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Best IEM/Portable for me? First time IEM buyer. (<$250)

post #1 of 11
1/6/12 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 

My only two experiences with high end audio have come in the forms of the Audio Technica ATH-M50 and the AIAIAI TMA-1's. Both around-ear or on-ear headphones.

 

I loved the bass punch/kick of the TMA-1's, but he overall sound balance and comfort of the ATH-M50's.

 

I listen to all kinds of music, with quite a few of the vocals being Vocaloids. The genres I listen to include Rock, Techno, Dance, Orchestral, and Pop. I don't listen to much rap, and never listen to country.

 

I will be using these on the bus to and from college, home, and also in the library when studying. Because of this, I will need proper Isolation and Noise Protection. My current music sources will be an iPod 4G and ENVY 17 3D 3rd Gen Laptop.

 

 

Post ANY ideas you may have that currently retail for, or can be found under my price limit. Thank you.

 

How are the Etymotic ER-4P MicroPro's? The Shure SE-425's? The Ortofon EQ-5's?


Edited by BRSxIgnition - 1/6/12 at 5:40pm
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post #2 of 11
1/6/12 at 4:01pm

UE TripleFi 10 and a cable upgrade maybe

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post #3 of 11
1/6/12 at 4:21pm

How about JVC FX700? However it would be harder to find them for 250$...

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post #4 of 11
1/6/12 at 5:06pm

Yeah, the FX700 would be your best bet for those genres... although my opinion should be discarded because *cough* I have them for sale *cough* rolleyes.gif

 

If you need more isolation, I would go with something like the SM3. The SM3 was the best BA IEM I have ever heard for techno due to it's odd sound stage.

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post #5 of 11
1/6/12 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nipit View Post

How about JVC FX700? However it would be harder to find them for 250$...



Yeah, $250 is my absolute max, I'd like it to be under than if possible.

 

Would a Shure SE315 ($195) or Shure SE425 ($229) be a good replacement for an M50? Could anyone give me some reviews on them?

 

If it helps, I'd say I listen to: 45% Rock, 35% Techno/Dance/Pop, 15% Orchestral, and 5% Instrumental/Classical.


Edited by BRSxIgnition - 1/6/12 at 5:11pm
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post #6 of 11
1/6/12 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRSxIgnition View Post



Yeah, $250 is my absolute max, I'd like it to be under than if possible.

 

Would a Shure SE315 ($195) or Shure SE425 ($229) be a good replacement for an M50? Could anyone give me some reviews on them?

 

If it helps, I'd say I listen to: 45% Rock, 35% Techno/Dance/Pop, 15% Orchestral, and 5% Instrumental/Classical.


You should probably stay clear of those Shure models; they aren't very highly regarded here. 

 

Oh, you should look into the EX600 if your collection comprises mostly of rock. They were absolutely lovely for rock music. To give you an idea, I used the EX600 to listen to The Raconteurs, Weezer, Pinback, and Andrew W.K. The EX600 also perform very well with techno, although the FX700 has more bass overall...

 

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post #7 of 11
1/6/12 at 5:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mastershake2393 View Post




You should probably stay clear of those Shure models; they aren't very highly regarded here. 

 

Oh, you should look into the EX600 if your collection comprises mostly of rock. They were absolutely lovely for rock music. To give you an idea, I used the EX600 to listen to The Raconteurs, Weezer, Pinback, and Andrew W.K. The EX600 also perform very well with techno, although the FX700 has more bass overall...

 


 

I prefer the look of the EX600's a bit more, and they are half the price too ($135). How much better are the EX1000's than the 600's?

 

Any portable around-ear headphones I should know about?

 

 

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post #8 of 11
1/6/12 at 5:49pm

I'd suggest not spending $250 with such an open brief. For under $100 you can get IEMs which match the signature of your current references - the Phonak 012 and Shure 215 come to mind. Also the RE262 for a bit more.

 

They may be all you need.

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post #9 of 11
1/6/12 at 6:15pm
Thread Starter 

What do you mean, open breif?

 

Are there any other portables I should look at? How are the Sony MDR-ZX700 and MDR-Z1000's?

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post #10 of 11
1/6/12 at 6:32pm

Have you looked into either the V-moda M80 or LP2? 

 

I personally haven't heard either, but the M80 has made quite a name for itself on this site... It's on-ear, but is said to be comfortable if you wear glasses (I'm not sure if that's valid in your case, but it sure it in mine lol). 

 

I don't think there are a lot of portable around-ear headphones tbh. Most portable headphones are on-ear.

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post #11 of 11
1/6/12 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mastershake2393 View Post

Have you looked into either the V-moda M80 or LP2? 

 

I personally haven't heard either, but the M80 has made quite a name for itself on this site... It's on-ear, but is said to be comfortable if you wear glasses (I'm not sure if that's valid in your case, but it sure it in mine lol). 

 

I don't think there are a lot of portable around-ear headphones tbh. Most portable headphones are on-ear.



I have to say, I really don't like the look of the V-Moda headphones. I prefer either industrial looks (Like the AKG K550) or modern looks, like the aiaiai TMA-1's.

 

I just wish that aiaiai would release a full-size version of the TMA-1's, or something to that effect. That would be awesome...

 

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