Durable IEM Recommendation

[biggbenn74]

Hello there, you wonderful community. It’s been too long. I come to you today with my dilemma. The left driver of my beloved Mee Audio M9 Classic has officially kicked the bucket as of last night. It was a good 3 years, however. I initially purchased them as part of the Mee Audio drop box on Massdrop when it was available.

A little known dark horse in the budget iem game, these were my daily driver every day for about 3 years. I loved their easy going sound and comfortable fit. They were super light and great at everything. However, I know that tech advances, even when it comes to headphones, very quickly. I have not been active on this forum in about a year or so when you, the people, helped me decide on the iBasso IT01’s. Those have been amazing for critical listening... but I need a new workhorse.

That’s where I will leave it up to the community yet again. Here are my criteria:

1: Comfort. Both in musical listening, but more importantly, ear feel. This takes priority over SQ.
2: Durability. I will use these literally everywhere short of in the pool. Rain, pressure washing, heat, cold - does not matter. I need them to last like these M9 Classics did.
3: Sound Quality. Mostly musical clarity, but want it to be an excellent well rounder. I listen to and watch anything and everything. So does not have to be geared towards any one thing specifically.

One last criteria: under $50. I’m sure this has been posted 100x over, but I’d greatly appreciate some responses from the community. Hoping to buy the replacements over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Thank you to anyone that replies to this thread in advance - I will try my hardest to check back here often between now and the weekend.

-Ben

 

[biggbenn74]

Well, I gave it a week, and seeing as hardly anyone does not have any experience with the M9's, I figured I'd edit the title to attract more viewers.

Essentially, to recap: I am looking for a durable, comfortable IEM that I can use every day, in any condition, for years (hopefully) under $50.

Thanks!

 

[buke9]

Well if you want durable the KZ ATE is just that durable. They are probably the warmest of the KZ’s I’ve heard and own and they are like $15 so easy to give a try and not feel too bad if you don’t like them. On sound I find them very even handed as nothing I say is great but nothing is horrible either they are more a bit south of neutral on the high end as you might not like as I have had a couple of Brainwavz a while ago the S0 and S1 and they were fairly bright along with the IT01’s which I also have and these are more of a mid forward sound to them. They definitely don’t have the bass of the IT01’s but definitely not bad for $15 and for comfort that will be hard to say as everyone’s ears are different but I had no problem with them for a 9 hour day but I tend to use foam tips as I have a problem getting a good seal with others but if you don’t have a problem with the iBasso’s you should not have a problem with these.
They are pretty good for $15 and they are rugged.
Edit: Sorry about the Brainwavz I just mixed you up with another post but the Mee’s are also on the bright side like the M6P’s no not the M6 Pros.

 

[serman005]

You might also look into a SoundMAGIC E11 and see what you think. I have had its predecessor for years and it was pretty indestructible. That said, I do also own some KZ and for the money, have no complaints.

 

[theveterans]

Check out Tin Audio T2 at 50 USD. Seems to be gathering good reviews

 

[biggbenn74]

I think I'll give the KZ's a try if nothing else. I'll look up some threads on here and do some reading. Thank you for your responses!