CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion => Topic started by: takato14 on July 03, 2015, 08:58:17 PM

Title: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: takato14 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?
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: OJneg on July 03, 2015, 09:09:52 PM: Dark is actually better for metal IME
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: spoony 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 $$.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: briskly 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: altrunox 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
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: recarcar 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: Anaxilus 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSh-VUZzIIo

MC5 would be horrible for metal. Totally dead and lifeless unless they changed the tuning.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: takato14 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
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: bixby 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.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: itsJokko on August 24, 2015, 12:36:57 PM: Don't want to jack Tak's thread I ~~Need~~ Want some new IEMs for all-round use out of an iPhone. Can you suggest a couple options? Reason I said a couple is IEMs in Europe is a bitch to find. Needs to be ergonomic and have ok isolation.

Brief history

RHA 750: Cable killed it, too long and sticky. Didn't really work for jogging either, used many tips, they fell out sooner or later.
SHE3590: Comfy and cheap. They are available in pink.
NS800: Can't comment, left side died within the hour. Smallest housings I've seen. Didn't bother to try again because of no version without mic/buttons.
323XS: On par with the philips, but with better isolation. These with better SQ would be awesome.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: zerodeefex on August 24, 2015, 02:42:21 PM: Ety kids, taquito.

Not a joke, I like them quite a bit.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: itsJokko on August 24, 2015, 03:44:37 PM: SOLD to mr.zerodee! Found some black ones in sweden, will give them' a try.

(http://www.audiologysolutionsnetwork.org/uploads/assets/1442/product/etykids5_pin.png?1426262628)
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: riker1384 on August 25, 2015, 02:29:51 AM: I like my Apple In-Ear headphones for $80, although I haven't heard much of the competition. If you want strong isolation you have to use foam ear tips from a 3rd party rather than the included single-flange rubber tips.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: itsJokko on August 25, 2015, 07:58:56 AM: Thanks. Needs to be super ergonomic, so no mic/buttons on the cable, besides that they look comfy.
Title: Re: Cheap, Discrete, High Isolation IEMs?
Post by: j444 on September 14, 2015, 07:23:20 PM: Quote from: itsJokko on August 24, 2015, 12:36:57 PM
323XS: On par with the philips, but with better isolation. These with better SQ would be awesome.

Thoughts?

Cut 1mm off their tip stem to widen the bore as it stretches onto the nozzle. And tape their vent. Then you have better SQ.

Or get the Y23 and tape the vent.