Headphones

tape mod and tip rolling is too much effort

First world problems lmao. Bro adding a piece of tape to a nozzle takes less than a minute, wym too much effort?

Genuinely asking, why don't people just go for a TWS if at the $200 mark? I get TWS will die in a few years, but I also don't expect cheap iems to last long either.

so, just buy any.

Honestly, it's very hard to find trust in the iem market. My advice, keep it simple and buy cheap say under 120 or so. Great value can be had in the market.

A lot depends on comfort, if the cable bothers you, and a bit on scource gear as well.

Honestly, I listen to a Gizaudio x Binary Audio Chopin at work with an Apple Dongle. It's magical and all you need imo. Could probably even go cheaper for some. Truthear Red, or EW200 from Simgot are hella good for the price. Start small, then ask youself what does this iem not do for me?

I'm sold on the newer planars. My MP145 does everything I want it to. I would recommend that with an apple dongle as a first purchase.

tape mod and tip rolling is too much effort First world problems lmao

Pick a sound signature, pick 2 or 3 with a good return policy, test em out. A LOT of these IEMs sound similar, you really cannot go wrong with just picking a few you hear are good and deciding for yourself.

Exactly,I am also stuck with this unlimited option for under 200$ IEM , since my first iem was the KZ Zs10 pro and wanted a good upgrade from that,but I am overwhelmed with so many options. Initially I was planning to go for aria but now most are saying it's not worth it now then I decided to go for hexa then I hear it's lacking in some categories. If only I could try all those IEM from my country,it would literally save my time researching based on reading the graphs etc.

So just buy pretty ones. If there's waifu on the box that's even better

We don't all hear sound the same way. So, no matter how many reviews you read or watch, in the end, you have to decide if this is the right product for you and the type of music that you like to listen to.

I like my blessing 2 dusks

Just buy used, and catch and release until you are satisfied.

The situation becomes even more complicated when you add the subjective layer of EQing a new sound signature of recently purchased IEMs which you originally disliked. Case in point, the Tin T4 Plus with EQing its emphasized upper mids and lower treble, for a more balanced FR effect. Love them as much as my IKKO OH10 and Timeless now.

analysis paralysis

Er2xr

I just picked up the Diokos! I really like them, they sound so good…. Except for the treble. I’m not sure I can get used to it, but I don’t know what to get instead :(

Watch Akros on youtube for the deepest comparisons and reviews (with graphs) of all current IEMs. I am a full on addict and have most of them in the $80-$500 range and then I have the Monarch 2s. If I can help advise on some that might match your preference hit me up. Right now my favorite IEMs in that range are the Letshuoer Galileo and the Tri Starsea.

I bought smaller tips for the zero: red and a new cable, paid close to 100€ altogether. That being said if your budget is 200€, you can probably go for something better.

You have an IE200 and Hexa and you mentioned using the Timeless etc. Why do you need more $200 IEMs?

JVC HA-FDX1 when they're offered again on Drop. That's my go-to suggestion for something in the $200 range. It isn't perfect, but it's good and fun and very well balanced.

Unfortunately it's been a long while since I've played in the budget space, so there's tons of lower priced products I simply haven't used.

You absolutely should try them before you buy. Unless your local hifi-dealer is a bit of a pusher, and uses phrases like "delightful sound", and "this step up in price is worth it in audio quality". Then maybe have them shipped with a return-option. And then test them out (preferably with different sources), without any pressure.

I'm not entirely sure it's worth it to pick a "relatively good+" IEM now, though. Or, if you buy something that is made for a phone(or that should also sound good on a small amp) anyway, odds are that you could get a better and lighter design, that would sound pretty much the same, and cost less than half. That's really where the market has changed - tons of really good IEMs exist, but they're generally all made for that same segment. So perhaps you should consider spending some of that extra money on a custom IEM with an ear-mold piece, or something like that instead.

Unless you have a nice dac and a good playback source, and you go .. by now.. and shop for discontinued higher Ohm IEMs, in what is still a very overpriced segment. There are some nice sets out there. But to be completely honest - I don't think it's worth it. Get those cheaper earbuds that actually fit and are comfy to wear, and then get a good headset or something instead.

Through reviewers. How else would you without hearing them? lol. Find a few trustworthy reviewers with a liking for what you like and go off some recommendations. No one has all the time in the world to keep up with all the happenings in the audiophile world. The 10 iems you want with the signature you specifically want are probably side grades, just go with the one that's well reviewed instead of wasting so much time.

Got the Olina SE as my first decent IEM and it's my to-go choice when I travel to this day, even though I have the Mest MK2 and the infamous Z1R. I leave the expensive stuff at home and it's more than enough to have a great experience when i'm far from home or at work. I wouldn't recommend getting a handful of sub $100-500 IEM's. You're just looking at slightly difference sound signatures and personal taste dictates the rest, it's a waste of money to buy a lot of stuff unless you really feel like doing it for some reason. And what would I recommend? Know what kind of sound signature you like and start to work from there. Don't get too much stuff. It's way better to invest in two or even a single very good IEM than having a handful of sub $500 stuff. You're not gonna have any WOW factor, just different sound signatures. Don't fall for the consumerism, this hobby is not about it. If you already have the Hexa and the Timeless, you don't need any more stuff. Maybe just the Kato, but that's it.

Agreed, OP, so many options that it's overwhelming finding something. But I did: Aful performer 8 made me sell all the others. I kept only 7hz salnotes zero because they are cheap and I use them for gaming.

Just for reference, I really like the Hexa, S12 pro and the HD600. And I listen mostly prog rock/metal, jazz and classical.

yeah I'm having a hard time, I'm between aful performer 5 with timmy's "perfect eq" or simgot ea1000 but that comes after I replace my frickin DEVA pro lol

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

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