IEMs for the Frugal Audiophile
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
IEMs for the Frugal Audiophile
Looks like I may have left my Shure SE215s on an airplane...
I had those IEMs for two years and they never let me down. Before that I had a pair of EC3s that lasted me five years.
So I'm looking for a replacement... I am way past picking up a pair of $5 Maxell earbuds at the airport newsstand, but I have no illusions of being an audio purist. I will be connecting these things to my Nexus 5 and my MacBook Air, nothing high end.
The selling points of my Shures were, in order:
1) Bulletproof build quality
2) Flat and flush monitor casing
3) Optional triple-flange silicone tips for total sound isolation
I bought my Shures on Amazon for $99. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot more than that. If there are any other models that can compare and are in this price range, I'm game. I trust the experts on this forum than almost any other.
I had those IEMs for two years and they never let me down. Before that I had a pair of EC3s that lasted me five years.
So I'm looking for a replacement... I am way past picking up a pair of $5 Maxell earbuds at the airport newsstand, but I have no illusions of being an audio purist. I will be connecting these things to my Nexus 5 and my MacBook Air, nothing high end.
The selling points of my Shures were, in order:
1) Bulletproof build quality
2) Flat and flush monitor casing
3) Optional triple-flange silicone tips for total sound isolation
I bought my Shures on Amazon for $99. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot more than that. If there are any other models that can compare and are in this price range, I'm game. I trust the experts on this forum than almost any other.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 30,959
I was very happy with Shure for quite a long time, occasionally jumping over to Etymotic. But the last time I lost mine, I did rather extensive research and ended up very happy with the VSonic GR07 - they're more, but not crazy more ($160 at Amazon).
Here's a thread with reviews/comments - Vsonic GR07: Perfection
head-fi is a good place to research - it's been 3 years since I bought them so there may be new stuff out there. I'm sure there's a recent "what should I buy for $100" in the forums somewhere.
Here's a thread with reviews/comments - Vsonic GR07: Perfection
head-fi is a good place to research - it's been 3 years since I bought them so there may be new stuff out there. I'm sure there's a recent "what should I buy for $100" in the forums somewhere.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 48,923
Looks like I may have left my Shure SE215s on an airplane...
I had those IEMs for two years and they never let me down. Before that I had a pair of EC3s that lasted me five years.
So I'm looking for a replacement... I am way past picking up a pair of $5 Maxell earbuds at the airport newsstand, but I have no illusions of being an audio purist. I will be connecting these things to my Nexus 5 and my MacBook Air, nothing high end.
The selling points of my Shures were, in order:
1) Bulletproof build quality
2) Flat and flush monitor casing
3) Optional triple-flange silicone tips for total sound isolation
I bought my Shures on Amazon for $99. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot more than that. If there are any other models that can compare and are in this price range, I'm game. I trust the experts on this forum than almost any other.
I had those IEMs for two years and they never let me down. Before that I had a pair of EC3s that lasted me five years.
So I'm looking for a replacement... I am way past picking up a pair of $5 Maxell earbuds at the airport newsstand, but I have no illusions of being an audio purist. I will be connecting these things to my Nexus 5 and my MacBook Air, nothing high end.
The selling points of my Shures were, in order:
1) Bulletproof build quality
2) Flat and flush monitor casing
3) Optional triple-flange silicone tips for total sound isolation
I bought my Shures on Amazon for $99. I'm not looking to spend a whole lot more than that. If there are any other models that can compare and are in this price range, I'm game. I trust the experts on this forum than almost any other.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
Two caveats about the 215s, though...
The monitor attaches to the cable with a coax-like connector. This is handy if either the monitor or the cable gets broken as you only need to replace one or the other but on occasion I get static if the monitor is jostled at the connector juncture. Rare but annoying.
The cables on the 215s sturdy but very prone to twisting and catching on itself. Also because the monitors hook around your ear those hooks then get tangled up as well and I find they take longer than any other pair I've owned to go from package to ear.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 956
I love my Etymotics ER-7 in-ear headphones. They're the cheapest Etymotics with the microphone and song skip button at about $70.
The earbuds fit so far in your ear that you really can't hear a thing with them on. Almost as good as active noise reduction. To make up for this (say if you're biking) they have an app for your phone that uses the microphone to pipe-in outside volume if you desire. Settings tunable for static and level. Pretty cool.
Sound of course is mind blowing as you'd expect from Etymotic.
The Bose IE2 headphones are now under a hundred, but don't have a mic or button for skipping songs. Seems all the headphone companies conspire to add $20-$30 (or more!) to the cost just to get that feature.
The earbuds fit so far in your ear that you really can't hear a thing with them on. Almost as good as active noise reduction. To make up for this (say if you're biking) they have an app for your phone that uses the microphone to pipe-in outside volume if you desire. Settings tunable for static and level. Pretty cool.
Sound of course is mind blowing as you'd expect from Etymotic.
The Bose IE2 headphones are now under a hundred, but don't have a mic or button for skipping songs. Seems all the headphone companies conspire to add $20-$30 (or more!) to the cost just to get that feature.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: *G, M+ Platinum
Posts: 619
I loved the sound of my Etymotic HF5 and even had the custom ear molds made which were super comfy. Unfortunately the cable started to short out after only a year or so.
I went with Bose QC20i this time. The active noise canceling is phenomenal. Now if only I could get custom ear molds made for them ...
I went with Bose QC20i this time. The active noise canceling is phenomenal. Now if only I could get custom ear molds made for them ...
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, UA Plat, HH
Posts: 103
I've had many in ear monitors and buds, and without a doubt the best quality and sound for me are the westone audio series for consumers. The chords are high quality, good service, and as comfortable as you can get without going custom. My father used to sell custom ear pieces (monitors and hearing aids) for westone and they have the technology and history. I believe they also make some of the other brands..
#8
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hoboken, NJ; Pembroke Pines, FL
Programs: CO Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,939
At an even lower price point, I suggest looking at Meelectronics.
I tend to break or lose a lot of IEMs so I went downmarket to avoid the angst when I leave them on the plane.
I tend to break or lose a lot of IEMs so I went downmarket to avoid the angst when I leave them on the plane.
Last edited by lensman; Jun 1, 2014 at 12:31 pm Reason: grammar