Good IEMs with mic on the cable to replace X10 [Shure 425?]

[mikephn]

I'm looking for a set of good earphones to replace my broken X10.
 
I liked the sound of the X10, they lasted me for 4 years, but I had to re-solder the cable about 5 times (the jack always kept breaking). Unfortunately, eventually one headphone just stopped playing and no iron wizardry could fix it.
 
As much as I liked the sound of the X10, and how small they were, I didn't like their fit, and their very stiff cable. I usually have the cable under my shirt, and because they were so easy to pull out they just kept slipping out of my ears.
 
I learned my lesson, and now I'm looking for a set that won't be such a pain to use. Good headphones are a big investment, and I don't really like playing with solder every few months. The new shures seem to address all of my concerns, what I like about them is:
 
- detachable reinforced cables,
- I can buy a cable with a mic (I've been using the stock apple headset with my phone now, and it's a big convenience, especially I would imagine with headphones with over-the ear fit),
- over the ear fit should prevent them from popping out.
 
Is there a better alternative to the 425? I don't fancy spending more than £250 pounds, and as much as I liked the X10, I'm not going to get them again because of the poor quality cable.
 
I like balanced sound, but I wouldn't complain about a bit of bass punch for dubstep. I have a pair of SRH840 now, and I like their sound, that's why I was thinking about getting Shure IEMs. The only other good earphones I owned were Etymotic er6i, which I didn't really like (and Alessandro MS1, which I did like.).
 
 
 

TLR:
 
Good earphones with detachable cable with mic control, around £250.

 
Many thanks for any advice.

 

[ZARIM]

I think you can buy highend universal IEMs with that budget like Westone UM3x, Earsonic SM3, UETF10Pro, Westone3, XBA4, XBA3, GR07 and Sennheiser IE80 are great sounding IEMs and they are better buy than SE425.

 

[devgru]

The TF10 with Vi cable is probably the closest sound to the X10. I love mine as well but can't deal with the microphonics. FWIW, the Vi cable is a great improvement over the standard TF10 cable. The SE425 or 535 sound nothing like the X10s. Massively hyped mids (*IMO*) on the Shures. Love the build quality of the Shures but will never own another Shure IEM.

 

[mikephn]

Are you saying that TF10 is still worse than X10? Is there anything in a reasonable price range (say below £350) that is BETTER? If not I may as well get X10i on ebay, because they cost just £150. I'd really like to try something new though.
 
EDIT: If I skip the microphone requirement, the UM3x seem to be as good as or better than X10, and have replacable cables.

 

[devgru]

Quote:

Are you saying that TF10 is still worse than X10? Is there anything in a reasonable price range (say below £350) that is BETTER? If not I may as well get X10i on ebay, because they cost just £150. I'd really like to try something new though.
 
EDIT: If I skip the microphone requirement, the UM3x seem to be as good as or better than X10, and have replacable cables.

Worse? Well many prefer the TF10s SQ but few if any will say they are as comfortable as the X10. I have owned a UM3X since they were introduced and no longer have my TF10s if that's any indication. I own both the X10 and UM3X (and RC) and it's a better IEM than the X10. 
 
I am selling a new, sealed UM3X RC (keeping my old pair).