[headphonechoice]

Both $99NZ
I don't like too much bass, and good highs are important.
Thanks.

 

[headphonechoice]

Helloooo? Is anybody out there ?

 

[wumbo17412]

I've actually never heard of the Marantz before but I'm sure you could find a review by doing a quick search. I've heard good things about the PL50. Also if you haven't looked at it yet, the Meelectronics M6 might be a good choice in that price range as well.
 
refer to |joker|'s comparison for the M6 and PL50 reviews, but he hasn't posted anything about the HP101's.
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-125-iems-compared-sony-xb40ex-ex85-added-12-08

 

[laon]

PL50 doesn't have that good of a high, if your budget allow try re0, possibly the end of journey IEM for treble lover under $100 (or higher).

 

[JxK]

The RE0 has better highs, but the pl50 comes ahead in fit, comfort, and build quality. The RE0 has sound quality that punches well above its price point (though so does the pl50 to a lesser extent) but its built about as well as a $10 chinese earbud. IEMs should come as a well rounded package, a philosophy head-direct has yet to adopt.

 

[headphonechoice]

Thanks for the help everyone. Will probably go with the PL50's rather than the Marantz's. So far I've had Sennheiser CX-300s which I didn't like the bass on, and Audio Technica ATH-CKM50s which were good, so hopefully these will be a step up. 
 
For people that have had the PL50's, are the cables strong? I haven't found any long-term reviews, and I reckon its pretty important that the cable usually lasts at least a year, as the warranty doesn't cover cable wear and tear, which is crap cos if the cables are crap and wear out fast then the headphones don't work. (Which happened to the ATH-CKM50s but only after 2 years)

 

[sunspot]

Quote:

For people that have had the PL50's, are the cables strong? I haven't found any long-term reviews, and I reckon its pretty important that the cable usually lasts at least a year, as the warranty doesn't cover cable wear and tear, which is crap cos if the cables are crap and wear out fast then the headphones don't work. (Which happened to the ATH-CKM50s but only after 2 years)

Well, I don't have the PL50, but I do have a PL21 which apparently has similar but slightly thinner cables.  I have no worries about the strength of the thinner PL21 cable.  First, it's not that thin, and second, it's really, really soft, no stiffness in there.  I'm sure it'll last a pretty long time.
 
Granted, I've only had it for 6 months or so and I don't really travel with it, but it looks like a pretty tough cable.

 

[JxK]

Had the pl50 before, and I felt the cables were quite good. The were nice and springy, and seemed to be sweat resistant. On the whole, it's a very well built IEM at it's price point.

 

[headphonechoice]

might be able to get a free FiiO E3 with the PL50's so that pretty much put the nail in the coffin for the Marantz's.
Thanks to everyone who helped! 

 

[headphonechoice]

Managed to get some new Sennheiser ie6's for the same price as either headphones in an online auction. Hell yeah!