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IEM's in the $150 range - Bit of warmth with good all-roundness??

post #1 of 33
7/5/10 at 6:57pm
Thread Starter 

Firstly, I appologise if this has been covered before. I guess I'm trying to narrow it down a bit rather than leaving such an open ended thread...

 

I'm after some IEM's for general commuting use which will provide all round goodness but without lacking authority and warmth in the lower end.

 

My main genre of music is R&B/Soul (before you go thinking of the commercial crap, stop. Think Anthony Hamilton, Brian McKnight, etc.), but at times will sometimes listen to other general music. So I want something that will deliver smooth beats nicely, without overdoing it though (not a fan of heavy bass).

 

Not being too picky? I'm willing to do some research on my own behalf, but I just need some guidence as for what to go for.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE115-BLU Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Blue)
Shure SE115-PNK Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Pink )
Shure SE115-K Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Black)
post #2 of 33
7/5/10 at 7:00pm

I will preface that I am far from an expert when it comes to IEM's, but I have the Denon ah-c751k's and they are definitely not lacking on the lower end.

 

Hopefully others with a little more IEM experience will chime in.

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post #3 of 33
7/5/10 at 8:21pm

Try Shure SE-115 for about $100.  I've had them for a couple of months and continue to be impressed.  At least with my Sansa Clip they have just what you're looking for - good warmth and authority without over-emphasizing anything.  Definitely worth the price in my opinion.  Use the foam tips for the best sound.  And for commuting the foam provides really great isolation.


Edited by kh6idf - 7/5/10 at 8:23pm
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post #4 of 33
7/5/10 at 8:31pm
Thread Starter 

$100 is great... I'll look into the Shure's....

 

Dmac...Your recommendation is noted ;)

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post #5 of 33
7/5/10 at 8:33pm

go for monster turbine coppers or golds...used of course.... but definately works with songs that require bass

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post #6 of 33
7/5/10 at 11:53pm

Consider the Radius DDM, which is just around your price target and provided you will get a good fit, matches your need for all-round quality with a bit of warmth to the dot. Check out ljokerl's comparison thread - the DDM's have some terrific reviews as far as sound quality go.

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post #7 of 33
7/6/10 at 12:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kh6idf View Post

Try Shure SE-115 for about $100.  I've had them for a couple of months and continue to be impressed.  At least with my Sansa Clip they have just what you're looking for - good warmth and authority without over-emphasizing anything.  Definitely worth the price in my opinion.  Use the foam tips for the best sound.  And for commuting the foam provides really great isolation.


I think they are horrid, had them for more than a year and not by any real choice.  They sound okay if you haven't heard better IMO.  $39 Brainwavz M1 will eat the Shure 115's alive.

 

DDM's and DBA-02's are your best bet for $150

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post #8 of 33
7/6/10 at 12:25am

mtpg is the way to go

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post #9 of 33
7/6/10 at 3:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaxilus View Post




I think they are horrid, had them for more than a year and not by any real choice.  They sound okay if you haven't heard better IMO.  $39 Brainwavz M1 will eat the Shure 115's alive.

 

DDM's and DBA-02's are your best bet for $150


 

That's the kind of reply I like.. Some real honesty and criticism.. Taking all replies on board.

 

Will look into Radius DDM's.. From what's been said, they sound on the money...


Edited by House Groove - 7/6/10 at 3:44am
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post #10 of 33
7/6/10 at 3:56am

if its for commuting id look into things with BA, dynamics generally dont isolate that well and never underestimate the power of isolation on a commute.

 

the custom 3 would do it but its got that cable, x10 maybe, W2

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post #11 of 33
7/6/10 at 5:10pm

If you're using them for your commute, then you'll probably want a lot of isolation.  AFIK Etys and Shures isolate the best, but the Shures are a lot warmer.  You don't mention a budget, but I'll recommend the SE530/SE535s.  The bass is dead flat down to DC and the mids are just awesome, which should do wonders for the vocals in your preferred genres.  Don't listen to soul/r&b so I can't say for sure though.

 

EDIT

 

Scratch that, you did mention the budget in the topic.  I don't know how the current Shures in that price range measure up.  I did like my E2c but I don't think they make that model anymore.


Edited by maverickronin - 7/6/10 at 5:14pm
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post #12 of 33
7/6/10 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 

...So I bought a cheap pair of Sony earphones just for the time being while I do my research as I can't stand not having music on the bus. I have previously bought a pair of W3's (random money splurge) which I returned within a couple of weeks to earphonesolutions.com as they had a faulty/buzzy left mid-range driver. Was going to just buy a pair of IE8's from my mate who could get them for cost price, but in the end decided I didn't need to be spending so much on earphones when I'm only using an iPod, lol. (Sounded magnificent through high end equipment in his shop, though) 

 

I know this pair are just $40 cheapies from Sony (I work at one of the Sony Centers, so they were extra cheap for me), but goddamn, I think I've been spoilt by the W3's..These sound like rubbish! Haha :)

 

...anyway, my search/research continues...

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post #13 of 33
7/8/10 at 5:48pm

As has been previously said, I would look into Radius DDM, Fischer Audio DBA-02, and Monster Turbine Pro Copper/Gold.

 

You also might want to look into Sennheiser IE 6/7/8. The only difference between the IE8 and the IE7 is the IE7 lacks an adjustable bass knob.

 

Another option is the Westone UM Series (in your price range the UM1, but if you count used, you could probably find a UM2).

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post #14 of 33
7/17/10 at 10:17am
Thread Starter 

I've been looking but cant find any specific information or photos of people wearing them.....but the Fischer Audio DBA-02's.... Is the cable an over-the-ear type that the Westone 3's are? I quite liked that for sports and really want it again..

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post #15 of 33
7/17/10 at 11:06am

klipsch custom 3 are very good and isolate very well for travelling and have a good punchy low end nice midrange and detailed treble

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE115-BLU Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Blue)
Shure SE115-PNK Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Pink )
Shure SE115-K Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Black)
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