Anyone have experience/advice on high quality earbuds up to $100?, TOS #6: was “ear buds”, moved from General Audio Options

[kraut]

A few days ago I purchased some cheap (20$) ear phones. I have at my sofa a remote monitor wirelessly connected to my server. This way I control all my audio that routes through my m-audio sound card, including audio from my record players, sat, receiver etc.
The wireless adapter (a warpia) allows the transmission of audio as well, and to be able to listen to foobar or TV/bluray at night without disturbing other family members, I thought I might try a cheap set to see if I like the concept.

It took me a bit to work out - using asio in foobar - how to get the audio signal from the server to the wireless monitor adapter, but selecting in foobar the "direct sound" just worked fine.

My concern with the cheap set is a lack of precision in the upper frequency range. Typically the cymbals as played back on my kefs 104/2 sound like cymbals, on the earphones the metallic sound is gone and just a hissing sound remains. The bass seems a bit pronounced too.

I like the earbud concept, having been a headphone (sennheiser) guy for most of my life. Even at long listening sessions they do not bother, I actually do not feel them in my ear with the right adapters, they vanish and just the listening remains. I am impressed.

Are there any out there with experience of higher quality earphones for up to 100$?
I have seen the Klipsch s4 recommended while searching the net.

Thanks in advance.

[Roseval]

My preference: http://www.etymotic.com/

[Nessuno]

I like the earbud concept
[…]
Are there any out there with experience of higher quality earphones for up to 100$?
I have seen the Klipsch s4 recommended while searching the net.

Klipsch s4 are in ear monitors, not earbuds.
I prefer earbuds over IEM and amongst them my favorite are the AKGs, even the cheapest ones: to my ears they sound well balanced and analytical without becoming fatiguing on long terms.
For a few $ I think the K311 are worth trying.

[markanini]

Etymotic HF5 are awesome!

[kraut]

Klipsch s4 are in ear monitors, not earbuds.

Thanks for pointing out the difference.
Looking at the "buds" I think I stick with the IEM concept. The buds do not look as comfy, as the seem not to adapt well to the ear canal, they plug the ear canal off, which for my rather easily irritated skin there might not work too well.

I have ordered for now the klipsch for about 50$. but will eventually check out the etymotics.
Now I have to consider small phone amp to drive more than one of the IEMs.

This post has been edited by kraut: Jan 8 2012, 22:41

[nesf]

I have Etymotic hf3s and find them quite nice for classical. Nice soundstage, perhaps a bit bright in the treble. I'm not the most critical listener though. My only issue with IEMs is that they're not the most comfortable things for me for long listening periods. I much prefer full headphones.

[kraut]

IMy only issue with IEMs is that they're not the most comfortable things for me for long listening periods. I much prefer full headphones.

I actually tested the ones I use presently for an almost uninterrupted four hours, listening to some TV but mostly music, browsing through my library.
I have no complaints, feel comfortable wearing them for all that time.

[nesf]

Yeah definitely just a personal preference thing, I think. I know plenty of people that can wear them for hours on end with no problems.

[markanini]

I have Etymotic hf3s and find them quite nice for classical. Nice soundstage, perhaps a bit bright in the treble. I'm not the most critical listener though. My only issue with IEMs is that they're not the most comfortable things for me for long listening periods. I much prefer full headphones.

What do you plug your Ety's into? You might be getting responce issues if the headphone output is any more than a few Ohms. I solved this by getting a Fiio E5, probably the best audio purchase I ever made. I've had comfort issues with Ety's as well, they were much improved with Shure black foam sleeves, very comfortable to me for medium insertion depth at least.

[nesf]

An iPod Nano 6g (yeah, I'm a sucker for shiny things). They still sound a bit bright to me to me with the E5, might be a perception trick or something with the "weaker" bass. They do sound better however with the foam inserts over the flanges that I had been using. If it solves the comfort issue I might wear them more.

I get this weird distortion issue with them and my Fiio E10. Even if I use the line-out of my E10 and the E5 amping, I get distortion on the vocals of some songs that isn't there even at higher volumes with the LOD and the iPod as a source. It's there both on the headphone jack and line out. Any ideas? Problem with the iPhone specific features of the hf3s or are the hf3s sensitive enough to pick up this distortion that my high impedance headphones aren't?

Edit: Nevermind, double checked there with my HD598s and I can pick up the distortion of the line-out + E5 combo there too. What isn't there is the distortion and messing up of the vocals from the headphone out.

Edit2: Triple check: Yeah my crappy Creative speakers don't show up the distortion straight from the line-out (explains why I haven't noticed it before).

This post has been edited by nesf: Jan 10 2012, 10:47

[markanini]

Seems you were unfortunate and got a defective Fiio E10. Ety's might seem "bright" even when output impedance and insertion depth is right. This is due to a flat target responce, most IEMs will have a big bump in the bass frequencies of 6-12 dB, Ety's will generally be closer to zero boost. This may take time adjusting to but its likely closer to what the producer heard while making the recording. To me my HF5 really nail the illusion of listening to a pair of studio monitor speakers when I use crossfeed, like no other headphone/earplug I've owned.

[nesf]

Yeah, I'd be loathe to return it though over an aspect of the amp that I don't use. That and I've a perfectly serviceable soundcard to use as a line out if I need it anyway.

I'll look into those Shure foam sleeves. If I could get the hf3s comfortable it'd be nice, at the moment they can't really compete with my headphones for comfort and I've found myself not even considering the IEMs for walks and similar which is a pity and a waste since they do half of my music collection so well, if not the rock/metal half. It's probably just an adjustment thing alright, where I just need to give them the hours for my ears to adjust to them again. Drums etc sound off to me with them at the moment which is just me being too used to the Sennheiser HD25-II's sound signature really.

[JunkieXL]

For most higher end IEM's you will need the Comply or Shure foam inserts for the best seal and bass response. I used them on my Phiaton PS200s and Shure E4Cs.

The rubber sleeves that came with both sets of IEMs just did not do them justice. The noise isolation was far worse and the bass sounded faint or distant to me.

The foam tips are also very comfortable as they mold to your inner ear canal when inserted and, if inserted correctly, should make them stay in far better. I am able to jog when using mine with no added gear or adjustments.
CK


You can get these easily on most sites like amazon.com, etc., but here is Complys website with details. I would recommend the Ts or Tx lines. Comply Foam Tips

This post has been edited by JunkieXL: Jan 10 2012, 23:02

[nesf]

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately am Irish so those sites are not useful for me. I'll find the tips somewhere though.

[Arnold B. Kruege...]

A few days ago I purchased some cheap (20$) ear phones. I have at my sofa a remote monitor wirelessly connected to my server. This way I control all my audio that routes through my m-audio sound card, including audio from my record players, sat, receiver etc.
The wireless adapter (a warpia) allows the transmission of audio as well, and to be able to listen to foobar or TV/bluray at night without disturbing other family members, I thought I might try a cheap set to see if I like the concept.

It took me a bit to work out - using asio in foobar - how to get the audio signal from the server to the wireless monitor adapter, but selecting in foobar the "direct sound" just worked fine.

My concern with the cheap set is a lack of precision in the upper frequency range. Typically the cymbals as played back on my kefs 104/2 sound like cymbals, on the earphones the metallic sound is gone and just a hissing sound remains. The bass seems a bit pronounced too.

I like the earbud concept, having been a headphone (sennheiser) guy for most of my life. Even at long listening sessions they do not bother, I actually do not feel them in my ear with the right adapters, they vanish and just the listening remains. I am impressed.

Are there any out there with experience of higher quality earphones for up to 100$?
I have seen the Klipsch s4 recommended while searching the net.

Under $100 is an interestnig price range for IEMs, particularly if you can get some good deals.

For example I picked up my Shure E4s for just a bit over $100.

I've had good luck with Sony MDR EX-series IEMs in the $40-50 range. That line changes model numbers so fast, I don't have direct experience with their current models, but I've had a few in the past and they were pretty good.

[Canar]

I know this is way under-budget, but I buy/use these: http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HA-FX35-B-Marshm...s/dp/B0036RDVRI

IMO they sound great, especially given the price point, and the memory foam tips work far better for me than the silicone tips of most other IEMs.

What's more, given the cost, I don't have to be so nervous about damaging or losing them. This is a big plus for something as small as they are.

[kraut]

Thanks for the help.
I have the Klipsch coming, but I also took advice from JunkieXL and purchased soft foam tips from comply (t 100)