Up to £50 ($80) IEMs for smartphone use

[Costia]

Quote:

 
oh and dont EQ stuff, your just asking for added distortion, just get something that sounds like you want it to sound.
 
Ok: you have no idea how digital hardware works.

Actually i was wondering about that
using the bass boost on my fiio e11 sounds better than using the EQ
It boosts in the 50hz range
In digital signal processing , the quality of the filter depends on the length of the filter
and the delay of the filter is half its length
Hardware designers don like delay. With long filters you will feel that there is a lag between pressing the play button and actually playing
So it does seem possible that some manufacturers will use short filters for EQ that will distort your music.
 

 

[mark2410]

erm the idea of using a compatible codec is that you dont have encode anything, the data is streamed to the headset and the AAC file is converted to analogue.  the DAC in the phone is never used at any stage.
 
 
i can only assume your are talking about using some 3.5mm to bluetooth adapter in there but god knows why anyone would do such a thing.
 
 
oh no and clearly i have no idea how digital hardware works, this headphone and audio stuff is just all so new to me.  clearly i have no F ing clue what im talking about.

 

[lemon2]

Ok, after everything in this thread my current plan is to get the RE0s and test them with and without the bluetooth.
And this is without the Fiio E5.
 
I know that the S4s are also good, but they are also bass-centric, which is not for me.

 

[lemon2]

Hang on, does anyone know which is better value for money out of the RE0 or the RE-Zero?
 
The RE-zeros are £10 more, so I will by default get the RE0s if I can't find anything advising the contrary.

 

[mark2410]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/500352/hifiman-re-zero-review
 
i comment there

 

[lemon2]

Quote:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/500352/hifiman-re-zero-review
 
i comment there

Thanks, from your review I would choose the RE0 over the RE-Zeros.
 
I am strongly considering getting the RE0s for £60 from this source:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Head-Direct-RE0-In-ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B001MQ8BL6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=A384GSKSEKRF01&s=generic&qid=1313529512&sr=1-2
 
As far as I can tell the RE0s are the best in their price range for those who do not want a bass-heavy sound.

 

[lemon2]

 
 
There do seem to be a fair few posts on here saying that the Fiio E5 with the RE0 is good.
 
The Galaxy S2 does lack a lineout so it may not use the E5's full potential, but even on Galaxy S2 forums people report an SQ increase. In addition I like the E5's aesthetics.
 
The only issue is cost-effectiveness. The RE0s + E5 = £70-80
 
For £70-80 is there anything better than the RE0s with the E5?
I don't want something bass-heavy.
 
If there is nothing else then that is the setup I will get.

 

[inadvertentgear]

You can also get a great EQ app called PowerAmp for Droid devices. $5.00 but well worth it. 
Smartphone + Good Amp and this app makes for a nice portable combination. 

 

[lemon2]

 
Quote:

You can also get a great EQ app called PowerAmp for Droid devices. $5.00 but well worth it. 
Smartphone + Good Amp and this app makes for a nice portable combination. 

Yes PowerAmp is great, I already use it.
 
I'm mainly trying to find out if there is anything under £80 that can beat the RE0 + E5 in areas other than bass.
 
 

 

[NA Blur]

Check these out:
$70

Woodees iESW100V Vintage w/Mic 

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/woodees-iesw100v-vintage-wmic.php

---

Spider Real Voice

$80
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/spider-real-voice.php 
 
You do not need an amp.  To know this for sure about any headphone really first check the sensitivity (dB) and impedance ( Ohm ).  If the sensitivity is above 100dB and the impedance is below 80 Ohms you are usually good.  It is the combination of both factors that matters the most here.  I rarely hear any improvement using an $80 IEM with any of my amps.
 
To everyone out there just waiting to comment that it is not always sensitivity and impedance that matter please hold your breath.  This is just a general rule to help lemon2 get started.
 
For 186 reviews of IEM's go here:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-186-iems-compared-xears-nature-n3i-xe200pro-added-8-01
 
Best of luck!

 

[lemon2]

Thanks Na Blur.
 
After looking at those I will still go with the RE0s, which I think I will love.
 
Does anyone have anymore comments about the Fiio E5 with the RE0s and Galaxy S2?
I don't know whether to E5 or not. Right now I'm leaning towards no, but some people still report SQ improvements.

 

[beenie]

Sorry if i am being a bit intrusive, but I thought that the Soundmagic E30 may be another option for you.  Very good noise isolation , balanced sound, no microphonics as well.  http://www.inearmatters.net/2011/06/review-soundmagic-e10-e30-eh11-and-p30.html

 

[lemon2]

Quote:

Sorry if i am being a bit intrusive, but I thought that the Soundmagic E30 may be another option for you.  Very good noise isolation , balanced sound, no microphonics as well.  http://www.inearmatters.net/2011/06/review-soundmagic-e10-e30-eh11-and-p30.html

Well as you should have expected, I bought a pair of IEMs in the last 3 months- the RE0s.
 
So my next IEMs would have to beat the RE0s, and hence be in a higher price range.

 

[beenie]

Ok sorry