Hello all,
 
I am new to the community so I will have to post this here. I was wondering what in ear's would be best for under $300? I have looked at the HifiMan RE-400 and RE-600 but I was wondering if there is anything else someone might suggest?
I am going to be using them with a Fiio x1 and possibly a Fiio x5 later on. Thanks
 
Cheers!

notjackiechan said:

  Hello all,
 
I am new to the community so I will have to post this here. I was wondering what in ear's would be best for under $300? I have looked at the HifiMan RE-400 and RE-600 but I was wondering if there is anything else someone might suggest?
I am going to be using them with a Fiio x1 and possibly a Fiio x5 later on. Thanks
 
Cheers!

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Well there are no best at any price range, let alone at <300$ which is pretty high end and variety of choices is huge.
What kind of sound do you like? Try to describe it as much as you can and it would be good if you'd mention what music genres you listen to? For example, do you like more bass, do you want something more balanced and neutral for longer listening sessions, do you want some V shaped sound (emphasized bass and treble) for "live" effect etc... If you listen to hip hop something with a bit emphasized bass would be more suitable for you for example. 

tail said:

Well there are no best at any price range, let alone at <300$ which is pretty high end and variety of choices is huge.
What kind of sound do you like? Try to describe it as much as you can and it would be good if you'd mention what music genres you listen to? For example, do you like more bass, do you want something more balanced and neutral for longer listening sessions, do you want some V shaped sound (emphasized bass and treble) for "live" effect etc... If you listen to hip hop something with a bit emphasized bass would be more suitable for you for example. 

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I listen to a lot of trap and electronic music, I like bass but I don't like it to be over powering in in ears. For example I have tried my friends' Westone W40's and I loved the soundstage and balance of them. I wouldn't mind a little more low end but that's a taste of the kind of frequency response I like.

notjackiechan said:

  Hello all,
 
I am new to the community so I will have to post this here. I was wondering what in ear's would be best for under $300? I have looked at the HifiMan RE-400 and RE-600 but I was wondering if there is anything else someone might suggest?
I am going to be using them with a Fiio x1 and possibly a Fiio x5 later on. Thanks
 
Cheers!

Click to expand...

I own a few IEM's in that category so I'll try to give quick comparison:
 
1) RE-600 - fantastic if neutral is your aim, they lack a little in top extension but work really well with most genres, not for the bassheads out there but respond well to EQ. Vocals are the strongsuit here.  Most comfortable to wear but I have questions on their long term viability - a year strong thus far but I also don't take them to work out.
 
2) Sony MDR-7550 - really solid bass extension, again a little rolled off in the treble.  Beats the RE-600 in bass impact and extension, another good all-rounder all-rounder. I prefer these to the RE-600 for anything that needs good bass impact (hard rock, heavy metal, EDM).  Vocals are only slightly behind the RE-600.  Again these are comfortable but they are big and have almost no isolation.
 
3) Audio-Technica CKR9 - these have  push-pull dual dynamic drivers that makes them extremely fast, almost BA-like speed.  These are very "live" and more forward than the prior two listings.  Overall pretty neutral but there is a little roll-off in the deepest sub bass and a mild boost in the upper mid/lower treble.  Odd fit for some people given their shape.  Not as comfortable as the other two but tip rolling helped.  They isolate somewhere in between the others I've mentioned.