Best IEMs for under $100 (with good bass)

[NatePhones]

I recently had my pair of Denon C551s stolen.

They were a great pair the only issue I had with them was that the medium size ear tip was slighty too small and didn't stay in very well (the large not fitting in my ear).

So now I'm looking for a new set for under $100. I love bass and thats one reason I had the 551s. They also worked with my iphone 2G.
So I'm asking you guys if you could help me out. Its painful living without headphones.

BTW this is my first post on these forums. Nice to meet everyone.

 

[oregon]

Probably the new Apple In Ear... they would be especially convenient with your iPhone also

 

[snowb]

You can check out the Monster Turbines for about $101. They have dynamic armatures ... more on the bassy side. I've heard the cable has microphonic issues, so you might want to wear it over your ear. Apart from that, its a solid piece of technology constructed with aluminum and copper (i think) for a cheap price.

 

[volntitan]

I just got the Klipsch Custom 2 on Amazon for $94, but haven't gotten them yet. I'll post my impressions next week.

 

[nyjets28]

nuforce ne-7m. i've heard both the c551 and ne-7m, and i think actually the ne-7m provides more bass, but that's just my opinion. plus the ne-7m have mic for iphone also. it's perfect. and to top it all off, only $50

 

[DTKZ]

Yeah, I'd recommend the Turbines as well if you're willing to extend your budget by a few bucks.

 

[ChroniCali]

NE7M

 

[koven]

^ x2.

or turbines if you want to spend a bit over 100

 

[NatePhones]

What about the NE8s? The difference is about $20 and I don't have to have a microphone.

 

[volntitan]

Hey Nate...

I was asking the same question when I was looking. I was told the NE8 might have better "clarity" but not as much bass response as the 7's. I didn't want an "big bass" sound, so I chose the Klipsch, but from what folks told me, for the money, the NE-7 is hard to beat. Another one that folks mentioned was the Head Direct RE2.

 

[NatePhones]

Hmmm glad you mentioned that because I'm really into bass. Can anyone else confirm the bass is better on the NE7s?
How do they compare to the Denon c551s?

 

[dweaver]

For under $100 the NE-7M would be my suggestion. Having said that I am picking up a pair of Monster Turbine today so I will give you my opinion on them compared to the NE-7M later tonight with a follow up report tomorrow after I let them burnin over night. From the Turbine Thingy thread on the forum and the Turbine appreciation thread I think I'm going to have a very enjoyable night. The Turbines may be a little outside your budget but it might be worth stretching it if they are alot better...

 

[jazzdude]

Since we bought our NE-7Ms around the same time, I'm interested to hear your take on the Turbines, which I am also thinking about (along with a couple of others). If I remember correctly, I think you said you would be satisfied with NE-7Ms for some time. I guess this place can really be bad for your wallet

 

[dweaver]

This place is VERY BAD FOR MY WALLET!!!!!!! But it really is fun to hear different phones. Plus I did start to have my ears getting bothered by the NE's and that's my story and I'm sticking to it

.

I posted this in the Turbine appreciation thread but I think it's sums up my feeling about my initial impression of the Turbines well enough that I am just going to cut and paste it here. I will give my impression again tommorrow after letting the phones burnin over night.

On first blush I have to say the Turbines are starting on the right foot. Being like a kid getting a new toy I could hardly wait to try these so I sat in my van while my wife and son were doing a bit of shopping. The midrange on these is far better than the NE-7M's. I listened to Loreena McKennit and her voice was more in the room for me and all of the various old world stringed instruments like dulcimers and lutes were simply alive. I was thinking about these almost exclusively from a bass perspective when i first started to see posts on them but these are much more than bass and highs. The sound stage is also better in my opinion than my NE-7M's. Plus the comfort is simply divine in comparison to the NE's I stopped noticing them in my ears after a while, somthing I never had happen with the NE's.

The only thing I have not liked so far is the bass (it's was a bit too harsh), I think this is where the phone's will need some burnin to smooth out and start to sound the way they will ultimately sound.

Are these worth the $180CAN I paid? So far I have to say yes they are. I actually think they are a big enough upgrade over my NE-7M's to justify the price difference. They are a bit more Microphonic and I miss the chin strap ability I have with the NE's but I really am enjoying these phones alot and so far they seem to be very nice for all of the music I listen to which is quite eclectic in nature.

Well time to stop typing and do some more enjoying, someone said they gained a whole new appreciation for "The Wall" time to see if they are right?

 

[ZARIM]

Turbine n JVC HA SX500 are very good for deep rich bass(specialy if pair with clip or fuze).