[aznarth]

So I have been researching for the past 2 hours for good earbuds that are 100 dollars or less that suits my taste and I feel like its the hardest thing ever.  There are so many different kinds of earbuds that in the market and I just can't figure out the one that would best suit me.  Every time I find a pair that I might like, they end up having a con that makes me uncertain on whether to buy the pair or not. Hopefully you guys will be able to help me find the best in-ear buds for me!
 
I mostly listen to rap/hip-hop, some alternative and also stuff like The Weekend.  Some previous earbuds that I have owned include the Sennhesier CX-300 and the JVC-Fx1x (which I found out later were knock offs).  I thought the CX300 were really nice but I would like to spend some more money to see if i can get something better than those.  I really like my bass and it would be awesome to find a pair that would have really good punchy bass.  Im not that big of an audiophile so I don't really get a lot of the terminology but hopefully the information I'm giving is enough for you guys to kind of figure out what kind of sound I like!
 
Here are some earbuds that I have considered while researching but am not sure if they give the bass I'm looking for:
 
- Klipsch R6m
 
- Shure SE215

 

[JustinBieber]

You'd definitely like the SE215. It's a very bassy IEM, and it's also built like a tank and has a ton of isolation (only beat by Etymotic, but they have a deeper fit and more neutral / flat bass).

 

[EagleWings]

Put a $20 more and get the RHA MA750. I own a SE215 and I've tried my friend's MA750. MA750s are definitely better. Has good bass and better clarity than the SE215.

 

[aznarth]

I looked into the  RHA MA750, they seem pretty good and I'm considering getting them.  Im just not sold on the bass of these earbuds, I read mixed reviews about it, but I mean if you tried them and you think it has a nice punchy bass thats not too weak than i will get these.

 

[EagleWings]

To be honest even I've read mixed reviews about MA750s bass performance. On keen observation, based on the MA750 I tried, the bass was punchy and tight. SE215's bass although not loose was not as tight as MA750's bass. IMHO I like the bass on my SE215, but the difference is not very far apart. On the clarity aspect, MA750 is a clear winner.

 

[aznarth]

thanks for the further input however I don't fully understand some of the terminology that you use to describe the bass.  Here is an example of a song that I think has punchy bass:
 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36zkP6HSLZw
 
The beginning of the song where the bass first kicks in is what I am referring to as punchy, but I'm not sure if thats Im correctly using the term. Its kind of like a thumping noise in your ear I guess and thats what I'm looking for in the earbuds.

 

[EagleWings]

  thanks for the further input however I don't fully understand some of the terminology that you use to describe the bass.  Here is an example of a song that I think has punchy bass:
 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36zkP6HSLZw
 
The beginning of the song where the bass first kicks in is what I am referring to as punchy, but I'm not sure if thats Im correctly using the term. Its kind of like a thumping noise in your ear I guess and thats what I'm looking for in the earbuds.

 
You are correct. That is exactly what punchy bass is. So both MA750 and SE215 are going to give you that punchy bass. Now regarding the bass being tight or loose, it's a characteristic of a headphone to reproduce the punchy bass sound. Let me try to explain the best way I can.
 
1. A tight bass would be like a well disciplined controlled bass. It does not blanket over the following notes or other frequencies. (I haven't heard the CX300, but if it is anything like my other Sennheisers I own (CX275, MM30), then the CX300 has a tight bass). And this is how the MA750's bass is like.
 
2. A not-so-tight bass would be like, the bass note plays a little longer and blankets a little over the following notes. But not to an extent where you loose clarity. Based on what I've read, JVC FX1X's bass falls under this category. SE215's bass falls under this category.
 
3. A loose bass would feel like it is out of control and it blankets over the following notes and other frequencies to an extent that the clarity seems lost. If you have heard some cheap bass heavy headphones, you'll notice such a characteristic.
 
Some of the Beats headphones I have tried, fall somewhere between category 2 and 3.
 
There is no saying which is best. It's a personal preference. Some like it tight, some like it loose and some prefer it in between the two. As for me, I like the somewhere between Category 1 and 2.
 
Hope this helps!

 

[voxie]

Agree with vishnusiddharth re the 750's SQ. Have a pair and they sound as described. Also worth noting is the 3 year warranty that they come with. Another iem to consider are the TrinityAudio Delta's. Great bass but the USP is that they come with 3 interchangable filters so that you can tweek the SQ. They really do change the sound.  Build is really good on them. They are also within your price range. Best of luck.

 

[aznarth]

   
You are correct. That is exactly what punchy bass is. So both MA750 and SE215 are going to give you that punchy bass. Now regarding the bass being tight or loose, it's a characteristic of a headphone to reproduce the punchy bass sound. Let me try to explain the best way I can.
 
1. A tight bass would be like a well disciplined controlled bass. It does not blanket over the following notes or other frequencies. (I haven't heard the CX300, but if it is anything like my other Sennheisers I own (CX275, MM30), then the CX300 has a tight bass). And this is how the MA750's bass is like.
 
2. A not-so-tight bass would be like, the bass note plays a little longer and blankets a little over the following notes. But not to an extent where you loose clarity. Based on what I've read, JVC FX1X's bass falls under this category. SE215's bass falls under this category.
 
3. A loose bass would feel like it is out of control and it blankets over the following notes and other frequencies to an extent that the clarity seems lost. If you have heard some cheap bass heavy headphones, you'll notice such a characteristic.
 
Some of the Beats headphones I have tried, fall somewhere between category 2 and 3.
 
There is no saying which is best. It's a personal preference. Some like it tight, some like it loose and some prefer it in between the two. As for me, I like the somewhere between Category 1 and 2.
 
Hope this helps!

Thanks! This explains everything I wanted to know.

 

[aznarth]

  Agree with vishnusiddharth re the 750's SQ. Have a pair and they sound as described. Also worth noting is the 3 year warranty that they come with. Another iem to consider are the TrinityAudio Delta's. Great bass but the USP is that they come with 3 interchangable filters so that you can tweek the SQ. They really do change the sound.  Build is really good on them. They are also within your price range. Best of luck.

Heard about these too, hard choices man!

 

[EagleWings]

  Agree with vishnusiddharth re the 750's SQ. Have a pair and they sound as described. Also worth noting is the 3 year warranty that they come with. Another iem to consider are the TrinityAudio Delta's. Great bass but the USP is that they come with 3 interchangable filters so that you can tweek the SQ. They really do change the sound.  Build is really good on them. They are also within your price range. Best of luck.

 
I haven't tried the Deltas but I have been reading some great things about those lately. Apparently it is one of Brooko's highly recommended IEMs.

 

[voxie]

Yep, i know what you mean! Imho i don't think you can go wrong re the 750's or the Delta's. Have a draw full of iems and these two are my go to's Remember the RHA'S hooked over your ear while the Delta's are worn down. Might not be a deal breaker though. 

 

[aznarth]

Just placed the order for the 750's, ill give an update on my thoughts once I get them.

 

[aznarth]

I got the earbuds today and wow this is probably the best I've heard out of all the earbuds I've ever tried.  The bass was on point too, i didn't feel like it was lacking once you find the right eartips to get the perfect fit.  Thanks for all the recommendations! Also I was wondering whether I have to burn these in? and if so for how long?

 

[voxie]

Glad you like them. Don't believe in burn in. imho they sound great out of the box.