Cheap (under $100) iem for airplane travel? Recommendations please

[arandomuser]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to high quality headphones, and currently only own a pair of Koss ksc75 based on its good reviews here. I am looking for a $100 or less iem for traveling and general use. Right now, I am thinking that the Monster Gratitudes are the best, as they are discounted to $65 on amazon. Some things to consider:
Comfort - I want to leave them in for a long time.

Durability - I probably won't be buying another pair for quite a while. I am very careful with my electronics, but I want them to not be flimsy.

Design - I like how some Westone iems are flat, allowing you to sleep on your side/rest your head on something. Unfortunately, they are out of my price range.

I was planning on buying from amazon, but is there somewhere else where headphones are cheaper? Also, I read that for an airplane you need an attenuator to prevent the Captain's messages from being too loud. Where can I get one of those?

Thanks!

Edit: Would the Koss VC20 be a good, cheap attenuator, or do some iems have built in ones?

 

[arandomuser]

The Final Audio Design Heaven II also looks good. Any thoughts?

 

[kimvictor]

SE215 seems like a perfect fit. Very comfortable, very durable, same flat Westone flat style, well isolating, and $99. And I would buy the shure travel kit as well. They have everything you'll need for traveling with your shures. They also sound pretty good!

 

[arandomuser]

SE215 seems like a perfect fit. Very comfortable, very durable, same flat Westone flat style, well isolating, and $99. And I would buy the shure travel kit as well. They have everything you'll need for traveling with your shures. They also sound pretty good!

I found them for ~$60 on eBay... Are they better than the Gratitudes at $65 on Amazon? Thanks!

 

[kimvictor]

I think they fot the bill better. I'm a fan of shure

 

[bobby12]

I found them for ~$60 on eBay... Are they better than the Gratitudes at $65 on Amazon? Thanks!

It depends on what you like. I've never had Monster Gratitude, but Monster headphones in general never really impressed me for the price range. There was always something else better that I could get for less or the same price range.
The SE215s are very durable though. Usually the first thing that breaks in IEMs is the cables. You don't have to worry about the with Shures because the cables are very thick and durable. And even if you do manage to break it the cables are replaceable for fairly cheap so it's no problem. They are comfortable for those who like the designs, but some people find the memory wire annoying at times. If you decide to buy the SE215 remember that they have enhanced bass! It says so right in the description too, and then some people complain about it having enhanced bass, which is really stupid of them.

 

[beacherfish]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to high quality headphones, and currently only own a pair of Koss ksc75 based on its good reviews here. I am looking for a $100 or less iem for traveling and general use. Right now, I am thinking that the Monster Gratitudes are the best, as they are discounted to $65 on amazon. Some things to consider:
Comfort - I want to leave them in for a long time.

Durability - I probably won't be buying another pair for quite a while. I am very careful with my electronics, but I want them to not be flimsy.

Design - I like how some Westone iems are flat, allowing you to sleep on your side/rest your head on something. Unfortunately, they are out of my price range.

I was planning on buying from amazon, but is there somewhere else where headphones are cheaper? Also, I read that for an airplane you need an attenuator to prevent the Captain's messages from being too loud. Where can I get one of those?

Thanks!

Edit: Would the Koss VC20 be a good, cheap attenuator, or do some iems have built in ones?

If you can bear deep in-ear ones, have a look at etymotic mc5. I find them very uncomfortable initially but after 1 week I think they are okay.

 

[arandomuser]

And I would buy the shure travel kit as well. They have everything you'll need for traveling with your shures. They also sound pretty good!

Does the travel kit work with all headphones or just Shures?

 

[JoeDoe]

+1 for the 215 with the travel kit

 

[bobby12]

Does the travel kit work with all headphones or just Shures?

They should work with them all. They're not made specifically for Shure.

 

[kimvictor]

Does the travel kit work with all headphones or just Shures?

They work for all headphones with 3.5mm, which is most portable headphones.