[Mindfield]

Alright, since my bitter disappointment with the Shure SE420, I'm now on the prowl for a good set of IEMs. But without being able to hear them before buying them before buying, and seeing as I'm in the market for something higher end, I'd rather not go blowing another two or three bills on something only to find out they suck like the SE420s did. (Not that they're bad, just that they're flat and not really for mobile listening.)

So, here's what I'm looking for:

- Budget: $250, give or take; I can be flexible with the right equipment.

- Application: Portable listening, iPhone specifically (so, no custom EQ -- damn you Apple!)

- 20-20KHz response minimum preferably, but I'll consider lower on the top end IF they still produce crystal clear sound. The bottom end has to be at least 20 though as I listen to a lot of bass-heavy stuff -- but I don't want phones that boost the bass TOO much.

- V frequency envelope across the spectrum because I don't have full control over the EQ so I need phones that'll do it for me, giving a nice warm bass, crisp highs and moderate mids.

- Good noise isolation, ~25dB or above. I don't want active cancellation.

- Foam tips! Preferably ones for which replacements are cheap and easily sourced (Comply tips, for example). I can't wear silicone due to the shape of my ears; they just slip out and break the seal, but foam fits perfectly.

- Dual or triple drivers would be nice if reasonably priced. I've been looking at the Sennheiser IE8s, UE Triple.Fi 10s and Westone 3s as potential candidates in this department.

Any suggestions? I'm open to anything at this point so feel throw out your faves and what makes them so great. Thanks!

 

[a_recording]

I've often heard of Triple.Fi 10's as having that V shaped response...

 

[ethan961]

If you're looking for recessed mids ie. V shaped response curve, the TF10 would do the job. If you want neutral the RE252 might be worth looking into.

 

[rawrster]

out of the 3 that you listed i have only heard the TF10 extensively. They definitely fit your description if you can get a good seal. They have that v shape your looking for. The biggest issue with them is the fit. Also some people don't like the cable..maybe I just got lucky with my cable since I seem to like it a lot

 

[james444]

Can't help much, out of these three I've only heard the IE8 and while they are excellent phones, they won't give you Shure level isolation. They are single driver BTW.

 

[stang]

If I were you I would get the UE TF 10, they seem to fit your description the most and are extremely affordable

 

[Mindfield]

So it seems like the popular consensus goes to the TF10s so far. I've read reviews that say the cord tends to be a little on the brittle side, which would suck, though replacement cords are available. I'm okay with cord heft though; I wrap around the top of my ears so the weight of the cord isn't a big issue. As long as the sound is good and tips are readily available I'm good, and the TF10s use standard Comply tips, so that works for me. Any opinions on long-term durability? And are there any differences in the different versions of them? I know the 10vi has the microphone -- but I can buy that separately if I really want it. But there seems to be a black box and a metallic blue/white box edition judging from searches on eBay.

 

[dweaver]

Yup TF10 all the way. Your description of what you want is exactly what the TF10 gives...

 

[average_joe]

Another recommendation for the TF10. I would say IE8, but I think they would fail on the isolation. Plus, for your $250 budget, if you can pick up a TF10 for around $150, you can get them made into customs for around $100.

And some others with a V shape response: WM2 gold and NE-7M. Personally, the WM2 is one of my favorites, and the NE-7M doesn't compare due to the lack of 3D presence in the soundstage.

 

[mark2410]

TF10 or IE8

10 if you want more treble or 8 if you want more bass

 

[stang]

Yah, IE8 if you can find one for under $250 haha.

 

[mark2410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yah, IE8 if you can find one for under $250 haha.

well us$250 is about £156 and last meek thats what amazon UK was selling them for.

 

[stang]

dan that's cheap. They are a bassy, fun IEM but fit is laccking apparently. The TF10 aren't so good themselves though.

 

[tr4visphu0ng]

I've listened to westone um2 and 3 and they have pretty nice bass compare to the tf10. And the fits better and more comfortable than the tf10, hence better isolation. Can you give some example of your music preferences?

 

[Mindfield]

Primarily I listen to trance, though I've got a good bit of synthpop, 80s, and some rock mixed in there as well.

As far as fit is concerned, the foam tips are all I'm really concerned about, and foam being foam, they do provide some pretty good isolation. My first pair of higher end phones were the Shure E3c, and they sounded great, but unfortunately I killed them dead. I replaced them temporarily with a pair of JVC Marshmallows -- temporary ending up being over 2 years now -- and for a $30 pair of cheapo off-the-rack phones, they sound surprisingly good even if the isolation isn't that great and the foam tips are a bit too hard. (But that firmness allowed them to be cleaned easily like silicone tips, which was a point in their favour.)

I'm not too concerned with cord heft as I loop them around the top of my ears, so like I said, as long as they fit in the ears fine with the foam tips, I'm good.