Topic: Inexpensive IEMs "Chi-Fi"

[DavidPuddy]

I've been following a few subreddits that discuss budget audiophile systems and headphones lately and am considering grabbing a pair of inexpensive IEMS.

These seem to be recommended for a starter pair:

Tin Audio T2
Linsoul BLON BL03
KZ ZS10

I'm currently using these, which sound good (Especially for the price) but I want to upgrade, just because: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CBU0IV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anyone have experience with any of these? Removable cable is preferred.

[voltronic]

Second the recommendation on Drop.com.  You can score top quality headphones / IEMs for a good discount.  Don't buy the ultra-cheap stuff.

I always liked Etymotics for IEMs, but I prefer my Sennheiser 6XX when listening at home in a quiet setting.

[DavidPuddy]

Go to Drop.com. and buy there or use it for research.

Tons of IEM options.

$8?  Come on man, buy once/cry once.

I have these and they're fine.

(Note, if you read the comments on the above EDC, you may be put off by comments of failures. I don't use mine every day but only use them at recording sessions at shows. They live in my gear bag and will prolly last years in this service type. YMMV)

The $8 pair are for doing yard work, etc. I have Grado and A/T cans for processing - these are for fun and mostly experimentation. Thanks for the rec. I'll check it out.

[boomfizzle]

I've been following a few subreddits that discuss budget audiophile systems and headphones lately and am considering grabbing a pair of inexpensive IEMS.

These seem to be recommended for a starter pair:

Tin Audio T2
Linsoul BLON BL03
KZ ZS10

I'm currently using these, which sound good (Especially for the price) but I want to upgrade, just because: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CBU0IV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anyone have experience with any of these? Removable cable is preferred.

I have the Blon BL03 and the hype is worth it IMO, really nice balance and were my daily drivers for about a year.  Their only drawback is a slight potential fitment issue depending on your ear canal.  Easily worth the $35 or whatever.  Still use them regularly.

[MakersMarc]

I have the Linsoul T2, they're just ok. A little bright. I LOVE the MEZE 12 classics, just blow the T2 away. $70 I love the warmth of wood buds, hard to find at this price point.


https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/meze-12-classics.21749/reviews

[SMsound]

I have a lot of headphones. My favorite IEM for listening is the SoundMagic E10 or E80. They are cheap ($20-35 for the E10), go on sale sometimes, and they make my $400 headphones go unused until I have to mix something (soundmagic are not flat/transparent for mixing).

They just make music fun to listen to. I have bought I think 6 pairs over the years for myself, friends, etc. (and I wear them everywhere which means I break them occasionally despite the overall build quality). They come with a lot of tips to fit your ears. I like the stock ones and the small ones.

Don't get the 'C' version with the inline volume control---it makes the the two channels sound unmatched for some reason.

They don't at all sound like cheap/consumer headphones. Beats Pro suck in comparison for example.