[Willber]

If I can focus on the budget in the title rather than earbuds, I got a set of JVC Flats (HA-S160) recently. For £8 they are attractive, comfortable and sound really good. Well worth the money if you fancy a change from buds.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222242433196

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Are there such thing as fake 808+? mine sound terrible, either that or my Ears are bad. Just got the Monk+ in today & they sound cleaner, Clearer compared to the 808+ especially the vocals? I don't know. Monk+ sounds more upfront?

 

[Ira Delphic]

  Are there such thing as fake 808+? mine sound terrible, either that or my Ears are bad. Just got the Monk+ in today & they sound cleaner, Clearer compared to the 808+ especially the vocals? I don't know. Monk+ sounds more upfront?

 
Some people believe that all the 808+ available from Ali are not genuine Sony. There are quality control issues, reasonable in sub $4 earbuds . Did you burn them in? I'm not a strong believer in burn in for earbuds, or anything with tiny drivers, but it won't hurt. You may have just gotten a pair of duds. Glad you like the Monks.

 

[tinkertailor]

   
Some people believe that all the 808+ available from Ali are not genuine Sony. 

I would be very surprised if they were, but i don't care at all that they're not.

 

[purplesun]

E808 was originally made by the Japanese company, while E808+ is not found in any of their parts catalog. E808+ has better bass response of the 2. A good-sounding E808+ should have good bass & clarity. If your E808+ is not clear sounding after burn-in, it's likely damaged or could be using substituted drivers. So far, the only AliExpress seller of E808+ appears to be selling good-sounding ones. If you are buying from taobao, always look for pictures of E808+ moulded on the splitter & 5-of-diamond shaped holes on the front mesh - but even that is no guarantee of good sound. So just buy 1 first to test the sound, before buying more from the same taobao seller.

 

[fairx]

  Are there such thing as fake 808+? mine sound terrible, either that or my Ears are bad. Just got the Monk+ in today & they sound cleaner, Clearer compared to the 808+ especially the vocals? I don't know. Monk+ sounds more upfront?

I found my e808+ sounds signature quite similar to ty 32 but with more and rounded bass. the sound also seems "detached" (unlike ty 32 which i call distant). maybe just not my preference or I don't see it filling any gap in my earbud collection.

 

[purplesun]

  I found my e808+ sounds signature quite similar to ty 32 but with more and rounded bass. the sound also seems "detached" (unlike ty 32 which i call distant). maybe just not my preference or I don't see it filling any gap in my earbud collection.

That's about how I would also compare it with TY32v1 (straight-plug) as well. TY32v1 is thicker sounding than E808+. E808+ has a bit more treble energy/extension, while TY32v1 has more bass slam. I sometimes think of E808+ being more feminine & TY32v1 more masculine versions of the same sound. It's a shame TY don't make the v1 anymore.

 

[ATi7500]

After trying these earbuds:
 
Monk/Monk+
Qian25, Qian 39
Philips SHE3800
Edifier H180, H185, H190
 
My favourites are definitely Qian25 and SHE3800. Full bodied, balanced, fun.
 
I am trying Qian39 right now and, maybe it needs burn in, but it sounds both kinda tinny and not very detailed. Reminds me of a H190, just a bit more sensitive.

 

[EyeZ]

  E808 was originally made by the Japanese company, while E808+ is not found in any of their parts catalog. E808+ has better bass response of the 2. A good-sounding E808+ should have good bass & clarity. If your E808+ is not clear sounding after burn-in, it's likely damaged or could be using substituted drivers. So far, the only AliExpress seller of E808+ appears to be selling good-sounding ones. If you are buying from taobao, always look for pictures of E808+ moulded on the splitter & 5-of-diamond shaped holes on the front mesh - but even that is no guarantee of good sound. So just buy 1 first to test the sound, before buying more from the same taobao seller.

 
May I kindly ask you for a link to their AE shop. Thank you!

 

[purplesun]

May I kindly ask you for a link to their AE shop. Thank you!

This is the link, but it's now 404. I hope it's because it's just closed for CNY. Else Taobao is the only other place I know. Many sellers there at cheaper prices, but chances of getting a lemon is also higher.
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-MDR-E808-Bass-Noise-Isolating-Earphone-3-5MM-High-Qaulity-Flat-Head-Earbuds-In-Ear/32742308384.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.DQ7HsG
 
EDIT:
Looks like the seller has removed it from the product listing.
https://my-1127.aliexpress.com/store/1909638

 

[Tonx]

From earbuds I have (Monk+, K's 64 black, K's 300, Sony e804, Fareal 64 I, Sender pt15) Fareal seems the best for me.

 

[EyeZ]

  This is the link, but it's now 404. I hope it's because it's just closed for CNY. Else Taobao is the only other place I know. Many sellers there at cheaper prices, but chances of getting a lemon is also higher.
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-MDR-E808-Bass-Noise-Isolating-Earphone-3-5MM-High-Qaulity-Flat-Head-Earbuds-In-Ear/32742308384.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.DQ7HsG
 
EDIT:
Looks like the seller has removed it from the product listing.
https://my-1127.aliexpress.com/store/1909638

Thanks for the reply!
I checked Taobao. There are many sellers offering e808+.  Does the higher price mean that I'd get "good" earbuds?
Probably not.

 

[Saoshyant]

I remember reading concerns with buying the E808+ on Taobao, perhaps due to fakes as I can't remember specifically.

 

[Willber]

 

May I kindly ask you for a link to their AE shop. Thank you!

This is the link, but it's now 404. I hope it's because it's just closed for CNY. Else Taobao is the only other place I know. Many sellers there at cheaper prices, but chances of getting a lemon is also higher.
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-MDR-E808-Bass-Noise-Isolating-Earphone-3-5MM-High-Qaulity-Flat-Head-Earbuds-In-Ear/32742308384.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.DQ7HsG
 
EDIT:
Looks like the seller has removed it from the product listing.
https://my-1127.aliexpress.com/store/1909638

That's a shame. I've sent them a message asking if they will be getting more. Luckily for me I got my third set a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Saoshyant]

It is a shame if they will end up no longer carrying the E808+.  I have 3 pairs however, so as long as I baby it I will not go wanting for quite some time.