The sub 200$ IEM market is just flooded with so many options that it's nearly impossible to decide on an IEM. Even when you narrow it down your sound preferences you have minimum 10 options with slight variations between each other. For example, some fit your sound preferences but have large nozzles which causes discomfort (Zero: Red). The IE200s are extremely comfortable but it took so much of effort from tape mod, tip rolling and cable change to be worth it. On the sound aspect, we have planars, single DD, hybrids (DD + BAs) with each of them tuned very similarly with some differences in technical performances and overall characteristics. Some of them does bass + mid well but lack in treble others do the opposite. The 7Hz Timeless does everything good enough but timbre does sound unnatural in certain tracks.
Do we have too many options with IEMs now that it causing choice overload? How do you typically decide on IEMs if you don't have the option to demo them before buying?
Totally agree with this. But it’s nice we have options. Honestly I would start skipping into end game if you’ve tried a couple $200 ones. I have the Timeless AE (consider this over the regular timless btw) zero Red, IE 200 and I recently just got the IE 900 during the Black Friday sale. It feels nice to just know I don’t need to keep looking for side grades or slight upgrades. I got a feel for what I wanted trying the cheaper stuff but after I felt the IE 200 fit I knew I wanted that comfort but with top tier sound so I just went for the IE 900. Very happy so far.
Maybe go for the IE 600 it’s a great deal right now. Save the money on the timeless and jump