In ear monitor advice

I suggest reading this to start.  Be warned that the reviews page takes a ton of memory and may crash your browser.  It is the review list I use when looking at new IEM's because it is very complete with pictures, pros and cons, and prices.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-186-iems-compared-xears-nature-n3i-xe200pro-added-8-01

If that does not work for you I suggest using a pair of Brainwavz M2 IEM's and purchase a set of Comply T-400 tips to accompany them.  They are a really great headphone with a mids bias which will work great for vocals.  They are built really well and sound amazing for the price.

TF10 are considered uncomfortable if your ears are small.

Brainwavz is a brand so they have like 5-6 different models.

You say you want to spend $150. Brainwavz most expensive model is the B2 which are a bit bass light. Especially compared with the M50. You can take a look on the Brainwaz M3 with a more balanced sound but since you want to spend more you can find something even more capable.

Now i would suggest the vsonic gr07 which i have and fits you great from what you say. The cable is very good quality but a bit tricky. I dont mind about its untamed cable because i use earguides and foam tips but at the start you might be disappointed by thr cable. If the cable is improved as many people say in version 2 i definitely reccomend them.

Hifiman might need to be driven by an amp to sound their best but its a good option since you have an amp combo.

And x10 probably are the most comfortable of all but maybe not as good sounding as the gr07 and the hifiman

The GR-07 is a good choice however you will be paying a little more than 150.  I would go with the ety's, I just received my HF-5 today but I had the HF-3's last week before returning them.  The HF-5 are the same as the HF-3 but not built specifically for apple.  I purchased the HF-5 from Amazon and they offer the Cobalt pair for around 97.00 U.S. which is a great buy, if you are inclined to try the Prime membership free for 30 days as I did you can get free 2 day shipping or overnight delivery for 3.99.

I can't speak as to the other phones except for the TF10 and I feel you would be better off with the HF-5 or GR-07.

I think the TF10's would fit you really good especially since you listen to dance, trance and hip hop, they really excel with thoughs types of music.  The UE's have a fun balanced sound with slightly recessed mids but they still fit with the other frequencies, its just a very smooth sounding IEM.

I own the HF5's to and their very good to with great detail and though their bass light you can use one of you FiiO amps and that solves that problem.

I haven't heard these but the Yamaha EPH-100SL has some nices reviews on here and might also be a good fit for you, just type it into the search and you'll find the appreciation thread for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoB89 

Thank you for all the advice, and it seems the HF5 and vsonic Gr07 and mostly being recommended, while the Hifiman 262 is a close second.  I use smaller earpieces and one person replied that the triplefi 10's are for larger ears, so it seems this is ruled out :(  .  i was looking at prices and the HF5 is 97.00, the gr07 at 180 and hifiman 262's are at 150.  are all 3 of these iem's comfortable for 2 hours?  

 

PS which would you choose given the value?

 

PSS: Thanks for helping me.  My first post here was really worth it, especially when purchasing something around 150 dollars.  

The TF10 do come with a set of small silicon tips, so I wouldnt rule them out IMHO.

If comfort is your priority, you can't beat the X10s. I've had mine since Christmas and I can't get over how comfortable an IEM can be. I have the Klipsch S4s as well along with some others, and the X10s beat them all by far. I am willing to sacrifice some sound quality for comfort, but they sound pretty good. I haven't heard any of the others mentioned here, but compared to the cans that I have, they stand up pretty well.

Remember before pulling the trigger ask where an to buy the iems from. You can buy the gr07 cheaper than 180. maybe closer to $160. And there is always the trading section in headfi where you can buy used iems and most of the times they are in great condition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoB89 

I use smaller earpieces and one person replied that the triplefi 10's are for larger ears, so it seems this is ruled out :(  .

To many people let that scare them out of getting the TF10's.  I don't have overly large ears and they fit me fine and I can wear them for hours no problem.  Sony hybrids and Monster gels/foam tips work good with the TF10's if the stock tips don't suit you.  

At their current price point their easily one of the best bang for buck IEM's out there so I wouldn't rule them out just yet.  Also from the prices you quoted it looks like your buying from Amazon so if the TF10's don't work you can always return them and get something else.

The others that your looking at are still very capable IEM's I just wouldn't be so quick as to right off the TF10's just yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoB89 

I really feel like there is no wrong way to go.  I'm more confused now than anything.  I used to want the tf 10's, and was definititly looking at the prices to see if it will go down daily on amazon to no avail. (makes me upset i could buy these for $94, and now 160)    And thanks angelopsaro i did only check amazon for pricing as well as googleshopping.  where should i ask about pricing?  

 

Thanks Leo

I believe the Amazon deal was only once a year for Black Friday. Even at $150 or less, they are a good buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoB89 

I really feel like there is no wrong way to go.  I'm more confused now than anything.  I used to want the tf 10's, and was definititly looking at the prices to see if it will go down daily on amazon to no avail. (makes me upset i could buy these for $94, and now 160)    And thanks angelopsaro i did only check amazon for pricing as well as googleshopping.  where should i ask about pricing?  

 

Thanks Leo

The TF10 are definitely not for everyone, I have larger ears and still found them to be uncomfortable.  Finding the perfect tips will help a lot however I still found them uncomfortable and would recommend the GR07 or HF-5 over them.  Frogbeats has the GR-07 for around 175 and David is a great guy to deal with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoB89 

I really feel like there is no wrong way to go.  I'm more confused now than anything.  I used to want the tf 10's, and was definititly looking at the prices to see if it will go down daily on amazon to no avail. (makes me upset i could buy these for $94, and now 160)    And thanks angelopsaro i did only check amazon for pricing as well as googleshopping.  where should i ask about pricing?  

Well, have you decided which one your buying? IF yu want the gr07 probably the best options is lendmeurears.com. They have them for 160 usd and free shipping. There is a seller who sells them for $150 on ebay but i am not sure. I think he sells the old version and also dont have the one year warranty lendmeurears offers