laerm
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2005
- Posts
- 11
- Likes
- 10
Hey all --
I have been out of the loop here for several years as I went back to college and new audio gear was definitely not in the budget...but now that I've graduated and found a good job, hey, let the insanity begin!
I had a pair of ER-4p's for a few years in the early 2000s, and I was happy with them, but they got sold in the finance-books adventure. I replaced them with JVC marshmallows (modded according to head-fi spec) and was relatively pleased with them. (Value-wise, at least, they're certainly hard to beat.) Now, though, time for new stuff. I've done some research -- wait, scratch that. Ljokerl's amazing review thread did the research for me; all I did was read it. Beer's on me, friend.
After reading that thread, here are the ones I am initally interested in.
If anyone has half an idea or so on any of these, I'd like to hear it. (I realize the two ATs are dissimilar, but Ljokerl's reviews were intriguing.) Also, after looking at my priorities in listening, if you think something else is good for me, I'd love to hear about it:
My hearing's shot over 13K, so highs are more important than anything else, and personal preference is bass over midrange -- I mostly listen to minimal electronic/ambient/techno (with world music and a little rock), so the bass means something, along with a deep, detailed soundfield. Accuracy is, I suppose, not as big a deal to me anymore. My listening habits (when I would be using the IEMs, anyway) tend to be train, office, bed. I also have big ears, so anything that's tough on smaller ears won't bother me.
Price range is up to $300, I'd say.
I don't have an amp yet (next purchase!) so something that needs an amp would be less favored. Similarly, I'll be listening with my iPhone or J River Media Center, so at least I've got one nice audiophile source.
Thanks very much, everyone. Hopefully I can contribute something back soon enough.
Micah
I have been out of the loop here for several years as I went back to college and new audio gear was definitely not in the budget...but now that I've graduated and found a good job, hey, let the insanity begin!

I had a pair of ER-4p's for a few years in the early 2000s, and I was happy with them, but they got sold in the finance-books adventure. I replaced them with JVC marshmallows (modded according to head-fi spec) and was relatively pleased with them. (Value-wise, at least, they're certainly hard to beat.) Now, though, time for new stuff. I've done some research -- wait, scratch that. Ljokerl's amazing review thread did the research for me; all I did was read it. Beer's on me, friend.

- Audio-Technica ATH-CK10
- Audio-Technica ATH-CK90 Pro
- Fischer DBA2
- Head-Direct HiFiMan RE252
- Audio Phonak PFE 122
- Radius HP-TWF11R Pro "DDM"
If anyone has half an idea or so on any of these, I'd like to hear it. (I realize the two ATs are dissimilar, but Ljokerl's reviews were intriguing.) Also, after looking at my priorities in listening, if you think something else is good for me, I'd love to hear about it:
- wide/deep soundfield
- detail
- isolation
- highs
- bass
- midrange
My hearing's shot over 13K, so highs are more important than anything else, and personal preference is bass over midrange -- I mostly listen to minimal electronic/ambient/techno (with world music and a little rock), so the bass means something, along with a deep, detailed soundfield. Accuracy is, I suppose, not as big a deal to me anymore. My listening habits (when I would be using the IEMs, anyway) tend to be train, office, bed. I also have big ears, so anything that's tough on smaller ears won't bother me.

I don't have an amp yet (next purchase!) so something that needs an amp would be less favored. Similarly, I'll be listening with my iPhone or J River Media Center, so at least I've got one nice audiophile source.

Thanks very much, everyone. Hopefully I can contribute something back soon enough.
Micah