[pr0b3r]

Any idea which Sony model are these buds? I recabled them and replaced the driver covers since they're pretty worned out already. The stock covers are like the typical teardrop-shaped rubber which covers almost half of the mesh. I can't seem to achieve more bass from these, but they're suprisingly well detailed and expansive in staging. I wonder if the stock sound really has a very lean bass response.

 

[Kento6395]

My earbuds The Siemens Driver + Nordost blue haven. I think it's my best Earbuds mod.

 

[baskingshark]

OK folks I figure if I can't find an answer here to my IEM woes it'll never happen. My issue is fit: my ears are rather oddly shaped, aparently, and it's exceptionally tough to find tips that seal well and stay put. Stock eartips have never fit. The only ones that seal are the largest - diameter Comply ones (I researched) and even those fall out or need adjustment after maybe 15-30ish minutes.

Besides custom-molded ones does anyone know of some exceptionally large tips they can recommend? As I recall Etymotic makes some really, really big yellow ones, maybe I should just splurge on some Etys. I'd love to get to experience all of the great IEMs that are out there but of they don't fit right then there's not much point.

This is the earbuds thread, and actually earbuds may potentially be even more of a pain to fit than IEMs, as they come in multiple shell shapes! Check out this post https://www.head-fi.org/threads/earbuds-round-up.441400/page-3418#post-16078122 (contributed mostly by our esteemed @WoodyLuvr and @furyossa) on the various earbud shapes.


Anyways for IEMs, you can consider going for custom IEMs (pricey though, and cannot resell them), but custom IEMs usually give great isolation and fit. Or another less common area is that of custom eartips. So these eartips are made from a mould and they may be transferrable to another IEM with the same nozzle diameter; they are a bit pricey also, but not as costly as custom IEMs.

 

[RikudouGoku]

OK folks I figure if I can't find an answer here to my IEM woes it'll never happen. My issue is fit: my ears are rather oddly shaped, aparently, and it's exceptionally tough to find tips that seal well and stay put. Stock eartips have never fit. The only ones that seal are the largest - diameter Comply ones (I researched) and even those fall out or need adjustment after maybe 15-30ish minutes.

Besides custom-molded ones does anyone know of some exceptionally large tips they can recommend? As I recall Etymotic makes some really, really big yellow ones, maybe I should just splurge on some Etys. I'd love to get to experience all of the great IEMs that are out there but of they don't fit right then there's not much point.

Wrong thread, check this one: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/best-iem-tips.626895/

Check out the Azla Sedna tips (regular, crystals and xelastecs).

 

[JdeFalconr]

Thanks everyone, sorry for not reading more carefully and for your helpful responses anyway.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Any idea which Sony model are these buds? I recabled them and replaced the driver covers since they're pretty worned out already. The stock covers are like the typical teardrop-shaped rubber which covers almost half of the mesh. I can't seem to achieve more bass from these, but they're suprisingly well detailed and expansive in staging. I wonder if the stock sound really has a very lean bass response.

That is the 2007 Sony Walkman Player NWZ-A81x (A815/6/8 depending on the memory capacity) and they were bundled with Sony IEM earbuds and not flathead earbuds. Those flatheads appear to be an earlier model from mid-1990s to early-2000s.

 

[Sam L]

Well, after going through my entire bud collection. Here are the update ranks:

Moondrop Nameless: C+ to B-

NiceHCK B40: B- to B

NiceHCK Traceless: B+ to B

FAAEAL Snow lotus 2.5mm: A- to B+

Toneking Dendroaspis Virids: S- to A+



Biggest discovery to me though. Is the the Faaeal Iris CE is very similar to the NiceHCK ME80. So if you wanted to get the ME80 but cant since it is discontinued now, you can try the Iris CE instead. The ME80 is still better in technicalities, but tonality wise they are very similar and the Iris CE is the better value since it is around 3x cheaper.

thx for the iris ce recommendation. I'll hunt one down.

 

[RikudouGoku]

thx for the iris ce recommendation. I'll hunt one down.

Do be aware that it seems that Faaeal QC isnt that good, from what others have told me at least...

 

[pr0b3r]

That is the 2007 Sony Walkman Player NWZ-A81x (A815/6/8 depending on the memory capacity) and they were bundled with Sony IEM earbuds and not flathead earbuds. Those flatheads appear to be an earlier model from mid-1990s to early-2000s.

Yes, that player is an A818 that I got a while back from a thrift store. I got the earbuds the same way but at a later date. Anyway, I can't squeeze much anymore from those. I guess its stock signature isn't that much bassy at all. I'll just set them aside for collection. Thanks, I appreciate the response.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

Smabat has launched a new earbud with MMCX called the M Pro which they consider to be a mini version of their Super One S-Class Earbud.

2022 - Smabat M Pro (150Ω; Linear Labyrinth-Maze Acoustics)​

​

Svara - Smabat (Shenzhen Smabat Technology Co., Ltd.) Model Timeline

 

[4ceratops]

I became the pleasantly surprised owner of my first earbuds: the NiceHCK EB2S. (My collection so far contained only IEMs). I'd ask the more experienced for some recommendations on even better earbuds in the under $100 price range. Thanks in advance for any reply.

 

[Sam L]

I became the pleasantly surprised owner of my first earbuds: the NiceHCK EB2S. (My collection so far contained only IEMs). I'd ask the more experienced for some recommendations on even better earbuds in the under $100 price range. Thanks in advance for any reply.

paging @WoodyLuvr @RikudouGoku

 

[RikudouGoku]

paging @WoodyLuvr @RikudouGoku

well, we need more info on what they like in terms of sound preferences, what libraries they got and what source they use before anyone can give a good rec.

 

[captione]

Smabat has launched a new earbud with MMCX called the M Pro which they consider to be a mini version of their Super One S-Class Earbud.

2022 - Smabat M Pro (150Ω; Linear Labyrinth-Maze Acoustics)​

​

​

Svara - Smabat (Shenzhen Smabat Technology Co., Ltd.) Model Timeline

There's a bit of discrepancy on the info regarding the impedance, the images on the marketing says 40ohms while the site states that it's 150ohms

 

[4ceratops]

well, we need more info on what they like in terms of sound preferences, what libraries they got and what source they use before anyone can give a good rec.

So I prefer the sound to be gently warm with an organic timbre. In the budget IEM category, I'm a fan of the Moondrop Aria. What I can't stand is the sibilance, clinical coolness and unnatural coloration of the mids. As for musical genres, I listen to everything because music is only divided into good and bad. If I had to name something though, it's most often jazz, and other production based on acoustic instruments and vocals. As for the source, the Shanling M3X will have the weakest amplification. So that's about it. Thanks in advance for the recommendations.