[Acheron717]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on the forums. My set of Monoprice 8320s are slowly falling apart now, and it's time for me to look into a replacement. I was thinking of grabbing a completely different pair of budget IEMs to change things up (budget is <$30). After doing some forum crawling, I've seen names like the JVC HAFX40 and the Senn CX200 pop up, but each had their own issues, like being too harsh or having poor vocals (I like having good vocals). Also looked through the shootout IEM thread and was looking for some second opinions. I mostly listen to indie rock, and some pop. A little bit of electronic as well.
 
Some example songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRmJwGmm2w - Not Even Jail by Interpol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwyh32REroQ - Default by Atoms For Peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxsPF4bsDmc - Welcome to Japan by The Strokes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ph2g5m5Kes - I Will by Sky Ferreira
 
My current everyday headphones is the JVC HAS400B (which I got on recommendations from here), which I absolutely adore. A similar sound signature would be fine by me, but I'm cool with exploring different ones. Any recommendations that fit my budget and my music tastes would be very much appreciated.
 
Thanks again!

 

[Acheron717]

Bump, looking for any recommendations!

 

[GearMe]

  Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on the forums. My set of Monoprice 8320s are slowly falling apart now, and it's time for me to look into a replacement. I was thinking of grabbing a completely different pair of budget IEMs to change things up (budget is <$30). After doing some forum crawling, I've seen names like the JVC HAFX40 and the Senn CX200 pop up, but each had their own issues, like being too harsh or having poor vocals (I like having good vocals). Also looked through the shootout IEM thread and was looking for some second opinions. I mostly listen to indie rock, and some pop. A little bit of electronic as well.
 
Some example songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRmJwGmm2w - Not Even Jail by Interpol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwyh32REroQ - Default by Atoms For Peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxsPF4bsDmc - Welcome to Japan by The Strokes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ph2g5m5Kes - I Will by Sky Ferreira
 
My current everyday headphones is the JVC HAS400B (which I got on recommendations from here), which I absolutely adore. A similar sound signature would be fine by me, but I'm cool with exploring different ones. Any recommendations that fit my budget and my music tastes would be very much appreciated.
 
Thanks again!

 
Possibly some Brainwavz M4's ($25) or M5's ($20)
 
M4s - http://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-M4-Headset-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0068Z9YUS
M5s - http://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-In-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B009A6EDGC
 
or...
 
Sony
XBA1s  for $24 - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-XBA-1-Balanced-Armature-Headphones-1/dp/B006K55662
MH1Cs stretching to $40 - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-1262-3331-Headset-SmartKey-Control/dp/B007X5RUZ8
 
or some Meelecs

 

[Acheron717]

   
Possibly some Brainwavz M4's ($25) or M5's ($20)
 
M4s - http://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-M4-Headset-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0068Z9YUS
M5s - http://www.amazon.com/Brainwavz-In-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B009A6EDGC
 
or...
 
Sony
XBA1s  for $24 - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-XBA-1-Balanced-Armature-Headphones-1/dp/B006K55662
MH1Cs stretching to $40 - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-1262-3331-Headset-SmartKey-Control/dp/B007X5RUZ8
 
or some Meelecs

Thanks! I've been doing some research on your recommendations and the M4s and the XBA1s seem pretty attractive to me. Can anyone vouch for one over the other? Also I've seen concerns online based on the M4s build quality. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[GearMe]

  Thanks! I've been doing some research on your recommendations and the M4s and the XBA1s seem pretty attractive to me. Can anyone vouch for one over the other? Also I've seen concerns online based on the M4s build quality. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

 
I've had no issues with the M4's build quality and pretty much agree with the comments on these threads for sound quality (u/v shaped with good clarity), durability, etc.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/625203/brainwavz-m4-review
http://www.inearmatters.net/2012/04/review-brainwavz-m4.html
 
 
Haven't heard the XBAs...one thing to dig into a little more is that they are Balanced Armature IEMs instead of Dynamic with the typical strengths/weaknesses associated with these types of IEMs.  If I were going to buy a balanced armature in this price range it would be the A151 (typically $40ish).
 
 
FWIW, just ordered the M5s...needed a couple cables anyway and they rounded out the Amazon order to get free shipping.  Without having heard them, I'm guessing that they might be a good compromise between the M4s and the XBAs for what you're going to use them for...a quote from a pReview by ClieOS
 
"Overall, M5 fills in the gap between M4 and the older M series. It can be considered as a proper upgrade over the older series but not necessary an upgrade over the M4. Pros to the M4 are in its overall clarity and micro-detail, soundstage and bass depth. But M5 offers more texture on the vocal range and an overall richer, room-filling tone that still maintains a relatively good balance of quantity between different frequency ranges and soundstage, making it a good all arounder for different genre of music."
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626119/preview-brainwavz-m5

 

[Acheron717]

   
I've had no issues with the M4's build quality and pretty much agree with the comments on these threads for sound quality (u/v shaped with good clarity), durability, etc.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/625203/brainwavz-m4-review
http://www.inearmatters.net/2012/04/review-brainwavz-m4.html
 
 
Haven't heard the XBAs...one thing to dig into a little more is that they are Balanced Armature IEMs instead of Dynamic with the typical strengths/weaknesses associated with these types of IEMs.  If I were going to buy a balanced armature in this price range it would be the A151 (typically $40ish).
 
 
FWIW, just ordered the M5s...needed a couple cables anyway and they rounded out the Amazon order to get free shipping.  Without having heard them, I'm guessing that they might be a good compromise between the M4s and the XBAs for what you're going to use them for...a quote from a pReview by ClieOS
 
"Overall, M5 fills in the gap between M4 and the older M series. It can be considered as a proper upgrade over the older series but not necessary an upgrade over the M4. Pros to the M4 are in its overall clarity and micro-detail, soundstage and bass depth. But M5 offers more texture on the vocal range and an overall richer, room-filling tone that still maintains a relatively good balance of quantity between different frequency ranges and soundstage, making it a good all arounder for different genre of music."
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626119/preview-brainwavz-m5

It's good to know that you personally didn't have any issues with the M4 build, thanks