If you’re on a tight budget, I’ve had my Micca PB42X active speakers for about five years and couldn’t be happier with them.
Very neutral, very clean. Won’t crush you with bass, as there’s no separate subwoofer. So, if you want room-shaking bass, look elsewhere. Maybe something like the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX set.
Both the Micca and the Klipsch tilt the price scales at under $150.
I would rec the Swan M10 as a 2.1 budget active speaker rec. Been using it for like 10 years now and even against a 2024 active speaker (Aiyima S400, 2.0 setup though) it is still better.
Swans OS10
Gotta love Swans, would have been interested in that but that is much bigger than my desk allows and is also quite a bit more expensive than the Aiyima S400 I bought. (tuning issues are easily fixed with Jcally JA11 setup.)
You EQ your S400 with JA11?
Yes, I set the PEQ preset via the webapp over in windows (doesnt work for my linux mint for some reason but that goes for all webapps for me…) and am using it in linux.
Been using the S400 for a while trying to get used to it (only switching over to the M10 for my anime) so will post my thoughts on it and the S400 sooner or later.
I think the Hiby R4 is fantastic for the price. Under normal listening conditions it think it sounds as good as the Hiby r6 gen 3 which is literally twice the price.
Thanks!! 
I think I am very late to the party when it comes to this particular topic, but given on what has been transpiring in terms of the budget options lately and as well as the price to performance, it’s safe to say that there are a lot of things to add.
AFUL IEMs should be added to this list now, I think the Performer 5+2 as well since so far it has been nothing but positive about it by the majority.
I am not sure if this has been mentioned before but Kefine deserves some acknowledgement as well to this list, especially the Delci for I have heard some good praises on it as well, and I might consider getting it at some point especially that 12.12 is approaching. I know therer is 11.11 right now but I am in my mode of saving up a bit for I have some other stuff that I want to get right now.
Letshouer S08 in my opinion should be part of this, for it is an IEM that actually surprised me when it comes to the tuning and a planar set with that set, which is a shame for me since my own set has its left piece broken and no updates still in regards of the warranty.
where will we get more sale on 12.12? 
I apologize, more like 12.12 on my area not in everyone’s 12.12. Hence I am sorry if I forgot to elaborate. I don’t know to be honest, I honestly want everyone to have their own 12.12 sale so that we can get the things that we like from this hobby of ours.
That is the christmas sale, its another big sale that aliexpress will also have. In the past it was smaller than the 11/11 sale that is going on right now, same with black friday/cyber monday. However in recent years, they are pretty much the same.
I’ve got to put Aful Explorer out here.
Not bad at all at its higher retail price, but sometimes on Amazon the new price is as low as $80-100, and at that price it’s got to be on this list.
I’ve been listening to mine non-stop for a week now whenever I have the chance to listen to music. There are few other sets I want to do that with, but even when they I do, that doesn’t mean I can go ahead and do it because even if you love a FR it can still fatigue you.
With the Explorers my ears don’t make an area dull over time (one problem with the Deuce is I would get immune to the isolated bass boost and increase volume, rinse and repeat until the other FR areas are too much or out of balance), or get bothered by an area over time (either from a peak, too much treble detail, or the shells themselves).
I’d accept arguments that they’re not necessarily all-rounders, but I have no qualms listening to them across all the genres I have.
I am addicted to how the Deuce sounds tbh. Its those massive bass punches creeping in especially on that impedance adapter, lol. I am eagerly waiting to be immune. But tbh its been exciting every time I put them on. They def require a lot of power so its either a desktop amp or my BTR15
Hi, I have the he400se, it’s amazing, the soundstage, the instrument separation, but it has a ““problem”” of being too analytical, so after a few hours it gets quite fatigant, As it is very rough and metallic, I would like to know if in the range of 150-200 dollars would be more Interesting sound for me, akg k712 pro or sennheiser hd560s, there is also the fidelio x2hr, I don’t have access to the hd58x or hd6xx for reasons that would have to import and would exceed that budget. I have a fiio k5 pro ess as a dac amp combo. And my target music genres are classic rock, electronic, power metal, pop, indie pop.
Do NOT buy the 560s if you are fatigued by the HE-400se because it’s too “analytical.” The 560s has a far more neutral, dry and crystalline sound than the HE-400se, so you’ll get fatigued even more quickly with that headphone.
I recommend the Meze 99 Neo at $200 for your genres. Bassy, fun – a very different experience from the HE-400se.
You also can find more value propositions at your price point and your desired sound signature with IEMs than headphones. Something to consider. I bet you would LOVE the AFUL Explorer at $95. The perfect sound signature you desire.
Sounds like you’re sensitive to the high frequencies. Have you tried EQing them down a bit?
But yeah the HE400SE is not known for smooth treble. The Edition XS or Ananda Stealth (both about $260 refurbed) are MUCH smoother and have more of what you describe you like. Fit can be an issue with these, or any of the egg-shaped Hifimans.
Fatigue can also come from clamping force, lack of crossfeed and also simply not taking breaks to give your ears, head and neck a rest.
thanks for the tips! Yes, sound is good, but you know when you eat a dessert without sugar? I feel like he400se lacks a little sweetness, so I understand that some might like it, but I can’t adapt
I just read about the meze 99, it seems that characteristics are: warmer sound, with relaxed trebles, but still detailed, emphasis on a punchy bass; like something people call a “fun” or “V” sound signature, I found that interesting, thx
It’s very V. Bass bleeds and blooms a bit, but still fun. Just know the 99 Classics/Neo is NOT anything close to neutral.
