Best CIEMs Under $500?
May 31, 2014 at 5:58 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 14
tehsprayer

tehsprayer

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I am going to sell my W3 and get CIEMs, what are the best CIEMs under $500?
 
Some are:
JH5 Pro - $400
1964Ears V2 - $400
1964Ears V3 - $450
Remolded Westone 3 from InEarZ 
 
May 31, 2014 at 6:15 PM Post #2 of 14
tehsprayer said:
  I am going to sell my W3 and get CIEMs, what are the best CIEMs under $500?
 
Some are:
JH5 Pro - $400
1964Ears V2 - $400
1964Ears V3 - $450
Remolded Westone 3 from InEarZ 
Click to expand...

Hi, I would not go for remolded universals.  Universals are tuned for as being of course, universals.  CIEM makers checks the tunes on a computer system to make sure they are tuned to spec.  
 
I have the V3 and they are better than universals in that price range because of the fit.  The fit in itself will make a difference in SQ, you will see.  V3 has pretty nice highs, but the bass to me is a tad bit too much and it's whomp whomp ghetto bass.  It creates warmth and make it sound like there is wider stage, but the quality is weak.  It does have good details and clarity to the sound compared up to high end universals.  V2 may have less bass with the same highs, I would go with V2, but I haven't heard them.  Haven't heard JH5.
 
Jun 1, 2014 at 9:24 AM Post #5 of 14
There is also the UE4 pro, and there are some others like Noble.  Look into AJ's thread if you haven't run into it.  Look into the listed companies to see if there are CIEMs within your budget.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/541494/multi-custom-in-ear-monitor-review-resource-mfg-list-discussion-check-first-post-for-review-links-information
 
Jun 1, 2014 at 9:37 AM Post #6 of 14
silverears said:
  There is also the UE4 pro, and there are some others like Noble.  Look into AJ's thread if you haven't run into it.  Look into the listed companies to see if there are CIEMs within your budget.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/541494/multi-custom-in-ear-monitor-review-resource-mfg-list-discussion-check-first-post-for-review-links-information
Click to expand...

I did look at the UE4 Pro and a little from Noble. UE4 Pro would be hard to get as you have to go through a dealer and i'm from Canada.
 
Jun 3, 2014 at 1:06 AM Post #10 of 14
FYI, I've heard that 1964Ears' models are getting price hikes. While I personally think the 1964-V3 is a nice overall performer, the 1964-V3 is apparently increasing to $499.
 
Quote from 1964Ears:
Also starting July 1st, the V3 model will increase to $499. This price increase is to offset the increased cost of production.
Click to expand...

 
 
For reliability of customer service and speed from an established company, the UE4 is the choice to go for. It doesn't have color options, but the sound is very good.
 
tehsprayer said:
  I did look at the UE4 Pro and a little from Noble. UE4 Pro would be hard to get as you have to go through a dealer and i'm from Canada.
Click to expand...

 
If you're worried about dealer problems, CEE TEE, the UE rep for the forums, is extremely helpful and could probably facilitate an order.
 
 
Noble's only CIEM product under $500 is the 3C, and luckily, the 3C should somewhat match up with the overall sound signature of the W3 in that they're both V-shaped signatures. The seductive aspect of Noble is that they make some of the best shells on the planet, but if you want a cool design, just be prepared to fork over the $$$.
 
 
Average_Joe covered some good dual driver models here:
http://theheadphonelist.com/sonion-1723-acupass-custom-ear-monitor-roundup/
 
  1. The PerfectSeal Sportbud Silver seems like a great deal at $250.
  2. Or, the InEarZ IE-P250 also seems good.
 
 
For silicone CIEMs, I wholeheartedly recommend piotrus-g's stuff from CustomArt. I just ordered a Music Two, and there are plenty of satisfied users on head-fi:
  1. http://www.head-fi.org/t/663051/new-custom-iem-company-custom-art-discussion-review-and-appreciation-thread
  2. http://cymbacavum.com/2014/03/23/customart-music-two/
  3. http://www.head-fi.org/t/703959/custom-art-music-two-appreciation-discussion-impressions-review-thread
  4. http://www.head-fi.org/t/702084/custom-arts-music-two-ciem-review
 
I feel Peter uses the most innovative acoustic techniques in the silicone medium (for example, the design of the Music Two is far more advanced and innovative than the Minerva Performer Pro even though they use the same exact drivers; average_joe found the Performer Pro to sound the best out of the 1723-equipped CIEMs he used, though the Music Two isn't one of them), and has been pushing the cost/performance barrier ever since he started. He started off as just another head-fier a long time ago, but after doing a lot of homework/research, he's managed to make some truly great sounding monitors, with lots of technical evidence to back it up.
 
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