HesNot
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2016
- Posts
- 31
- Likes
- 11
I've been scanning the sales forum for a few weeks - and reading as many reviews as I can on models that seem interesting and are in the right price range but have come to no conclusion on what IEM I think meets my needs... so it's finally time to turn to the accumulated wisdom for some assistance.
My budget - tops out at $300 (either new or used - for the right model I can wait assuming they appear with some regularity...) but it would not break my heart to fall (even well) below that maximum!
Background - after a life of listening to music for a decade I mostly listened to music in the car (kids, work, etc...) but have over the past year started listening to music more regularly and turning off the TV. I'm 49 with still good hearing (thanks to using ear plugs extensively at live shows and while playing guitar in bands) but age has likely taken it's toll. This has added tremendous value to my life as I'd somewhat forgotten what really good music sounds like... I won't go into my home setup as I listen to it for the time being predominantly if not exclusively through speakers (maybe later I'll explore a nice over ear can for more private home listening but that is for another day). Consequently this is a search for an IEM as they will be used for portable listening as well as in the office.
Source - I recently picked up a Pioneer XDP100R DAP so that is my primary source and will likely stay that way for the forseeable future. I mostly listen to CDs (I have a fairly large collection) ripped into iTunes ALAC. I also stream Tidal (can't wait for the MQA app).
Current headphones - I have a pretty limited selection as I'd mostly just used inexpensive headphones in the gym occasionally passing them along to my son. Here is what I have worth mentioning and what I like/dislike about them:
NOCS NS800 v2 - these are my primary IEMs at this point and I do like the clarity and the high end the BA provides. No real complaints but I'd like to have a little bit more bottom end, and while the NS800s are not harsh a little more full/rich sound with similar clarity would be ideal.
Bose OE2i - not IEMs but on ears and very portable I got these for under $100 and they seemed like a good travel/portable option for when I wanted more depth than the NOCS provided. They substantially do that but as many reviews have noted they do roll off a good bit on the treble end and can seem a bit overly dark as a result. A little less mid and more treble with these and I'd be pretty happy.
Overall (and I realize this contradicts a bit my NOCS comment about fuller/richer sound) I do like detail and precision - if Neil Peart plays a high hat flourish I'd like to hear it - not have my ears peeled by it but details like that matter to me. I am not a basshead but find the Bose perhaps a bit too bassy and want a little more from the NOCS. Perhaps a mild/shallow "v" which is how I often set my equalizer back in the day would be appropriate. I wouldn't mind a detachable cable just for the safety it provides but that is not a deal killer.
I listen to a really wide range of music that includes most genres other than a lot of classical (although I do listen to some) - but primarily rock, hard rock/metal, alternative, alt country, and jazz. I don't listen to really any EDM either. This range does make it hard often reading reviews which note they are well suited for X but not Y and I like both X and Y! If I had to describe the sound signature maybe maximum detail retrieval is not supreme (the NOCS do this pretty well - they are quite flat) but I don't want to give up on the details in favor of a really warm signature.
My desire for detail has lead me to BA setups moreso than dynamics - and I think a BA on the warmer side is probably the next logical step but I could be wrong.
I've considered and looked at a ton of models, a sample:
Klipsch X20i (can be within budget used) - the detail and comfort are appealing but I'm unsure if they represent a real departure from the NOCS and have the slightly elevated bass I'm seeking.
Sony XBA-300. The clarity is appealing as well as what is supposed to be a slightly elevated bass signature. My concern is that they are super sharp and again not enough of a departure from the NOCS to warrant the purchase.
RHA T20. Not a BA but reviews indicate a clear natural sound with filters that allow you to modify the sound a bit. Weight and I've never used over ear designs are a concern.
Also looked at various others - DUNU 1000/2000 (not sure about the treble), a number of the other Sony BAs (some of which are hard to source/discontinued etc... as I am in the US), Shure/Westone (both seem to be more mid focused particularly at this price point).
Sorry for the long discourse but I'm trying to provide as much information as possible - what am I overlooking? Any of the above seem like the right fit and I need to just pull the trigger? Do I start with one of the more mainstream models which serve so often as a reference here or verge into the myriad options HeadFiers have opened up to my eyes (and ears)?
My budget - tops out at $300 (either new or used - for the right model I can wait assuming they appear with some regularity...) but it would not break my heart to fall (even well) below that maximum!
Background - after a life of listening to music for a decade I mostly listened to music in the car (kids, work, etc...) but have over the past year started listening to music more regularly and turning off the TV. I'm 49 with still good hearing (thanks to using ear plugs extensively at live shows and while playing guitar in bands) but age has likely taken it's toll. This has added tremendous value to my life as I'd somewhat forgotten what really good music sounds like... I won't go into my home setup as I listen to it for the time being predominantly if not exclusively through speakers (maybe later I'll explore a nice over ear can for more private home listening but that is for another day). Consequently this is a search for an IEM as they will be used for portable listening as well as in the office.
Source - I recently picked up a Pioneer XDP100R DAP so that is my primary source and will likely stay that way for the forseeable future. I mostly listen to CDs (I have a fairly large collection) ripped into iTunes ALAC. I also stream Tidal (can't wait for the MQA app).
Current headphones - I have a pretty limited selection as I'd mostly just used inexpensive headphones in the gym occasionally passing them along to my son. Here is what I have worth mentioning and what I like/dislike about them:
NOCS NS800 v2 - these are my primary IEMs at this point and I do like the clarity and the high end the BA provides. No real complaints but I'd like to have a little bit more bottom end, and while the NS800s are not harsh a little more full/rich sound with similar clarity would be ideal.
Bose OE2i - not IEMs but on ears and very portable I got these for under $100 and they seemed like a good travel/portable option for when I wanted more depth than the NOCS provided. They substantially do that but as many reviews have noted they do roll off a good bit on the treble end and can seem a bit overly dark as a result. A little less mid and more treble with these and I'd be pretty happy.
Overall (and I realize this contradicts a bit my NOCS comment about fuller/richer sound) I do like detail and precision - if Neil Peart plays a high hat flourish I'd like to hear it - not have my ears peeled by it but details like that matter to me. I am not a basshead but find the Bose perhaps a bit too bassy and want a little more from the NOCS. Perhaps a mild/shallow "v" which is how I often set my equalizer back in the day would be appropriate. I wouldn't mind a detachable cable just for the safety it provides but that is not a deal killer.
I listen to a really wide range of music that includes most genres other than a lot of classical (although I do listen to some) - but primarily rock, hard rock/metal, alternative, alt country, and jazz. I don't listen to really any EDM either. This range does make it hard often reading reviews which note they are well suited for X but not Y and I like both X and Y! If I had to describe the sound signature maybe maximum detail retrieval is not supreme (the NOCS do this pretty well - they are quite flat) but I don't want to give up on the details in favor of a really warm signature.
My desire for detail has lead me to BA setups moreso than dynamics - and I think a BA on the warmer side is probably the next logical step but I could be wrong.
I've considered and looked at a ton of models, a sample:
Klipsch X20i (can be within budget used) - the detail and comfort are appealing but I'm unsure if they represent a real departure from the NOCS and have the slightly elevated bass I'm seeking.
Sony XBA-300. The clarity is appealing as well as what is supposed to be a slightly elevated bass signature. My concern is that they are super sharp and again not enough of a departure from the NOCS to warrant the purchase.
RHA T20. Not a BA but reviews indicate a clear natural sound with filters that allow you to modify the sound a bit. Weight and I've never used over ear designs are a concern.
Also looked at various others - DUNU 1000/2000 (not sure about the treble), a number of the other Sony BAs (some of which are hard to source/discontinued etc... as I am in the US), Shure/Westone (both seem to be more mid focused particularly at this price point).
Sorry for the long discourse but I'm trying to provide as much information as possible - what am I overlooking? Any of the above seem like the right fit and I need to just pull the trigger? Do I start with one of the more mainstream models which serve so often as a reference here or verge into the myriad options HeadFiers have opened up to my eyes (and ears)?
