You could pick up the ultra tiny, and very nice-performing Fiio E5 for $19 from Amazon. Add a CD, and you get free shipping, too.
 
The E5 should be more than enough for the RE262.

Double.

RE-262 are an entirely different beast from EPH-100 and MTPG. For starters, RE-262 have linear (or slightly dropping) bass and they have that 2k "diffuse field" boost combined with 3-5k cut.
 
Both EPH-100 and MTPG are bass boosted, the former more so. EPH-100 also has some high end boost for a V-shaped frequency response. None of those is as fast either. MTPG is comparably smooth, EPH-100 is not.
 
Those are the major differences - it's harder to describe than to hear.

considering sound quality in general,
how much would the Thinksound ms01 be and upgrade over the id America Spark?
and how much would the Future Sonics Atrio MG7 be an upgrade over the Thinksound ms01?
thanks...
 

Joker,
 
I am looking to upgrade my eq-7's. I was wondering which one of these earphones is most suitable for my need. So far i've been recommended the Westone UM3X, Westone 4, Sony EX1000 (though i'm not sure about these since I need isolation and comfort), SM3 V2, CK100, CK100PRO, FitEar F111, SE535.
 
 
MUSIC GENRES: Female vocals, pop, acoustic, rock, metal.
 
 
SOUND PREFERENCES: 
 

1. Clarity.
2. airy/transparent.
3. articulate.
4. good mids.
5. treble thats smooth (not harsh, sibilant or overly bright).
6. good soundstage (engaging, feels as if your listening to a live concert).
7. not too bassy since i'm not a basshead (the eq-7's bass is adequate for my needs).
8. vocals more forward than instruments. I tend to like mid/vocal centric earphones but the instruments also have to be engaging.
9. Good imaging (able to pinpoint where intruments are and must not get congested in complex passages. Vocals being more upfront and the listener is positioned in the first/second row). 
10. not that revealing of bad quality tracks since I do have some mp3's that are below 320 (maybe 15%) but apart from that it is either wav or 320.

 
 
SOURCE: Sony Walkman Z, no amp.
 
 
Thank you.

Quote:

rg-tom said:

Hey joker, please can you compare the ue900, CT-200 and 1964 V3s? I really do like the idea of customs after having had a terrible time with the TF10s, and the CT200 and v3s seem the two logical choices.
 
Or any other suggestions under £300?

Click to expand...

 
You already requested the CT-200 vs UE900 comparison in the CT-200 thread, which I provided. You can also find full comparisons between the 1964-V3, CT-200, and UE900 in the 1964-V3 review.
 
Quote:

ktan3142 said:

Thanks a lot, AstralStorm and joker, for the prompt responses. I find the RE-262's vocals to be pretty euphoric, so I guess I can deal with the slight lack of bass. Having said that, I'm not going to try the A161P, because I'll more than likely gift it to a metal/rock friend of mine.
 
Also, I've owned the Ety HF3 for a short while and liked them a lot, aside from their claustrophobic soundstage. I don't know if it counts as a "decent" BA IEM, but I think my RE-ZERO will serve me well enough to cover for the 262's shortcomings.
 
Therefore, I'm gonna return either 

Click to expand...

 
The HF3 is very decent.
 
Quote:

rope said:

|Joker| -
I have but one question, which is not related to IEM's, but still relative.
 
After preparing all the concise but detailed reviews of what seems a gazillion IEMs, then answering a berrage of questions relating to those reviewed items.  How do you cram 48 hours into 24, and more importantly, do you ever sleep?

Click to expand...

 
With great difficulty, and not enough 
 
Quote:

googolplex147 said:

Hey Joker, I have a question about hifiman re262's. I will not be using an amp, but everyone says that you need one for these. Will they sound better or as good as some other choices in the price range, like turbine pro golds or EPH-100, considering I won't be using an amp? Just how much SQ do you loose if you don't use one? If the re262's are not better, what would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

 
The 262 isn't that bad without an amp - I would still pick them over the Golds or EPH-100 but the sound signature is also different. Depending on the type of sound you want the GR07 might also be an option as it's pretty easy to drive and arguably better than the EPH-100 and MTPG.
 
Quote:

amitl said:

considering sound quality in general,
how much would the Thinksound ms01 be and upgrade over the id America Spark?
and how much would the Future Sonics Atrio MG7 be an upgrade over the Thinksound ms01?
thanks...
 

Click to expand...

 
I don't know how I can quantify these things any more than the numbers in the reviews already have done. If you can afford the MG7 and don't mind losing some of the mid-bass and bloat and some of the treble sparkle of the id America, go for it.
 
Quote:

love music said:

Joker,
 
I am looking to upgrade my eq-7's. I was wondering which one of these earphones is most suitable for my need. So far i've been recommended the Westone UM3X, Westone 4, Sony EX1000 (though i'm not sure about these since I need isolation and comfort), SM3 V2, CK100, CK100PRO, FitEar F111, SE535.
 
 
MUSIC GENRES: Female vocals, pop, acoustic, rock, metal.
 
 
SOUND PREFERENCES: 
 

1. Clarity.
2. airy/transparent.
3. articulate.
4. good mids.
5. treble thats smooth (not harsh, sibilant or overly bright).
6. good soundstage (engaging, feels as if your listening to a live concert).
7. not too bassy since i'm not a basshead (the eq-7's bass is adequate for my needs).
8. vocals more forward than instruments. I tend to like mid/vocal centric earphones but the instruments also have to be engaging.
9. Good imaging (able to pinpoint where intruments are and must not get congested in complex passages. Vocals being more upfront and the listener is positioned in the first/second row). 
10. not that revealing of bad quality tracks since I do have some mp3's that are below 320 (maybe 15%) but apart from that it is either wav or 320.

 
 
SOURCE: Sony Walkman Z, no amp.
 
 
Thank you.

Click to expand...

What are you unsatisfied with in the e-Q7? It's got what you're looking for, maybe not the best in the world at each of those but more than competent.
 
Just from reading that it sounds like the CK100 (I haven't heard the CK100Pro).

say Joker,
 
do you think this year brought something that sounds like the original Xcape, even at a higher price?
those are somthing i really miss now

ljokerl said:

The entry-level BAs typically have much more glaring weaknesses than the mid-level ones. Signatures also vary quite a bit--the entry-level BAs I like (A151, Rock-It R-20/R-30, Astrotec AM-90, etc) tend to be warmer and smoother than most higher-end ones. If you want to really try an armature but still have reservations I would recommend something decent in the ~$100 range - an A161P, Ety HF5, Phonak 022, Brainwavz B2, Rock-It R-50, etc. Less of an investment than going all out at $200 and you shouldn't lose a whole lot on resale value if you don't like them.

Click to expand...

A lot of bargains online right now. Still thinking about adding BA IEMs to my little collection. Klipsch X10 is under $100 right now. Is this worth looking into or are there better dual BA units out there?

JJ

Quote:

zelda said:

say Joker,
 
do you think this year brought something that sounds like the original Xcape, even at a higher price?
those are somthing i really miss now

Click to expand...

 
Nothing that I can think of. There's still very few dynamic-driver earphones pursuing the type of detailed and balanced sound the Xcape v.1 had.
 
Quote:

johnny jumper said:

A lot of bargains online right now. Still thinking about adding BA IEMs to my little collection. Klipsch X10 is under $100 right now. Is this worth looking into or are there better dual BA units out there?
JJ

Click to expand...

The X10 is atypical of an armature-based earphone in that it's rather bass-heavy. I do think you can find something more accurate for the money but it's a good starter earphone. Not a great representation of BA capability though, due to its tuning.

Quote:

ljokerl said:

 

What are you unsatisfied with in the e-Q7? It's got what you're looking for, maybe not the best in the world at each of those but more than competent.
 
Just from reading that it sounds like the CK100 (I haven't heard the CK100Pro).

Click to expand...

 
 
I find the upper mids/treble of the eq-7's can be overly bright/harsh at times and can sound a bit grainy. 
 
Is it worth upgrading if you want something to sound better than the eq-7's or are they already one of the best? The reason I ask is because some people will say it's much improved. I know it comes down to preferences, but I just want to here your thoughts.
 
Thanks Joker.

Quote:

love music said:

 
 
I find the upper mids/treble of the eq-7's can be overly bright/harsh at times and can sound a bit grainy. 
 
Is it worth upgrading if you want something to sound better than the eq-7's or are they already one of the best? The reason I ask is because some people will say it's much improved. I know it comes down to preferences, but I just want to here your thoughts.
 
Thanks Joker.

Click to expand...

I don't know the EQ7 precisely but I have some familiarity with the design. I'd stay with the stock tips or get some if you don't have them and use the smallest that allow a seal for deep insertion to warm up the mids. I know there's a physical diameter issue that can restrict deep insertion for some but you're already in the ballpark for VG phone and may just need some tweaking. If you're already setup like this, try some sony hybrids, meelec duals etc before you let them go. 

Creative Aurvana 3 (under $100) or MEE A151 (under $70)?  Looking for analytical plus a non-fatiguing sound...
 
JJ

Quote:

johnny jumper said:

Creative Aurvana 3 (under $100) or MEE A151 (under $70)?  Looking for analytical plus a non-fatiguing sound...
 
JJ

Click to expand...

if you like Mee A151, better get Astrotec AM90 (35USD) . Theyre a lot cheaper and the sound signature is almost similar to A151. Some people who have them both prefer AM90 than A151. Just my 2 cents.

hehe waiting for a review of the BA200 from you one day (if you ever do it)

Hey Joker,
 
Iam looking for a new earphone under 50 . I mostly listen to rock and grunge bands like def leppard,pink floyd,alice in chains etc..
The ones i have shortlisted are Brainwavz r1,m4,m5,am90,gr02be.
 
Which one should I buy or anything else you can recommend ?