RoninJin
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2010
- Posts
- 9
- Likes
- 1
Hey everyone!
So I've been doing a lot of research on IEMs lately. Finally going to take the plunge and invest in some nice IEMs. It's been a LONG time though since I researched headphones, earbuds or IEMs. And things seemed to have changed dramatically. Specifically for IEMs. From what I can gather, most people are saying the tried and true big brands IEMs are boring, extremely neutral monitors, not really great for listening to music. And that it looks like Chi-Fi and Boutique brands are the way to go these days?
So I've been reading up on lots of different brands and models, and I'm not really finding what I'm looking for. Lots of good stuff, but not finding many that meet all my requirements. It's just super confusing with SOOO many options now. And was hoping those more knowledgeable than myself could help out with some great suggestions? One thing I have noticed, is that when people list the "best IEMs" under 200, they all list the same ones. Nothing different. But then when I read the reviews, they're not all that great and always have too much ear piercing treble, or too much bass and the overall sound isn't great. So that's also super confusing. Why would people list them as "THE BEST" if they have so many flaws? IEMs like: Moondrop Aria, Kato, HEXA, 7hz Timeless, S12, Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday, etc. All of them have what sounds like serious flaws in their sound profile. And most sound like they either are too mid/treble heavy or too bass heavy.
I did find one set so far that speaks to me, that might possibly be good? The iKKO OH300s. Very good punchy, warm, but tight bass. Mids and Highs are nice and not too bright or cause ear fatigue, but sound clear and smooth. And very good soundstage. Just based on that alone, those sound exactly like what I'm looking for.
SOUND PROFILE I'M LOOKING FOR
And that is what I'm looking for. Sub-bass and bass that is tight, punchy and warm and has a little rumble and air movement, but not so much that it interferes with the mids and highs or would be considered a "basshead" IEM. Clean, warm, articulate mids and clean, articulate, smooth highs. I'm very adverse to too much mids and highs that take center stage that are super articulate, sharp and have sibilance. I do like articulate headphones, but not at the cost of an overall warmth and smoothness.
I don't have a ton of experience with many headphones or IEMs. I own the obligatory AT ATH-M50xWH headphones, and to me, they sound amazing. I don't have the experience or knowledge to call myself a "true audiophile". But, I do enjoy nice sounding speakers and headphones for sure. I've listed to a few other more expensive headphones before I bought the AT's. And to be honest, they all sounded about the same, and, I didn't really like how they sounded. They were very clinical, cold, lacking any excitement and very neutral across the board in terms of EQ. Although they were VERY sharp and articulate sounding. That was pretty neat to hear something so clearly. But, on the other hand, I hate Beats and other "basshead" type headphones. They are so one dimensional and have too much bass that colors everything else.
I listen to mostly Rock, Alternative, older Hiphop, Funk, some Electronic music, and lots of chill stuff like Radiohead, Tame Impala, Khruangbin, Washed Out, Hermanos Gutierrez, etc. As well as the occasional Classical pieces that I love. Just in case you needed to know what type of music I'll be listening to on these IEMs I'm looking for. One time a guy at work had some killer looking IEMs. He let me listen to some music on them and I was blown away! And that was just with press in eartips, lightly put in my ear, so as not to get any possible wax on them, not even foam or form fitting tips. They were SOOO articulate, had an amazing soundstage and everything was just miles better than anything I had ever heard. Turns out they are $600, so I won't be getting those ever. But it was interesting to be able to listen to some music on such high end equipment.
LOOKING FOR
I'd like to try to find something that meets my requirements that comes in at around $180 or less. Even better if it's more around $100 give or take. I'm not looking to get "the best." Just looking for something that has a sound profile that I've described above, are a good value and will wow me, compared to what I currently have. Jabra Elite 3 wireless earbuds (for the gym) and stuff like that are what I use right now (can't even remember the brand of the wired earbuds I have. They sound really nice and I bought them about 15 years ago for around $80ish). They're fine. They sound clean, have nice bass and smooth not too sharp mids or highs. But I know there are much better products out there. Looking for good build. Good reliability (meaning they last and don't break down. I've read a bit that the popular brand Moondrop for ex has very poor quality products. So just looking to stay away from products like that). And of course sound great. And potentially a sound that really Wows.
Also one more piece of info that is really important is: these MUST be able to be driven just fine using my iPhone, no amps or dacs. I'm not getting into this that far.
Thanks everyone
So I've been doing a lot of research on IEMs lately. Finally going to take the plunge and invest in some nice IEMs. It's been a LONG time though since I researched headphones, earbuds or IEMs. And things seemed to have changed dramatically. Specifically for IEMs. From what I can gather, most people are saying the tried and true big brands IEMs are boring, extremely neutral monitors, not really great for listening to music. And that it looks like Chi-Fi and Boutique brands are the way to go these days?
So I've been reading up on lots of different brands and models, and I'm not really finding what I'm looking for. Lots of good stuff, but not finding many that meet all my requirements. It's just super confusing with SOOO many options now. And was hoping those more knowledgeable than myself could help out with some great suggestions? One thing I have noticed, is that when people list the "best IEMs" under 200, they all list the same ones. Nothing different. But then when I read the reviews, they're not all that great and always have too much ear piercing treble, or too much bass and the overall sound isn't great. So that's also super confusing. Why would people list them as "THE BEST" if they have so many flaws? IEMs like: Moondrop Aria, Kato, HEXA, 7hz Timeless, S12, Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday, etc. All of them have what sounds like serious flaws in their sound profile. And most sound like they either are too mid/treble heavy or too bass heavy.
I did find one set so far that speaks to me, that might possibly be good? The iKKO OH300s. Very good punchy, warm, but tight bass. Mids and Highs are nice and not too bright or cause ear fatigue, but sound clear and smooth. And very good soundstage. Just based on that alone, those sound exactly like what I'm looking for.
SOUND PROFILE I'M LOOKING FOR
And that is what I'm looking for. Sub-bass and bass that is tight, punchy and warm and has a little rumble and air movement, but not so much that it interferes with the mids and highs or would be considered a "basshead" IEM. Clean, warm, articulate mids and clean, articulate, smooth highs. I'm very adverse to too much mids and highs that take center stage that are super articulate, sharp and have sibilance. I do like articulate headphones, but not at the cost of an overall warmth and smoothness.
I don't have a ton of experience with many headphones or IEMs. I own the obligatory AT ATH-M50xWH headphones, and to me, they sound amazing. I don't have the experience or knowledge to call myself a "true audiophile". But, I do enjoy nice sounding speakers and headphones for sure. I've listed to a few other more expensive headphones before I bought the AT's. And to be honest, they all sounded about the same, and, I didn't really like how they sounded. They were very clinical, cold, lacking any excitement and very neutral across the board in terms of EQ. Although they were VERY sharp and articulate sounding. That was pretty neat to hear something so clearly. But, on the other hand, I hate Beats and other "basshead" type headphones. They are so one dimensional and have too much bass that colors everything else.
I listen to mostly Rock, Alternative, older Hiphop, Funk, some Electronic music, and lots of chill stuff like Radiohead, Tame Impala, Khruangbin, Washed Out, Hermanos Gutierrez, etc. As well as the occasional Classical pieces that I love. Just in case you needed to know what type of music I'll be listening to on these IEMs I'm looking for. One time a guy at work had some killer looking IEMs. He let me listen to some music on them and I was blown away! And that was just with press in eartips, lightly put in my ear, so as not to get any possible wax on them, not even foam or form fitting tips. They were SOOO articulate, had an amazing soundstage and everything was just miles better than anything I had ever heard. Turns out they are $600, so I won't be getting those ever. But it was interesting to be able to listen to some music on such high end equipment.
LOOKING FOR
I'd like to try to find something that meets my requirements that comes in at around $180 or less. Even better if it's more around $100 give or take. I'm not looking to get "the best." Just looking for something that has a sound profile that I've described above, are a good value and will wow me, compared to what I currently have. Jabra Elite 3 wireless earbuds (for the gym) and stuff like that are what I use right now (can't even remember the brand of the wired earbuds I have. They sound really nice and I bought them about 15 years ago for around $80ish). They're fine. They sound clean, have nice bass and smooth not too sharp mids or highs. But I know there are much better products out there. Looking for good build. Good reliability (meaning they last and don't break down. I've read a bit that the popular brand Moondrop for ex has very poor quality products. So just looking to stay away from products like that). And of course sound great. And potentially a sound that really Wows.
Also one more piece of info that is really important is: these MUST be able to be driven just fine using my iPhone, no amps or dacs. I'm not getting into this that far.
Thanks everyone
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