is there such thing as an "open" iem?

JVC FX700 kind of is, but it is also quite pricey and you can order a brand new one from Japan. Not much distribution elsewhere.

The Stax portable is (SR-001), but you have to use the amp that goes with it as they don't plug straight into a DAP.

Hippo VB can be used without any of the bass ports and basically becomes open back.

Phiaton PS210, as open as an in ear can ever be. If you like AD700 sound signature then you will probably like PS210 as well. It is like AD700 with a more forwarded mid. Soundstage is not as wide of course, but still better than most IEM out there.

I have small ear canals, and the Stax weren't as bad as they look.  They do come with a couple of different sizes of tips.  It's debatable whether a faster pair of headphones exists than them (than the SR-003 actually) period.  However, by "open" they have zero isolation -- I really mean zero.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS 

Phiaton PS210, as open as an in ear can ever be. If you like AD700 sound signature then you will probably like PS210 as well. It is like AD700 with a more forwarded mid. Soundstage is not as wide of course, but still better than most IEM out there.

That's gotta be the one.
 

I haven't heard the AD700 nor the Phiatons, but since I'm a huge fan of open IEMs I'll throw in my 2c:

Playaz Sonia II: Extremely cheap, on closing sale now for €10 on the playaz-audio.com webside. Bloated bass needs to be EQd, other than that great bang/buck. Spacious sound.

FX700: Expensive at >$300, but one of the very best IEMs I've ever heard. Sound incredible with a loose seal, as close to full sized cans as it gets with IEMs.

Final Audio Design 1601SB: Even more expensive ($700) and more open, but IMO not worth it. Sound mighty impressive with some stuff, but overall I prefer the FX700.

Radius DDM: <$150: I've only had these for a few days, so take this with a grain of salt: IMO these are unrecognized open gems. Most impressions I've read came from folks who were trying to get a good seal with them. If you succeed, they're rather treble shy and bass heavy. But if you use smaller tips that barely seal they sound excellent, much better balanced and almost within reach of the FX700.

really looking forward about what you think about the DDMS, I don't want to hijack the thread of course so i'll wait for your thoughts on the corresponding thread.

phiaton ps 210 is the thing you are looking for...

Quote:

Originally Posted by james444 

I haven't heard the AD700 nor the Phiatons, but since I'm a huge fan of open IEMs I'll throw in my 2c:

 

Playaz Sonia II: Extremely cheap, on closing sale now for €10 on the playaz-audio.com webside. Bloated bass needs to be EQd, other than that great bang/buck. Spacious sound.

 

FX700: Expensive at >$300, but one of the very best IEMs I've ever heard. Sound incredible with a loose seal, as close to full sized cans as it gets with IEMs.

 

Final Audio Design 1601SB: Even more expensive ($700) and more open, but IMO not worth it. Sound mighty impressive with some stuff, but overall I prefer the FX700.

 

Radius DDM: <$150: I've only had these for a few days, so take this with a grain of salt: IMO these are unrecognized open gems. Most impressions I've read came from folks who were trying to get a good seal with them. If you succeed, they're rather treble shy and bass heavy. But if you use smaller tips that barely seal they sound excellent, much better balanced and almost within reach of the FX700.

  I second the DDM recommendation, James they will become even better after 100 hours of burn in . 10-20 hours of pink noise (mid to low volume) will do wonders with treble, texture detail and soundstage/imaging.

  As for the dude screaming in your living room beck13, i was on a ship 3 weeks ago and suddenly i heard a child crying. I was looking left and right for the child till i remembered that the crying was part of the track i was listening to with my DDMs.

@james: I see that you didn't last very long resisting them This goes to show you how I'll never understand how two people can hear entirely different. I tried most tips in my collection minus those large sizes that won't fit in my ears and the treble was quite soft but I did like the sound..the fit on the other hand is a completely different story. Although it may have just been that the bass and mids just overwhelmed the treble into hiding I don't think they are that great in imaging for some reason although most seem to like them for that.  Also for AD700 think of a headphone with large sound stage similar to my tastes but even more bass light than whatever you have ever heard. I owned them for a week wondering where the heck the bass was before I sold them.