Noob here...

Been looking for a pair of new IEMs to replace my shoddy Sony's. I have read through many threads and posts and have shortlisted three which are within my budget (USD40-50 or even more) - the SoundMagic PL50 / MEElectronics M6 / Crossroads / Crossroads Hippo VB.

I have read a lot of raves for the PL50. I suppose it is hard to fault its sound quality. But while the design is a marked improvement from the PL30, which I had once considered getting, I am a little concerned about its durability and build. The reason I resisted the PL30 was cause I was too put off by the design and build.

The M6, however, is a very recent discovery. From what I have read so far, the only major concern is the memory wire, and the tips that came with it. I suppose I could use a ear phone hook (ones like those supplied with the PL50) to rectify it? I am not sure if the sound would match up to the PL50 though.

Now, the Hippo VB has a lack of substantial reviews here. All I know is that it's good for bass heads I think.

I am not familiar with BA and dynamic drivers and have no idea what difference they make. To give you an idea of what suits me, I listen to pop mainly, ranging mostly R&B and Hip-hop genres. I also listen to Vocal Jazz and Classical music regularly. Let me just add that I like my bass very much but I get a thrill from a solid treble too.

Please help me out with some opinions! Or if you have any other suggestions, do let me know as well. Thanks a bunch!

I just looked around a bit and couldn't find where you can get the Hippo VBs for $40 to $50. Could you tell me where you did?

I absolutely enjoy the PL50, they are very smooth sounding and their comfort exceeds what my initial impressions of them. The PL50 were my first real over the ear pair, while I did thought about the Meelectronics, they looked a bit big and decided against it. Never heard the Hippo yet, but the PL50 get my recommendation for excellent comfort, build quality and smooth sound. However, I still prefer the sound of my RE0.

The build of the PL50s is very solid. Cabling is nice. the housings are solid, and the 90 degree plug should hold up as well. The M6's have thicker cables and the memory wire can be removed in about 5 minutes with a sharp blade and some wire clippers.

Sound-wise they are very different animals. Some people around here prefer the PL50 all-around (e.g. mark). I personally think the M6 is better value for money (~$35 vs ~$55) but I concede that for vocal genres the PL50 is superior with its strong, smooth mids. The M6 have more bass and more forward treble so they are my pick for rap/hip-hop as well as trance/electronic genres. If you consider yourself a bass-head the M6 would be the better choice. The tips they come with aren't bad; I just prefer foam tips.

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Omg! I made an edit and added the Hippo later - forgot to edit the price range! Well... I see most places selling the Hippo VB for USD79, although I did read somewhere that I can get it for around SGD98 with a Flio 3 thrown in. That's about USD70 and I suppose I can deal with that if the Hippos VB proved fabulous!

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Hey Mythless. Thank you. So that's one vote for SoundMagic PL50!!! Not sure of the RE0 though... I had looked up the Thanksgiving offer at USD79, but they look too cheaply made. That turned me off major unless I can find some really decent pictures. I am actually very afraid of Chinese OEM products, SoundMagic likewise, hence my initial apprehension.

The Hippo VB are also a Chinese OEM product.
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A damn, I was hoping to get a good deal on them, as I'm very interested in trying one for myself.

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Hey |joker|. Thank you! So I'll accord a vote for the M6 on this one. Yea, I have read Mark's reviews on both phones and also his disbelief that the M6 and M9 are actually using the same drivers - although the M9 is a much cheaper choice. Anyways, I won't exactly call myself a bass head, but I get very very excited when my bass thumps with a pack of punch! And yea, I do get annoyed with muddy bass especially. But that said, I am also very particular about my strings when listening to classical, thus treble is important nonetheless.

I am reading your Cyclone PR1 Pro review right now... they look splendid indeed. Do you think it's worth a trump above my suggestions? Think I might grow crazy choosing a pair this time.

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Sorry! I stay where Jaben is so if there any price drops, I can help to purchase them for you??? LOL.

See, they are too many Chinese OEMs around... It's now a matter of getting the best and most reliable ones. Oh, I'm a sucker for style, so it has to look very decent as well... In fact, I'm already planning on how I can modify the PL50 in terms of looks as we speak...

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The RE0 are quite solid, they use metal housing and the new ones use good cables and they can take a beating (but then again I don't abuse mine, they sit in my altoid can). However, they don't come with a portable case, but again an altoid can works well. If you're not really a bass head, the RE0 are quite stellar, very good treble, detail, neutral and so forth. But, if you don't want to exceed your budget limit, the PL50 is a great buy. But there are so many low budget IEMs out there that choosing may be a slight problem. Regardless, I am sure you will enjoy any IEM that you choose.

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If durability is an issue, the PR1 doesn't have a durability record as of yet, it is still in question. From what I saw from the pictures they don't have lots of stress release points, but they look solid and of course it depends on how well you take care of them.

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Cyclones aren't quite up there with the PL50 and Ai-M6 build-wise. Those two are very well-built IEMs (the M6 is one of the few IEMs that I don't feel the need to use a case with). The housings of the Cyclones are rock-solid but there are no strain reliefs on the cable, which worries me. Plus I don't think you'll like the way the Cyclones look in person - matte asymmetric plastic cones aren't exactly fashionable. Sq-wise they're a step up but will likely sound too laid back for some.

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Thanks again, I think the RE0 is outta my range at the moment so I'll probably not consider those. And you are right, I cannot make up my mind! Wish I had these to audition before making a decision, which I can make in a snap.

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Ok, leaving these out of the running. Haha.

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Thanks for the feedback! I won't consider these then.

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yeah the M6 is good but never made me think wow, PL-50 did but its more about what sound sig your after. the 50 isnt going to have the bass many crave but its beautiful sounding

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Hey Mark, thanks for the heads up. I can't really describe the sound sig that I crave for, but for an idea of what I like to hear in terms of bass, check out Erykah Badu's On & On, Janet Jackon's Got 'Til It's Gone, Maxwell's Pretty Wings and I could go on with rappers and all. You mention that the PL50 ain't gonna give me awesome bass, but do they at least pack a punch?

I do enjoy my R&B and Hip-Hop and as such I don't know if the PL50 would match up. If they can provide me with a glorious soundstage, I suppose I'm sold on the PL50 as well. If it helps, I find the CX300's bass too overly muffled and sloppy.