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Low-end IEM's for iPhone - UE, Denon, Jays, Klipsch...

Oct 20, 2011 at 12:59 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 8
blueangel2323

blueangel2323

Headphoneus Supremus
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Hi everyone, I'm looking for a budget set of IEM's with remote control for my iPhone 3GS and I've narrowed it down to the following choices based on price, reviews, and availability. Please feel free to make other suggestions but only if you know for sure that they are available at a store in Toronto.
 
  1. Ultimate Ears 200vi - $39.95
  2. Denon AHC260 - $49.95
  3. Jays A-Jays Four - 69.95
  4. Klipsch S4i - 89.99 (on sale for $20 off)
 
Unfortunately I can't find a store where I can try them out and compare. I'm not really concerned about a perfectly flat frequency response or anything like that, as long as the music sounds good :)
 
As you can see they gradually climb in price. Should I just go with the UE's which are cheapest, or is it worth the extra money to go for one of the more expensive pairs? They are my workhorse pair for daily use and abuse, and by experience they usually last just over a year, so I definitely don't want to spend too much. On the other hand the A-Jays look more rugged so they might last longer.
 
Background and preferences:
 
I'm coming from a set of Sony EX38iP's, which broke (first my voice started sounding very distant during calls, then the right channel died completely). They did the job while they lasted, but I wasn't too happy with the sound. The treble was very harsh and exaggerated, almost to the point of hurting my ears during certain songs. The lows and mids were ok but unexciting.
 
I own a pair of Shure SRH-440's for home use, and they sound amazing. I especially love the separation and the high-end sparkle (a bump at around 12k, I think). It's bright but not harsh at all. I wouldn't mind a bit more warmth though, especially in the vocals. Anyways, it would obviously be nice if I could get that kind of sound signature, but if I have to spend over $100 then forget it.
 
I've also tried the very cheap Skullcandy Ink'd and Sony EX32's as backups, and both can summed up in one word: muddy. I like bass, but the Skullcandy's are just insane, and what's the point when everything else sounds like mud.
 
So there you go, now you know what I like, so go nuts and recommend please :) Thanks!
 
Oct 20, 2011 at 2:03 AM Post #2 of 8
In my experience the low-end UE models are quite poor in comparison to others, so I'd avoid them if I were you.
 
There has been much debate on the merits of Klipsch S4 and I've only heard the X10, but a pretty comprehensive review can be found in this thread:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-200-iems-compared-hifiman-re272-added-10-14-11#post_6492051
 
Haven't heard much about the AH-C260 but you could try messaging dweaver on this forum, who is also from Canada and ordered the C-260.
 
Here's a review for the A-Jays
http://www.head-fi.org/t/496579/my-review-of-the-jays-a-jays
 
 
Good luck!
 
 
Oct 20, 2011 at 6:33 AM Post #4 of 8
UE metro fi 220 and the AH-C260's were very good.
If i had to pick it would be the denon AH-C260's
 
Also consider the sennheiser CX500's, but again i preferred the c260's
 
A step-up from the latter, from my experience, would be the EX500's (check prices for them too)
 
Oct 21, 2011 at 5:59 AM Post #7 of 8
heres my denon review: http://www.head-fi.org/t/547566/review-denon-ah-c260-vs-skullcandy-smokin-buds
 
i think the jays are better, because the highs are better on the jays, and the bass is more controlled, but the microphonics are pretty bad, so i wouldnt use it if you are an active person.
the denons are super comfy, the jays are not as comfy, but theyre not that bad.
 
good luck.
 
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