shotgunshane’s IEM (custom and universal) recommendations, favorites and classics

Agree with the Final F series being disappointing. The E5000 seems to be a great value though. Great transparency and separation for its price. While warm and somewhat dark, it still does not lose out much clarity.

 

As far as i can tell the Q-Jays use a proprietary MMCX called s-MMCX though, i haven't found any diy connectors of this type.
On a related note though if you want a pair of Q-Jays and get the Android version you can use the code "ANDROIDSPRING" and it's 50% off right now.

 

I am considering Ety ER4 SR. How do they compare to the MD Plus?

 

Anyone hear the Flare Pros? They're steeply discounted at the moment. Headphonics who I trust a little more than most give them great reviews.

 

Anyone heard the Tin Audio T2? Always wary about Chi-Fi, but this model seems to doing rounds amongst more experienced users on /r/headphones - can anyone here chime in?

 

When you use the micropore damper on the Hifi Walker, is the micropore tape meant to touch the front mesh?

I can't seem to get it to float above the mesh when I try to put the tips back on.

 

Nah, that's just something I observed and pointed out regarding the Alpha & Delta D6.

On the Hifi Walker A1, it's perfecly ok for the micropore to touch the mesh.

(Interestingly, the effect of micropore damping on FR can vary significantly for different IEMs. For instance, on the JVC FD01 a criss-cross filter like on the A1 has hardly any effect at all.)

 

Hello guys and gals, I am looking for a recommendation for earphones <$200, preferably <$150. In terms of sound preferences, not a bass head nor a treble head, although not particularly sensitive to treble, within reason. In the low end, control is more important than quantity. My everyday headphones are hd600's although I have and enjoy hd650s too. So I guess I prefer a pretty balanced sound, though mids quality is probably most important if I had to choose. Isolation is not particularly important, though nice to have. Sound stage is hard for me to hear in headphones, let alone earphones, but I do like to hear good instrument separation and placement. I also prefer over ear style, but ability to do both would be nice I suppose. Comfort is pretty important to me, but that is so different person to person, I will still have to figure that out for myself. Replaceable cables would be nice, but I would maybe trade them for a robust cable and long warranty. What say ye. Thanks in advance.

 

Thank you. I actually had joined the drop, but I will not be able to purchase until after the after the drop is over, and so cancelled. Thanks for the response though. I need something available through more normal retail channels I guess.

 

AAW W900s Universals demo units are on big time sale at Null Audio. You can get it for about USD 750. So close to pulling the trigger but getting cold feet worrying about paying that much for something that's not intended to be a universal.

There's only 2 left I believe, so scoop a pair quick if you want one.

Edit: They are offered as a universal. Got the last pair. I'm hoping it's going to give me that Andro spaciousness with DD dynamics and timbre. My first hybrid so lets see.

 

Don't we all hope for the Andro spaciousness and DD dynamics and timbre? Let us know if you find it...

 

The research I have already done was leading me to believe that just what you say is true. That was why I posted here actually. I was hoping the IEM aficionados here might know of a hidden gem that maybe hadn't gotten a lot of publicity. I may just buy a pair of e3000s for $55 and be done with it. I am not bothered as much by an earphone's failings at that price point. Any experience with that one?

 

The E3000 have an easy going, non fatiguing and somewhat darkish sound signature, but to my ears they fall noticeably short in detail resolution and transparency. I think, for a well-balanced beater IEM, I'd actually prefer the $15 KZ-ED9 (with bronze nozzles) over them.

However, if you're not averse to optimizing your IEMs with a bit of micropore tape, the Hifi Walker A1 or Alpha & Delta D6 would both be excellent choices imo.

 

I've been looking at both the 1more triple driver and fiio's f9. The hype for the former has drowned out any rational discussion of strengths and weaknesses while the f9 hasn't really gotten much play, especially for a fiio product. Any experience with these?

 

I recognize that at this price point, I am really trying to minimize negatives rather than trying to find "the best." Lesser of evils and all that. The F series certainly looks different to any Dunu products that I have seen, but who knows?

 

I would look for a pair of IM02's, as has been suggested before. They seem to be pretty inexpensive second hand in the States, while fulfilling most of your criteria.
Also the new Shure SE215SE sounds quite a bit better than the older SE215 version,if you would rather look at dynamics. The IM02 is quite a step up resolution-wise though.