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Looking for some relatively high quality IEM's. Please help.

post #1 of 35
12/10/10 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 

So I'm looking for a pair of IEM's under $100 with a good warranty and good sound and isolation. The last pair I had were some V-Moda Vibes I ordered from eBay. They sounded alright but they broke and I want something that I will be able to keep for a long time. I only paid $20 for them so if anyone has heard them, some comparisons to anything I'm buying would be appreciated, as I don't want to spend more than $20 on a pair that sound the same as they do or worse.
Thanks in advance.

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post #2 of 35
12/10/10 at 8:57pm

I call the $100 entry-level range. tongue.gif

 

Anyway, for good isolation and good warranty, I'd recommend the Etymotic's MC5. However, they will only sound good if you like detailed and bright earphones. So, what did you note like and like about the Vibes? Did you like the bass impact of them? Did you wish you could certain details in the background clearly?

 

And don't worry about them not going to sound like an improvement. Chances are, it will. biggrin.gif

 

By the way, if you haven't, please do take a look at the awesome comparison that joker made. He has written reviews for a good handful of headphones under the $100 range.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-125-iems-compared-sony-xb40ex-ex85-added-12-08


Edited by MaxwellDemon - 12/10/10 at 9:00pm
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post #3 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxwellDemon View Post

I call the $100 entry-level range. tongue.gif

 

Anyway, for good isolation and good warranty, I'd recommend the Etymotic's MC5. However, they will only sound good if you like detailed and bright earphones. So, what did you note like and like about the Vibes? Did you like the bass impact of them? Did you wish you could certain details in the background clearly?

 

And don't worry about them not going to sound like an improvement. Chances are, it will. biggrin.gif

 

By the way, if you haven't, please do take a look at the awesome comparison that joker made. He has written reviews for a good handful of headphones under the $100 range.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-125-iems-compared-sony-xb40ex-ex85-added-12-08

Well the best pair of headphones I have had are the Panasonic RPHTx7 cans, which have good bass and good clarity. I'm perfectly satisfied with their sound, or I would be if they weren't broken, but I only use them at home. I will probably upgrade my at-home headphones at some point when I have more money. As for the entry level quip, I'm not making a lot of money right now, so it will have to do. The vibes had really nice bass tones I found, but the clarity definitely left something to be desired. I'll take a look at the Etymotics and the reviews there. I've been looking at the Audio Technica CKM50's for a good price on Amazon, do you know if they are any good? To be honest, $100 is my max, I really would ideally like something cheaper. I'm almost broke and I have a lot of other things on my plate. I would wait but currently, all my headphones are broken.
 

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post #4 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:16pm

Understood about the budget. I just made that remark because I noticed a lot of people seem to demand $100 earphones to sound godly. And frankly, that's really hard... and it isn't exactly easy with godly expensive earphones either.

 

Anyway, if you like the bass from the Vibes, I'll steer away from the MC5 because the MC5 will sound anemic compared to the Vibes. MC5 has a nice, controlled bass, but it doesn't declare presence over the other details you will be hearing with them. However, MC5 is undoubtedly the best isolating earphone in that range and they cost around $70 - 80. Unfortunately, I have no experience with AT-CKM50, so I can't make a remark for them. :(

 

It actually seems like the HJE900 is a perfect match for you. Unfortunately, those has been taken out of the US market, so, it'll cost more than $100 to have it imported from another country.

 

Pushing the envelop a bit, I'd actually suggest you try finding RE-ZERO (not RE-0, they are hilariously different earphones). If you are willing to sacrifice the bass a little for clarity, you can try going for Sunrise Xcape (which is around $80).


Edited by MaxwellDemon - 12/10/10 at 9:20pm
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post #5 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:19pm

The Vibes are probably the worst sounding IEMs I've heard, so it won't be hard to find a better pair for under $100. Take a look at the Klipsch S4.

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post #6 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HumanAfterYall View Post

Well the best pair of headphones I have had are the Panasonic RPHTx7 cans, which have good bass and good clarity. I'm perfectly satisfied with their sound, or I would be if they weren't broken, but I only use them at home. 


If you like the RP-HTX7 you may want to try finding a reasonably-priced or used Panasonic HJE900 as they share a general signature pretty closely. I don't usually recommend the Klipsch S4 but it might be a decent option in this case since the HTX7 is similarly aggressive and unrefined.

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post #7 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:36pm

I started with the Klipsch s4. Then went to the RE0. If the philips you heard and like sounded like the s4 as Joker is saying, then the RE-Zero will probably not be what you want...

 

Maybe the Hippo VB. $79.99 I believe.

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post #8 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 

Sorry to leave you guys hanging, I just made some food. I'll look through your suggestions now. Thanks a lot guys.

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post #9 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:47pm

You should use Joker's thread posted earlier. Truly magnificent resource.

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post #10 of 35
12/10/10 at 9:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HumanAfterYall View Post

Sorry to leave you guys hanging, I just made some food. I'll look through your suggestions now. Thanks a lot guys.



No problem, suggestion threads rarely go this quickly. tongue.gif

 

Hopefully you'll be able to find a decent earphone for your budget. Let us know which earphone you chose and how you felt about them when you do get them! smily_headphones1.gif

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post #11 of 35
12/10/10 at 10:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxwellDemon View Post

Understood about the budget. I just made that remark because I noticed a lot of people seem to demand $100 earphones to sound godly. And frankly, that's really hard... and it isn't exactly easy with godly expensive earphones either.

 

Anyway, if you like the bass from the Vibes, I'll steer away from the MC5 because the MC5 will sound anemic compared to the Vibes. MC5 has a nice, controlled bass, but it doesn't declare presence over the other details you will be hearing with them. However, MC5 is undoubtedly the best isolating earphone in that range and they cost around $70 - 80. Unfortunately, I have no experience with AT-CKM50, so I can't make a remark for them. :(

 

It actually seems like the HJE900 is a perfect match for you. Unfortunately, those has been taken out of the US market, so, it'll cost more than $100 to have it imported from another country.

 

Pushing the envelop a bit, I'd actually suggest you try finding RE-ZERO (not RE-0, they are hilariously different earphones). If you are willing to sacrifice the bass a little for clarity, you can try going for Sunrise Xcape (which is around $80).

Well I have near zero experience with IEM's. I've only had 2 pairs. First the vibes, and then the other day I went and picked up some Panasonic ones from London Drugs for $30, which have absolutely NO bottom end, they're terrible. I'm going to order a new pair, and then take the panasonics I bought back before the two week return period is up. So when I say I liked the bass on the vibes, it's a statement of near complete ignorance, probably not of preference. Would it help at all if I told you guys what kind of stuff I like to listen to? Another thing, I'm ordering from Canada. Looking at these MC5's on amazon it says they have a 2 year warranty, so if the quality is good, I would be perfectly willing to shell out the money.

I looked up the HJE900 and the only thing that came up was $250, so that's out of the question.

Where I've asked before I was told that klipch S4's, RE-0's and Yuin are good, so any opinion you may have regarding those would be nice.

RE-ZERO only turned up results for the RE-0 and Resident Evil: Zero :l

The sunrise only turned up a review on this site, no place to purchase, so I don't know about them.
 

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post #12 of 35
12/10/10 at 10:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdraluck23 View Post

I started with the Klipsch s4. Then went to the RE0. If the philips you heard and like sounded like the s4 as Joker is saying, then the RE-Zero will probably not be what you want...

 

Maybe the Hippo VB. $79.99 I believe.



Well as much as I do like the HTX7, I'd like you all to keep in mind I'm entirely open to anything. I mean, I've never owned anything expensive in the way of any type of headphones. Even the HTX7 is only around $80 or something. I might do better to go with an unbiased opinion from you guys than my own preference. I can't find much in the way of resellers for the Hippo.

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post #13 of 35
12/10/10 at 10:06pm

Yes, actually, telling us what music you listen to will refine our suggestions further. tongue.gif

 

RE-ZERO or RE-0 comes from Head-Direct, which is a sponsor of this site. You can see a link to their page on the side.

 

You can get the Sunrise Xcape from Bugden Audio. It is run by one of our fellow Head-Fier, Ethan.

 

I actually haven't listen to the S4 or Yuin before either. So, I wouldn't have an idea of how they'll sound compared to RE-0. I'd imagine this is a question that Mdraluck23 or joker can answer instead.

 

On the MC5, they are good, really good, if you accept the lack of bass impact for the tight, controlled bass. The brightness (emphasis on the treble and highs of an earphone sound) of these earphones will also be something up in the air. It might come off somewhat harsh at first, but once you get used to that, you'll be open to a world of detailed music. They aren't very good for rap and rock music though. They really shine with music with a lot of string instruments in it.


Edited by MaxwellDemon - 12/10/10 at 10:10pm
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post #14 of 35
12/10/10 at 10:09pm

IMHO

 

S4, for really bassy music, or if you just love bass. If you want to feel the impact of the bass. Decent highs and mids, but lacks the sparkle of the RE-Zero.

 

RE-Zero for clarity. If you want to hear every detail in a song. Very analytical, No real warmth. Lacks the "fun" of a lot of headphones I've heard.

 

I haven't heard the Hippo VB but It kind of seems like a good middle ground.

 

EDIT: clarified.


Edited by Mdraluck23 - 12/10/10 at 10:11pm
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post #15 of 35
12/10/10 at 10:09pm
Thread Starter 

There is another pair of Etymotics here on Amazon with a higher MSRP, so I don't know if they are any better but I feel they are worth mentioning. Is the ER6i better than the MC5?

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292047615&sr=8-1

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Looking for some relatively high quality IEM's. Please help.