MonteM
New Head-Fier
Hello all,
I am currently engaged in a thread on best on-ear headphones under $200.00. People are very helpful and I've tried three or four, but it's becoming clear to me that for what I'm looking for, I'll have to increase the budget, and I really can't go much higher than the $150.00 range.
So I'm headed back to IEMs and I thought I would ask advice on best IEMs under $175.00, ideally closer to the $125.00 to $150.00 range. There are a few threads out there on this topic but a) not that recent, and b) I thought it might be useful to give you a sense of what I am looking for, rather than just ask for "best" without that context.
As I note in the other thread, the ideal sound for me would be:
wide sound stage, to avoid that feeling of the sound closing in on me; clear and crisp and dynamic sound across the spectrum - this is really important; a good balanced sound, one that is detailed but also warm, so that the bass is not overpowering but definitely felt, and the highs come through clearly but not in a way that is disturbing; and a powerful enough performance so that you can really feel and appreciate the sound. I should add, it would be good to maintain the high level of sound at both low and high volumes (as well as in between of course).
I've also noticed that older recordings tend never to do as well regardless of the phone, so any thoughts on that are appreciated. I generally listen without an amp, and some level of noise isolation (if not cancellation) is important, as I do most of my listening on long and noisy commutes, and on planes.
So I'm not a basshead, and I'm not as concerned with features and whether or not it has a wire, as I am with sound. I am currently using Audio Technicas from about 6 years ago, and I am sure I can do better. I am ready to spend more because I want this to be a really sound investment that I'll enjoy for years to come. But I do have a budget.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Monte
I am currently engaged in a thread on best on-ear headphones under $200.00. People are very helpful and I've tried three or four, but it's becoming clear to me that for what I'm looking for, I'll have to increase the budget, and I really can't go much higher than the $150.00 range.
So I'm headed back to IEMs and I thought I would ask advice on best IEMs under $175.00, ideally closer to the $125.00 to $150.00 range. There are a few threads out there on this topic but a) not that recent, and b) I thought it might be useful to give you a sense of what I am looking for, rather than just ask for "best" without that context.
As I note in the other thread, the ideal sound for me would be:
wide sound stage, to avoid that feeling of the sound closing in on me; clear and crisp and dynamic sound across the spectrum - this is really important; a good balanced sound, one that is detailed but also warm, so that the bass is not overpowering but definitely felt, and the highs come through clearly but not in a way that is disturbing; and a powerful enough performance so that you can really feel and appreciate the sound. I should add, it would be good to maintain the high level of sound at both low and high volumes (as well as in between of course).
I've also noticed that older recordings tend never to do as well regardless of the phone, so any thoughts on that are appreciated. I generally listen without an amp, and some level of noise isolation (if not cancellation) is important, as I do most of my listening on long and noisy commutes, and on planes.
So I'm not a basshead, and I'm not as concerned with features and whether or not it has a wire, as I am with sound. I am currently using Audio Technicas from about 6 years ago, and I am sure I can do better. I am ready to spend more because I want this to be a really sound investment that I'll enjoy for years to come. But I do have a budget.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Monte