IEM Advice - ~$60
May 3, 2015 at 9:31 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9

xSDMx

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Hey, all - recently, my IM-50 left ear piece stopped working. As such, I am looking for a replacement.
 
Currently trying to decide between the Aurvana 3, SE112, and XBA-H1. I have a $20 gift card at Adorama putting the Aurvana 3 and SE112 below $60. The XBA-H1 can be found refurbished on eBay for sub-$60 as well.
 
IEMs will be used at the gym and I do prefer a dark sound with mid and low-end emphasis. I am OK with rolled off treble.
 
Are there any other IEMs I should consider? And, if not, which of the listed three should I choose?
 
I am leaning towards the Aurvana because I have never owned a Creative IEM. I have, however, owned the XBA-H1 and a pair of SE215s. I did not like the MMCX connector on the SE215s. I did, however, enjoy the deep low-end, aesthetics, comfort, and cable length. I imagine that the SE112s sound very similar to the SE215s. The XBA-H1s also have excellent aesthetics, but I did not find them particularly comfortable. For reference, while the IM-50s had excellent low-end, I found the mid-range somewhat lacking and found the comfort sub-optimal.
 
Thanks!
 
May 4, 2015 at 7:05 AM Post #2 of 9
  Hey, all - recently, my IM-50 left ear piece stopped working. As such, I am looking for a replacement.
 
Currently trying to decide between the Aurvana 3, SE112, and XBA-H1. I have a $20 gift card at Adorama putting the Aurvana 3 and SE112 below $60. The XBA-H1 can be found refurbished on eBay for sub-$60 as well.
 
IEMs will be used at the gym and I do prefer a dark sound with mid and low-end emphasis. I am OK with rolled off treble.
 
Are there any other IEMs I should consider? And, if not, which of the listed three should I choose?
 
I am leaning towards the Aurvana because I have never owned a Creative IEM. I have, however, owned the XBA-H1 and a pair of SE215s. I did not like the MMCX connector on the SE215s. I did, however, enjoy the deep low-end, aesthetics, comfort, and cable length. I imagine that the SE112s sound very similar to the SE215s. The XBA-H1s also have excellent aesthetics, but I did not find them particularly comfortable. For reference, while the IM-50s had excellent low-end, I found the mid-range somewhat lacking and found the comfort sub-optimal.
 
Thanks!

Check out my reply to you on the IM50s in the IM series thread! Also, The Creatives might be what you're looking for, but they aren't amazingly well built. Also, they're a lot cheaper on Creative's website now since new Aurvana IEMs have been released. Btw, the SE112 aren't anything like the SE215s. The SE112 are v shaped with lesser bass and much more pronounced highs than the 215s, and I somehow like the SE112 more than the SE215. Sadly, the 112s aren't anywhere as well built as the 215s :frowning2:
 
May 4, 2015 at 10:41 AM Post #3 of 9
Look up the MEElectronics m6 pro imo it's good 40-$60 iem
 
May 4, 2015 at 11:30 AM Post #5 of 9
Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I cannot warranty the IM-50s. I currently reside in the US and had them imported from Japan. Shipping both ways amounts to more than the IEMs. :frowning2:
 
Good to know re: the SE 112s - those definitely sound like they are not for me.
 
I think I'll risk it on the Aurvanas.
 
May 4, 2015 at 11:33 AM Post #6 of 9
As a note, I have also owned the original M6s. While I am sure the M6 Pros are greatly refined, if the sound-signature is anything similar I will definitely have a bad time. I found the M6 treble so fatiguing that I added my own foam filters. Really unfortunate because I enjoyed the comfort and isolation the M6 provided. Aside from sound signature, they were perfect for the gym.
 
May 4, 2015 at 1:40 PM Post #8 of 9
Sorry, but the M6 Pro don't match OP's sound sig preference. He wants something with mid and low freq. emphasis while the M6 Pros are neutral and might also be a bit light in bass to some people.


I was just mentioning it just incase.
 
Jul 5, 2015 at 12:13 AM Post #9 of 9
Ended up grabbing the CA3s. Their sound signature is a great match for me. Impactful (but not boomy) bass, forward mid-range, slightly rolled off treble - exactly my preference. They do feel a little flimsy, but I like the sound signature so much I will probably reshell them when the cable finally splits. Wish Creative had better designed these from the outset...
 

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