[Vidal]

  Hey guys, which IEM do you guys recommend for listening to chill trap (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQeQepATL_c). 
Looking to spend <$30

 
One of the entry level hybrids would work well with this IMO and be within your budget

 

[shacola]

I don't know who's the reviewer but that's not my impression of the Rock Zircon. I can only agree with the build quality and the high freq part.

Well, I also agree with him the build quality is unbeatable: almost no strain relief, bad soldering work so the durability is not very high.
He manages to keep his 1st zircon a little bit more than 6months but mine only survive 1month, the soldering wasn't good near the driver...the jack plug and the cable around the mic are also a weakness.
 
I think the build quality can't be judge in 1-3 days but the design of the IEM can give us a hint about the durability (no strain relief = not durable).

 

[Degree]

   
One of the entry level hybrids would work well with this IMO and be within your budget

Do you have any suggestions/list? 

 

[Vidal]

  Do you have any suggestions/list? 

 
I'll PM you a list as I'm not allowed to post suggestions on the forum. I'm a member of the trade and I sell this sort of stuff and it could be viewed as advertising. Hopefully others will post suggestions so you can see take few view points before spending the cash.
 
I like a similar genre of music so I kind of know what works.

 

[1clearhead]

  I have owned it (PL30+) for 2 months. It sounds fine, smooth mids, tight bass with right amount of sub-bass, but not as punchy as the Quadbeat 2. Treble lacks some sparkles, which is well done by the Quadbeat 2. Mid is just right for vocals, a little bit forwarded. Soundstage is more depth than width.
I rarely listen to it, just keep it in the box and use the QB2 when traveling by bus. A fine IEM, nothing stands out but nothing is bad either.

 
Good to hear, thanks!
 
I'll just stick to the original PL30's, since they have great soundstage and width for that matter, and I'm very happy to have tuned them at their punchier setting with the built in tuning knob. Luckily, now a days you can swap tips and get the airy and sparkle signature I needed out of them.
 

   
They are like 15 euros now (mobile app). If I didnt like my Monk Plus i would have bought it but next step is Havi or an even more expensive IEM.
 
I guess the Urbanfun has been overshadowed by the 4in1. 

 
Yea, the URBANFUN has a warmer sound signature with the likings of those that prefer a warmer signature, but doesn't disappoint at all at its price point!
 
But, I am truly still in the 4in1 cloud 9......gotta' love them!  

 

[mebaali]

   

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Thanks 'mebaali' !
 
I always had a feeling that the soundstage were as wide as the Havi's. Glad I was able to pick the SoundMAGIC PL30's up once again! I don't know what it was, but they sound a lot better to me with today's equipment than they did 3 years ago when I sold them. I've adjusted the little knobs on the side to a thicker bass setting, then I was able to swap wide-bore tips 'till I found the right fit and satisfying sound signature. And, WOW! Can they really perform; Vocals are incredible, the wide soundstage I can't get enough of, and and the overall details are slamming!
 
I would have never said this 3 years ago, but in today's hi-end DAC and headphone amplifiers these perform way better than they ever did in the past. I'm glad I was able to pick these up in a "brand new"  package at my friends store here in Beijing, China!
 
I would suggest others to pick one up and try it in todays equipment. And make sure to adjust the knob to the thicker bass setting. What these didn't do for me 3 years ago made up for it with today's DAC's and headphone equipment.
 
....These are definitely a keeper today!
 
I have these.....
 
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.14.SUQEoI&id=43518213024&ns=1&abbucket=4#detail
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/RR-SoundMAGIC-PL30-sound-beauty-Shanghai-total-six-Gifts-Shop-E300-sound-package/32742923483.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.19.6Ejnt9&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10066_10056_10065_10068_10055_10054_10069_10059_10073_10017_10070_10060_9999_10061_10052_10062_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_6&btsid=3913a6a5-489c-47b3-bf45-9725368c6f16
 
They also have a new version of them the PL30+
 
https://world.tmall.com/item/528112820587.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.SUQEoI&id=528112820587&cm_id=140105335569ed55e27b&abbucket=4&skuId=3170488317499
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Soundmagic-pl30-in-ear-earphones-sports-earphones-heatshrinked-Sport-ear-carry/32698295166.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.3.4BRnew&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10066_10056_10065_10068_10055_10054_10069_10059_10073_10017_10070_10060_9999_10061_10052_10062_10053_10050_10051,searchweb201603_6&btsid=3913a6a5-489c-47b3-bf45-9725368c6f16

 

You have a point. Maybe, if I try them now with my current audio setup and musical preferences, I might find them different in sounding.
 
Meanwhile, been listening to a mixture of genres (Synth Wave/Post Rock/Pop/Alt Rock/New Wave) on my recently recabled Havi's since morning (using OnePlus One at 40% volume via Google's Play Music app). These sounds better than I give them credit for. While most users associate Havis with their incredible soundstage, I am mighty Impressed by its Vocals. They sound very natural and a bit forward to my ears. With Viper4Android (and myriads of its options tweaked for my preference) enabled, there is a bit more body to the entire spectrum of frequencies (lows, in particular, sounds a bit meatier now). Like, what I am listening with Havis.

 

[Expansion]

Do you think that this soundcard could contain fake chips? https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/HIFI-ES9018-K2M-SA9023-AD823-2-USB-DAC-Decoder-With-Volume-adjust-3-5mm-output-USB/1497284_32711825626.html

 

[ratex]

  Just bought an ED9!
How is ED9 compared to Piston 3 and Rock Zircon Nano?

Anyone?

 

[Majin]

  Anyone?

I can compare it to a piston 2 if you want.

 

[ratex]

  I can compare it to a piston 2 if you want.

Sure, go ahead!

 

[mebaali]

  Anyone?

I don't own Rock Zircon but I do have ED9. To my ears (when using Fiio X1 + NX1 combo), ED9 with either nozzles (shiny or brass) provide much more energetic (brass nozzle having a bit more treble focus whereas shiny one having a fun sounding signature) sound presentation than Piston 3 (which is not as fun sounding as my Piston 2.1 and sounds kinda bland).

 

[Vidal]

  Anyone?

 
ED9 - brass filter - very balanced quite airy a lot less bass than Rock Zircons
 
ED9 - gold filter - more bass, narrower soundstage still less bass than Zircons
 
KZ ED9 is superior to Rock Zircons in all but comfort. Zircons are good but the ED9 are a mainstay of the Chinese budget IEM. Two sound signatures in one IEM for a similar price

 

[Majin]

   
ED9 - brass filter - very balanced quite airy a lot less bass than Rock Zircons
 
ED9 - gold filter - more bass, narrower soundstage still less bass than Zircons
 
KZ ED9 is superior to Rock Zircons in all but comfort. Zircons are good but the ED9 are a mainstay of the Chinese budget IEM. Two sound signatures in one IEM for a similar price

 
My thoughts exactly except the gold filters are taking a bit hit in clarity and makes the bass bloated. The Piston 2 are a step above the brass filter clarity and have better soundstage but for me the Piston 2 have too much bass. Tried out several tips and some heavy duty clear shure tips do tame it a bit.

 

[slowpickr]

Hello everyone.  I've started up a "Chinese/Asian" thread dedicated to on and over ear headphones at the link below.  The ones that come up in this thread occasionally seem to get lost in the IEM discussions. Feel free to discuss your favorite hidden gems there. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/822184/chinese-asian-brand-info-thread-on-or-over-ear-headphones

 

[s4tch]

Do you think that this soundcard could contain fake chips? https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/HIFI-ES9018-K2M-SA9023-AD823-2-USB-DAC-Decoder-With-Volume-adjust-3-5mm-output-USB/1497284_32711825626.html

a friend of mine used a similar one for his car audio, and it does the job, sounds fine.