Lancer 1 goes hard for vocals…
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Any Rikubuds Or Que
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I think I’d take Grand Alter Saber 2 or 3 for my vocal bud pick, although I have a Grand Archer 1 on the way and that may take top spot for that.
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New budget contender BQYEZ BQ10
This IEM does two impressive things for the price. First, the low end is really good tonally. It has everything that I look for in a bassy IEM. Then, the resolution is good, too, for the price, especially for the tonality. It might not satisfy trebleheads out there and might sound intimate, but the tonality wins it for me.
In my upcoming video, I will compare it with Tanchjim Bunny and Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. 7hz G1 7hz ELUA. Stay tuned.
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I think I have a set coming - these are encouraging descriptions! I think the look is svelte too.
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Indeed. When I want some extra sound stage and to focus on vocals, I have been getting out the Grand Rider 1 ( thanks to @Sonofholhorse for that ). It is nuts how good they sound.
I can’t say enough good about the overall buds experience. If you find a comfortable fit with any of the shell styles, and don’t need extreme fit security ( they aren’t great for running ), they are basically small open backs that cost a fraction of price. I keep a pair of KBear Stellar on my desk at the office, and the only downside is that coworkers don’t know I have them on, so I get bothered a bit more than I would with full size over the ear cans.
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This is helpful, thanks for sharing! The Grand Rider 1 sounds like a game changer for vocals and soundstage, I’ve definitely got to check it out. The KBear Stellar setup for the office is a great idea too, especially for a more open-back feel in such a compact form. Definitely going to try these out next time.
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KBear Stellar is still among the best deals in personal audio; for less than $5 on AliEx or a little more if you want to go Amazon.
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Hooooooly…
Shame on me for forgetting I had these… shout out to @rattlingblanketwoman for recommending these so long ago and thanks for reminding me, Guy lol They really are killer for next to no money.
(KBear Stellar)
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I can confirm, I barely listen to earbuds but I appreciate them from time to time, this is the perfect “cheap enough to not feel bad rarely using, but actually very impressed when I do” set.
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I bought a 5 pack for $20 ( on Amazon ) and when coworkers need something to listen with, I just give them away. I still think my favorite budget flathead is the Qian39 ( under $12 on AE ), and I love that shell ( Riku uses it on most of his buds ), but the Stellar is such an absurd value.
Also budget earbuds running off a DAC/Amp is an experience that is meme worthy.
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OK, now you beautiful bastards have me interested in flatbuds. What’s the best flatbud at $40 or less for a balanced sound signature but not too crispy in the highs? Basically the new meta IEM tuning.
Thanks.
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I’m not super well-versed in the latest and greatest, but probably the Qian39 tbh. Not sure if the Yincrow X6 is still available but that used to be an option with a little more bass.
Edit: Maybe add Faael Iris 2.0 as well.
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EB2S Pro is the safe bet at that price or under.
RikuBuds Gen 1 are just a little more than that and can give you a variety of tunings in an MX500 shell.
Up from that (pricewise) the old Fiio FF3 (better bass but the newer version is supposedly tuned differently), Dunu Alpha 3 / BGVP DX7 (neutral bright), VE Master (neutral bland monitor lite).
@ttorbic am I forgetting anything… At that price?
There is a guide for buds that @ttorbic maintains on hifiguides that could help
For buds - you basically have 5 shells
Mx500
PK
Qian
Bell
Bell with stem
You can get the super cheap bud starter pack that would expose you to these / I think @dnolan227 puts out sales like this or has a guide or something as IIRC he was asking before…
Mx500 - Yincrow X6 (Bassy), Vido, Iris 2.0
Pk - Panda Mk2 or VE SM(T is the latest variation)
Qian - Qian39/Qian69
Bell - Something from Ks earphone (mostly brighter tuning) (llbs is the older model but has been replaced and I am blanking on the replacent model name)
Bell with stem - NiceHCK EB2S Pro
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Welcome to the
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At least it’s among the least expensive holes in the hobby. Per unit, anyway.
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My gen 3 shells do work for that actually. They fit very very good and have heard some use them like that. I personally wouldnt use a bud outside due to no isolation though.
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Try the Stellar (or any other MX500 shelled bud) and also give the qian39 a try and then see which shell works the best for u and then go from there.
Yincrow X6 and Qian39.
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This one is definitely not for @pk500 if they want one of the warmer stuff that has recently come out like the explorer. It is VERY bright and lacks a lot of bass.
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100% not for anyone looking for warm tunings but I don’t find it VERY bright. Probably rules out the BGVP DX7 as well as that is somewhat similar tuningwise. Same with anything from Ks earphones and the lower priced VE.
Bass is always a difficult topic with buds, especially given the lack of isolation, that’s why the usually work better for acoustic/instrumental, vocal lovers or people who appreciate soundstage - also better for indoor or static lsitening positions. For bass options are what under $100 - your Berserker and Yincrow X6. Warm maybe FF3 and your Saber series…
Weirdly these types of tunings at lower prices for buds are harder to find but something that excels at the $130+ price level DIY 
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