minimum quality IEM

[porto]

Hi all,

 

So, I bought the Cowon Plenue D2 DAP and I would like to know your thoughts about which would be the minimum IEM for them....I mean in terms of quality and money 

 

Do you think to have a good decent pair of IEMs we should spend AT LEAST like 300, 500, 1000usd....

 

Thoughts and opinions please

[Samuel T Cogley]

+1 for Etymotic IEMs.  Been using EM4s for many years then recently picked up a pair of ER4XRs.  The cables are much more pliable than the older EM4 cables and the sound quality is an upgrade for sure.  I tend to use IEMs on the go, and I don't think you can beat the simplicity of the EM4s.  Foam tips all the way for me.  They seal so well that you'll never even look at noise cancelling tech again.  I also have a set of Westone W40s which sound great, but they are fragile and I find myself hesitating to bring them into environments that I use the Etymotics in.

 

Hope this helps.

[jcbenten]

I have had multiple each of Shure and  Westone.  I like the sound of Westone’s but they are fragile.  All three had issues after a year (cables and one stopped working).  Shure is ok but I have not had the 425 which had sound above their price point per reviews.  Currently I use Etymotic ER4sr and I like them a lot and they are just under $300 on Amazon.  Only thing I do not like is it can be difficult to determine R or L.  But that is minor.

 

if you have not had IEMs note that fit is paramount for best sound.  If you have had IEMs...never mind.

 

Personally i see no point spending more.  I use for cutting grass, riding on my bicycle trainer, and travel.  Even with the best isolation noise gets in.  If you are listening at home and plan to use a lot, customs might be worthwhile.

 

hope this helps.

[bluesman]

I've used many pro IEMs over the years on stage.  I have Westone custom ear molds for them, which I use regularly with the Shure system at the club where my blues band is the house band.  But I discovered consumer IEMs for under $100 that are really fine.  I found the JBL Reflect line while checking out earbuds at a local big box store, where I really liked (and bought) the Contour 2.  The Mini 2 is the same unit without the over-the-ear cable routing that helps hold them in place. 

 

The SQ is quite good, with surprisingly tight and solid deep bass anchoring a nice, neutral presentation with great dynamics and spatial presentation.  Comply tips make a very comfortable and secure seal that brings out the best from the bottom end. I wear them for hours at a time while traveling and have absolutely no discomfort.

[lucretius]

I love Denon IEMs for the money:

 

For $199:  Denon AH-C820

 

For $149:  Denon AH-C720

 

For $99:    Denon AH-C620

[barrows]

I really do not know how to answer the question...  One person's "minimum" might be another person's absurdly expensive model...

Do you need a sealed system for sound isolation?

 

I have a pair of Audeze iSine 20s that sound fantastic, but they are open backed, so not really suitable for loud environments.

[DuckToller]

I have recently bought RHA T20 from big A's warehouse for under 100 USD.

They sound fantastic and feel very comfortable once they are set up in-ear and behind ear (for me as an IE-Hater), offer a set of 3 exchangeable filters with different sound signatures and have connectors build like a tank.
Downside, they aren't the newest design, no exchangeable cables and therefore do not offer a wireless use. 

 

Best, Tom

[PAR]

What I cannot understand is how you buy expensive IEMs. Lets say over 1K $, £, euro.

 

With a fairly inexpensive item I may just take a chance  as , unlike headphones, IEMs are not ( or should not be) available for buyer audition for hygiene reasons. With expensive IEMs ( of which there are many) I would not be prepared just to take such a chance.

 

So, do you just hand over your , say, $1500 and just bin them and chalk it up to experience if they turn out not to be to your taste?