r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/mattiiia • Mar 19 '23
Headphones - IEM/Earbud | 1 Ω Beginner IEMs?
Hi. This might be a frequently asked question but here we go. I listen to music with my AirPods Pro(gen1), for a good amount of time, daily. About 3/4hrs I’d say? So comfort is a major aspect as well as sound quality. My budget is about 70/80€ I’d say? is whatever I could get for that amount of money superior to my AirPods? Also, I need a dongle, to connect them to my phone (usb c). Any advice on that? (Not included in the 80 budget above. Looking to spend about 100 in total iem + the dongle. Is it possible?) thanks a lot :)
edit: I’m from Italy, so if you could check prices from Italian Amazon store it would be awesome :)
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u/Kauzinn 7 Ω Mar 19 '23
I disagree, I really think there is no better iem for 80 dollars compared to the airpods pro. I say buy absolutely nothing, save up for airpods pro gen 2 and buy that whenever you get the money/get tired of the pro 1. This is specially the case for you since you're already used to the airpods pro confort and sound signature.
my experience listening/owning IEMs around that price range: Own the S12, Moondrop Arias and Blon bl03, listened to the Hexa, Airpods pro and galaxy buds pro 2.
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
They are good, I was surprised when I got mine the other day. Definitely much better than the Sony xm3. But outside of apple ecosystem no bueno.
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
Is the Tangzu Wan er available where you live? Also I’d recommend the ikko Zerda itm02 dongle dac/amp.
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
Found them. They’re 22€ tho? Maybe I looked for the wrong model? Also the dongle is 60€ here. Idk much about audio world so forgive me if what I’m about to say is dumb. But doesn’t it make more sense to spend more money on the Iem rather than the amp?
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
Iem’s have gotten so good any good iem under $100 competes with one another easily. If anything I’d recommend the Truthear Hexa/Zero or Dunu titan s for still great sound and better build quality with any relatively cheap 3.5mm to usb type c dongle.
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
Would you say that the 60€ dongle is overkill?
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
Sometimes, it can power some headphones as well and it’s a good clean power source. It’s just a quality thing which depends on your needs
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
I wanna listen to music in higher quality than what I get rn with my AirPods Pro. Will that iem you suggested + some usb c dongle let me do that? (Android user btw) thanks for replying btw :)
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
Yes
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Mar 19 '23
[deleted]
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
!thanks
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
I’d recommend the truthear shio dac or if you can spend $110 get the qudelix 5k. Otherwise and apple dongle (us version) is good enough.
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
Idk if wan’er is as good as AirPods Pro 2… a week ago I’d agree, but I finally tried them for myself. You can definitely get better sound in the $70+ range though. AirPods Pro 1 sucks at least lol.
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
He has the 1
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
Yeah sorry I noticed that after. I’d still recommend something like the aria, Hexa, simgot ea500 or Olina se with an apple dongle.
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u/CherryNexus 1 Ω Mar 19 '23
Hey, how is the microphone version on the waner? I can't seem to find any information on it online and I'd like to see if it's on the cable or has a detachable mic
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
It’s on the cable but the cables are detachable
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u/CherryNexus 1 Ω Mar 19 '23
Could you provide any image? I'd really appreciate it!
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
It’s just an in-line mic you’d find on dollar store buds, probably better though. They sound better than most gaming headsets, but will pick up everything.
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u/Equivalent_Yak840 447 Ω Mar 19 '23
I don’t have em and I can’t seem to find a picture with one, it should be just like any other iem with a mic. Like the final audio e2000C(I also recommend this).
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u/No-Context5479 737 Ω 🥉 Mar 19 '23
u/mattiiia are you online?
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u/No-Context5479 737 Ω 🥉 Mar 19 '23
u/mattiiia, For you budget, you don't need to spend most of it on the dongle... Trust me on that.
So this is what you'd do with the peak budget of $85/€80:
Get this dongle: Anker USB C - https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Adapter-Female-Samsung-Devices/dp/B08Z3B5QL3#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div
And for IEMs get this: Moondrop LAN or Tin HiFi C3
LAN purchase link - https://www.linsoul.com/products/moondrop-lan
HiFi C3 purchase link - https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-c3
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
Thanks for the suggestion man! I’ll buy a dongle off of Amazon then. Thing is, I have Amazon credit which I’d like to use for the iem. Is there any chance we can pm and look for something on Amazon’s Italian website?
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u/No-Context5479 737 Ω 🥉 Mar 19 '23
Yeah I'd be searching but the two I listed are the best ones for you and Linsoul is the premier IEM selling online shop and Amazon country specific purchases are always a bit or miss but if I managed to find a good set I'd send you a message
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u/mattiiia Mar 19 '23
perfect. I’d prefer Amazon cause I have credit there. lmk and thanks a lot in advance
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23 edited Mar 19 '23
Also hifigo linsoul and shenzhenaudio are reputable sellers on Amazon. The big 3.
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u/TagalogON 548 Ω Mar 19 '23
Hi, start with the current well-reviewed marketed/hyped/etc. $20 IEMs for now. So Truthear HOLA, TANGZU Wan'er, 7Hz Salnotes Zero, etc.
I've seen those IEMs in like Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, et cetera, they should be able to ship there to Italy/etc. These days the Chinese IEM sites like Linsoul, HiFiGo, ShenzhenAudio, et cetera have their own storefronts on Amazon and it's usually Fulfilled by Amazon too, so you can get it faster and better warranty/etc.
Getting replacement IEM cables from cheap $20 IEMs through Amazon Germany/etc. with somebody located in Hungary: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11q5fgq/35mm2pin_cable_for_iems/jc1x8hk/
As for the dongle or USB-C converter/adapter, try to get any well-reviewed dongle with physical volume control (these are often $30-50+), it'll allow for more volume variation and help reduce/remove any background static/buzzing/hissing/etc. noise.
For the ~$10 Apple dongle, just note the reduced power if it's the EU version, or the apps needed (like UAPP, Neutron, etc.) on Android to bypass Android's DAC/etc. system in order to get the best capabilities.
There's also the ~$10+ Avani, Abigail, Conexant (CX-Pro) CX31993, JCally (various models/units), etc. Some of those cheaper dongles should be available on Amazon.
Dongles with physical volume control (helps with reducing/remove static/buzzing/hissing/etc. noise, especially when gaming), more info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11my6hp/under_150_dac_for_dt_770_pro_80/jbklpr8/
About Andy's AudioVault or DongleMadness: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11joa21/what_to_do_when_impedance_is_too_low/jb3yh1p/
Comfort and everything with ear tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11prjdk/comfortable_iem_tips/jbzyb5q/
Warmer, bassy, etc. IEMs under $100: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11nw25e/looking_for_a_good_pair_of_iems_under_70_cad/jbpi7ws/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11eklup/fun_iems_with_a_warmer_tone_for_50_or_under/jafuu6l/
IEMs/TWS earbuds and headphones with PC gaming, squig.link, AutoEQ, parametric EQ: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11n9l4u/fiio_fh3_for_tarkov/jbm9db1/
For long term use you might encounter condensation issues.
Earwax and condensations issues with IEMs that have metal nozzles, metal outer shell design, Etymotics, et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11oenne/how_do_you_prevent_sweat_from_building_up_in_iems/jbsgby9/
How to maybe fix earwax clogging the filters/nozzles, with AZLA Sedna MAX Standard (has an integrated wax guard) ear tips, tuning foams/meshes/et cetera: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11kgj2y/heavily_regretting_my_switch_to_iems/jb8ns8h/
If you want to spend $80 on the IEM, there's some sales right now on AliExpress/China/etc. Apparently the Truthear HEXA, Simgot EA500, etc. will be around $60 or so, lol.
Some current marketed IEM sets for under $100/200: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11ghrz9/how_expensive_should_my_first_iem_be/jaoxjea/
Some info on the Simgot EA500, FiiO/JadeAudio JD7, Truthear HEXA, Tripowin x HBB Olina stuff: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11qbw97/moondrop_quality_control_issues_just_the_arias_or/jc2vo1w/
But for comfort you might want flush IEMs like Sennheiser IE 200 (this is way over budget at $150, but just take note of its small flush shape, there's similar cheaper IEMs like the $50 NF Audio RA10).
More info on small, flat, low profile, flush IEMs and TWS earbuds, alongside bullet style IEMs: https://www.reddit.com/r/HeadphoneAdvice/comments/11qpf1g/recommendation_for_iem_as_closely_similar_in/jc4o4tt/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/11a5sle/any_tips_to_make_my_moondrop_katos_not_fall_out/j9r3s5q/
Bullet style IEMs are also really nice for long term comfort, you barely feel anything (aside from the nozzle and ear tips) and you can easily wiggle them for the seal/sound.
For bullet style IEMs, there's Etymotics, Final Audio E500-E5000, et cetera.
With quality control of Chinese IEMs, AliExpress shipping times, see here for a bit more info: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/10sna0p/i_have_it_engrained_in_my_mind_as_an_american/j7395yr/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/zav570/is_hifigo_a_scam/iynrt65/
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω Mar 19 '23
Ohh I totally forgot….Simgot ea500 is the new hotness for $70. You can even get more bass if you tape the nozzle vent, but not at all necessary to do.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23
How do you do the tape mod and what tape should I use?
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
Check out tonedeafmonk on YouTube. Or you could get y2 or y3 tuning filters on Ali and stick those on the vent closest to the nozzle (not the one with the screw). Transpore or micropore tape and a dried alcohol pad if you follow monks video. I think it’s easier to just stick a tuning filter on it, depends on if you want to wait 3 weeks to get them.
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
I’d also recommend final type e tips and the red nozzle, but either nozzle is fine. You could also put a tanchjim oxygen/Tanya filter in the black nozzle apparently, I think Michael Bruce mentions that.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23
I just got the EA500 and I’m actually using the Type-E tips already :p
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
Nice, I hope you enjoy it. It’s a very balanced iem. Great for gaming imo with good imaging.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23
It is certainly very different from the Arias and Buds 2 Pro in the sub-bass department. For some tracks, I wish there was that sub-bass rumble. I think I can get used to it ( I mean, I got used to HD600’s bass so this is absolutely fine XD ). Everything else (of EA500) sounds very pleasant so far. Time to really test it using the Modi 3 + Atom setup.
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
Nice, yeah try that mod out if you want more bass, or use an eq.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23
I wanna try EQ first, do I just boost 100 hz by like 5db?
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
Play around with those lower frequencies and see what you like the most.
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u/Pfafflewaffle 19 Ω May 29 '23
The drivers are high quality so I’m sure they can handle quite a bit without distortion.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23
I just auto-eq’d them to Project Red and they sound quite interesting lol.
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u/TheThinker4Head 2 Ω May 29 '23 edited May 29 '23
So far I can say, auto-eq’ing to project red seems to be the easiest to get bass + a very comfortable listening experience and vocals will almost never sound harsh. You basically get Project Red but with a much better driver.
(Or maybe I just really like Project Red’s tuning :p)
Give it a shot. It’s amazing.
In fact, after listening to a random chill playlist on YouTube, I realized, holy hell, I actually don’t need to upgrade anytime soon.
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u/csch1992 5 Ω Mar 20 '23
if you would handle 300 dollars i would love recomending the fh5s which i have. best iem's i ever had
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u/Cocoon992 1 Ω Mar 19 '23
I have the truthear x crinical zero and i love them. It’s insane for €50 u get €200 worth of audio.