[LayaboutProvocateur]

Last month I finished my first real audio setup, picking up a HD6XX and R2R-11 for home use, and I'm in love. I'm hoping to find a lower-cost solution that I can use at work. My first thought was to pick up a second 6XX and a Dragonfly or Fulla 2, but I think IEMs might be a better solution. Here are my priorities:

• Source: Tidal/Spotify from PC, through onboard motherboard audio. At work I won't have the option to add a sound card. Genre is all over the place tbh, but I especially appreciate the rumbly bits in both electronic and classical.
• Sound quality: I'm quite new to this, so I don't have the most discerning audio palate. I want to be impressed, but that might not be a very high bar.
• Microphone: I spend a fair amount of time on conference calls, which, from what I can tell, makes either an ADC for inline mics or a separate microphone a requirement.
• Isolation: It's a large office, so yes please.
• Subtlety: It's a large office, so a less ostentatious setup would make me feel better.
• Price: Sweet spot is $250-300 for the whole setup, with some flexibility. Anything above $400 would be a difficult sell.
• Location: US/Chicago, if that helps. Don't mind waiting for drops/shipping, as long as they're reliable.

The Massdrop Plus sound like they would be amazing, but they don't leave much room in the budget for a dac/amp. EDC3 was my next thought, before I realized I needed to figure out how to connect the microphone, and then I felt out of my depth and thought that surely someone who knows more than I do has worked this problem before. Here's hoping!

 

[serman005]

Check out a Campfire Comet. Maybe read about it and see what you think. It is possible it could work and it is only $200. Ticks most of your boxes. Inline mic. A DAC/amp is not required for the Comet to sound terrific. You could probably get away with just the headphones. Worth a look, definitely.

 

[buke9]

If you want to go cheap a good one to try is the KZ ZS10 for about $43 usd. Totally different than the 6xx’s which I do have. They will run out of anything and are a five driver unit with 4 ba Drivers and one dynamic. They are a bit more bright than the 6xx’s but do have good detail and separation if you’re not opposed to a bit brighter sound. The 1 More Quads are a bit smoother ( which I have also) but tend to reach for the 10’s a bit more.

 

[Stillhart]

Not sure what business you're in, but I've found IEM's to be suboptimal for office use. That's mainly because it can be a pain in the butt (or even a literal pain in your ear!) to constantly have to remove and reinsert them. I can listen for long stretches of time when working but other times I'm constantly taking the headphones on and off. So yeah, not a huge fan of IEM's in the office.

Just some food for thought. Good luck on your search!

 

[ohsigmachi]

If you have Aptx-hd or LDAC Bluetooth capability the Sony WH-1000xm2 is outstanding and checks most of your boxes.

 

[LayaboutProvocateur]

Thanks all!

Not sure what business you're in, but I've found IEM's to be suboptimal for office use. That's mainly because it can be a pain in the butt (or even a literal pain in your ear!) to constantly have to remove and reinsert them. I can listen for long stretches of time when working but other times I'm constantly taking the headphones on and off. So yeah, not a huge fan of IEM's in the office.

Do you prefer over-ear, then, or just desktop speakers? I have a decently secluded spot in the office, but it's a very open layout so the sound would probably carry pretty far.

If you have Aptx-hd or LDAC Bluetooth capability the Sony WH-1000xm2 is outstanding and checks most of your boxes.

I actually have the WI-1000x for commuting. How would I get aptX-HD or LDAC from my PC? I did a quick search and didn't seem to come across any LDAC bluetooth dongles.

 

[Stillhart]

I personally use closed-back over ears. Currently that's a MrSpeakers AEON, but I know that's out of your price range. Previous to that I was using an Oppo PM-3, which I think was a fantastic option. Used it for a couple years before upgrading. You might see if you can get your hands on one of those. I recently sold my old one to a co-worker and he's pleased as punch with the SQ (right out of his phone) and the level of passive noise isolation and the comfort. As a bonus, it has a removable cable with a 1/8" connector so you might be able to use something like a V-Moda Boompro for your conference call needs.

 

[LayaboutProvocateur]

I've come across a fair number of opinions about IEMs, and the MD+ in particular, not needing dac/amps, or even sounding worse with them. Is that pretty much the consensus?

If so, another option would be get the MD+ and throw 50 bucks at a Blue Snowball for VoIP. Hm.

 

[gazzington]

I agree iems in the office is frustrating. You get a good seal and then someone wants to talk to you

Not sure what business you're in, but I've found IEM's to be suboptimal for office use. That's mainly because it can be a pain in the butt (or even a literal pain in your ear!) to constantly have to remove and reinsert them. I can listen for long stretches of time when working but other times I'm constantly taking the headphones on and off. So yeah, not a huge fan of IEM's in the office.

Just some food for thought. Good luck on your search!