IEM discussion thread (Part 1)

IEMs / Other In-Ear Monitors (IEM)
225

There are plenty of more expensive earbuds:

DQSM Turandot
Astrotec Lyra
Somphonio Dragon 2/3

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226

Thanks! Do you know of any good ones in the $100 range? I know someone who might be interested since they canā€™t do in ears

227

I think moondrop makes one as well right? The chaconne

And ve makes some higher end ones too

228

I havent tried any in the 100 usd range unfortunately. But you can check my database to see which ones I have.

Here are some examples on buds I heard is good from others:

Smabat ST10/ST10S
Kā€™s LB

EDIT: I actually forgot about the Moondrop VX Classic, it is 60 usd but It doesnt sound better than my other 10 usd buds lol.

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229

Yeah they do have that.

But I got the shiroyuki, Nameless and the VX Classic and they are very overpriced.
So I assume it is the same with the Chaconne. (paying that much for something without a replaceable cable is a deal breaker for me too.)

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230

Iā€™m interested in the Etymotic ER2XR but I couldnā€™t find a thread for them, so Iā€™ll ask here:

  1. How does the level of isolation compare to the Mee Pinnacle PX, with or without triple flange tips?

  2. Do they protrude too far from the ear to be comfortable to wear underneath noise cancelling headphones?

  3. How low is the bass extension? If you use an app like Frequency Sound Generator on Android, what is the lowest you can hear below 30hz?

  4. How is the sense of impact from the sub bass?

  5. Anyone tried putting a foam tip or a hole punched foam earplug on the body of the unit behind the eartip? If it works this could be a good way to further increase isolation, but Iā€™m not sure if it would be comfortable with the angle of insertion.

231

What types of tips deteriorate over time?

232
  1. I havenā€™t heard the MEE PX, but the isolation with Etymotic IEMs is close to the best you can get, with the triple flange tips, perhaps only bested by silicone CIEMs. With single flange tips, the isolation is still above average.
  2. I can lay on my side with them seated properly with the triple flange tips.
  3. The sub bass extension is really good with the ER2XR, and the quantity is mildly boosted above neutral. Will need to test the extension.
  4. Good bass impact. Quite punchy, but not a ton of slam.
  5. I put a Dekoni foam ear tip on a Shure multi-flange tip for maximum isolation. It isolates a little more than the stock triple flange tips, but is less comfortable, and I canā€™t insert them as deep, and I canā€™t lay on my side with the modded tips. Iā€™ll PM you a thread on the other website.
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233

Foam tips do. I havenā€™t had any silicone tips deteriorate thus far, even on decade old IEMs.

234

Okay, Iā€™m listening to the ER2XR, and using an online tone generator, I can hear the tone from 15Hz to 15KHz. Thatā€™s probably the limits of my hearing, because that is usually all I can hear with other IEMs.

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235

Especially Comply Foam tips. I think some foam tips last much longer than others (I think Shures last quite a while).

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236

Thanks!
15hz seems exceptional. The lowest Iā€™ve ever heard is the Moondrop Kanas at about 17hz, and thatā€™s a very bass heavy model.

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237

Anyone got any reference IEM recommendations for below Ā£200? so below $250?

238

Tanchjim Oxygen (210 usd during the next aliexpress sale)
Etymotic ER2SE/XR

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239

I wonder how many misinterpret the feel of bass at the low end as sound.

240

Does anybody have trouble getting silicone tips to stay in your ears in general? For me, my right ear I can get silicone tips to fit easily, and for some reason no matter what Iā€™ve tried thus far, I canā€™t get anything to work for my left ear.

241

Thatā€™s probably because you need a different size for your other ear. Has happened to me.

242

Iā€™ve tried bigger and small for the left ear and still nothing stays in.

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243

I would take a look at the Azla Xelastec ear tips. I found them very comfortable after a minute or two when they warm up in your ear and they have a more ā€œstickyā€ feel to them. They stay in my ears even while talking or eating something which always causes tips to fall out of my ears. The Xelastecā€™s are a wider bore tip though so not sure what you prefer for your tipsā€™ sound.

244

I second the Xelastec ear tips. They are sticky and also conform to your ears with body heat. There are 6 sizes, and you can get a three size pack like this. https://www.amazon.com/AZLA-SednaEarfit-XELASTEC-Pairs-Size/dp/B08BRBT4W7

They are quite pricy though.