[GermaniumGenie]

Hey everyone. I currently have MS-1's and KSC75's, but being open cans, they leak (and let in) too much sound for me to use in public. I'm going to college this fall, and I was thinking IEMs would be useful for their isolation and lower noise leakage. What can you guys recommend for under $50? My sources are an Auzentech X-Meridian and iriver clix 2, both unamped. Since I already have two particularly bright cans, I'd might as well get something a little more bassy in order to fill out my collection some more. Thanks.

 

[tbonner1]

Many posts here about inexpensive IEM's. I would look at the Mylar 3's that are $57 shipped from Jaben.net.

 

[ZARIM]

Sennheiser CX300, Denon AH_C350 and Philips HE_592

 

[Singapura]

Definitely the MylarOne X3. They keep amazing me every day and I'm not easily amazed.

 

[Pangaea]

IMO X3 is the only thing worth entertaining at that price point. I am not a fan of HP that go in your ears, however... These are the only ones I can stand and there sound is much better than Shure e4c at a fraction of the price.

 

[reorx]

At the $50 level....Crossroad X3's are the king of the hill. No contest. Oh sure, they arent everyone's cup of tea, but the sheer number of satisfied and impressed head-fiers (just check out the ever-growing X3 Appreciation page), me included, oughta make you think.

 

[dissembled]

There are no IEMs at the $50 mark. Just canal phones.

 

[mikejungle]

only thing is...they're ugly as ****.
they look like they were made in the 80s. haha.

 

[reorx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are no IEMs at the $50 mark. Just canal phones.

pardon my n00b question, but what's the difference between an IEM and a canalphone? Whats the boundary? Is the x3 a canalphone or an iem? What about the e2c or the im716?

 

[dissembled]

The X3s are technically canal phones. They don't seal into your ears as much as IEMs so isolation would be somewhat less.

The im716 are IEMs. the E2cs, I'm not too familiar with personally.

 

[~Kaotic~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by reorx /img/forum/go_quote.gif pardon my n00b question, but what's the difference between an IEM and a canalphone? Whats the boundary? Is the x3 a canalphone or an iem? What about the e2c or the im716?

my interpretation, x3 is canalphone. e2c & im716 are iems. iems generally offer much greater isolation than canalphone, thus iem blocks out more environment noises than canalphone.

 

[dissembled]

One advantage of canal phones is that they're somewhat safer to wear outside because they don't isolate as readily. IEMs will kill you if you're not careful. TUNTUNTUN.

 

[reorx]

so by definition, the only difference between the two is the fit and amount of isolation it provides? I thought they had different armature drivers or some other audiophile terms im not familiar with

 

[ZARIM]

IEMs makes an isolation in the inner ear and sit deep in the ears like Shure IEMs. But earcanal phones make an isolation in the outter ear and don't sit deep in the ear like CX300.

 

[steviebee]

I wouldn't sweat about Canal/IEM for the OP's situation. Depends also on the tips you use - can make all the diff in terms of isolation...

And yet another solid vote for the X3 - utterly superb at that pricepoint. And good isolation/nil leakage too. My AT CK7 leak like a sieve compared to X3.