Budget IEMs

[NoLoMo]

Looking for some budget IEMs with in-line mic and volume, most music I listen to is in the mids, but I'll be flexible if there is a back to school sale. 

[vanished]

how cheap is "budget"?  $10?  $35?  $100?

[NoLoMo]

1 minute ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

how cheap is "budget"?  $10?  $35?  $100?

For now i think 35 would fit my budget

[vanished]

That could be tricky... whatever you get won't likely be anything amazing anyway so I'd be tempted to spend much less actually and then just save for better ones or use it to replace cheap ones that fail, but maybe @SSL or @Dackzy has some suggestions?

[NoLoMo]

Just now, Ryan_Vickers said:

That could be tricky... whatever you get won't likely be anything amazing anyway so I'd be tempted to spend much less actually and then just save for better ones or use it to replace cheap ones that fail, but maybe @SSL or @Dackzy has some suggestions?

Alright, that makes sense as to why I could find anything at this price point. In your opinion what's the price point where there a benefit to pay more.

[GamerDude]

Crap, inline mic's a requirement? I'd thought of recommending some Chi-Fi IEM's ranging from 18USD to ~40USD, they've been garnering some nice feedback here in my neck of the woods.....but, they don't come with inline mics. 

 

In case you wanna have a look at them, here's an 18USD IEM that even has detachable cables.....KZ Acoustics ZSD3

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

TFZ Series 1 even comes with some nice looking shells...Series 3 and Series 5 come in the basic black, ranging from ~40USD to <90USD.

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

Edit - D'oh! Forgot about the Xiaomi Piston IEM's that DrM had linked, they've been said to be pretty good....

[DrM]

i know xiaomi pistons are really good at their price point. just watch out for fakes

http://penonaudio.com/Xiaomi-Hybrid-IEM ?search=xiaomi

https://smile.amazon.com/Xiaomi-Piston-III-Headset-Earphones/dp/B00V9RKSAA

 

edit - woops, didnt see that you mostly focus on mids. sound signature on the pistons is very much v shaped, so im not so sure it will fit you

[NoLoMo]

3 minutes ago, DrM said:

i know xiaomi pistons are really good at their price point. just watch out for fakes

http://penonaudio.com/Xiaomi-Hybrid-IEM ?search=xiaomi

https://smile.amazon.com/Xiaomi-Piston-III-Headset-Earphones/dp/B00V9RKSAA

Anything I should look out for?

[Dackzy]

everything @GamerDude said and if you want to cheap out even more or have 3 ear buds so you don't have to worry about if one breaks, look up VE Monk on aliexpress

[NoLoMo]

4 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

Crap, inline mic's a requirement? I'd thought of recommending some Chi-Fi IEM's ranging from 18USD to ~40USD, they've been garnering some nice feedback here in my neck of the woods.....but, they don't come with inline mics. 

 

In case you wanna have a look at them, here's an 18USD IEM that even has detachable cables.....KZ Acoustics ZSD3

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

TFZ Series 1 even comes with some nice looking shells...Series 3 and Series 5 come in the basic black, ranging from ~40USD to <90USD.

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep them in mind. I thought that these were bass heavy, right?

[DrM]

2 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

Anything I should look out for?

just buy from a verified retailer. check this list here http://www.head-fi.org/t/735775/the-xiaomi-pistons-thread-2-0

 

you might want to do some research on them though, since

7 minutes ago, DrM said:

didnt see that you mostly focus on mids. sound signature on the pistons is very much v shaped, so im not so sure it will fit you

 

[NoLoMo]

Just now, DrM said:

just buy from a verified retailer. check this list here http://www.head-fi.org/t/735775/the-xiaomi-pistons-thread-2-0

 

you might want to do some research on them though, since

 

Yup, just saw that edit but thanks for the heads up

[GamerDude]

14 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep them in mind. I thought that these were bass heavy, right?

The Series 1 and 3 from TFZ are said to tilt a fair bit to the bass side, but Series 5 is said to have less bass and is more balanced. The KZ Acoustics pair is said to be pretty good and more balanced than the bass heavy Series 1 and 3 from what I've read, I love that it has detachable cable and costs only 18USD, I've read it being described as having tight yet punchy bass with smooth mids. with a tad warm'sih treble that's clear without being bright. I'm tempted to buy these badboys, but can't justify it to myself as I already have three pairs of higher-end IEM's. I'm actually waiting for the TFZ Series 7 which is said to have detachable cables but would cost a fair bit more....

 

Also, be forewarned that I've not tried them, only read some pretty good things about 'em, hence my recommending them.

 

Holy crap, just checked out the price difference between Amazon and Newegg and I'm shocked!

[NoLoMo]

40 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

Crap, inline mic's a requirement? I'd thought of recommending some Chi-Fi IEM's ranging from 18USD to ~40USD, they've been garnering some nice feedback here in my neck of the woods.....but, they don't come with inline mics. 

 

In case you wanna have a look at them, here's an 18USD IEM that even has detachable cables.....KZ Acoustics ZSD3

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

TFZ Series 1 even comes with some nice looking shells...Series 3 and Series 5 come in the basic black, ranging from ~40USD to <90USD.

https://www.amazon.com/FEESHOW-Earphone-Earbuds-Headphones-Earpiece/dp/B01J51IEB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1472118595&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=kz+acoustics+zs3&tag=linus21-20

 

Edit - D'oh! Forgot about the Xiaomi Piston IEM's that DrM had linked, they've been said to be pretty good....

I looked around and I guess i'm going with yours, you would happen to know of an mic adapter would you. I would like to use them as a hands free call option for when im driving

[GamerDude]

53 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

I looked around and I guess i'm going with yours, you would happen to know of an mic adapter would you. I would like to use them as a hands free call option for when im driving

MuAhAhAh, finally found a guinea pig for those IEM's!

 

 

HeHeh, just kidding, heard pretty good things about both TFZ and KZ Acoustics, which are you gonna get?

[NoLoMo]

1 hour ago, GamerDude said:

MuAhAhAh, finally found a guinea pig for those IEM's!

 

 

HeHeh, just kidding, heard pretty good things about both TFZ and KZ Acoustics, which are you gonna get?

Most likely KZ Acoutics