Cheap alternatives to EX-70?

[GanChan]

I wanted a small sealed portable phone for noisy environments, but I don't have much money to spare, which ruled out the Ety. So I bought the Sony EX-70. I did the tape mod on the three driver holes, and it helped a little but the bass (actually, the midbass) was still too much. I finally had to use EQ to balance them out, but once I cut the midbass frequencies it sounded much better. Still a little shrill and echoey up top, but I don't feel like messing with the cardboard tube and I do seem to be getting pretty good detail, so that's okay. And they're comfortable. They isolate about as well as the Senn 280 Pro -- pretty well! (My 280 Pro, regrettably, is just too bulky for things like plane trips with carry-on luggage, etc.)

I still have 30 days to return them, so...is there any other cheap canalbud out there that might isolate as well and give better sound? The Aiwa 100/600 series seems to have vanished from shelves, otherwise I would definitely try it. I did try the Aiwa 161 earbud with the silicone ring, and it sounded okay but hurt my ears. I would try the Koss Plug, but everyone keeps warning to stay far far away....

 

[bangraman]

Where are you?

 

[GanChan]

U.S. (Austin, TX)

 

[MacDEF]

Unfortunately, the EX70 is considered to be the "cheap" (but not very good) alternative to Etys

The only thing cheaper is the Koss "Plug" which is simply horrible (even with the mods out there), IMO.