Cowon S9 IEM n00b Pairing

[faisal2003456]

I'm planning on buying a Cowon S9 today and I read that it is a little warm, so I that means I should get something cold. I was going to get the Thinksound Rain, but I hear they are also warm. Overall I just want a good pair of IEMs, bellow $100.
 
I've seen the following:

1. Altec Lansing UHP336/Super.Fi 3: I'm concerned about the apparent poor build quality/
2. Super.Fi 4: Again the poor build quality. If the sq difference is small between it and the Super.Fi 3, I'd rather go with the 3.
3. RE0: They have a high impedance, not sure if the S9 can get them to those higher volumes.
4. Thinksound Rain: Not sure, because they are warm.
5. Sennheiser CX series: I hear they have poor quality, is it true?
6. JLabs IEMs: Don't know much.
7. VModa Vibe: Don't know much.

 
The only other IEMs I've had are some no-name $10 ones.
 
I mainly listen to Orchestra and HipHop.

 

[tyrael]

 
Quote:

1. RE0: They have a high impedance, not sure if the S9 can get them to those higher volumes.

My S9 can drive the RE0 to unlistenable level, and I usually listen to them at 22/40 volume

 

[stevenswall]

I highly recommend the Etymotic Mc5 for its detail, clarity, and natural frequency response. It neither adds to or takes away from the music, as its output is tuned based on how the average human ear hears.
 
$80
Etymotics have the best isolation of all IEMs
2 year warranty
Mylar memory free cable (my current favorite cable, no kinks straight out of the box!)
 
The EQ effects on the S9 are so mind-blowingly good that you can typically make it, and the earphone it's paired with, sound as warm or cold/clinical as you wish... Etymotics are usually considered 'bass light' by those used to boominess, and clinical because of there huge amount of detail, but with the S9 EQ, they can sound just as bass heavy as you wish, while keeping the treble pristine and clear. Don't worry about the volume, I have never had a problem even with much larger 'phones.

 

[yello131]

Why don't you try Hippo VB or Radius DDMs. Latest best for orchestral music.
 hippo VB priced $85, 
Radius DDM are double the price but you can get OEM version of DDM from Musicaacoustics.com for around $100 US
This are very highly regarded by some  fellow head-fiers, below is the link to one of them!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/486541/radius-hp-twf11r-review-and-impressions-thread

 

[stevenswall]

^In response to the above by yello131, I have listened to the DDM, and it does indeed sound better to me than my Etymotic. It is more energetic and textured, especially with bass, but not as articulate or isolating as the Etymotic.
 
OP: If you can get it for $100, and it fits (very hard, depends on your ear anatomy, a large anti-helix is good in this case) I would go with that, unless you really need isolation.

 

[Mad Max]

x2 on the RE0
The 64 ohms impedance is misleading.
 
RE-ZERO is a bit better overall and more sensitive, don't know if it may hiss with that Cowon.