Looking for an IEM <$500 and a DAC to go with it

[funlistener]

That's the thing...that's not as indicative as whatever compromises you're willing to make. Which is why I asked you about that.

One example. If you ask everybody here what to use for metal, 80% will recommend some kind of Grado, but I'm sitting over here listening to symphonic/power/prog metal with an HD600 because Grados (Prestige series) feel like they're just throwing everything including the kitchen sink off the stage .

Jazz? Good chance of a lot of people saying "HD650," but I'd prefer a Grado and ditch any pretense at imaging for a more raw sound than one that needs to get cranked up so livelier jazz doesn't sound too smoothened out, not to mention the response and higher sensitivity makes for more audible percussion. Although you do compromise a bit on the bass strings on some Grados.

In your case, for an IEM, it's even more complicated due to the ergonomics. If I'd just give you a relatively safe choice, I'd say Westone UM20 or W20, since I listen to mostly (K-)Pop and jazz on my Spotify on the go using a Westone2 (although I still sometimes listen to FLAC on my player using the same Westones). Problem is I had a bad experience with their warranty service so it's not all that safe a bet.

Hmm...I don't think I'm anywhere close to the level where I can discern the nuances of what you're describing. On a 1 to 10 scale in terms of audio knowledge I'm at a 1 or 2. I will take a look at the Westone you mentioned.

The right tip will depend on the IEM and also your ear anatomy.
But there are some tips which kind of stand out over the rest, like:

• Spinfit - IME among the most comfortable, but usually I prefer other's for SQ
• Spiral Dot ++ --> My preference for various IEMs, extremely soft and comfortable + excellent SQ, unfortunately ridiculously expensive and only available on Amazon Japan
• Final Audio Type E - they turn up a lot in discussions and I like them, firm fit, and also the sound is balanced

But I'd go about it by first deciding the IEM, then checking out the dedicated thread for that IEM and read about people's expriences with different tips
Deciding for the right IEM involves 2 parts, figuring out what is important to you, and finding the right resources with reliable opinions.
There are tons of reviews and opinions, but most are from people with limited experience. Some, who's opinions I find extremely useful in my own decisions are:
@crinacle https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/
@toranku https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tor...ws-and-target-eq-filters.895832/post-14668736
@Precogvision https://www.head-fi.org/threads/precogs-iem-reviews-impressions.937468/post-15739675
@shotgunshane

Comfort definitely high on my priority list, maybe more so than the sound quality. I will look at the tips you mentioned once I narrow down the IEM

 

[funlistener]

If you want something really portable,
Maybe blessing 2 + Fiio utsw3?

You wouldn't even need a dongle.

Yeah, the less stuff I need to carry around the better. I'll look at the Fiio

Moondrop Blessing2 Dusk for extra bass (the "normal" version has less)
7hz timeless is also a very good IEM - the hype is real

I own both and they are great. The Blessing2 is a littel bit better but the timless is "smoother" and more comfortable

Yeah, I saw Crinacle suggesting the Blessing2 Dusk. He is also getting sales from it but still seems to have good reviews.

 

[Luckyleo]

Any suggestion that you receive here is flawed to some degree. What amp/dac is being used by the people giving you suggestions? What sound signature do they like vs. yours? Even if we could minimize these variables, most people here have only heard a limited selection of IEM's. Everything above also applies to me of course! My recommendation is to lookup Crinacle either on these forums, or his YouTube channel or his website. He has evaluated 100's of IEM and has more experience than most people in our hobby relating to IEM's. Good luck!

 

[funlistener]

Any suggestion that you receive here is flawed to some degree. What amp/dac is being used by the people giving you suggestions? What sound signature do they like vs. yours? Even if we could minimize these variables, most people here have only heard a limited selection of IEM's. Everything above also applies to me of course! My recommendation is to lookup Crinacle either on these forums, or his YouTube channel or his website. He has evaluated 100's of IEM and has more experience than most people in our hobby relating to IEM's. Good luck!

I understand what you're getting at. I actually did look at his reviews and his rating list which is how I came to the Blessing 2 dusk. Since he's also making money from those headphones he could be a bit biased but they seemed to be well reviewed. Currently just looking for a decent upgrade to what I'm currently using. If I get more into the audiophile scene then maybe I can differentiate between the sound signatures and amp/dac.

Lot of info to research just from the replies I got

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hmm...I don't think I'm anywhere close to the level where I can discern the nuances of what you're describing. On a 1 to 10 scale in terms of audio knowledge I'm at a 1 or 2. I will take a look at the Westone you mentioned.

OK looks like you just need to get your feet wetter, then if not to your liking, at least we'll have two reference points - the RE Zero and what ever you decide to get. Just be aware that at this point recommendations will be less of a sure hit with little to work with.

 

[Skev]

Really portable...

I guess you'll be using them out and about a lot then. In that case you'd possibly be wanting good isolation, secure fit, small & light, and maybe a wee boost in the bass region...

I would in that case suggest the IE300 (can be had recently for £160-£200). The Creative SXFI amp is also damn good IMO and also has volume and playback controls as well as being very small (can be had for £49).

 

[earmonger]

Think twice about the Sennheiser IE 300. Its cord is microphonic -- makes noise when touched -- so it's going to be annoying when used on the move. It's also so small and light that sometimes it doesn't want to stay put in my ear, another problem when used while moving. And while I liked its fat bass when I first got it, I've come to think it's way too much bass, so I have to use an equalizer to enjoy it.

If you do get the IE300, note that there's an extra groove on the stem, so the tips can fit in two positions: at the base of the stem and a few millimeters away. The only fit I can get with them is on the extra groove--millimeters make a big difference in your ear.

For portable use, the $500 budget is almost too high. Look at the reviews for the Moondrop Kato and the 7Hz Timeless, both around $189. If you're using an iPhone as your source, the $10 Apple USB dongle will power just about anything.

I once asked a bicycle hobbyist for advice on what bike to get for occasional use. He recommended a $900 Trek that had a zillion gears and a patented brake system and whatever. All I needed was a three-speed Schwinn. Just saying...

 

[jmwant]

ShotgunShane is the authority I listen to on all things IEM.
He recently reviewed the Moondrop Kato and said it is now his de-facto recommendation. Read the review on SBAF.

Is it really that much better than the Starfiield/Aria/KXXS?

 

[jmwant]

7Hz Timeless with Hipdac. I'm enjoying this exact combo.

 

[funlistener]

OK looks like you just need to get your feet wetter, then if not to your liking, at least we'll have two reference points - the RE Zero and what ever you decide to get. Just be aware that at this point recommendations will be less of a sure hit with little to work with.

Yeah, and today I was looking at my earphones and embarrassingly, it's not the Re Zero. I must've misplaced it or lost it long time ago. The pair I'm using now is the Klipsch S4. It's the most comfortable out of the ones I own cause of the Comply tips.

Really portable...

I guess you'll be using them out and about a lot then. In that case you'd possibly be wanting good isolation, secure fit, small & light, and maybe a wee boost in the bass region...

I would in that case suggest the IE300 (can be had recently for £160-£200). The Creative SXFI amp is also damn good IMO and also has volume and playback controls as well as being very small (can be had for £49).

Yeah I don't like to carry around a lot of stuff which is why I like IEMs over the bigger headphones.

 

[funlistener]

Think twice about the Sennheiser IE 300. Its cord is microphonic -- makes noise when touched -- so it's going to be annoying when used on the move. It's also so small and light that sometimes it doesn't want to stay put in my ear, another problem when used while moving. And while I liked its fat bass when I first got it, I've come to think it's way too much bass, so I have to use an equalizer to enjoy it.

If you do get the IE300, note that there's an extra groove on the stem, so the tips can fit in two positions: at the base of the stem and a few millimeters away. The only fit I can get with them is on the extra groove--millimeters make a big difference in your ear.

For portable use, the $500 budget is almost too high. Look at the reviews for the Moondrop Kato and the 7Hz Timeless, both around $189. If you're using an iPhone as your source, the $10 Apple USB dongle will power just about anything.

I once asked a bicycle hobbyist for advice on what bike to get for occasional use. He recommended a $900 Trek that had a zillion gears and a patented brake system and whatever. All I needed was a three-speed Schwinn. Just saying...

I use my headphones quite a bit even sometimes at home cause watching YouTube on my iPad sounds better with headphones. The reason I had the $500 budget was because the things I buy I tend to use for a long time. I must've used my current pair for 6-7 years minimum. I bought other pairs around same price point but kept going back to this one cause I think of the tips. So instead of getting something slightly better each time I thought I could buy something within my budget at this time since I will get many years of use from it. Also why I'm doing more research buying this time around.

 

[earmonger]

It's smart to do the research, and great that you have the budget.

If you are willing to wait for slow boats from China, there are a zillion tips on aliexpress.com. I have had some good luck with AnjiRui, BQEYZ, KZ Starlines (turned inside out) and others; search foam eartips, silicone eartips, etc. It helps if you know which Comply size fits you best, and then Google what the Comply size means in millimeters.

The good thing about current IEMs is that detachable cables are replaceable, and except maybe for the cheapest budget IEMs, the cable is what wears out. Unless you deliberately crush the buds you are unlikely to destroy them. Durability is rarely a problem.

And wow, music already sounds fantastic on IEMs in the $100-$200 range and there are good choices there. Except for the IE300 I have no experience above that price range -- and the IE300 was very mixed for me compared to, for instance, my Tri I3 at half their price. A lot of people here talk about diminishing returns: a $600 IEM doesn't sound twice as good as a $300 IEM, though it might sound a little more refined or spacious for someone who is concentrating in a quiet listening environment with a pristine source.

If you are watching YouTube, the audio is probably downsampled to 128 kbps. That is borderline low-fi, the kind of sound that was offered on early iTunes to save bandwidth. When you start listening to things like the sound of cymbals or string bass notes or pounded piano chords, there are limitations. A high-end earphone is going to reveal the bad details of those low-fi sounds, while once you get above the under-$100 budget zone, you'll find IEMs that optimize everything that's thrown at them. The Head-fi code word for that is "all-rounders."

Meanwhile, with the $$ you save, you could go to Bandcamp and support some really adventurous musicians. They're doing the hard work after all.

https://rancapduoi.bandcamp.com/

 

[funlistener]

It's smart to do the research, and great that you have the budget.

If you are willing to wait for slow boats from China, there are a zillion tips on aliexpress.com. I have had some good luck with AnjiRui, BQEYZ, KZ Starlines (turned inside out) and others; search foam eartips, silicone eartips, etc. It helps if you know which Comply size fits you best, and then Google what the Comply size means in millimeters.

The good thing about current IEMs is that detachable cables are replaceable, and except maybe for the cheapest budget IEMs, the cable is what wears out. Unless you deliberately crush the buds you are unlikely to destroy them. Durability is rarely a problem.

And wow, music already sounds fantastic on IEMs in the $100-$200 range and there are good choices there. Except for the IE300 I have no experience above that price range -- and the IE300 was very mixed for me compared to, for instance, my Tri I3 at half their price. A lot of people here talk about diminishing returns: a $600 IEM doesn't sound twice as good as a $300 IEM, though it might sound a little more refined or spacious for someone who is concentrating in a quiet listening environment with a pristine source.

If you are watching YouTube, the audio is probably downsampled to 128 kbps. That is borderline low-fi, the kind of sound that was offered on early iTunes to save bandwidth. When you start listening to things like the sound of cymbals or string bass notes or pounded piano chords, there are limitations. A high-end earphone is going to reveal the bad details of those low-fi sounds, while once you get above the under-$100 budget zone, you'll find IEMs that optimize everything that's thrown at them. The Head-fi code word for that is "all-rounders."

Meanwhile, with the $$ you save, you could go to Bandcamp and support some really adventurous musicians. They're doing the hard work after all.

https://rancapduoi.bandcamp.com/

Overwhelmed by the amount of options out there. Need to take a few days to do some searching and maybe see if there's any Boxing day deals