I hear a lot of good things about those.
Tri i3 would also be a good choice. Checks all the boxes you asked. Also the Isn H40 would work. I have the Tri and waiting for my H40 to arrive. Both below 200 USD.
1 Like
Just use eq to reduce the 3,5k hz region and it sounds much better.
If you don’t want to use eq I would go with the LZ A6, it sure is a hidden gem.
But the Moondrop Starfield is the safer choice, both in sound and in price.
I don’t think you should get something and have to use EQ to make it bearable to listen to. When you get listening gear, you should be able to enjoy and like it stock as is. If I have to open EQ every flippin’ time I plug in a pair of IEMs, that’s going to be quite frustrating to me. If something doesn’t sound good stock, and you have to use EQ on it, why can’t the company fix that themselves with tuning? It seems to me like most IEM companies in this lower price range are not doing very great with the estats so far, I think they need to do some more R&D to get it right.
I also forgot to mention the iBasso it03. That is another IEM that gets very good reviews and is in price range.
1 Like
Agree, I never use EQ myself. But tried it with the Tape and it made them amazing. If the LZ A6 was still priced at 300 usd I would go with the Tape, because the Tape sounds quite similar to the A6. Fortunately the A6 costs like 220 usd now and Is super worth it.
love my it03s but based on OPs requirements i don’t think they quite fit as they are quite bassy and pretty narrow. I don’t think they’re anywhere close to harsh and despite being v-shaped find the mids to be pretty respectable. Great IEM though probably my most used listening device
1 Like
I never quite understood the EQ debate, especially since tip/ear pad rolling and modding are deemed “acceptable.”
2 Likes
Maybe because eq is software and tips/others are hardware modifications? I been in the “do-not-eq” camp for the last year, but before that I used eq all the time. (before my enlightenment to more hifi stuff).
Although since I tried eq with the shuoer tape I am a bit more open to it.
1 Like
I’ll EQ if I need to, I have no problem with it. Hell, I’m “EQ’ing” right now between my CF Solaris and Oriolus MK2’s. Neither is very exciting up top, but I boost the treble on my basic tone control to 2 or 3 o’clock and I’m happy.
2 Likes
Nice, seems pretty sweet 
I ended up going with the Starfields, should be here Wednesday at the earliest. Thanks guys!
3 Likes
Cool, feel free to share your thoughts when you get them.
1 Like
Heres my write up for them
3 Likes
Nice! Glad you enjoy them!
If you want to try some other tips that may or may not increase sound stage and bass quality and quantity, I would recommend trying out the Final Audio E tips. They are my favorite and come in almost every size imaginable.
And if you want to try a different cable, Yinyoo company on Aliexpress has some very high quality cables for the price. Just white in this picture but search Yinyoo cable and you can find a ton of different colors and connection types.
#Aliexpress US $17.14 70%OFF | Yinyoo 16 Core High Purity Silver Plated Cable 2.5/3.5/4.4MM With MMCX/2PIN/QDC TFZ FOR KZZS10Pro AS10 ZSNPRO C12 TFZ BLON BL-03
Hope this helps, and happy listening!
2 Likes
thank you, those tips look interesting and those are some nice cables. i def think a tip swap could help with some sound quality, thank you!
1 Like
Pst get the final audio e1000 and you also get the type e tips with you.
1 Like
True, but with that whole set there you can get 5 different sizes, x-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. 
what about memory foam tips?
Personally I think memory foam tips make the treble really sloppy and the bass too boomy. Some people say they should be more comfortable, but I have not found that to be true at all for myself. But if they work for you, then I don’t see a problem. I just wouldn’t recommend them over silicone, I think silicone has much better sound.
2 Likes
ok cool, yea that doesn’t sound nice haha…thanks again for the help