Absolute best budget earbuds?
Feb 24, 2017 at 1:49 PM Post #602 of 2,999
  can you guys recommend some MMCX wires for my LZ A4's?


If you'd like a cable that has a Mic/Vol/Play/Fwd/Rew controls, and works with either iPhones or Androids, take a look at these (I've got one of each color - Black, Blue, Brown) -
Note:  The vendor I ordered from appears to have gone "Wholesale Only", but this other vendor has the same cables.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/With-Mic-Remote-Volume-Earphone-Cable-For-Shure-se215-se315-se425-se535-Se846-LN004900/32318268861.html
 
If you want a custom cable (single-ended or balanced), check with Lindsay G., at Impact Audio Cables.  He will assemble what need. -
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpactAudioCables
 
 
Take Care,
David Baldock
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 2:07 PM Post #603 of 2,999
Perhaps so. I always wonder how TOTL earbud sound since I haven't heard them. I've heard some of TOTL iem and headphone though. And when qian39 start showing the qualities of this fluidity in a cheap package it's messing me with my mind.

I wonder how people define musicality? Which budget earbud you guys describe as musical?


I feel Baldoor/Mrice E100 was one of the most musical earbud I had. Great bass, superb vocals and clear treble. Imaging was alright but soundstage was bit narrow. But there were different batches of production, one of which wasn't that great (I read it somewhere)
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 2:08 PM Post #604 of 2,999
 
  can you guys recommend some MMCX wires for my LZ A4's?


If you'd like a cable that has a Mic/Vol/Play/Fwd/Rew controls, and works with either iPhones or Androids, take a look at these (I've got one of each color - Black, Blue, Brown) -
Note:  The vendor I ordered from appears to have gone "Wholesale Only", but this other vendor has the same cables.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/With-Mic-Remote-Volume-Earphone-Cable-For-Shure-se215-se315-se425-se535-Se846-LN004900/32318268861.html
 
If you want a custom cable (single-ended or balanced), check with Lindsay G., at Impact Audio Cables.  He will assemble what need. -
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpactAudioCables
 
 
Take Care,
David Baldock

 
It's disappointing  DIY stuff isn't posted in the DIY Earbud thread.
In case anyone missed that thread - 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/822327/diy-earbuds/285#post_13288981
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 2:10 PM Post #605 of 2,999
Another earbud available from Fastech - 
UiiSii U2
https://www.fasttech.com/product/4955301-authentic-uiisii-u2-in-ear-earphones
 
Might be a good add-on when ordering SHE3800? But nowhere near as popular.
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 3:16 PM Post #606 of 2,999
  Another earbud available from Fastech - 
UiiSii U2
https://www.fasttech.com/product/4955301-authentic-uiisii-u2-in-ear-earphones
 
Might be a good add-on when ordering SHE3800? But nowhere near as popular.


They look interesting. Here they are in white, a bit cheaper with lots of reviews:
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/UiiSii-U2-Bass-Stereo-In-ear-Earphone-HiFi-Sport-Earbuds-with-MIC-Noise-Isolating/2167052_32657061146.html
 
And here, more expensive but in other colours:
 
https://www.amazon.com/UiiSii-Isolating-Earbuds-Earphones-Control/dp/B015GQBNFI
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 9:58 PM Post #608 of 2,999
Not sure what's classed as budget, but with the K's 300 under £16 / $20 I think it might just about squeeze into this category and be of interest as probably the most budget of the higher impedence earbuds. Please let me know if this is put of range within this thread, I was thinking sub $20 probably ok.

They have a reasonable if slightly tangly cable, and a fairly standard mx500 type fitting.

I'll confess I wasn't overly impressed with the K's 64, but this seems to be in a different league (in addition being harder to drive, at 300ohms).

I've been listening for the past few hours, on the Walnut so plenty of power to drive them. Otherwise I'd probably want to use an amp. I'm using them without foams, but using the 'ear fin' rubber rings from the Monk Ex Pack with the fin bits themselves cut off. Just because this is a bit thinner than the standard rings and so the fit isn't too tight but still secure.

If more bass was required, they still sound very decent with foams.

Detail is really impressive for the price, with a nice open sound, fairly forward mids but not too much. Not massively bassy, but not really lacking either. I'd recommend for anyone who wants to try out some higher impedence earbuds without spending a lot as a decent introduction.

Sounds very nice listening to a bit of Within Temptation right now.
 
Feb 24, 2017 at 10:52 PM Post #609 of 2,999
Feb 24, 2017 at 11:03 PM Post #610 of 2,999
Not sure what's classed as budget, but with the K's 300 under £16 / $20 I think it might just about squeeze into this category and be of interest as probably the most budget of the higher impedence earbuds. Please let me know if this is put of range within this thread, I was thinking sub $20 probably ok.

 
There was never a hard & fast rule. IMHO, if the SQ is noticeably better/different(?) from the well-rated sub-$10 budget earbuds, I think sub-$20 is probably still on the budget radar for most of us. At that price, 300ohm is tempting. I thought the K' 64(white) sounded decent, so maybe this could be a step-up.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 8:38 AM Post #611 of 2,999
found some cheap mx360's on ali
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 8:57 AM Post #612 of 2,999
Well, the MEMT X3 arrived, and the bass almost certainly makes it sound like something is loose in both sides.  The sound reminds me of a phone on vibrate.  That and the fact that the jack is annoying to remove as a metal piece slips right off, and has a sharp edge btw, meaning I remove the metal then the rubber jack beneath to unplug.  Rotating the jack also cuts the sound in and out unlike other earbuds...  so yeah, this one's a pass so far.  The jack itself is past the typical 90 degree L, making it a little V like, but not quite that far.  Maybe someone else will get a good one, but everything about this thing just sounds off in a bad QC kind of way.
 
I know the MEMT X5 is getting a lot of love, but this thing is going to be put away and forgotten about, by me at least.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 11:09 AM Post #613 of 2,999
Sorry to hear that 
frown.gif

 
Feb 25, 2017 at 1:58 PM Post #615 of 2,999
  are we showing off our earbud storage/collection? a bit off topic unless you count it as being budget friendly option...
 

 
this is most of my collection, (the empty one are the Qian39 that I used today) I also have 2 more but only use the 2nd and only the top shelf, that is until the deliveries start coming in next month


Very nice looking, luedriver.  Thanks for sharing (and to the others as well).  Guess I could have phrased my inquiry as, "Best budget storage options for best budget earbuds?"  Ziplock bags win in that case :)
 

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