[E-norm]

Hey guys!

I need some recommendations for a pair of IEMs for use when commuting to and from work, etc and with as little hassle as possible in terms of additional equipment, preferably iPhone only or with a Dragonfly at most. I have a pair of Utopias at home which made all my other headphones close to obsolete and I think it has spoiled me a bit. However, I don't think "Utopia-level" sound is necessary for commuting headphones. Good isolation is important though. I've always enjoyed a more "fun" sound signature while on the go but at the same time it needs to maintain those good audiophile qualities. Max budget about 500-550 USD. Any ideas?

 

[serman005]

iBasso IT01--99 bucks and punches way above its price-point in performance. Awesome cable. Worth a look. If you want to spend more, a Campfire Polaris might work.

 

[E-norm]

Thanks for the reply Have you any knowledge of the Comet or RHA T20 for comparison? I've heard good things about them and they are at a similar price point.

 

[IkSak]

Hi. Two recommendations for you: the Hifiman re400, you can find it for as low as 50 brand new. Beautiful mids, comfortable to use directly from the iPhone.

If you're willing to spend more, the Shure se 535, in think you can find it used in the forums for about 250-300. Absolutely amazing pair, it scales well with amps. Both are warm iems which will do the commuting duty pretty well

 

[E-norm]

Hmm I see that Shure has a separate Lightning cable with it's own DAC similar to the cipher cable for my iSines I guess. That would make it close to a perfect choice. Heard the 535s with that cable?

 

[IkSak]

Shure has the BT1 cable which turns many of their iem to Bluetooth. I have it and I use it with my se535 and the sound quality is very close to the stock cable when it's connected to the iPhone. Naturally, there's a perceivable difference between the BT1 and the stock cable when the latter is connected to an amp. All in all, I'm very please to have the BT1 cable and the se535 Ian my choice whenever I commute or when I go to short travels

 

[Redcarmoose]

The qdc Anole V3 is a 3 BA driver which I have found to be especially tuned to be fun and powerful sounding straight from an iPhone. I use Sony Hybrid Tips and they amazingly block out everything. They are small and light and stay in place with the included over ear cable.

I’m just like you and only like to walk around outside with a phone or iPod.


They are $500 but may be hard to find and hard to listen to before purchase depending on where you live. Mine are shown here with an aftermarket cable. There are also micro-dip switches that let you keep them as flat or go for totally fun. I listen to Classic Rock, EDM and Metal so the heavy bass is where I keep them tuned.

Much better sounding than even the IT04!

https://music-sanctuary.com/collections/qdc-ciem

 

[E-norm]

Wow, they look amazing! As a European they will probably be really hard to find, yes. Don't think I've heard of the brand before in fact

 

[IkSak]

@Redcarmoose Another wow! from my end! These are the best looking iem I've seen

 

[Redcarmoose]

Well, it’s a fairly new company that is unknown outside of China. I was in Singapore and stopped by Music Sanctuary to see what they had. I had just been over at another shop to find out what the IT04 fuss was all about, but had trouble with what I heard. This whole headphone thing is about finding a signature you like. At Music Sanctuary I heard a bunch of IEMs ranging from over $3000 USD to $500 USD. I couldn’t have spent up to $1500 or $2000, but I was looking for a deal.

They are tunable but I simply asked the guys there to switch it to bass mode. Lol

But yes, I don’t know what to tell you as far as buying a set of IEMs? But at least if you go to a Head-Fi meet in your country you may meet someone with a pair. I tried the 6 BA model they make and another model with even more BA drivers, but liked the 3 BA driver model.

I’m in the same boat as you, as they have nothing like this where I live. I have to board an aircraft to demo IEMs.

You can even have the company make you a custom pair which will form to your ear, so no tips are needed.

 

[E-norm]

Well color me intrigued! I’d almost buy them on looks alone!

 

[Redcarmoose]

Well color me intrigued! I’d almost buy them on looks alone!

Haha,
Only I thought that they looked cool. But I’m more into a thicker signature. The 2013-2018 Sony house sound is really where I’m at. These have that sound but it’s maybe slightly softer? I’m no expert in BA drivers, but I have never heard bass like this from a strict BA IEM. Most of the time a DD is needed to get to this bass level. What’s funny is going to an after-market cable and premium DAP did change the sound. They retain the darkness they exude with an iPhone.

Going just from an IPhone or iPod is a nice experience and the included cable is really cool. Going to a cable upgrade got more midrange detail and expanded the soundstage.

But remember you can change the sound. I have no experience with the flat signature so I can’t comment. I think there is 4 or 6 sound combinations?

But as far as commuting you would use the included over ear cable as it keeps the IEMs in place like magic.

 

[Redcarmoose]

I’m thinking of trying the 6 driver next?

 

[E-norm]

So you're selling the old ones then?

Just had a look on their website. Boy do they need to clean up their language and/or hire a new translator Their price point indicate that they're not just cheap knockoffs either, though.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Not selling the old ones.

Yes, Chinese sites are many times worded in broken English. It’s actually 100% normal if you read those sites. And they are not knock-offs but expensive IEMs. I have always been suspect of the multi-BA driver IEMs from China, as there are actually a whole handful of companies doing it. I always had this impression that I would never buy a pair. That is one reason I own a pair of Noble Audio IEMs. Though truth to be told, even though they are designed by an American, they are still hand made in China just like the qdc IEMs.