[Rell]

Hi, my Sony MDR- EX85's recently shorted out on me so Im in the market for a new pair of IEMs. I was looking at the EX90s which I understand are basically the same phones just with an aluminum build. I am however, wary that these too will short out because of the "around -the-neck" design.

I would call myself as an emerging audiophile and am looking for a phone with a balanced sound, although I wouldnt be bothered if they were more responsive on the low end.

I am strapped for cash at the moment so getting the most bang for my buck is also important. My range is up to a bout $50 or $60. I am also using them for everyday use with my iPod on-the-go and laptop at home. Noise isolation isnt very important to me.

Anybody have any suggestions of some IEMs that I may be overlooking?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sherwood]

We have lots of folks really dedicated to IEMs on these boards, and I'm not one of them. My favorite budget IEMs are plenty well liked, however. The Nuforce NE-7m are very well balanced, with a slight tip up on the highs and lows. Makes for punchy, exciting listening -- exactly what I want while on the go.

Take a look at them here.

 

[iPoodz]

I'm not really an expert on this, but I've found that the expert users can help you out better if you give a price range.

I was recently looking for some IEMs as well, and the majority of users recommended the Apple Dual Driver IEM from eBay for a $30 pair, but I've also been reading rave reviews from people like HeadphoneAddict about the $50 NuForce NE-7M headphones, although in the below link bixby says that he likes ADDIEM better.

It really depends how strapped for cash you are; if you're like me with not a lot of spending money, I think the ADDIEMs are good, although I've yet to receive them (I expect them tomorrow). I'll definitely update when I get them.

Here's my thread, so you can see the conclusions others came to with my circumstances [I don't know how strapped for cash you are, compared to me].
HeadphoneAddict's review of NE-7M.
ADDIEM appreciation.
Also, check out |joker|'s list of affordable IEMs in another very similar thread.

If you do go with ADDIEM, check out |joker|'s post in my thread, he recommends two sellers, lovesuck and 7dime, who sell them and are reliable. I ordered from lovesuck, and he shipped them the same day [sat], and hopefully, I'll get them tomorrow (considering it's going from Oakland, CA to Los Angeles, CA).

I can't personally recommend ADDIEM, but I'll post when I get them if you're interested.

 

[Bilavideo]

My favorite IEM is the Westone UM3X.

 

[Rell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not really an expert on this, but I've found that the expert users can help you out better if you give a price range. I was recently looking for some IEMs as well, and the majority of users recommended the Apple Dual Driver IEM from eBay for a $30 pair, but I've also been reading rave reviews from people like HeadphoneAddict about the $50 NuForce NE-7M headphones, although in the below link bixby says that he likes ADDIEM better. It really depends how strapped for cash you are; if you're like me with not a lot of spending money, I think the ADDIEMs are good, although I've yet to receive them (I expect them tomorrow). I'll definitely update when I get them. I can't personally recommend ADDIEM, but I'll post when I get them if you're interested.

Ill edit my original post but my limit is up to $50-60, somewhat similar to yours. And yea, I wanna know what your experience wth the ADDIEM's are, seems like we're after the same thing. I actually have never heard of the ADDIEM's until you just told me about them...took a bit of Googling before I found that "ADDIEM" was an acronym lol

Sherwood: Those NuForces look pretty good, in my price range too! So I think I havea couple of options now.

Thanks also Bilavideo but the Westone UM3X's are waaaaay too expensive for me lol

 

[ljokerl]

For truly balanced sound, it's got to be the ADDIEMs ($30) or the Meelec AI-M9/M6's ($20/$40). For a slight bias towards the higher end, check out the Head-Direct RE2s($39). If you prefer a stronger low end, then the Nuforce Ne-7m's ($55) or the Maximo Im-590s ($50).

 

[koven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilavideo /img/forum/go_quote.gif My favorite IEM is the Westone UM3X.

cool? the OP said within $50-$60.



anyway, my vote goes towards the ne-7m, they dont disappoint.

 

[Zalithian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koven /img/forum/go_quote.gif cool? the OP said within $50-$60. anyway, my vote goes towards the ne-7m, they dont disappoint.

I believe the OP edited his post after Bila responded, so when he posted there was no budget.

 

[Rell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zalithian /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe the OP edited his post after Bila responded, so when he posted there was no budget.

yea I think thats what happened too, all I said in the original message was that I was "strapped for cash"

 

[koven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zalithian /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe the OP edited his post after Bila responded, so when he posted there was no budget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rell /img/forum/go_quote.gif I edited my post, all I said in the original message was that I was "strapped for cash". That may be why he suggested those

ah, that makes more sense... but still, 'strapped for cash' and UM3X dont really go together, lol.

anyway, read up on the ne-7m, easily one of the best bang for bucks around $50.

or if you'd like to try an earbud (since you said isolation isn't important), the PK3's are absolutely brilliant

 

[iPoodz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rell /img/forum/go_quote.gif And yea, I wanna know what your experience wth the ADDIEM's are, seems like we're after the same thing. I actually have never heard of the ADDIEM's until you just told me about them...took a bit of Googling before I found that "ADDIEM" was an acronym lol

I had the same issue with the acronym!
And yes, I will definitely update this thread and/or my original thread with my own impressions, but the link that I labeled as "ADDIEM appreciation" has different user impressions a few pages into the thread.

I would just say to get a better idea of what you want to get, read a bunch of threads on head-fi about your headphones, and take reviews on amazon + cnet with a grain of salt. I was pretty set on going with a pair of Altec Lansings, but the helpful posters on the thread I started gave me some very very helpful advice and reasons why I shouldn't go with em. There are a lot of threads like that here [about ADDIEM, NE-7M], if you use the built in search or google.

 

[Zalithian]

It seems like the ADDIEMS (off ebay from some guy with a 7 in his name) or NE-7M's would be your best bet. I think the Sony hybrid tips are recommended for both. I used them with the 7's and tstarn loves them with his ADDIEMS.

 

[Rell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zalithian /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems like the ADDIEMS (off ebay from some guy with a 7 in his name) or NE-7M's would be your best bet. I think the Sony hybrid tips are recommended for both. I used them with the 7's and tstarn loves them with his ADDIEMS.

yea those 2 are pretty much what Im considering unless somebody comes with another option

and the Sony Ex-85's count as hybrids right? Whats so special about the Sony tips?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPoodz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had the same issue with the acronym! And yes, I will definitely update this thread and/or my original thread with my own impressions, but the link that I labeled as "ADDIEM appreciation" has different user impressions a few pages into the thread. I would just say to get a better idea of what you want to get, read a bunch of threads on head-fi about your headphones, and take reviews on amazon + cnet with a grain of salt. I was pretty set on going with a pair of Altec Lansings, but the helpful posters on the thread I started gave me some very very helpful advice and reasons why I shouldn't go with em. There are a lot of threads like that here [about ADDIEM, NE-7M], if you use the built in search or google.

lolol, and cool, Ill be lookin out for it. Im SLIGHTLY less inclined to get the ADDIEMs though...I kinda took pride in using buds that werent the every so common "ipod white"

But im more worried about sound than anything.

Im also going to look through the threads and get some more opinions

Also, can anyone give me feedback on the build and sturdiness of these phones? I plan on using these just about everyday and read something about the mics being easy to break (though a mic will be useless on a 5g iPod anyway)

 

[iPoodz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rell /img/forum/go_quote.gif lolol, and cool, Ill be lookin out for it. Im SLIGHTLY less inclined to get the ADDIEMs though...I kinda took pride in using buds that werent the every so common "ipod white" But im more worried about sound than anything. Im also going to look through the threads and get some more opinions Also, can anyone give me feedback on the build and sturdiness of these phones? I plan on using these just about everyday and read something about the mics being easy to break (though a mic will be useless on a 5g iPod anyway)

I was a bit apprehensive about looking smug in the ADDIEM, but I wear them over the ear, so I look plenty dorky.

I posted my impressions on the original thread I started. Maybe if you have $50, NE-7M are better, but I'm plenty happy with these for $30.

Based on what I've read the last few days, you wont go wrong with NE-7M either, so good luck whatever your decision may be!