I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
So, I had a set of Shure something-or-others for about 4 years and then those went missing; liked them a lot, though. I then got a set of Etymotic hf5's to replace them, which I liked okay, and used them until they found their way into the washer a couple of weeks back. I'm now looking for a set of in-ear headphones and want something that sounds awesome and has great isolation.
I'll be listening off of my iphone/ipod with these, so I don't know whether I'll want/'need' an amp. I also don't know how hardcore I need to get with my choice of IEM. Is there any noticeable difference between a nice set of 200-dollar in-ears and a 500-dollar pair for a non-audiophile?
If it helps, I tend to listen to a lot of rock/metal. Bands that I'm currently listening to a lot: Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Led Fucking Zeppelin, etc. Buuuuuut, I'll also listen to other non-loud stuff when in the right state of mind. Jazz, things of that nature.
Any thoughts?
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I like Etymotic ER-4's. Good for all types of music.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I had great luck with Super-Fi pro 5s, though I like the etymotics mentioned above too. In my mind there's not a whole lot of difference between 200-500 in pure sound quality, but for around 500 you can get custom molds made of your ears improving comfort and isolation.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Not trying to hijack the threaad but in keeping with the frugal thread can we also talk about $100.00 buds?
Mike
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
You're willing to spend $500 bucks for high quality headphones to listen to mp3 files? No sir. Get some moderately priced ones and save the cash for a good system at home.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mnoble485
Not trying to hijack the threaad but in keeping with the frugal thread can we also talk about $100.00 buds?
Mike
I'd like this info, too. I've had the Bose (a dirty word to some, I know) in-ears but while they sound okay, the fit is not good at all.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mnoble485
Not trying to hijack the threaad but in keeping with the frugal thread can we also talk about $100.00 buds?
Mike
Sub $100 it hard to go wrong with ETY Er6's...decent sound with super isolation, which for me is key to listening in busy places/on the go.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chasea
You're willing to spend $500 bucks for high quality headphones to listen to mp3 files? No sir. Get some moderately priced ones and save the cash for a good system at home.
Quoted for truth - In this case, buying more expensive earbuds will only reveal the crappiness of your mp3s' compression. Unless you're ripping everything at a bitrate over 256, save your money.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chasea
You're willing to spend $500 bucks for high quality headphones to listen to mp3 files? No sir. Get some moderately priced ones and save the cash for a good system at home.
this...
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chasea
You're willing to spend $500 bucks for high quality headphones to listen to mp3 files? No sir. Get some moderately priced ones and save the cash for a good system at home.
Well, not really willing, mostly just curious. And yeah, I get that mp3's suck, but I have a lot of stuff in lossless files; I don't know how much of a difference that makes, though. Anyway, I guess I was getting a little ahead of myself. Gonna set my limit at about 200.
Jonathan, how is the bass on those etymoyics? One of the things that I didn't like about the hf5's was the bass (read: there was none).
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I've been quite pleased with my Apple In-Ears. As in, surprisingly happy with them. Been washed and dried 4 times, rained on, sweat on. Sound is decent, isolation is superb.
I'll drop big money into my home system or vehicle system. Not so much into headphones. Grado SR60s and Apple In-Ears.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ThasFACE
Jonathan, how is the bass on those etymoyics? One of the things that I didn't like about the hf5's was the bass (read: there was none).
ETY ER4s are not known for their bass. I'd steer you clear of those given your rock/metal leanings. Overall excellent iem's though.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I have a pair of Senn IE-7s. They're not bad, good actually, but IEMs hurt me after a while. I've thought about custom molded ones, but geez, that ish is expensive. I ran an amp with the IE-7s for a while (an iBasso T4s -- lossless files through an iPhone) and I didn't think it was worth the extra $$. It changed the sound, but not enough to warrant it.
I have a pair of Audio-Technica Ath-M50s, which aren't IEMs, but sound good, especially for the money. I listen to them all day at work.
I listen to mostly rock and metal.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fieldrecordings
I'd like this info, too. I've had the Bose (a dirty word to some, I know) in-ears but while they sound okay, the fit is not good at all.
a great example of every ear is different ... the bose in-ears are the most comfortable headphone i've ever used. shure, apple, sony etc. etc ... for me nothing compares.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Yeah, the headphone fit discussion is much like the saddle fit one. I just couldn't quite get the Bose IEMs to stay in my ear snug-ly. These were the old version, by the way. The new design seems to have taken some steps to make them more stable.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
These guys used to make custom IEMs for around $270 and received very favorable reviews: Attention Clients!!. Looks like the company split, but the manufacturing end seems to still make the original product, formerly called livewires.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I listen to these all the time: Sennheiser Worldwide - CX 680i Sports They are Sennheiser / Adidas sports buds. I listen to a bit of everything on them, I like that they stay in the ear when mountain biking and running.
I listened to blood and thunder on them while running this morning. They'll sound great. At my desk at work I have a set of Bose Quiet Comfort 3 noise cancelling headphones. I like those but they don't fit on a bike!
-Joe
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fieldrecordings
Yeah, the headphone fit discussion is much like the saddle fit one. I just couldn't quite get the Bose IEMs to stay in my ear snug-ly. These were the old version, by the way. The new design seems to have taken some steps to make them more stable.
A big help for me, as far as fit goes, were the Comply foam tips (LINK
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Britishbane
These guys used to make custom IEMs for around $270 and received very favorable reviews:
Attention Clients!!. Looks like the company split, but the manufacturing end seems to still make the original product, formerly called livewires.
Fidelity and Livewires both have good prices, but mixed customer service reviews. Here's one thread as an example: Fidelity IEM's
I almost ordered some about a year ago, but it's too big of a roll of the dice for me.
Re: I need new earbuds (IEM's?)
I've tried many sets. I usually default to the apple ones because they're relatively cheap and I don't care about the ear sweat getting in them. However, I borrowed a buddies Bose ones. While I don't like Bose for the home, the in-ear stuff is actually really really good. Without getting crazy expensive, these are the best IMO. Give them a try. The iPhone integration is nice too.
I don't like the ones that totally ram into the ear. I find that I cannot hear ANY outside noise. The Bose you can actually play at a reasonable volume and still hear outside noise pretty ok.
I think their about $120 on Amazon or other places.
