They can…
Nopes, nopes, nopes. Or maybe you are using IEMs with your preferred sound signature and Over-ears with something else.
I would call it preference based, I would always go with Headphones for sound quality and iems for portable sound quality.
How about outside of the ear canal earbuds. Many here luv em for an alternative to IEMs that give an open sound.
For entry level $15 Qian39, NiceHCK EB2S PRO was recommended as an upgrade $40, for much better in addition to sound signature selection check member Rikudou_Goku buds.
4 Likes
I own both, and I like the Qian39 way more than the EB2S PRO. I found the NiceHCK EB2S PRO to be a bit thin on bass, and it needs a bass shelf added in EQ to sound good. The Qian39 is one of my favorite flatheads, it does everything well.
1 Like
Caster 3
2 Likes
I got to hear a couple of your buds thanks to Goober, and the Grand Alter Rider really impressed me!
2 Likes
You mean the Grand Rider 1? (no Grand Rider 1 exists.)
Probably this!
The titling is lost on me as I don’t know anything about the show it’s based on. 
2 Likes
Without understanding the reference, the different classes simply classify what tonalities/goals the specific model is aimed at, making it easier for you to pick what you like.
Rider lineup is aimed to be around the neutral area.
3 Likes
Sure, I have no way to remember which word goes with which signature after a week away reading about them though.
But 
erzerker is assy, even I can remember that!
Listening to that and the Caster 3 without knowing what was what, the Caster sounded more bass focused than neutral to me - maybe just due to being extra smooth.
I remember liking the Grand Archer (I just memorize that it abbreviated the same way as Georgia (GA)) an awful lot.
3 Likes
Caster (3) is its own special/unique lineup.
I like to think that the bassy bois are the ones that are close-range fighters, so Berserkers (vikings/barbarians), Sabers (knights, swordsmen, samurai,etc…). While Archer (well…archers, bowmen, etc…) is long range and isnt a bassy boi. Lancer (spearmen mostly) have a longer reach than swords but still melee so not as bassy as sabers/berserkers. Riders would be the ones using stuff like chariots and is more versatile. Casters = mage = unique
6 Likes
Now there is a thought. I have actually tried some buds that were from Sony and one that I believe were from Apple. This was many many years ago. I remember thinking they were pretty good but they didn’t wow me. It might be interesting to try again, as the ones I tried those years ago weren’t of good quality.
2 Likes
BTW, thanks all for the suggestions. I will definitely look into them.
2 Likes
Those ancient earbuds from when they were the “thing” tends to suck and I also believe not everyone used them with foams which is mandatory (its like using iems without tips pretty much).
2 Likes
Thank you for your insight and knowledge. I reckon I should roll up my sleeves and do some research so I can make an informed decision on which set to try. I am actually starting to get excited about this as it is uncharted territory for me.
Best and least harmful (to wallet) is to simply start with the cheap chifi buds.
Qian39 and Yincrow X6 (or Vido if you can find it) would let you try out both the MX500 shell (vido/X6) which is the most used shell in the bud world (used in my gen 1 rikubuds) and also the qian39 shell (which would let you know if my gen 3 rikubuds works for you or not as the gen 3 shells are based on the qian39).
4 Likes
Those are two of the best budget flatheads around.
1 Like