Best ~$300 IEM for Jazz//Electronic

From what you are describing and your mention of the Aria, I would recommend the Oxygen.
Olina is out there too but I haven’t heard them.
Tea2 is also looks also really interesting.

The Teas have interested me more and more after researching but I’m still hesitant to pull the trigger, mainly because I have yet to spend $350 at once on audio gear lol. To be honest I might just get the Olinas or OH10’s for now and save up again for the Tea 2’s. They’re now definitely on the top of my list though. If the Olina is as close to the Oxygen as it seems then I think I can safely go with it instead. Thanks for your advice.

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Olina is a freaking beast. No wrong with that

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Get two iem: Olina for the jazz & s12 for the electronic :sunglasses:

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What I learned so far: It is often better to buy 3x 100$ IEMs instead of 1x 300$ IEM (especially if you haven’t heared a lot yet)

So +1 from me for @blanche suggestion, but maybe throw in a $15 CCA CRA on top :slight_smile:

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I agree that olina + cra + s12 are a nice start. I just didnt rec s12 because it might be underpowered by the phone, but not sure, I don’t own the LG

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If it is one of the ordinary models without DAC, it will not be able to power them. If it is in the LG V model it can power it. LG feeds hybrids and tribrids without any problems. V30, in my opinion, is like a DAP of about $ 1,000 :sunglasses: . S12 be blown out of LG V model. :love_you_gesture:
https://www.esstech.com/lg-v30-and-v30-smartphones-feature-audiophile-performance-from-ess-technology/

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My timeless runs fine on my generic smartphone 3.5mm connector at 75%. 100% volume would result in hearing loss ez. S12 should be same, I assume.

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Yeah its an LG G8x, has the built in amp/DAC. Its honestly impressive how well it works, even does a decent job of driving my 300 ohm 6XX (though nothing compared to my desktop amp). Its a shame LG stopped making smartphones.
I agree with @lilhm I don’t exactly know what kinds of sound signatures I like yet. It makes sense to try different types of cheap IEMs and find what works. I’ve ordered an Olina, and I’m leaning towards the S12 over the Timeless due to the 2-pin connection and cheaper price. Might as well throw in the CRA for how much it costs lol.

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Great plan! Approved!

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S12 will cry on any LG phones lol.

LG phone dac/amp only shines with higher impedance (over 50ohm) transducers.

Cant you trick it somehow?

if you add a 50ohm impedance adapter, then yeah.

I still wouldnt use any planars with LG phones…low impedance AND low sensitivity. GGWP

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Hmm I am familiar with the adaptor trick but I’ve never needed to use it. I might put a pause on the S12 for the moment then. I have an SMSL SP200 amp but that pushes out absurd amounts of power and I bet its going to be too much for an IEM. I also want something portable etc.

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nah, its not a problem. Its a bit lower power than my Schiit Asgard 3 that i use with everything (including iems and earbuds).

The adapter trick is actually referring to the “AUX” mode, not the 50+ohm mode that is better.

In “normal” mode, the LG phones are pretty much like every other smartphone out there.

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Is it worth getting a 50 ohm adaptor just to trick it for IEMs? That’s the trick I was referring to, I just have never bothered to use it. I’d imagine they will probably sound better with more power, it just seems like a headache to always have to set it up.
Glad to hear that my amp will work though, but I just want something for listening in bed and on the go rather than at my desk. I think you’re ultimately right about planars and my phone, will hold off for now.

I wouldnt do it, just get a dongle like the apple dongle if you are in the US…more power than the LG phones have at full power anyway.

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I recently got an apple adapter and it is super quiet on my Android phone… did some googleing and it seems to be a widespread problem/incompatibility. @Rikudou_Goku what phone do you use?

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I have the LG G7 (old phone) and the Oneplus 8T (current phone).

I dont use my wired iems with them tbh, I use TWS when I am out.

aa yeah, android does screw with that dongle. I believe using UAPP might help a bit.

Normal mode ~0.5V_rms
AUX mode ~1V_rms
High impedance mode ~1.8V_rms

It is darn frustrating that impedance has to be detected before the mode will engage, I think it is dumb to not have a manual override. Normal is still ‘good’ but it doesn’t use the full Quad DAC circuit.

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