Topic: In-ear headphone / IEM recommendations

[MIQ]

I'm trying to stay away from universal fit earphones due to discomfort as a result of my apparently quite narrow ear canal and fairly sharp bend.

Brian, I have the exact same issue with my right ear (narrow canal and sharp bend just inside the canal).  I noticed it when I had molds made for some attenuators and it explained why most IEM bothered me especially after lengthy listening.  A low cost solution that worked for me was to use two different sized Comply Foam ear tips http://www.complyfoam.com/.  They make several sizes and I've found that a small one in my right ear and a med one in my left ear work great.  They are very comfortable and seal really well for good low end response.  I use them with a pair of Westone W4s and the attenuation of outside sound is good.  Not as much attenuation as the custom molded IEM I have but good enough for airplane use etc...  The guys at Westone introduced the comply tips to me since comply makes tips that fit the W4 exactly.

Anyway I wanted to bring up another low cost option you could explore.

-MIQ

[Church-Audio]

My latest pair of Etymotic ER-6 (which I use with custom earplugs in place of the filter) bit the dust.  That's 3 pairs now that have gone kaput, and I'm tired of their fragility even under my very gentle use.  Custom molds are a must.  I seem to have oddly shaped ear canals, which make universal fit in-ear 'phones quite uncomfortable...even painful.  So, I'm looking for a new pair of custom-molded in-ear 'phones.

Requirements

• Budget up to ~$250 (not including impressions)
• Custom molds
• Robust cabling & connections (i.e. won't break easily)
• Right-angle mini stereo connector

Bonus

• Removable / replaceable cables
• Different color earpieces (I struggle to see the small blue or red dot on my otherwise clear earplugs)
• Dual driver

These are for strictly casual listening, so I'm not looking for absolute top-notch IEMs.  But I don't want bunk, either.  Just something in budget & comfortable for quality (but not critical) listening in planes, trains (but not automobiles), etc.  I found an outdated list of IEM manufacturers on Headfi.  In reviewing those options, and poking around a bit online, these seem to stand out:

$259  |  Fidelity Duals (splinter from Livewires; not sure if/how they're different)
$249  |  LiveWires Dual Driver
$250  |  Tunz Duo (couldn't find pricing on their website)
$189  |  Alien Ears C1000 (single driver)
$249  |  EarSound Maestroz SD (single driver; these are all but ruled out due to poor product name alone!)
$289  |  Westone CR1 (single driver)

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Fidelity Duals.  Anyone have recommendations for other IEMs suiting my requirements and budget, and / or feedback on any of the above?

Send your broken ear buds to me I can fix them in most cases.

[tbger]

Brian,

Tyll Hertsens, a well known headphone guy, is talking about IEMs and custom molded IEMs in this video from "Home Theater Geeks".  I suggest you to see it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyLSNrMjWdI  (skip to 16:00)

Have you considered other types of headphones for casual portable listening ?  IEMs, due to both their fragility and type of use (portable isn't always gentle), tend to break quite much.  I suggest you also consider full size or on-ear cans.  There are some very common and great portables out there, the Beyerdynamic DT1350 among them.

[Church-Audio]

My latest pair of Etymotic ER-6 (which I use with custom earplugs in place of the filter) bit the dust.  That's 3 pairs now that have gone kaput, and I'm tired of their fragility even under my very gentle use.  Custom molds are a must.  I seem to have oddly shaped ear canals, which make universal fit in-ear 'phones quite uncomfortable...even painful.  So, I'm looking for a new pair of custom-molded in-ear 'phones.

Requirements

• Budget up to ~$250 (not including impressions)
• Custom molds
• Robust cabling & connections (i.e. won't break easily)
• Right-angle mini stereo connector

Bonus

• Removable / replaceable cables
• Different color earpieces (I struggle to see the small blue or red dot on my otherwise clear earplugs)
• Dual driver

These are for strictly casual listening, so I'm not looking for absolute top-notch IEMs.  But I don't want bunk, either.  Just something in budget & comfortable for quality (but not critical) listening in planes, trains (but not automobiles), etc.  I found an outdated list of IEM manufacturers on Headfi.  In reviewing those options, and poking around a bit online, these seem to stand out:

$259  |  Fidelity Duals (splinter from Livewires; not sure if/how they're different)
$249  |  LiveWires Dual Driver
$250  |  Tunz Duo (couldn't find pricing on their website)
$189  |  Alien Ears C1000 (single driver)
$249  |  EarSound Maestroz SD (single driver; these are all but ruled out due to poor product name alone!)
$289  |  Westone CR1 (single driver)

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Fidelity Duals.  Anyone have recommendations for other IEMs suiting my requirements and budget, and / or feedback on any of the above?

For the price these can not be beat and they are very comfortable.
Sony MDR-EX71SL they sound great and have a nice balanced sound. They do need a long break in period so cranking some deep bass tunes overnight cures that issue. Once  broken in they sound great.

[Red Boink]

WESTONE for me. ..  been using them heavily for eight years and have no failures.  Excellent sound.

[Jamos]

WESTONE for me. ..  been using them heavily for eight years and have no failures.  Excellent sound.

Ditto that.  I had Shures & Ety's for several years and always liked them...but then got a set of Westones and have never looked back since.
The UM2's that i have sound warm, sharp, and all-around awesome. 
I've let some well-known live performers try them and all became converts.

Highly recommended!

[acidjack]

I've also liked my Westone 3s better than anything else I've had.   They also have excellent service (cord on one phone got tugged hard when it caught on something and disconnected it; replaced w/ in 3 days).  The build is pretty sturdy also.  I use mine every single day.

[NOLAfishwater]

In the market for a pair that I can use to listen to on the fly mixes at shows so I need some that really isolate well. We are expecting so things will need to be quiet in the house next year and I want to the have the option to mix/track on them. My friend that does location sound recommended Remote Audio High Noise Headphones with Sony 7506 drivers in them, but for $285, I figured I could get something that is in ear with as much isolation. Plus, it is hot as balls here in the summer time and big headphones make my ears sweat. So I think compact is the way to go.

I was looking at the Shure SE 215 Live Sound Monitors for $90 from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Sound-Monitor-Black/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

they also have the older E2C's for $198
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2

Shure SE 315 for $190
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE315-K-Isolating-Earphone-Hi-Definition/dp/B00426DND4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320696249&sr=1-1


Westone 2 for $189
http://www.amazon.com/Westone-WST-WESTONE2-2-Earphones/dp/B00373PE9Y/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1


Westone UM2 Dual Driver for $207
http://www.amazon.com/WESTONE-TRUE-DUAL-DRIVER-EARPHONES/dp/B000NIOVWC/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320694455&sr=1-8

[jlykos]

In the market for a pair that I can use to listen to on the fly mixes at shows so I need some that really isolate well. We are expecting so things will need to be quiet in the house next year and I want to the have the option to mix/track on them. My friend that does location sound recommended Remote Audio High Noise Headphones with Sony 7506 drivers in them, but for $285, I figured I could get something that is in ear with as much isolation. Plus, it is hot as balls here in the summer time and big headphones make my ears sweat. So I think compact is the way to go.

I was looking at the Shure SE 215 Live Sound Monitors for $90 from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Sound-Monitor-Black/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

they also have the older E2C's for $198
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2

Shure SE 315 for $190
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE315-K-Isolating-Earphone-Hi-Definition/dp/B00426DND4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320696249&sr=1-1


Westone 2 for $189
http://www.amazon.com/Westone-WST-WESTONE2-2-Earphones/dp/B00373PE9Y/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1


Westone UM2 Dual Driver for $207
http://www.amazon.com/WESTONE-TRUE-DUAL-DRIVER-EARPHONES/dp/B000NIOVWC/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320694455&sr=1-8

That's a great price for the Westone UM2.  Those are definitely what I would go with.

[NOLAfishwater]

they have the ones with detachable cables for $222

http://www.amazon.com/Westone-Um2-Monitor-Removable-Cable/dp/B003U9VMUU/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1320698549&sr=1-2

how much do they isolate? it says 25db so I am guessing I shouldn't have a hard time monitoring during a show.

[NOLAfishwater]

looks like I am going to ditch going with Remote Audio High Noise Headphones for $285

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283347-REG/Remote_Audio_HN7506_HN_7506_High_Noise_Isolating.html

and get the Westone UM2 with disconnecting cable for $222


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003U9VMUU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000NIOVWC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1QQYSB8HAB1JBN1W73SQ

[ScoobieKW]

We are expecting so things will need to be quiet in the house next year and I want to the have the option to mix/track on them.

Congratulations, in our experience and in talking to friends, don't go overboard on the quiet or you will have a baby that can't sleep around activity. Our kid would fall asleep with a smile when he heard Garcia's guitar, (babysitter + fussy 3 month old + Garcia album he hadn't heard = sleep), he also showed an early preference for Garcia to Zappa. We'd take him to parties, and when he was tired, he'd crash right in the middle of the party.

Now he's 15, likes Jackie Greene, Ryan Adams and Neil Young along with a host of newer artists. I've burned him out on the Dead, but that's fine. You shouldn't like all of your parents music.

[NOLAfishwater]

ended up getting the Etymotic Research HF5's for $99. mainly b/c of the isolation properties (35-42dbs). for the price, I don't think they can be beat. The cable is kevlar reinforced and they come with a 2yr warranty.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XP8DJC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002KQ5MAK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0WW8PST8F396W25N9PG0

[Jamos]

I hope you enjoy the sound they provide.  I always thought every Ety I tried sounded very nice and flat, but never was something I wanted to wear to listen back to anything.  I have not heard some of the new ones though.

Just FYI, the Westones can take custom molded earpieces instead of the foam tips.  This is more comfortable for most people and provides a little more isolation.  Sometimes I wear mine on the train home and absolutely cannot hear anyone around me!  Very nice at times.

[Big Perm]

I hope you enjoy the sound they provide.  I always thought every Ety I tried sounded very nice and flat, but never was something I wanted to wear to listen back to anything.  I have not heard some of the new ones though.

Just FYI, the Westones can take custom molded earpieces instead of the foam tips.  This is more comfortable for most people and provides a little more isolation.  Sometimes I wear mine on the train home and absolutely cannot hear anyone around me!  Very nice at times.

So how do I go about getting some of these custom molded earpieces for my westones?