IEM suggestions?

[dizmo]

So I've decided to finally upgrade my audio set up, and I'm looking for a set of IEMs for use out and about. I haven't really looked too much into them, and am pretty open to looking at different options. I'll likely look into recommendations on my own as well, but there's so many options out there, I feel I'd miss some solid choices!

I like a warmer tone to my music. I listen to a little bit of everything, lately it's been more house/dubstep/electronics but it also goes into rock/metal pretty frequently.

 

 

Want:

• Cords that don't tangle easily
• Tight, but deep bass. I listen to a lot of music where bass is important
• Something that can survive being shoved into the pocket of a hoodie, peacoat, etc.

Don't want:

• Hard to find ear tips
• Overly bright treble
• I'd prefer if it didn't have a remote built into the cable

Will be used with:

• A DAP. I haven't purchased it yet, but it's looking like it'll be a Sony NW-A35, Astell&Kern AK70, Sony NW-ZX2, Pioneer XDP-100R, something like that.

Budget:

• Up to $300 USD

 

I'm also open to on ear headphones that are pocketable. Not sure if they still exist, or if they're anything worth considering. I imagine they're not.

I won't be using it for anything active, I'll be getting a Bluetooth set for that.

[xtroria]

Alclair versa perhaps? It's a $250 custom IEM. I believe it has a warm sound. But I don't think they're pocketable. In fact I don't think you should pocket your $200+ IEM without a case.

[Dackzy]

I think Ultimate ears have 30% off their products at least some of them, you could the UE4 maybe, but no IEM cable will last long if you just shove them into a pocket, but that is where cases come in and it only takes a few seconds more to pack them up properly.

[kokakolia]

I don't own them personally, but it looks like you described the Vsonic GR07 Classic. 

 

They're $100 on eBay. I believe it's a worth a shot. 

 

There's a version with a removable cord here:

 

http://www.lendmeurears.com/new-vsonic-gr07-classic-2017-edition-detachable-version/

 

[dizmo]

So a little digging, and I came up with this list of potentials. Has anyone tried any of these? I've seen nothing but good things about the Sony MDR-XB90EX but they're verrry expensive.

• RHA T20
• Future Sonics G10
• Sony MRD-XB90EX...though they're a little on the expensive side
• V-Moda ZN
• Sennheiser IE80
• Dunu DN1000
• Westone W40

Leaning pretty heavily towards the VModa's tbh. Though their cables don't look the most friendly for tangles. I like the accessories that come with the Dunu, and it's pretty competitively priced.

Why don't companies use more flat cables!

 

I might also look into finding a nice compact IEM case; something super slim, with a cable management system. Has anyone bought something like that?

 

Also thanks for your input so far

 

19 hours ago, xtroria said:

Alclair versa perhaps? It's a $250 custom IEM. I believe it has a warm sound. But I don't think they're pocketable. In fact I don't think you should pocket your $200+ IEM without a case.

They seem to have a pretty even sound, no? The site shows that bass isn't too prevalent. I do like the customizable style though. I'll have to look more into these.

18 hours ago, Dackzy said:

I think Ultimate ears have 30% off their products at least some of them, you could the UE4 maybe, but no IEM cable will last long if you just shove them into a pocket, but that is where cases come in and it only takes a few seconds more to pack them up properly.

I had a pair of Monster in ears, they had a flat cable. It was very tangle resistant, and lasted many years. I wouldn't mind a case if someone made a compact one, most are too bulky to carry around comfortably.

 

I checked out the UE units, but they're more studio monitors? I find ones with that classification usually have more of a "reference" sound.

15 hours ago, kokakolia said:

I don't own them personally, but it looks like you described the Vsonic GR07 Classic. 

 

They're $100 on eBay. I believe it's a worth a shot. 

 

There's a version with a removable cord here:

 

http://www.lendmeurears.com/new-vsonic-gr07-classic-2017-edition-detachable-version/

 

I remember looking at this one many years ago, I'll definitely have to look more into it. The detachable cable is a really nice touch. Do you know if VSonic has an English website?

[Dackzy]

57 minutes ago, dizmo said:

I had a pair of Monster in ears, they had a flat cable. It was very tangle resistant, and lasted many years. I wouldn't mind a case if someone made a compact one, most are too bulky to carry around comfortably.

 

I checked out the UE units, but they're more studio monitors? I find ones with that classification usually have more of a "reference" sound.

 

They are very reference sounding, but the bass is also well extended.

'

That response is damn impressive for the price.

The flat cable thing is more luck than anything else, a cable typically breaks just above the jack.

You could also look at ATH IM02, they have more bass.

[xtroria]

5 hours ago, dizmo said:

They seem to have a pretty even sound, no? The site shows that bass isn't too prevalent. I do like the customizable style though. I'll have to look more into these.

I had a pair of Monster in ears, they had a flat cable. It was very tangle resistant, and lasted many years. I wouldn't mind a case if someone made a compact one, most are too bulky to carry around comfortably.

Take their graph with a pinch of salt. I have the alclair RSM Quad. One of their basically 'neutral flat' IEM and I frankly don't need anymore bass on that IEM as it has plenty of bass 

[spwath]

CA Orion are available b stock for about $250. I have them, pretty nice. You will need a dap for these though, but you said you are getting one