Is there an IEM that doesn't require a seal?

[vhobhstr]

A seal amplifies my own voice when I talk.  Without a seal there will be less bass, but when I'm in the mood for bass I can put on my MDR-V6.  Custom molded IEMs like the JH13 Pro look like they don't need a seal but those are way beyond my budget.  Does anything exist for less than 200 US dollars?

 

[tinyman392]

There is no IEM that doesn't seal, heck, there isn't a headphone that doesn't seal.  Even earbuds do require some sort of correct fit that does what you're asking.  My best recommendation would be the Moshi Clarus for what you've got, it doesn't "amplify" my voice as loudly as other with them on. Other ideas really go towards earbuds.

 

[vhobhstr]

I've always wanted headphones with two drivers (designed to increase the clarity, not the bass), and the Moshi Clarus has that.  It also has an ear hook, though, and my ears are bigger than average so I'm not sure if they'll fit.  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll consider it.  
 
Guys, are there any other contenders?

 

[imackler]

I'd recommend at looking at some high quality buds like the Yuin PK1. They rest in the ear rather than inside the ear. Inside the ear will always require a seal to get the best sound.

 

[vhobhstr]

I forgot to mention that I already have a satisfactory set of earbuds, the Sennheiser MX880.  There's a way to open up the sound of the MX880 that I talk about in this thread.  I figured that if an earbud can be this good injecting sound into my ear canal, an IEM that's designed to work that way would sound even better.

 

[imackler]

Try the GR07 or the Sony MDR-EX600 or 1000. Or maybe even the IE8. I mention all of them because they fit with the Sony Hybrid tips (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-EPEX10A-BLK-Replacement-Earbuds/dp/B001RB24UA) that while making  a seal do so in a rather soft way. It's not like a deep insertion fit that makes chewing/talking sound like a megaphone. If you can borrow one from a friend/try out locally, that may be a good direction to go. They're all more shallow fit iems. You'd probably stay away from the IE8 if you don't want bass giants. The Sony EX series could be perfect for you.
 
Quote:

I forgot to mention that I already have a satisfactory set of earbuds, the Sennheiser MX880.  There's a way to open up the sound of the MX880 that I talk about in this thread.  I figured that if an earbud can be this good injecting sound into my ear canal, an IEM that's designed to work that way would sound even better.

 

 

[mutabor]

Quote:

A seal amplifies my own voice when I talk.  Without a seal there will be less bass, but when I'm in the mood for bass I can put on my MDR-V6. Does anything exist for less than 200 US dollars?

You should look at half-in-ear or vented IEMs. They don't seal completely and their sound isolation is worse. I have one of the cheapest and decent sounding the Brainwavz Beta ( $30). There are other like Radius DDM, Sony EX600 etc.
 
You may try cheap half in ear Brainwavz Beta at first.
 

 

[Inks]

Every IEM seals one way another, but there are those IEMs that sound fine with a shallow seal and even benefit from it. Brookstone Dual Drive, DDM1, AcousticSteel and IE8s may be good options. 

 

[vhobhstr]

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone!  I'm doing my best to keep up with researching all these IEMs.  One question: The MDR-EX600 is vented, correct?  Joker's thread doesn't say whether it is or not.

 

[Inks]

Just go by the isolation score, lower isolation means more venting and/or shallower insertion. EX600s are vented, but I do think they require a very good closed seal to sound their best. 

 

[vhobhstr]

If I have a very good closed seal with a vented IEM, will my voice still be loud and distorted when I talk?  The venting reduces that effect, right?  Or are my ear canals still sealed off from the outside because the driver is blocking the path that leads to the vent?  The reason why I'm interested in this is because I don't know if I'm speaking properly when I can't hear myself well, and I don't want to have to take off my headphones every time I talk to someone.  The IEMs will also make it more difficult for me to hear people talking to me, but I think that my own voice is distorted more than theirs.
 
Being able to hear myself is just one factor in choosing the right IEM, though.  I'll deal with pulling them out of my ears if it means significantly better sound/value/comfort etc.

 

[monoglycer]

In my experience, I cannot feel the seal with the ex600s because of the vent (you don't get that under the water feeling), this might be just me though. When music is not playing through them, isolation is pretty poor, and I can hear everything around me. This is just my personal impression of the ex600s and it might be different for you.

 

[Il Mostro]

In some ways this is as much tip dependent as IEM dependent.  I have found that soft silicon tips achieve their seal without any deep insertion at all.  Obviously, isolation is not as good as tips made with denser mass/material and/or deep insertion.

 

[Br777]

there are some open back iem's such as the jvc victor fx700.  not sure if they will meet your needs.  not sure they could be in your price range either...

 

[danielghofrani]

dear friend. IEM means IN ear monitor. 
 
have fun.