[phitat]

I'm in the market for a set of IEM that's good for ALL kind of music. This will be my first set of serious headphones so I want to choose carefully because I'm on a budget too. I've been looking all over the forum and the SE215, MDR-EX600, as well as the XBA-3 have very good reviews, and they fall in my price range also (100-150). I need a set that's good for a very wide genre of music, I listen to country, alternative, soft rock, hard rock, metal, pop, techno, electric, and some rap. I tried the search function and most of the thread are based on certain type of music and not all of them together. Sometime I like to crank up my music too. I'm really not sure what type of IEM would be appropriate for this situation, so I really need some advice on this. Thank you in advance for all the help. 

 

[zfmduel]

What source do you use?(320kbs mp3/flac/etc) Do you use a portable amp? What headphone are you using now? Personally I really like my Ortofone eq5 and for its superior details and deep bass impact its a good choice for any genre music.  JVC FXT90 great details and comfort. But if you are serious about portable audio I think you will benefit more from a amp.

 

[phitat]

Quote:

What source do you use?(320kbs mp3/flac/etc) Do you use a portable amp? What headphone are you using now? Personally I really like my Ortofone eq5 and for its superior details and deep bass impact its a good choice for any genre music.  JVC FXT90 great details and comfort. But if you are serious about portable audio I think you will benefit more from a amp.

My source would be just my laptop and mainly my iPod. If necessary then I would buy a portable amp to compliment the IEM.

 

[yello131]

+1 on ortofon e-Q5 but my favorite are its older brother e-Q7
Very beautiful vocals and very balanced all across the spectrum.
fxt90 is dynamic driver and I have not used it personally but from what I read, is not bad choice
Another dynamic earphone I love is Radius W11 or 21. Not so easy to fit but sound wise is magical beast.
Price is also 200-300 max for e-Q7..

 

[phitat]

Quote:

+1 on ortofon e-Q5 but my favorite are its older brother e-Q7
Very beautiful vocals and very balanced all across the spectrum.
fxt90 is dynamic driver and I have not used it personally but from what I read, is not bad choice
Another dynamic earphone I love is Radius W11 or 21. Not so easy to fit but sound wise is magical beast.
Price is also 200-300 max for e-Q7..

The ones you mentioned are nowhere to be found on the web, only the JVC one. I prefer something that can be easily found online since that's the way I'm gonna buy it because I don't really know any place that sell IEMs at this level where I live. 

 

[Techno Kid]

R-50, e-Q5/e-Q7, W2, GR07, RE262 or RE272 I think would all work for what your looking for.

 

[cel4145]

Have you seen the Multi-IEM Review thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-250-iems-compared-ultimate-ears-100-added-08-20-12
 
If you want to save some money, the Fischer Audio DBA-02 is one of the highest ranked in that thread for SQ and overall value in the $150-$250 tier. The DBA-02 is the same as the Brainwavz B2, which is currently onsale for $120. 

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

R-50, e-Q5/e-Q7, W2, GR07, RE262 or RE272 I think would all work for what your looking for.

 
You forgot to tell him that the R-50 is very similar to the DBA-02/Brainwavz B2 (same driver components), and also available for $120 

 

[phitat]

Quote:

Have you seen the Multi-IEM Review thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-250-iems-compared-ultimate-ears-100-added-08-20-12
 
If you want to save some money, the Fischer Audio DBA-02 is one of the highest ranked in that thread for SQ and overall value in the $150-$250 tier. The DBA-02 is the same as the Brainwavz B2, which is currently onsale for $120. 

Yes, I have seen that thread and it's been really helpful. I'm changing my budget to the sub $150 rand now since I have to buy books for college. 

 

[ZARIM]

I will highly recommend these two IEMs ( GR07, UE TF10Pro) which serve almost all genres music well and they offers great bass response with crisp clear mids and highs.

 

[phitat]

The cheaper the better folks. Thanks for all the suggestion so far!

 

[cel4145]

Quote:

Yes, I have seen that thread and it's been really helpful. I'm changing my budget to the sub $150 rand now since I have to buy books for college. 

 
I was looking for some new IEMs this week, and the best bang for the buck deal I found out of that thread was the JVC FXT90. Two pairs for $86 each on Ebay. Turns out they were two for one in Canada a month or so ago for $100 in some big sale at FutureShop (Canada's BestBuy). Based on that Ebay member's location, I bet they are in Detroit and drove over the bridge into Canada and got 'em for that price (thus the discount). I just bought the first pair yesterday, and there's one left. Admittedly, I haven't heard them yet, but if you are trying to save for books (I know how that is), doesn't seem like you could do better. Here's the FXT90 impressions thread. 

 

[nyonya]

I second the GR07 recommendation - I prefer their sound to the SM3 and UM3X.  They're definitely top-tier IEMs that happen to be priced very fairly.

 

[Techno Kid]

The R-50 is imo the best IEM you can get under $150 hands down.  It uses the same TWFK driver as the DBA-02 MKII, GR01, B2, UE700 and others but the R-50 is the cheapest one in terms of cost.  The UE700 is now around $120 on Amazon but the R-50 has better over all detail with crisper highs and more refined mids, the UE700 has more bass quantity but not better quality.  R-50 has an airy, wide and very cohesive soundstage with great imaging and separation.  So that's my suggestion and also the fit great and have good isolation as well.

 

[cel4145]

One other budget saving suggestion in case your books are too expensive. Look up the Fischer Audio SBA-03 in the Multi-IEM review thread in that $100-$150 tier. It's the same as the MEElectronics A161P. I've got a coupon code for 20% off for the MEE website (PM me if you want it), which brings it down to under $85 shipped.