zapx629 said:

 
Well, as I just said in another thread, the CKR9 you're looking at is the best IEM I've heard under $150. And it's not really even close. 

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danielkrego said:

   
The CKR9 (and the CKR9 LTD) just caught my attention yesterday, so while they both look promising, I'm still not confident about the idea of picking them up. Would you say the CKR9 (and/or the LTD) is more neutral and accurate overall than the GR07?

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ozkan said:

   
Yes, they are more accurate than GR07 for sure. I own CKR9 and GR07 cannot come close in overall refinement.

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krelianx said:

  Thanks Joker. What about the Trinity Delta? I've been hearing some amazing things about those

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danielkrego said:

  Hi ljokerl, my past three IEM purchases have been chiefly motivated by your recommendations and I've never been disappointed, so here I am again!
 
My last IEM was the  VSonic VSD3S, which died on me last week. I'll be brief and to the point - I'm essentially looking for an IEM like the VSD3S but less V-shaped and with more neutral mids. A touch more refined treble would be great too. I'll be using these with portable sources like my phone. Isolation is important (at least VSD3S-level of isolation).
 
I'm a musician and a music producer, so neutrality is something I'll always look for.
 
My budget is 200 USD, max. I'd also REALLY appreciate if you could throw in a second recommendation for an option in the same price range as the VSD3S, too (roughly 60-70 dollars), just in case I decide a cheaper IEM is good enough for my outdoor listening.
 
Please help me!

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danielkrego said:

   
That's great, do you have any experience with the CKR9 LTD? I'm interested in the more neutral (but not bass-light or thin-bodied) of the two.

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ljokerl said:

   
Not familiar with these.
 
 
GR07 would have been my first choice also. My favorite alternative (Philips Fidelio S2) hasn't got very good isolation. The other sets I like in that price range don't really resemble the VSD3S too much in sound tuning but you could go for something way more neutral, like the Audio-Technica ATH-IM02. I've been enjoying these quite a lot lately and they isolate well.
 
I don't have any non-VSonic alternatives to the VSD3S under $70, either. It's one of the best IEMs I have in that price range, and certainly the only one that sounds like a VSD3S. The two sets I like enough to recommend as alternatives even if they don't sound much like a VSD3S, the Ostry KC06 and Philips TX2, both have poor(er) isolation. 

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danielkrego said:

   
Thanks for your reply, joker. I should clarify, I am NOT looking for something that necessarily resembles the VSD3S, at all. I was just using it as my most familiar/recent IEM reference point, sonically.
 
Essentially, the main thing I didn't like about the VSD3S was the midrange recession/V-shaped profile, and also the slightly overbearing low-end, from time to time.
 
Do you have any more recommendations now? I'll look at the IM02, thanks.

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suman134 said:

 
 Im-02 if you can handle analytical sound, Im-02 is not going tot be as bassy as VSD3S.
 
 You should look at DUNU DN-1000 or Vsonic GR07 instead i think.

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danielkrego said:

   
I did in fact find the VSD3S a bit excessive in the low-end, and EQd my player accordingly, with a gentle dip in the mid-bass mostly. I'm worried that the IM02 might fall too far towards 'lacking body/weight/fullness' of sound, which to me is not a sign of a truly neutral IEM or headphone.

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ozkan said:

   
CKR9 might be your best bet my friend. They are neutral and have weight/ body/fullness to them. Did I say earlier that they have the best bass I've heard in an IEM? Yes, they are.

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suman134 said:

 
 Im not sure about how detailed they are against IM-02. As he is willing to cut the bass down.

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ozkan said:

   
Oh sorry! I missed that. Then I would suggest IM02 as well. 

 
 
There are also Macaw GT100S and Soundmagic E80 that you might check. 

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poridge said:

i got the dba 02 amd the im 02 around the same time and think that the im 02 still has a bit colouration in the mid range. for neutral and isolation, the dba 02 is also a good choice, but may lack some body and bass quality comparing to the dynamic driver ckr9.

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