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Recommended IEMs? ($100-200)

post #1 of 46
12/11/12 at 4:14pm
Thread Starter 
Alright guys I am brand new to the headphone world so don't be too hard on me please. I'm just a kid looking for a relatively nice pair of headphones that I could buy with 1-200 bucks of my Christmas money. All my friends have beats by dre but I do my research before I buy just about anything and it seems that there are many far superior options in my price range. I looked at reviews for the B&W c5s which seem like a decent pair but people say they are uncomfortable, plus they lack a mic. Also the buttons only work with apple devices so I hear and I have an HTC one x (which is absolutely phenomenal). I normally listen to metal or sometimes bass boosting music just for fun. I've heard hf2s and hf5s are good but I don't like the look all that much. Anyways hit me back, I'd love some info from the experts.
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post #2 of 46
12/11/12 at 5:34pm

i think westone um2 is great choise if you want natural sound, or you can buy hifiman re-262 for more enhanced sound.

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post #3 of 46
12/11/12 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah I think the first one is a bit out of the budget, and the second ones seem nice but I would like something with a mic and a working control...and thank you for the time, it's appreciated
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post #4 of 46
12/12/12 at 9:32am

are you using it with an ipod or iphone?

If so.

hop on the groupon deal for the xba-3ip.

 

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-sony-balanced-armature-in-ear-headphones

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post #5 of 46
12/12/12 at 5:21pm
Thread Starter 
Nah I'm not. I don't really use Apple products, they're very overpriced and are very impersonal in my opinion. But ya there are a lot of nice headphones that only work with apple
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post #6 of 46
12/12/12 at 5:33pm

JVC FRD80 - http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=HA-FRD80-Z-E&catid=100153&lg=en

 

 

Very good for bass heavy music and clarity with metal.

 

 

Seriously 10x better than my Hifiman RE262, more exciting than an Etymotic HF5.  Don't take a risk with the XBA-3, it's super sensitive to output impedance, so it'll sound horrid with some smartphones.


Edited by kiteki - 12/12/12 at 5:38pm
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post #7 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:07pm

Since I think you'd want something with some bass the Yamaha EPH-100, Atrio MG7 or Vsonics GR07.  The GR07 might be the best choice of those 3 with the EPH-100 just behind them and both are much better than any Beats or Bose IEM's.  The GR07 is very detailed with good bass, crisp treble and smooth mids with a nice and wide soundstage.

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post #8 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:13pm

My advice... the JVC FXD80 / FRD80 is better than the Yamaha in all aspects, and the GR07 Bass Edition is better than GR07 MK2, if you want bass.

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post #9 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info guys I will do research on both. There are just so many options! But not the c5s thought? I heard Bowers and Wilkins is a really respected name
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post #10 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:39pm

The GR07 is better than both and even if you don't get the Bass Edition the MKII has plenty of bass unless your just a big basshead.

 

If you wand a more balanced sound with very good detail the Rockit Sounds R-50 or Vsonics GR01 would be a good choice also.  I feel both are a little better than the GR07 and much better than the FXD80 and EPH-100.  The R-50 is only $120 and you get the sound quality of IEM's costing $200 and $300 its also small and you don't even notice them after a few minutes.

 

Now if the one post saying the FXD80 is 10x better than the RE262 as far as bass goes then I can agree with that but if your saying that the IEM is 10x better than the RE262 I have to disagree with that.  The RE262 is a great IEM and if you need more bass just EQ it up because it can handle a pretty big bass boost and still sound great.

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post #11 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I'm liking the GR07s possibly bass edition cause I do like a good thump. But I do not have EQ on my HTC, but it has beats audio built in so hopefully that's a decent substitute
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post #12 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:46pm

The GR07 is a great choice for what you listen to and once your friends hear them they'll be saying bye bye to Beats.

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post #13 of 46
12/12/12 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 
Haha awesome. So are they under 200 bucks? Also, any idea if I could get them at a store rather than over the internet? I hate waiting for things but I will if that's the only way to get the best deal
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post #14 of 46
12/12/12 at 7:49pm

Yeah the GFR07 is anywhere from $160 to $180 and I don't know of any stores that would have them in the US so online is probably your only choice.

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post #15 of 46
12/12/12 at 8:27pm
Originally Posted by Techno Kid View Post

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Now if the one post saying the FXD80 is 10x better than the RE262 as far as bass goes then I can agree with that but if your saying that the IEM is 10x better than the RE262 I have to disagree with that.  The RE262 is a great IEM and if you need more bass just EQ it up because it can handle a pretty big bass boost and still sound great.

 

Audio Technica CKM33 sounds 90% identical to the RE262 and costs $40, actually it even has better high-end extension.

 

What you wrote about the Rockit R-50 is correct, yeah.  TWFK IEM's have more detail and precision than dynamic drivers like GR07 and better imaging than the HF5 and ER-4S, not quite better imaging than the FXD80 though on deep over-ear insertion.

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