[pomp92]

Hi all, I'd like to upgrade my current setup for a better mobile usability and need your help.

I listen different kind of music, mainly Electronic, Rock, Jazz, Classical...

Actually I'm using a 7g iPod Classic (256gb SDXC and RockBoxed, mostly FLAC files), LOD cable, Fiio E12, Akg K702. I use this setup indoor, at home, hotel, etc..
As IEM I own a pair of VSonic VSD3, with a partially faulty cable that must be replaced, usually I use them on the go, directly connected with my Galaxy S7 (Exinos version).

In the past I owned as PMP a Cowon D2+, listened with some UE Super.fi 5 Pro. Loved the details of those IEM but sold them due to some "fitting" problems. I tried lots of different earplugs but they always pop out of my ears. With my actual cheap IEM the problem is less relevant but always present. I have a tight ear canal.

So, now, instead of buying a new cable for my VSonic DS3 I'd like to upgrade to new IEM that well suits my ears.
I would also like to use more my smartphone due to the more practical music management and search (I use Mediamonkey).

Could you please suggest me a set of IEM, good for my ears canals, with a good level of detail (I think BA driver is better), neutral sound? Budget 150€.

And, what portable DAC + AMP you suggest for Android phone, that's able also to drive my K702 without the Fiio E12, and obviously the new iem...

Thanks

 

[seanwee]

Hi all, I'd like to upgrade my current setup for a better mobile usability and need your help.

I listen different kind of music, mainly Electronic, Rock, Jazz, Classical...

Actually I'm using a 7g iPod Classic (256gb SDXC and RockBoxed, mostly FLAC files), LOD cable, Fiio E12, Akg K702. I use this setup indoor, at home, hotel, etc..
As IEM I own a pair of VSonic VSD3, with a partially faulty cable that must be replaced, usually I use them on the go, directly connected with my Galaxy S7 (Exinos version).

In the past I owned as PMP a Cowon D2+, listened with some UE Super.fi 5 Pro. Loved the details of those IEM but sold them due to some "fitting" problems. I tried lots of different earplugs but they always pop out of my ears. With my actual cheap IEM the problem is less relevant but always present. I have a tight ear canal.

So, now, instead of buying a new cable for my VSonic DS3 I'd like to upgrade to new IEM that well suits my ears.
I would also like to use more my smartphone due to the more practical music management and search (I use Mediamonkey).

Could you please suggest me a set of IEM, good for my ears canals, with a good level of detail (I think BA driver is better), neutral sound? Budget 150€.

And, what portable DAC + AMP you suggest for Android phone, that's able also to drive my K702 without the Fiio E12, and obviously the new iem...

Thanks

What is your budget for a Dac/amp if I may ask. The K702 is relatively power hungry headphone and powerful Dac/amps are a little more pricey.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

And, what portable DAC + AMP you suggest for Android phone, that's able also to drive my K702 without the Fiio E12, and obviously the new iem...

You're asking for a lot if you also want it to run off a battery. The only one box unit that I can think of that you can still buy is the RSA Intruder, downside to it being the price. Other than that, you can get a very powerful amp that needs a DAP or a DAC (or a DAC-HPamp wiht a line out because portables don't have DAC only units since Ibasso stopped at the DB2) to feed it a line input, like the RSA Lightning or SR-71B. Either way, you have a problem on the K702 - if you want to use all the power on these amps you're going to need to rewire it, since it's a single side entry cable with the copper wires for R+ and R- crossing over to the left earcup unlike Sennheisers or HiFiMans with a terminal on each earcup and separate R- and L- (which only needs a cable that terminates in a compatible 4-pin at the amp end).

Closest thing I can think of is the Meier PC Step but you might as well stick with the E12 unless you're getting noise on the IEMs from it, in which case try replacing the IEM first and see if your next IEM can work properly on it and not make more compromises with the K702's power and gain requirements.

If you want a transportable, A/C powered desktop unit though you have a lot more options like a JDS Labs O2 with built in ODAC.

Could you please suggest me a set of IEM, good for my ears canals...

We don't even have a mold of your ear canals much less have our nerve endings connected to it to see how it would feel other than if it can fit and stay in there while we shake the dummy head while running to simulate movement.

In short...we can't know this. You'll have to go with trial and error on this apart from going to a physical store to try them out.

...with a good level of detail (I think BA driver is better), neutral sound? Budget 150€.

BA driver operating principle tends to make for cleaner midrange.

Imbalance due to stronger treble on some BA drivers particualrly cheaper, single or dual driver units, is a downside. So is weaker bass output of a low frequency driver vs a large dynamic driver, so inevitably the size advantage of a single BA driver can just get offset by how many BA drivers have to be crammed into the shell, which might be contributing to how some don't fit your ears well enough.