTW, IMHO you can't get any better sound for $20.00!
That's actually why I'm looking into an upgrade, I lost my Marshmallows.
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post #9 of 14
8/11/09 at 2:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by erikzen View Post
Yeah that's where I got them from. From the UPS tracking, it just got shipped a few hours ago.

Joe, I heard the Monster Turbines were pretty heavy for IEM's and can get uncomfortable.
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post #10 of 14
8/11/09 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jj94 View Post
Yeah that's where I got them from. From the UPS tracking, it just got shipped a few hours ago.

Joe, I heard the Monster Turbines were pretty heavy for IEM's and can get uncomfortable.
It's funny that you mention that, I was actually wondering that very thing when looking at them. I think I'm going to go with the Denons.
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post #11 of 14
8/11/09 at 4:48pm
The RE2 and Fiio E5 Combo is hard to beat for the price ($49). This was my first IEM and I was blown away (I was using Senn PX100's before). I like an analytical/revealing sound, bright and lean with not a lot of warmness to the mids or overpowering bass, just articulate and tight bass and clean transparent mids.

I'm looking to upgrade now (I blew out the left side somehow!) and will probably get the RE0 which is also a good price as it is on sale now ($99).

Note: the FiiO is not the best amp, but for the price it is! It does help the sound, and I'm using a Cowon D2 which has plenty of power.

Also, there is NO WAY I'd ever buy ANYTHING Denon, but that's just me, although it's based off of everything I've heard about Denon over several boards, that they are a pseudo-hifi brand much like BOSE. Just reading the bs about those IEM's makes me cringe, there is so much fluff that has little to nothing to do with sound reproduction.
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post #12 of 14
8/11/09 at 6:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomwom View Post
I'll offer some further guidance. Go to Walmart and buy some JVC Marshmallows for $20.00 and see if you even like wearing IEM's.

BTW, IMHO you can't get any better sound for $20.00!
Ugh. My pet peeve: people who say the Marshmallows are the best for $20 without trying anything else good in the range.

To the OP: The Soundmagic PL50s, Maximo Im-590s, and the Nuforces are all safe bets and on the low side of your budget. They will all do well with your genres and have present but controlled bass.
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post #13 of 14
8/12/09 at 2:25am
My nuForce ne-7's ($50) proved themselves to be money very well spent.

I just came back from Canada from a chinese tour (Grand Holidays).

While the Chinese tour guide would yell in Chinese over the intercom at ear-shattering volumes (I felt my book vibrating with each word), I was able to take solace in the Geek Survival Guide podcast.

Findings:
DO NOT go on a Chinese Tour, particularly Grand Holidays--especially in Canada or USA.
The nuForce ne7's don't block out all the sound, but enough to make life tolerable. They also sound really good for the money.
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post #14 of 14
8/12/09 at 11:49am
Lots of suggestions under $100.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/n...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/1...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/s...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/n...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/1...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/r...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/w...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/l...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/i...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/g...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/i...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/l...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/u...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/1...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/t...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/b...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/1...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/s...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/m...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/g...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/b...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/i...ghlight=%24100

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/n...ghlight=%24100
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