Looking for earbuds or wireless IEMs but have a $100 budget
- Thread starter krossav1
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I sense some confusion here.
Just to re-iterate what others have said, IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) come in both custom and universal forms. A custom IEM (often abbreviated CIEM) is molded to users' ears and looks like this:
A universal IEM is not molded to any one person, and uses tips - typically either silicone or foam - to achieve a seal. Commonly abbreviated as UIEM (or simply IEM), universals look like this:
That happens to be the Truthear Hexa universal IEM above. In other words, the thing that you thought was an earbud, is actually NOT an earbud.
Earbuds are very-specifically a type of in-ear headphone that does not seal, and where the transducer housing is usually shaped like a flower's bud (hence the name). They look like this:
Just to re-iterate what others have said, IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) come in both custom and universal forms. A custom IEM (often abbreviated CIEM) is molded to users' ears and looks like this:
A universal IEM is not molded to any one person, and uses tips - typically either silicone or foam - to achieve a seal. Commonly abbreviated as UIEM (or simply IEM), universals look like this:
That happens to be the Truthear Hexa universal IEM above. In other words, the thing that you thought was an earbud, is actually NOT an earbud.
Earbuds are very-specifically a type of in-ear headphone that does not seal, and where the transducer housing is usually shaped like a flower's bud (hence the name). They look like this:
The Hexa are IEMs. They're just photographed without the cable connected (two-pin connector) or the eartips attached to the nozzle.
https://www.amazon.com/Fanmusic-Truthear-Hybird-Earphones-Earbuds/dp/B0BLYT63S3
You can see the cable and tips if you scroll down these reviews. People do say they are not big on bass so they may not be for you.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/truthear-hexa-4-driver-hybrid-iem.26189/
https://www.amazon.com/Fanmusic-Truthear-Hybird-Earphones-Earbuds/dp/B0BLYT63S3
You can see the cable and tips if you scroll down these reviews. People do say they are not big on bass so they may not be for you.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/truthear-hexa-4-driver-hybrid-iem.26189/
krossav1
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I've narrowed it down to these two Truthear IEMs: Zero blue and Zero red. They're under $50 on Amazon right now. Anyone tried both? Reviews said one is harman and the other IEF but after some googling, I still don't have a clear understanding of what that means. One review said blue is a little brighter, red warmer. Sounds like red has more bass, which could be good for me, if it's not muddy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM3H8JFK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3OGU47PDPAJIO&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM3GGZDZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3OGU47PDPAJIO&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM3H8JFK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3OGU47PDPAJIO&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM3GGZDZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3OGU47PDPAJIO&psc=1
If you Google something like "Truthear Zero Blue" vs. "Truthear Zero Red", you can find a lot of comparisons. They generally view the Red as an improvement, with more bass, and it comes with an adapter that gives you even more bass. Sounds like that's a good one for you.
krossav1
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Got the Red, just arrived. First impression: i like the soundscape and bass definition though they're pretty uncomfortable even after trying multiple tips, and the cable is longer than I would like, especially for using while at the gym. Gonna give them a little time before deciding whether to return them and opt for earbuds.
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