iem Budget IEM's for a newcomer in the space

[pixxel-latte]

I recently stumbled across the IEM community on youtube and have been watching a lot of IEM related content over the past week or two. I have gotten interested in getting a solid pair of IEM's for myself because I realized I have never really experienced high quality audio. I also just want to try something new :3

 

I have seen time and time again that both the Moondrop Aria and Moondrop Starfield are among the best in the sub-$100 price point which is exactly where I'm looking. I just want some advice on what to look for in a good IEM, any IEM's that I should take a look into, and just general audio focused tips.

 

I'm completely new to the audio space and it has really interested me, so I'd love to have any resources where I could learn more and dive a bit deeper. Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations, stay safe!  

[rice guru]

Reddit ,crinacle, YouTube,  and weirdly enough Facebook pages are pretty good resources as a lot of the Asian item market seems to be on Facebook. But I can definitely help you out some. What's your full budget, and what kind of music do you listen to?

[pixxel-latte]

1 hour ago, rice guru said:

Reddit ,crinacle, YouTube,  and weirdly enough Facebook pages are pretty good resources as a lot of the Asian item market seems to be on Facebook. But I can definitely help you out some. What's your full budget, and what kind of music do you listen to?

My full budget is $100 give or take, and I listen to a lot of alternative, rock, indie, and lofi music. I tend to not like things to bass heavy just as a general guideline.

[OfficialTechSpace]

15 hours ago, pixxel-latte said:

I have seen time and time again that both the Moondrop Aria and Moondrop Starfield are among the best in the sub-$100 price point which is exactly where I'm looking.

You said it yourself for the most part Moondrop owns the sub-$100 to $200 market right now.

 

Aria

Starfield

KXXS (no longer viable with the existence of the Kato, $190)

etc.

 

Next step up from these would be the Kato, followed by the 7Hz Timeless.

 

Another couple IEMs that go overlooked in that pricepoint though are the Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR, which are both worth consideration.

15 hours ago, pixxel-latte said:

I'm completely new to the audio space and it has really interested me, so I'd love to have any resources where I could learn more and dive a bit deeper. 

Welcome to the community! Try checking out Crinacle from 'In-Ear Fidelity', DMS or Zeos Pantera from 'HiFiGuides', Joshua Valour, Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews, or GoldenSound.

[grimreaper_slm-thg]

17 hours ago, pixxel-latte said:

I recently stumbled across the IEM community on youtube and have been watching a lot of IEM related content over the past week or two. I have gotten interested in getting a solid pair of IEM's for myself because I realized I have never really experienced high quality audio. I also just want to try something new :3

 

I have seen time and time again that both the Moondrop Aria and Moondrop Starfield are among the best in the sub-$100 price point which is exactly where I'm looking. I just want some advice on what to look for in a good IEM, any IEM's that I should take a look into, and just general audio focused tips.

 

I'm completely new to the audio space and it has really interested me, so I'd love to have any resources where I could learn more and dive a bit deeper. Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations, stay safe!  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2PC166/

[OfficialTechSpace]

3 hours ago, grimreaper_slm-thg said:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2PC166/

If I was a moderator I'd lock your replies to the audio threads. Just- no...

 

We can handle this, don't worry.

 

[grimreaper_slm-thg]

Just now, OfficialTechSpace said:

If I was a moderator I'd lock your replies to the audio threads. Just- no...

 

We can handle this, don't worry.

 

why not

[OfficialTechSpace]

7 minutes ago, grimreaper_slm-thg said:

why not

Here's some homework for you. It's like Where's Waldo but with IEMs, find the KZ products:

https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/

 

[grimreaper_slm-thg]

5 minutes ago, OfficialTechSpace said:

Here's some homework for you. It's like Where's Waldo but with IEMs, find the KZ products:

https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/

 

i see your point with the kz

[Entropy.]

48 minutes ago, OfficialTechSpace said:

Here's some homework for you. It's like Where's Waldo but with IEMs, find the KZ products:

https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/

 

 

41 minutes ago, grimreaper_slm-thg said:

i see your point with the kz

Crinacle though is a subjective reviewer. Their ratings of IEMs are not going to be infallible, and some may disagree with them. While the tier list is a good resource It really shouldn't be a one-stop-shop for IEMs... well, unless you're really lazy. Imo, use it for context and a perhaps general consensus on the performance of the iem. 

[OfficialTechSpace]

1 hour ago, Brok3n But who cares? said:

Crinacle though is a subjective reviewer. Their ratings of IEMs are not going to be infallible, and some may disagree with them. While the tier list is a good resource It really shouldn't be a one-stop-shop for IEMs... well, unless you're really lazy. Imo, use it for context and a perhaps general consensus on the performance of the iem. 

It was an easy point of reference. I'm aware of the subjectivity of the tier list, but also equally aware of the objectivity of measurements and technical performance. It's hard to get a point across without listing credible sources, because then you just come across as a know-it-all (as I've already experienced with the user that was in response to). I won't pick apart your ethics if you don't to mine, everyone's fair game. I don't back down to a good battle of wits when I see one

[rice guru]

17 hours ago, pixxel-latte said:

My full budget is $100 give or take, and I listen to a lot of alternative, rock, indie, and lofi music. I tend to not like things to bass heavy just as a general guideline.

I think the Tin  t4 is a good option then relatively flat response but good detail retention and has enough color so it's not totally boring. Otherwise the moondrop aria us a good pick.

[pixxel-latte]

On 11/28/2021 at 2:50 PM, OfficialTechSpace said:

You said it yourself for the most part Moondrop owns the sub-$100 to $200 market right now.

 

Like you and a lot of other people here mentioned, Moondrop has some of the best offerings in my budget. I bought the Aria and I'm listening to them right now... and compared to everything else I have they are amazing!

 

Comfortable, solid detail, good bass that isn't overpowering, and smooth vocals. I love them so far!

[OfficialTechSpace]

23 minutes ago, pixxel-latte said:

Like you and a lot of other people here mentioned, Moondrop has some of the best offerings in my budget. I bought the Aria and I'm listening to them right now... and compared to everything else I have they are amazing!

 

Comfortable, solid detail, good bass that isn't overpowering, and smooth vocals. I love them so far!

That's great! I'm glad they turned out well, now you're one of us it's a fun hobby 

[Entropy.]

On 11/28/2021 at 9:15 PM, OfficialTechSpace said:

I'm aware of the subjectivity of the tier list, but also equally aware of the objectivity of measurements and technical performance.

I like crinacle's disclaimers on their compare tool a lot.  

 

Quote

as I've already experienced with the user that was in response to

As have I. They've done this repeatedly, and it's clear that they're not exactly experienced in the Hobby. My message was primarily directed at them, but I threw a reply to you as well. More or less trying to add additional information as a disclaimer. 

[dizmo]

Be careful, it's an easy hobby to get lost in There's loads of interesting choices at various price points.

 

For the price, trying out a pair of BLON BL03s might be a good idea. I got mine on sale for $24, and I've been pleasantly surprised. Mind you I had to switch out the cable and tips; both of those are horrendous. Others have already mentioned the popular choices, but there are others that might be worth looking into. The reviewers OfficialTechSpace mentioned are pretty good, just take note of what they like sonically. Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews puts his tastes at the beginning of every video.

 

What will you be using as your source?

 

It's worth noting that things like cables (balanced vs unbalanced, tangle quality, some say they can get sound differences from different cables but I think that's probably slightly more on the placebo end...I recently started playing around with balanced cables, and I've gotta say, I don't think I'll be going back), and even ear tips can alter the sound. I've tried stock, RHA, SpinFit for tips and I recently got some Spiral Dots from Japan to try.

 

Something to keep in mind: it's a very subjective hobby. What sounds good to someone might not sound good to someone else. Lots of audiophiles will point to graphs, and a way that they "should" be, but this is simply incorrect. Find what you like, and buy with that in mind, not what you find in a forum. That should be used as more of a starting point to your journey. Audio has one of the most toxic, elitist communities I've come across.

 

My next IEM is going to be a 7Hz Timeless, Fiio x Crinacle Eclipse...possibly a Dunu DK2001.

 

On 11/28/2021 at 7:38 PM, Brok3n But who cares? said:

Crinacle though is a subjective reviewer. Their ratings of IEMs are not going to be infallible, and some may disagree with them. While the tier list is a good resource It really shouldn't be a one-stop-shop for IEMs... well, unless you're really lazy. Imo, use it for context and a perhaps general consensus on the performance of the iem. 

Or if you match Crinacle's tastes to a tee.

I'm tempted to try his Eclipse colab. Sounds like it'll be a treat. 

[person123456789]

On 11/28/2021 at 12:24 AM, pixxel-latte said:

I recently stumbled across the IEM community on youtube and have been watching a lot of IEM related content over the past week or two. I have gotten interested in getting a solid pair of IEM's for myself because I realized I have never really experienced high quality audio. I also just want to try something new :3

 

I have seen time and time again that both the Moondrop Aria and Moondrop Starfield are among the best in the sub-$100 price point which is exactly where I'm looking. I just want some advice on what to look for in a good IEM, any IEM's that I should take a look into, and just general audio focused tips.

 

I'm completely new to the audio space and it has really interested me, so I'd love to have any resources where I could learn more and dive a bit deeper. Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations, stay safe!  

etymotic er2xr