Need <$100 IEM Recommendations

[somestranger26]

I've been reading the forums here at head-fi for around a month, trying to decide which IEMs I wanted to buy when I got my zune 80 for Christmas. Now I have it and I still haven't been able to make a decision which ones I want. Some of the ones I was looking at:

Mylarone X3i (XBi)
Super.fi 3
Etymotic er-6i
Shure e2c

These IEMs would be for listening to electronic/metal/rock/trance music, and I'm looking for sound quality first and foremost. I'm leaning towards the X3i or XBi because I've heard great things about the customer service, as well as the sound quality for their price, but it sounds like the build quality isn't up to par with other IEMs. If I do go with the mylarones, which of the X3i/XBi would I want for listening to my music?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AdvanTech]

I just received my X3i, and so far they seem good. I was second-guessing getting the XBi but I find the X3i has good enough bass for my liking. On amazon they have the Denon AH-C700K for half the usual price (99.99vs200), so I'm considering selling my X3i and getting that. Not sure though.
edit - x3i comes with different sized tips.

 

[somestranger26]

Oh, and I forgot to mention - Comfort/Fit is also important, because my ear canals are very small and I want these to be able to fit.

To deal with the comfort/fit, I could just buy some other tips like the shure black foam tips though couldn't I?

 

[aureus]

Don’t forget the ATH-CK7 or the iM716. The Denon should be very nice, too. The Shure e2c is not that good.

 

[somestranger26]

So how do those audio-technica and denon ones compare to the x3i?

 

[aureus]

I can't say yet. My ATs are about to arrive next week or so. But the X3i is a rather dark headphone, compared to the old X3 for example. And they do have a lot of bass.
The Altecs and ATs are said to be more on the analytical side. Depends on what you like more. All of them are great, I think.

 

[somestranger26]

I've done some more research on the denons and I'm strongly considering purchasing them from Amazon since they're only $99 right now, but I have 2 quick questions. If none of the tips were a good fit, could I use other tips such as shure olives instead? And also, are these over the ear fit headphones like SF3 or not?

 

[DKaz]

For under $100 I would suggest these:

The Denon AH-C700 are fantastic. They are on a huge sale at Amazon for $99.99 shipped (usually $200):

Denon AH-C700

The UE Super.fi 3's are great for IEM all around. They are bulky and have to be worn over the ear. $59.99 shipped

UE Super.fi 3

The UE Metro.fi 2's are great for bass heavy rock. They are not bulky like the Super.fi series and do not go over the ear. $49.99 shipped

UE Metro.fi 2

The Crossroads MylarOne X3i are great too. The build quality is not "super" strong like the three above, but they are much better then the V-Moda. $57 shipped

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