assassin10000
Headphoneus Supremus
Since you prefer no foams, most buds will become neutral-bright to bright without them.
Maybe try the pandas (pk shell)?
Earbuds Round-Up
- Thread starter ClieOS
- Start date
-
- Tags
- akg akg-k-319-in-ear-bud-headphone-dark-charcoal audio-technica-ath-cm707 baldoor-earbell-e100 bang-olufsen-a8-earphones blox-anv3 blox-m2c blox-tm7 blue-ever-blue-328r creative-aurvana-air-headphones-over-the-ear crossroads-hr1 dunu-alpha-1-hybrid-earbuds-dynamic-balanced-armature-high-fidelity-headphones earbuds hifiman-electronics-es100-vintage-style-earbud-with-15mm-driver-blue rose sennheiser sennheiser-mx-580-stereo-headphones-with-intergrated-volume-control sennheiser-mx-581-stereo-stereo-headphones-with-intergrated-volume-control sennheiser-mx-760 sennheiser-mx-90-style-series-in-ear-headphone-with-volume-control sunrise-audio sunrise-audio-charm venture-electronics-ve-zen yuin-pk1-earphones yuin-pk3-earphones
Since you prefer no foams, most buds will become neutral-bright to bright without them.
Maybe try the pandas (pk shell)?
Welcome to the thread.Hello guys, my first post here!
In short about me: sold all my expensive stuff like Hifiman HE1000 and now enjoying $10 earbuds to the fullest
Before trying earbuds tried IEMs but they don't really work for me for few reasons, incl. health and comfort. Actually I'm very glad that flathead earbuds are still alive as they are very good alternative to IEMs.
I have read like 50 last pages, also used search through this thread extensively and for now ended up with VE Monk SL and I'm very happy with them.
However, I'm seriously looking for an upgrade, better shell materials or detachable cable would be great as Monk SL feels quite cheap (I mean, it is after all) and easy to break. I'm very satisfied with SL's neutral-bright tuning, but a bit of refinement to the sound would be very much appreciated. Also interesting thing that I can use both MX500 and PK style shells (however PK is totally comfortable and thus is preferred while MX500 is not so much), but strictly without foams since they are making my ears itching, quite impossible to tolerate (and why would I if bare bud feels great?). Budget is until $50. Appreciate opinions.
Might I suggest that you try some more "quality" foams before you decide that they all make your ears itch? My point is that they are NOT all of the same quality and/or material makeup and going by the foams that are on the Monk buds might not be the best indicator that all foam materials will do this. Something like the HeIGI foams are super smooth and just might change your thoughts on foams. On the other hand, maybe they will, but buying foams is MUCH cheaper than spending a ton of money just to find something that sounds good to your ears. Or you could try something like this setup where the foam doesn't actually touch your ears:
The point is that most earbuds rely on foams (whether thin, thick, or donuts) to complete or fine tune the tuning on each set. Most buds sound a bit of a mess without any foams at all. But YMMV.
Having said all of that, the best set that come to mind that fit all the criteria you named would be the OG Lun Sheng Aeolian Bell or New Aeolian Bell. They are indeed neutral-bright, have a removeable cable, are not MX500 shells (though they are the bell type and not PK type either), consist of 1 DD and 1 piezo driver per side, and are under $50. If you have an issue with them staying in your ears because they are "naked", then you can purchase silicone rings, ear wings, or over ear wings for them. Keep in mind that because they are budget sets, they don't come with any cable, and you will need to supply your own. These CAN also be worn over-ear which will also help with fitment.
You can just about run over these with a tank; they are so solid.
Another set (one of the best that fit into the neutral-bright category) is a set that you can (very easily) make yourself, called the Artiste Nightingale. @mt877 created/perfected this "drag&drop" set and shared here on this thread for all to enjoy. Indeed, they cost less than $50 to make (I think, what with all the recent price gouging going on because of the "orange monkey's" trade war) but yet are TOTL in their sound quality (and quality of the build). They remind me a bit of the Sennheiser HD800S; though certainly not JUST like them, of course. You can find the build instructions here.
Last edited:
Hello and welcome! Just so I understand, you prefer neutral bright tuning, and you find foams itchy? Have you tried other types of foams? There is a spectrum of scratchiness, with some very very scratchy ones (Trig Rain) to very soft (Hiegi). Perhaps Hiegi will not be itchy for you?
Alternatively, you can buy silicone rings that will help increase the grip and diameter of the earbuds. Getting a better seal means better bass response.
If you truly want a neutral bright set under 50 USD without foams... Could try NiceHCK EBS2?
Great suggestion!
I thought about offering those as a great sounding set as well, but it seems as though they want a "removeable" cable as well (from their OG post asking the same question).
Can't have it all rightGreat suggestion!
I thought about offering those as a great sounding set as well, but it seems as though they want a "removeable" cable as well (from their OG post asking the same question).
LOL for sure.Can't have it all right
Reminds me of a comedian I used to LOVE (Steven Wright), who said:
You can't have everything, where would you put it???
Indeed these are very much similar to heigi just different color.
Oh I did own them, the balanced was most used n the last pair got used up last month. I still do have the bass foams. They're great medium density ones but since I don't have access to aliex it's hard to get hold of them. I'll try to talk to taobao agents of they can talk n get me that. ( The ones I've is from ff3 which I sold without the foams)
【淘宝】7天无理由退货 https://e.tb.cn/h.6G2dOAJ3EcBWseW?tk=LDcGV9fXPaw HU591 「龙谣高阻600欧紫光檀木平头塞耳机宽松大气」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开
There you go.
Interesting option, never tried faaeal so far. Adding these to cart as well
I've the nicehck ones they're thick ones n I'm not a fan of those foams. I'd pick heigi if I want thick.
Great suggestion, even the eb2s pro should be good for the described sound.
Last edited:
What the hell?! This is 100% written by some AI bot. At first, a recommendation which completely does not meet the requirement and then another weird follow-up which is also a complete nonsense.
Yeah I thought that too...
Has anybody from UK/USA/EU tried ordering from Taobao? I have just created an account, added the earbuds to the cart, entered the shipping address - no problems there so far.
Last edited:
Man, I just ignore those bots, not to give attention. Don't wanna start another fiasco lol.
I doubt they ship directly outside of China or few nearing countries. But if it lets you, maybe give it a shot with some cheap stuff.
Nope, got some error saying order payment is not possible.
I have just placed an order via agent (Superbuy). I hope everything goes well.
You guys made me do this buy mentioning Yinman 600 too often
Good choice, been using superbuy for past 2 years, good service and congrats on new shiny
7 years ago it was possible with double shipping, like once buyer is outside of China - it ships to warehouse and need to pay second shipping internationally, never know total price upfront
It is same now. We use agents to ship out of their warehouse to anywhere internationally. But now we know the price upfront unless there's crappy and uncertain custom duty or tariff.
Last edited:
Users who are viewing this thread
