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Author Topic: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?  (Read 1527 times)

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takato14

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Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« on: July 03, 2015, 08:58:17 PM »
My dad asked me about my ER-4 earlier today and said that they look almost exactly like the earplugs he uses at work. He works at a factory and wants something he can use to listen to his music. When I told him how expensive the Etys were, he simply gawked at me... so I'm looking for something <=$120 or so.

I looked into Ety's lower end IEMs (MC3 etc) but they all seem to measure very dark, which would not be good for him as he listens to heavy metal. He's not an audiophile, but he can be picky. Though, the only actual "requirements" are that they isolate well while being discrete and easily mistaken for earplugs from a distance like the ER-4.

Any advice?
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OJneg

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2015, 09:09:52 PM »
Dark is actually better for metal IME
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spoony

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2015, 09:31:43 PM »
Carbo tenores (~$35) have pretty decent isolation and can be cranked due to their smooth signature. They have abysmal QC though, some people have had them fail within weeks while others have used them for years without problems. I recently got a pair and they seem OK so far, pretty good sound for the $$.
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briskly

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2015, 10:32:41 PM »
I was just thinking of putting my Etymotic MK5 for sale, which isn't dark at all. I don't have any metal specific suggestions.
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altrunox

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2015, 12:38:31 AM »
I don't have much experience, but my Vsonic VSD3 have good isolation compared to any other entry leve IEM that I've already had, and also sounds the best.

If you're going to get one, remeber to buy the version without removable cable

Ops, missed the "easily mistaken for earplugs from a distance like the ER-4."
So probably the Tenores are the only cheaper option
« Last Edit: July 04, 2015, 12:58:45 AM by altrunox »
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recarcar

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2015, 12:53:38 AM »
Etymotic HF5s might be a good fit as they are very similar sound and isolation wise to ER4PT without the impedance adapter IMO.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2015, 05:36:02 AM »
HF5. I also think lead guitar needs some treble. I can't imagine Dave Mustaine sounding dark.



MC5 would be horrible for metal. Totally dead and lifeless unless they changed the tuning.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2015, 07:53:09 AM by Anaxilus »
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Claritas

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2015, 07:46:11 AM »
If he wants an HF5, I have a mint one (used 1-2 hours) for sale. Let me know.
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takato14

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2015, 04:54:29 PM »
Quote from: Claritas on July 04, 2015, 07:46:11 AM
If he wants an HF5, I have a mint one (used 1-2 hours) for sale. Let me know.
YGPM
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bixby

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Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2015, 04:49:31 PM »
Depending on source (it can differentiate) a relatively low cost iem that seals well to outside noise in my ear and is also relatively unobtrusive is the JVC HA-FXT100.  Under $90 with pretty comfy feel especially as compared with the Ety's tortuous canal violation.

Probably does not measure very flat but is pretty smooth, fast, and with no spikey treble.  Blows the Tenores out of the water, imho, for all around musicality and built way better.
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