what's the cheapest, flattest freq. possible IEM I can find?

[radiohlite]

My Marshmallows died again (3rd pair) and instead of getting a 4th pair, I wanna get something a bit better. I never really liked the sound of these, but they're cheap, isolate well, and I can EQ the most troublesome peaks/dips on my PCDP.

I'm looking for an under $50 that meets 2 criteria: 1. absolutely NO BLOATED BASS!!! I loathe it when it's a straight line from 20hz to 100-200hz 10db higher than everything else and then all downhill to the higher freqs. If it's a little uneven in the uppers that's fine, I can EQ those. 2. decent isolation.

If that's too much to ask for 50 bucks, then would the Ety ER-6i do the trick? The graph looks wonderful, but do they actually sound flat? It seems too good to be true, and I've heard the ER-4s are too bright.

For reference: I used to have some Shure E2cs. They were kinda dull, but their treble was much more rolled-off than Etys, while the lower frequencies were just about perfect for me.

 

[fraggerz]

Well, if u could stretch your budget a little more, how about the re0 for $79.

They are rather flat and no bloated bass.
the isolation is rather decent.

 

[ljokerl]

Apple dual-drivers or the Maximo iM-590 might do the trick. Neither is perfectly flat but compared to the Marshmallows they might as well be. Isolation with both depends on tips used but the maximos generally isolate more (about on par with marshmallows). And actually, the Er6i sounds brighter to me than the ER4, though neither is unpleasant as a result.

 

[mark2410]

RE-0, Radiopaq Classical and iM-590

for what you in that order, id maybe add the PL-50 too since you liked the shure

 

[TheMiddleSky]

flat freq response? go with Superlux HD381F for budget. (but the isolation is bad)

but if you want something that really flat, you can try Westone UM1

 

[radiohlite]

thanks guys. I'm completely ignorant on IEMs. I'll look into these, but don't wanna end up spending too much 'cause I'm saving up for some HD580s and a decent amp.

 

[mvw2]

To help reduce the ignorance, a typical suggestion is to read through the numerous big comparison threads made by ClieOS and Joker. They both cover a lot of the budget and mid level products and cover a wide gambit of the products available that are worth looking at. It'll help you pick out the better products available and weed out some of the worse product that exist that are bad despite looking good.

I think you might opt for a budget closer to the $150 to find some seriously good, seriously flat earphones. No, you don't need to spend that much for good products. It's just that the $150 -$200 range is sort of the sweet spot where you start getting some really stellar products that do just about everything very well. Spending more gets you products only slightly better and spending less buys you a lot of products that are a lot worse off. There are of course a few exceptions. The RE0 is one of them, but it's still $80. The Metronics Ai-M6 is very well liked at about $40. The Sound Magic PL50 is very well liked at around $50. There are a lot of good options around this $50 price point.

 

[radiohlite]

I'm getting really interested in those Radiopaq Classical ($27), but I just spent an hour looking for reviews/info and can't find much. There's a freq. graph on Amazon, but idunno...anyone have any experience with them (mark2410)?

 

[ljokerl]

The Classicals are very, very good. I've been lazy about getting a review posted but I've owned them foor a good 3-4 months. About them being flat I'm not so sure. They definitely have a 'sparkly' treble character. The bass is impactful but definitely not bloated so they might be what you're looking for. Also, $27 is a steal. I paid around $40 and still consider them a great deal.

 

[mark2410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiohlite /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm getting really interested in those Radiopaq Classical ($27), but I just spent an hour looking for reviews/info and can't find much. There's a freq. graph on Amazon, but idunno...anyone have any experience with them (mark2410)?

they are like the Jazz but less bass, more treble. really there has been bugger all written about them anywhere as they dont seem to be readily available outside the UK and they have stupid names. (the Pop ones were alright but the Rock ones where just awful)

both the Jazz and Classicals are great but the Classical is the more neutral. the bass in well extended just not highly abundant. mids are v good too, not too liquid, not too dry, very balanced. For us$27 youll have a hard time getting close to them never mind beating them

oh someone said the she9850 is going crazy cheap (us$36 i think) it would compliment the Classicals well

 

[rawrster]

^
That's probably why they aren't as popular as it may seem. They do seem like a good budget pair but it's just difficult to get them outside of the UK (probably the same reason why GR8 aren't too popular). I would try them but I'm too impatient for shipping.

The SHE9850 or whatever number is indeed going for $36 on amazon the last time I checked.

 

[ajkda]

Etymotic Research, Inc. - look at the response graph now thats flattt

 

[rawrster]

except that's nowhere near 50 bucks and probably not a good choice for music

 

[Pianist]

RE0 is probably the most neutral IEM I've heard to date. At $79 it is a no-brainer if you are looking for a balanced, accurate sound.

 

[radiohlite]

how's the isolation on the Radiopaq Classical? I think I will get these, but isolation is the dealbreaker here. I already found these cheap IEMs that sound great ($5 at Big Lots!!) but it's like you're wearing open headphones.