So my Klipsch x10s recently broke, so i need a new IEM. I'm on a $100 budget and im looking for an IEM with decent noise isolation, mid-centered with good highs; i don't care too much about bass, as long as it's existent. I'm a metalhead, but i do listen to some electronica,hip hop, and classical every now and then. I come from the ATHM50s and the v moda M80s( if that gives you an idea on what i would like). I was looking toward the Hifiman RE0s but i've heard brilliant and horrible reviews on them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Kevin

I hesitate to recommend it for metal, but just to through out a data point, Etymotic has offerings in the $100 range.   They have great noise isolation and very good mids and highs.  The bass is lacking in force and comes across as a bit 'intellectual', not at all visceral.  It's a very clean sound for the price.  

Quote:

flatmap said:

I hesitate to recommend it for metal, but just to through out a data point, Etymotic has offerings in the $100 range.   They have great noise isolation and very good mids and highs.  The bass is lacking in force and comes across as a bit 'intellectual', not at all visceral.  It's a very clean sound for the price.  

Click to expand...

Thanks, well i simply looked into them because i love my M50s, and reviewers for the RE0s actually said they were in some ways similar, but i do want some crunchy mids. I'll be sure to look into Etyomic! 

I'm not sure how I would properly sift the differences between the M50s and the Etiymotic MC5.  The M50s are of course more expensive and I could listen to guitar grounded rock all day with these.  Also good with jazz and flexibly cover a large range of musical styles... enjoyably.  
 
The Etymotic MC5 IEMs are better at isolating and given a more pure sound.  Maybe also less 'warmth' compared to the M50, but not what you'd call 'cold' either.  The purity of voices and, I don't know, what you might call the precision of the delivered tonality is very nice. I'm sure their higher end models are even more exacting... but the MC5 and MC3 are the ones that come in at under $100.  These are what I most often travel with and they really cut down the sound of the airplane engines.  I've used mine about a year and they've held up well -- no problem with the cable and really they still look 'new'.  So, well made.  I had a chance to hear some much more expensive Shure IEMs and they were more dynamic, richer sounding, but maybe not as much of the Etymotic 'purity'.  FWIW.

I researched the MC5s. What I've caught so far is the significance of noise reduction, refined mid-range & high-frequencies, and the aluminun housing. My older brother does own the SE215, which truly shine in the mid-range, so I am wondering if these MC5s would be better, or atleast equivalent to them. Also, does Etyomic offer any warranty for these IEMs?

I haven't heard the se215's but if they have similar family resemblance to the other Shures, i bet they are going to have more bass. I doubt that they'll have the pure upper end of the etymotic brand. But again I have not heard them directly.

This thread might help. http://www.head-fi.org/t/608197/etymotic-hf5-or-shure-se215/15. look down the page a bit for the detailed posting on this.

He's not comparing the MC 5.... But matches the brand sound that I'd expect.

Yes, the SE215 does have a nice and punchy bass. Not to the point where the bass darkens the entire spectrum of the headphone, but sometimes a tad bit overwhelming for me(only for certain music genres). So, I wouldnt have any problem if the MC5 lacks in the lower end. & I'll check out thread when I can.