Found these new-in-box IEMs from the "dark ages" of hifi, before our chifi overlords saved us. These are pretty much all off-market now so the seller didn't know how to price them. I got lucky and purchased all 4 for $25 total.
From top to bottom:
- KEF M100: released in early 2016, retailed for $150
- Marshall Mode (not the EQ version): released in mid 2017, retailed for $70
- Denon AH-C 560R: released in mid 2011, retailed for $100
- FiiO EX1: released in 2017, retailed for $90 - ok, this one is chifi but before chifi totally flooded the market with cheap, amazing IEMs
Thoughts
Looking up the retail prices of these IEMs brought back memories of when I was a student and wanted to get into HIFI for the first time. That was in the dark ages of HIFI. The high prices of IEMs back then drove me away. So I got a $80 AKG IEM and left the hobby, only coming back last year after I started being able to afford spending hundreds of dollars on headphones.
The quality of headphones we can get now for $100 compared to less than a decade ago is jaw-dropping. Even comparing FiiO EX1 with the other three, it's already clear how chifi had started to blow other brands out of the water in 2017.
Brief Listening Notes
KEF M100
The most expensive at retail, yet the most disappointing. It's so bad that I'm wondering if it's a defective unit. The bass virtually does not exist and the mid is muffled. Overall, sounds like there might be a wire connection issue, but I could not figure out where the connection problem is after fiddling with the wire for 20 minutes. If this were how it was supposed to sound like, it would not even be worth the $5 I paid for it, let alone its $150 price tag.
Marshall Mode
Not bad overall. Maybe still a little overpriced at $70 even in 2017 standards, but it provides an enjoyable listening experience. Bass quantity is sufficient although it could be more controlled. Mid is not overly recessed for a warm, U-shaped IEM. Treble is not okay, not impressionable though. Clarity could be a little better but good enough as it is.
Denon AH-C 560R
Not bad given it was released over 10 years ago. Bass is not punchy but also not lacking. Mid and treble can be a little harsh for certain genres. Has a tendency to be sibilant. However, to make up for those shortcomings, clarity is great.
FiiO EX1
Easily my favorite among the group. I would have gladly paid $25 for just this one. It clearly does not play in the same league as the other three. Great clarity and tuning is neutral with some treble-bias. Very airy and great sound stage for an IEM - it has a semi-open design with holes on the shell to extend its airiness. Great for acoustic female vocals. This is an IEM I'll keep in my collection. Only downside is that the cables are soldered on.