[crabdog]

  Hey! I'm on the market for a new in ears. I own a full sized Takstar for home plus a Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro on the amp.
 
For in ears I own Klpisch Image S4 which I find amazing but they're old (I dont mean they're no cool anymore, I mean theyre physically beat up). I bought last year a Xiaomi Piston which was AWESOME for the price but not superior to the Klipsch Image S4 and not as comfortable for me... and with a tendency to fall off my ear. I ended up giving it away to a friend. It was still a positive experience. So, what can you recommend me for less than $100?
 
Don't think about music styles cause I listen to EVERYTHING. And I mean everything, so neutral tends to be my style. I love myself some instrument separation and details. 

Take a look at the Musicmaker TK12 and TK13, both between $90-$100. I don't own either of them but from other members most consider them amongst the best under $100 iems.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/796505/musicmaker-tk12-appreciation-impressions-thread-dual-ba-and-dd-hybrid

 

[FUYU]

The SMSL M2 has a special place in my collection as it is was my very first DAC/AMP, and to this day it is one of the cleanest and most neutral dacs you can buy for < $100 and it has both a line out and optical out. Its the size of a credit card and even has a volume dial. I included some pictures for a size comparison.



 



So when the SMSL M3 came out, I took advantage of that huge aliexpress sale and ordered my pair. Took its sweet time getting to me but I have been using it for the last 2 weeks. Mainly bought it to use with my Playstation 3 to replace my FiiO E17, but damn does it sound good. Loving what SMSL is doing with their more affordable gear.



 



The SMSL M3 has rear RCA out, as well as USB and Optical In. More power than I know what to do with and its transportable, able to be powered by cellphones and the like. It is built like a tank and truly feels like a premium product in the hands. Even came with a small micro to micro USB cable to connect to phones, which is always appreciated! This one was worth every penny and I can suggest it to others with no hesitation.



 



The sound is clear, neutral and with a big soundstage. Crazy separation, can hear individual elements of a song very clearly. I am surprised by its clarity and resolution, especially considering the price point! Bravo SMSL  



 



In the pics I have the M3 with the Rear RCA out to my new baby the Venture Electronics RA 2.0 (♥

 ♥

) driving my all time favourite open back, the venerable Sony MA900 (♥

♥

 ♥

). A timeless classic and an absolute legend, good enough that I can live with it as my only full size.

 


 


 


 

Does the M3 sound good with low-impedance cans and IEMs? They're 75€ on amazon, maybe I have something to consider after parting with my Schiit Stack

 

[carltonh]

  Haha, you're right but it's only because I'm rather poor and can only dream of buying all these iems. Will have my Zero soon and can't wait to see how they compare to the K4. I feel a bit like @Lurk650 with his Maples because I'm likiing the K4 more than my other more expensive iems and wondering if I'm just crazy. 

I love the way the K4 can authoritatively hit the low C at 32 Hz on one of my test songs. (Serve You by Chris Whitley). For a good while the K4 has been my pocket IEM. One of my primary IEM uses is one that is very durable, not MMCX, with a mic, and able to be quickly wadded in a pocket without fear with its price/durability ratio. The K4 has been my go-to IEM for this. (As have the Zircons, KZs, Tennmak Dulcimer, and LG Quadbeat 3 have all filled this role.)
 
However, I just got the HLSX 808 with mic, and I think it is my new pocket king. First thought is it is about equal to the **** UES in SQ and signature, but will compare properly after more burn in.

 

[Riisalat]

Does the M3 sound good with low-impedance cans and IEMs? They're 75€ on amazon, maybe I have something to consider after parting with my Schiit Stack

And also how are they as a source ?
I nees a dac

 

[B9Scrambler]

 
I read it already! In your review, felt a bit lower quality overall, but better for metal. Would that be somewhat accurate? 

Not quite. It kinda takes the best of both of those iems and melds them together. Speed, detail, clarity of the FXD80 with the natural timbre and prat of the FXT90, plus improved refinement over either. The only notable flaws imo are the thick nozzle due to the tip-mounted driver and a constrained soundstage. That said, they produce great depth of sound and congestion never became a problem for me so the smaller soundstage never really seemed like an issue, more of a preference thing. Obviously others' mileage will vary and some find the peaky JVC sound fatiguing, but I'm a fan of aggressive earphones and quite like it.

 

[Lurk650]

My TK13 are at the SF ISC as of this morning so I should have them tomorrow afternoon along with my headphone splitter so the Maples & 13's will be able to get the burn in treatment together. My Monks are still a mystery, Singapore Post sucks, oh well

 

[crabdog]

  My TK13 are at the SF ISC as of this morning so I should have them tomorrow afternoon along with my headphone splitter so the Maples & 13's will be able to get the burn in treatment together. My Monks are still a mystery, Singapore Post sucks, oh well

Yes, my zero supposedly departed from Singapore 4 days ago and are now in limbo. Seems kinda strange considering flight time is just under 2 hours. 

 

[anticute]

Shame the Auvio tips are so hard to get in the EU. The only way I can order those is from Ebay US but with an added shipping cost of over 20 $. Bit too steep for some tips. If someone knows other places to buy I'd appreciate that greatly.

This is the same reason I haven't ordered any. $20 shipping for tips, no thank you. Maybe a few of us EU guys could get together and order a larger amount together and then split the shipping or something?

 

[crabdog]

  I love the way the K4 can authoritatively hit the low C at 32 Hz on one of my test songs. (Serve You by Chris Whitley). For a good while the K4 has been my pocket IEM. One of my primary IEM uses is one that is very durable, not MMCX, with a mic, and able to be quickly wadded in a pocket without fear with its price/durability ratio. The K4 has been my go-to IEM for this. (As have the Zircons, KZs, Tennmak Dulcimer, and LG Quadbeat 3 have all filled this role.)
 
However, I just got the HLSX 808 with mic, and I think it is my new pocket king. First thought is it is about equal to the **** UES in SQ and signature, but will compare properly after more burn in.

Do you find you need to use higher volume levels with the 808? Most of my iems are comfortable at around 16-18 volume on my X2 but with the 808 I often have to go up to 22-24 for comparable levels.

 

[peter123]

However, I just got the HLSX 808 with mic, and I think it is my new pocket king. First thought is it is about equal to the **** UES in SQ and signature, but will compare properly after more burn in.

Please share more comparison between the UES and the 808's when you get some more time with them.

Although I enjoy the UES I can't help feeling that the the BA in it has a metallic touch making the sound slightly unnatural...

 

[carltonh]

  Do you find you need to use higher volume levels with the 808? Most of my iems are comfortable at around 16-18 volume on my X2 but with the 808 I often have to go up to 22-24 for comparable levels.

Yes, the 808 requires more power for the same volume than the average IEM, still less than the Puro IEM500, but still sounds great just out of my phone which is able to provide enough power.

 

[mochill]

Podster needs the shozy zero

 

[peter123]

Podster needs the shozy zero

+1

 

[Lurk650]

Please share more comparison between the UES and the 808's when you get some more time with them.

Although I enjoy the UES I can't help feeling that the the BA in it has a metallic touch making the sound slightly unnatural...

Im confused.. The Easy UEs doesn't have a BA

 

[BloodyPenguin]

BloodyPenguin needs the Shozy Zero

Ok, one is on the way.  

 
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