[thelostMIDrange]

in search of a recommendation on a sub$50 natural sounding IEM.
 
Looking for :
 
1) a musical balanced sound.
 
2) Slightly upfront Mids/vocals with slight low mid fullness
 
3) moderate low end with no over emphasis
 
4) realistic but slightly mellow treble
 
 
Do not need:
 
super extention on the ends
bass slam
wowing 'headphone experience'
 
 
 
 
Ultimately if I could find the iem equivalent of the $20 koss ksc75 I'd be thrilled. Most iem's I've heard are bass heavy and/or unatural/odd sounding in various ways. Just need a basic balanced musical sound for little coin.....
 
any Ideas ? 

 

[glove4]

Perhaps Panasonic HJE355 would fit the bill for under $20. Then there's the Philips SHE3590 which are quite popular around here. The Monoprice 8320 would likely top them both though for balanced sound. Of the three, Panasonic and Monoprice have the balance and great mods while the Philips have the low end extension making them less ideal based on your criteria.

 

[thelostMIDrange]

the 'enhanced bass' advertisment of the monoprice is disturbing since that is exactly what I don't need, but from what you are saying they are not as advertised?  and are not overbassy. they sure get good reviews though for some reason. Will give them a try.
 
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?seq=1&format=2&p_id=8320&CAWELAID=1329456792&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CNieweXG6bMCFYN_QgodpCwAhQ

 

[H20Fidelity]

Have a look at soundMAGIC E10. it has the mids slightly forward and treble where you want it. The bass isn't what I'd call emphasised but it is certainly moderate, not bass monster.. I'm pretty confident about the mids and highs for your application just not exactly sure on just how much bass would be too much.

Here's a review to get you started..

http://www.head-fi.org/t/581119/review-soundmagic-e10

 

[lukEM22]

I bought a pair of Vsonic GR99's and am pretty impressed. They easily beat out beats in terms of clarity... I think my perspective of bass is a little different from everyone elses so I won't comment.
I would reccomend taking a look at this thread. It's the only thing I looked at when I was buying mine.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-265-iems-compared-dunu-i-3c-s-and-dn-19-tai-chi-added-11-21-12

 

[chrislangley4253]

I didn't like the monoprice IEM... Nor did my three friends. We all bought a set :/
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Astrotec-Balanced-Armature-Moving-Headphones/dp/B008FLWPKO

These Bauhaus Buds (I know they aren't buds but it rhymed) look like they have the right signature.. But, maybe not the best fit. Some people complain about them falling out of their ears. I'll poke around a little more.
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Livesound-Headphones-Earphones-Head-sets/dp/B008CCSD7K

http://www.inearmatters.net/2012/10/review-sony-mh1-best-kept-secret.html - a good review by clieos at inearmatters.net

These are really interesting! The bass might be the only problem. Man, I kinda really want to try a pair of these. Crazy amount of hype for such a cheap price.

"Apparently people tape the ports to bring out the mids, and highs while retaining the sub-bass making them sound less boomy." - OmarCCX on Amazon.com
 
 
http://www.inearmatters.net/2009/01/list_01.html - THE LIST. A pretty good resource for comparing IEM's on the fly.
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/TDK-In-Ear-Headphones-iPhone-Control/dp/B005OEN3WO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
 
http://www.inearmatters.net/2012/06/review-tdk-life-in-records-eb950-ba100.html

 

[ZARIM]

Thie OP requirements can find in Philips HSE9850 (discontinued but still available in market) and other IEMs like REO, Sony EX510 and JVC FXC50 are recommended for this type of soundsignature.

 

[glove4]

The Monoprice have no such "enhanced bass," an odd choice of adspeak for the 8320. A lot of people say they don't like them. This may have to do with the ridiculous hype surrounding them all over the internet, not just here. They retail for $7 but destroy everything in the sub $50 range, and compete with much in the sub $100 on sound quality. There are numerous threads on Head-Fi attesting to this, so this is not me trying to sell them.

Steve Guttenberg, the Cnet audiophile dude, likes the Panasonic HJE355, see the following for his brief impression which is likely to fit your criteria, since exaggerated bass or treble is exactly what they don't have.

He says:
Panasonic RP HJE 355
When I first listened to the RP HJE 355 in-ear headphone I had no idea what it cost, but I knew it wasn't expensive. That said, the ear pieces looked and felt substantial and the sound was beautifully balanced. Bass was decent enough, but the clarity was excellent, the RP HJE 355 sells for under $13 on Amazon.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57541112-47/the-audiophiliacs-favorite-budget-headphones/

 

[chrislangley4253]

Quote:

Thie OP requirements can find in Philips HSE9850 (discontinued but still available in market) and other IEMs like REO, Sony EX510 and JVC FXC50 are recommended for this type of soundsignature.

 
RE0 is known for being very detailed on the high end. I don't -think- midrange would like these. But, I've never personally heard them.
 
Quote:

The Monoprice have no such "enhanced bass," an odd choice of adspeak for the 8320. A lot of people say they don't like them. This may have to do with the ridiculous hype surrounding them all over the internet, not just here. They retail for $7 but destroy everything in the sub $50 range, and compete with much in the sub $100 on sound quality. There are numerous threads on Head-Fi attesting to this, so this is not me trying to sell them.
Steve Guttenberg, the Cnet audiophile dude, likes the Panasonic HJE355, see the following for his brief impression which is likely to fit your criteria, since exaggerated bass or treble is exactly what they don't have.
He says:
Panasonic RP HJE 355
When I first listened to the RP HJE 355 in-ear headphone I had no idea what it cost, but I knew it wasn't expensive. That said, the ear pieces looked and felt substantial and the sound was beautifully balanced. Bass was decent enough, but the clarity was excellent, the RP HJE 355 sells for under $13 on Amazon.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57541112-47/the-audiophiliacs-favorite-budget-headphones/

 
glove4,

Have you heard a good selection of IEMS in the 50 dollar range? How about the 100 dollar range? The 8320 sounds good for 7 bucks, but.. No, it doesn't compete with pairs 5x and 10x the price. C'mon man. Apologies if you have heard many more expensive IEM's.. I just doubt that you would say what you are saying if you had.

 

 

[Innos]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/486857/review-visang-r02-brainwavz-proalpha-too-good-too-soon
Not sure if these have been surpassed in recent years, but they have served me very well, although I now stick to portable headphones whenever I can.
When I got them I was amazed at the sound and build quality considering the low price, and the accessories are great too.

 

[ayaflo]

soundmagic es 18 is pretty nice and super budget friendly...
 
the re0 is now under 50 dollars, this would be a great bet infact! 
 
P.S>but I can't resist from recommending the MH1c 

 

[glove4]

ChrisLangley, I'd be careful in your assumptions. Evidently you see fit to judge me as some "amateur" following trends. Whatever the experts on Head-Fi say, bottom feeders like me promote like I know something, right? I have heard a wide collection of IEMs running the gamut from $10 to $250 and presently own at least four BA IEMs from UE, Sony and Meelectronics, to say nothing of the several dynamic driver models I own in the sub-$80 range, including two from RHA, Klipsch, Meelectronics, Philips, Panasonic, Soundmagic, and more, along with my recently acquired Monoprice 8320. At the very least, I did not compare them to $400 Westones like someone else on here. But what do I know, right?

 

[chrislangley4253]

Quote:

ChrisLangley, I'd be careful in your assumptions. Evidently you see fit to judge me as some "amateur" following trends. Whatever the experts on Head-Fi say, bottom feeders like me promote like I know something, right? I have heard a wide collection of IEMs running the gamut from $10 to $250 and presently own at least four BA IEMs from UE, Sony and Meelectronics, to say nothing of the several dynamic driver models I own in the sub-$80 range, including two from RHA, Klipsch, Meelectronics, Philips, Panasonic, Soundmagic, and more, along with my recently acquired Monoprice 8320. At the very least, I did not compare them to $400 Westones like someone else on here. But what do I know, right?

 
Annnnd, I was supposed to know this how?

I'm thrilled you like the 8320. I think they are overhyped, in a big way.

I dunno, a lot of people like em - http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Enhanced-Hi-Fi-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B007VEQ2UU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354059604&sr=8-1&keywords=8320

They are worth a shot. My opinions are only opinions.

 

[zhonghua]

Quote:

in search of a recommendation on a sub$50 natural sounding IEM.
 
Looking for :
 
1) a musical balanced sound.
 
2) Slightly upfront Mids/vocals with slight low mid fullness
 
3) moderate low end with no over emphasis
 
4) realistic but slightly mellow treble
 
 
Do not need:
 
super extention on the ends
bass slam
wowing 'headphone experience'
 
 
 
 
Ultimately if I could find the iem equivalent of the $20 koss ksc75 I'd be thrilled. Most iem's I've heard are bass heavy and/or unatural/odd sounding in various ways. Just need a basic balanced musical sound for little coin.....
 
any Ideas ? 

Balanced, non-fatigue, fun and natural sound - Brainwavz M5
http://www.head-fi.org/t/629795/review-brainwavz-m5-a-sophisticated-optimization-for-the-entry-level
reviewed by Angelopsaro

 

[thelostMIDrange]

........