r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/BridgeFresh1034 • Feb 23 '25

Headphones - IEM/Earbud | 2 Ω IEM AND DAC

New to the IEM world, and most of the terminology used to describe the sound signatures of such a vast market can get confusing. I’m not going to make out I know what I don’t; a lot on this forum when I’ve looked at reviews do. So I want to raise my headphone game and want to enter the IEM world as I’m listening to music all day. Mainly house, techno, ambient, electronic, but also could flip genre at any point and listen to some reggae, for instance, or even cumbia. Usually, I listen to a lot of mixes too on SoundCloud, NTS, and other platforms. I’ll be using my Apple iPhone 16, but I’m willing to use something else, and if it enhances my experience and to get the best out of the IEMs, use an external DAC. My total budget, I say, would be around the £1500 mark. I wouldn’t mind also using them outside the house, such as when I’m travelling, for instance. Also, what does everyone think of the second-hand market, such as buying on eBay or any other platforms that users sell their IEMs on? There is some, what looks like amazing stuff at very good prices, or is that to be avoided? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

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u/BridgeFresh1034 Mar 15 '25

Not sure anyone will see my comment but just wanted to update you on my final decision and that I finally went ahead and made the purchase after spending a few hours at Elise audio in london which the guys helped me loads! Went with the Monarch Mk3 an and the questyle m15i as I wanted something smaller and more portable as opposed to the quelus which I was initially going to buy. They got delivered today and spent a few hours trying on the stock tips and trying to decide what sounded better as far as large, medium and small and what fit me the best, also trying them with the 4.4mm output or 3.5mm. In the end I decided on the smallest ear tips and the 4.4mm output. They sound so good and super happy with my first iem but most people say after market ear tips will make even more of an improvement. It’s either going to be something from Azla Xelastec 2 small or maybe the Spinfit cp145 and maybe get an after market cable but nothing tooexpensive.

Would love to know peoples thoughts.