kaixax555
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This thread is meant to serve as an update to the "Battle of the sub-$80 earphones" and "Introduction to the world of headphones" thread.
The market has changed very significantly over the past 5 years and many new companies have rise up to produce really value for money IEMs.
This thread is for people looking for IEMs under a budget of below 300SGD (sweet spot region)
About the various sound signature designations (source: Headfi reviewer ClieOS)
Analytical
An analytical sound signature usually refers to a neutral and detail sound. Neutral as bass to mid range is relatively flat, often gives a sense of thinness and coldness. Upper vocal, especially female, tends to get better highlighted than lower (male) vocal. Plenty of sparkles and crispiness; higher in resolution and separation but usually has medium to small soundstage.
Balanced
A balanced sound signature is a treble and bass enhanced sound. More bass to compensate for headphone’s lack of tactual bass while more treble to give detail. It can go from mild U shaped FR curve to a more extreme V shaped FR curve, where mid range is often interpreted as recessed. Usually has good soundstage.
Bass
A bass oriented sound signature refers to a bass heavy sound with relatively recessed mid range and roll off treble. Give a very warm to even dark feeling because strong bass present. The more extreme variation is often referred as ‘bass monster’. Treble detail is often the weak spot. Tuned right, it can be great fun to listen.
Mid
A mid centric sound signature refers to a mid range highlighted sound; typically more pronounced vocal. Not especially analytical and could have a roll off bass, but not always. The fullness in mid often reduces the sense of space and separation, thus this type of IEM generally doesn’t have the best of soundstage. However, it is often the easiest going of all sound signatures.
Warm and Sweet
A warm and sweet sound signature is a cross between a bass oriented and a mid centric sound. Bass strong but not overwhelming while vocal is still relatively forward, though not particular detail in the treble. It is a sound that is generally recognized for being-nothing-wrong, but at the same time doesn’t have any particular strength.
Prices are all in SGD
List of IEMs
0-50SGD
Analytical
Soundmagic PL-30 ($46, Treoo)
Balanced
Brainwavz Beta v2 ($39, Treoo)
Bass
Dunu Trident ($42, LendMeUrEars)
NuForce NE600x ($39.90, Treoo)
Soundmagic PL-11 ($33, Treoo)
Warm and sweet
Brainwavz Alpha ($38, Treoo)
VSonic GR99 ($35, LendMeUrEars)
51-100SGD
Analytical
Hippo Shroom ($70, Jaben)
Balanced
Astrotec AX-30 ($75, LendMeUrEars)
Astrotec AX-35 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Audio Technica IM-50 ($88, Stereo)
Fischer Consonance ($88, Treoo)
HiSoundAudio BA100 ($88, LendMeUrEars)
Hippo VB ($99, Jaben)
JVC FX40 ($79, Treoo)
Moe Audio SS01 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Soundmagic E10 ($53, Treoo)
Sunrise Xcited ($94, LendMeUrEars)
RHA MA450i ($88, LendMeUrEars)
Ultimate Ears 350 ($79, Stereo)
Ultimate Ears 400 ($99, Stereo)
VSonic VSD1 ($57, LendMeUrEars)
VSonic VSD1S ($57, LendMeUrEars)
Bass
Audio Technica ATH-CKM55 ($78, Stereo)
Nuforce NE-700X ($89, Treoo)
Mid
Astrotec AM-90 ($52, LendMeUrEars)
Brainwavz M1 ($58, Stereo)
Brainwavz M2 ($78, Treoo)
Maximo iM390 ($58, Treoo)
Soundmagic PL-50 ($90, Treoo)
VSonic GR06 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Warm and Sweet
Dunu DN-23 Landmine ($100, LendMeUrEars)
Havi B3 Pro I (S$70, LendMeUrEars)
Soundmagic E30 ($59, Treoo)
VSonic R02 Silver ($60, LendMeUrEars)
101-150SGD
Analytical
Etymotic Research MC5 ($119, Stereo)
Head-direct RE0 (Jaben)
HiSoundAudio Crystal ($129, Treoo)
Balanced
Audio Technica IM-70 ($138, Stereo)
Fischer Silver Bullet ($105, Treoo)
JVC FRD60 (S$109, Stereo)
JVC FRD80 ($149, Stereo)
Bass
Mid
Fischer Eterna ($105, Treoo)
Fischer SBA-01 ($133.50, Treoo)
Fischer Tandem ($128, Treoo)
Warm and Sweet
HiFiMan RE400 ($136.50, Head-Direct)
Philips Fidelio S1 ($149, Treoo)
Sunrise Xcape IE ($102, LendMeUrEars)
TDK EB950 [mic] ($109, Stereo)
VSonic GR07 Classic ($125, LendMeUrEars)
151-200SGD
Analytical
Astrotec AX-7 ($180, LendMeUrEars)
Brainwavz B2 ($195, mp4nation)
Rockit Sounds R-50 ($155, LendMeUrEars)
Balanced
Denon AH-C710 ($199, Stereo)
Bass
T-Peos H100RR ($160, LendMeUrEars)
Mid
Creative Aurvana In-Ear 3 ($199, Treoo)
Shure SE215 ($199, Stereo)
Warm and Sweet
Philips Fidelio S2 ($199, Treoo)
RHA MA750 ($198, Treoo)
TDK BA100 ($159, Stereo)
VSonic GR07 Bass Edition ($163, LendMeUrEars)
Yamaha EPH-100 ($178, DG Lifestyle)
201-300SGD
Analytical
Etymotic Research HF5 ($239, Stereo)
Audio Technica IM02 ($258, Stereo)
Balanced
Dunu DN1000 ($261, Treoo)
JVC FXT90 ($209, Stereo)
Bass
Futuresonics Atrios M5 ($249, Stereo)
Mid
Shure SE215 SE ($219, Stereo)
Warm and Sweet
TDK BA200 ($229, Stereo)
TDK IE800 ($229, Stereo)
VSonic GR01 ($260, LendMeUrEars)
Anyone feels I left out an IEM that should be on the list, please tell me along with location and current MSRP.
You can also suggest ways to improve the suggestion of this thread.
Hope this thread helps a lot of people out there.
P.S. If any moderators want to sticky this please do
Latest update: Massive revamp for the year 2014
The market has changed very significantly over the past 5 years and many new companies have rise up to produce really value for money IEMs.
This thread is for people looking for IEMs under a budget of below 300SGD (sweet spot region)
About the various sound signature designations (source: Headfi reviewer ClieOS)
Analytical
An analytical sound signature usually refers to a neutral and detail sound. Neutral as bass to mid range is relatively flat, often gives a sense of thinness and coldness. Upper vocal, especially female, tends to get better highlighted than lower (male) vocal. Plenty of sparkles and crispiness; higher in resolution and separation but usually has medium to small soundstage.
Balanced
A balanced sound signature is a treble and bass enhanced sound. More bass to compensate for headphone’s lack of tactual bass while more treble to give detail. It can go from mild U shaped FR curve to a more extreme V shaped FR curve, where mid range is often interpreted as recessed. Usually has good soundstage.
Bass
A bass oriented sound signature refers to a bass heavy sound with relatively recessed mid range and roll off treble. Give a very warm to even dark feeling because strong bass present. The more extreme variation is often referred as ‘bass monster’. Treble detail is often the weak spot. Tuned right, it can be great fun to listen.
Mid
A mid centric sound signature refers to a mid range highlighted sound; typically more pronounced vocal. Not especially analytical and could have a roll off bass, but not always. The fullness in mid often reduces the sense of space and separation, thus this type of IEM generally doesn’t have the best of soundstage. However, it is often the easiest going of all sound signatures.
Warm and Sweet
A warm and sweet sound signature is a cross between a bass oriented and a mid centric sound. Bass strong but not overwhelming while vocal is still relatively forward, though not particular detail in the treble. It is a sound that is generally recognized for being-nothing-wrong, but at the same time doesn’t have any particular strength.
Prices are all in SGD
List of IEMs
0-50SGD
Analytical
Soundmagic PL-30 ($46, Treoo)
Balanced
Brainwavz Beta v2 ($39, Treoo)
Bass
Dunu Trident ($42, LendMeUrEars)
NuForce NE600x ($39.90, Treoo)
Soundmagic PL-11 ($33, Treoo)
Warm and sweet
Brainwavz Alpha ($38, Treoo)
VSonic GR99 ($35, LendMeUrEars)
51-100SGD
Analytical
Hippo Shroom ($70, Jaben)
Balanced
Astrotec AX-30 ($75, LendMeUrEars)
Astrotec AX-35 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Audio Technica IM-50 ($88, Stereo)
Fischer Consonance ($88, Treoo)
HiSoundAudio BA100 ($88, LendMeUrEars)
Hippo VB ($99, Jaben)
JVC FX40 ($79, Treoo)
Moe Audio SS01 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Soundmagic E10 ($53, Treoo)
Sunrise Xcited ($94, LendMeUrEars)
RHA MA450i ($88, LendMeUrEars)
Ultimate Ears 350 ($79, Stereo)
Ultimate Ears 400 ($99, Stereo)
VSonic VSD1 ($57, LendMeUrEars)
VSonic VSD1S ($57, LendMeUrEars)
Bass
Audio Technica ATH-CKM55 ($78, Stereo)
Nuforce NE-700X ($89, Treoo)
Mid
Astrotec AM-90 ($52, LendMeUrEars)
Brainwavz M1 ($58, Stereo)
Brainwavz M2 ($78, Treoo)
Maximo iM390 ($58, Treoo)
Soundmagic PL-50 ($90, Treoo)
VSonic GR06 ($80, LendMeUrEars)
Warm and Sweet
Dunu DN-23 Landmine ($100, LendMeUrEars)
Havi B3 Pro I (S$70, LendMeUrEars)
Soundmagic E30 ($59, Treoo)
VSonic R02 Silver ($60, LendMeUrEars)
101-150SGD
Analytical
Etymotic Research MC5 ($119, Stereo)
Head-direct RE0 (Jaben)
HiSoundAudio Crystal ($129, Treoo)
Balanced
Audio Technica IM-70 ($138, Stereo)
Fischer Silver Bullet ($105, Treoo)
JVC FRD60 (S$109, Stereo)
JVC FRD80 ($149, Stereo)
Bass
Mid
Fischer Eterna ($105, Treoo)
Fischer SBA-01 ($133.50, Treoo)
Fischer Tandem ($128, Treoo)
Warm and Sweet
HiFiMan RE400 ($136.50, Head-Direct)
Philips Fidelio S1 ($149, Treoo)
Sunrise Xcape IE ($102, LendMeUrEars)
TDK EB950 [mic] ($109, Stereo)
VSonic GR07 Classic ($125, LendMeUrEars)
151-200SGD
Analytical
Astrotec AX-7 ($180, LendMeUrEars)
Brainwavz B2 ($195, mp4nation)
Rockit Sounds R-50 ($155, LendMeUrEars)
Balanced
Denon AH-C710 ($199, Stereo)
Bass
T-Peos H100RR ($160, LendMeUrEars)
Mid
Creative Aurvana In-Ear 3 ($199, Treoo)
Shure SE215 ($199, Stereo)
Warm and Sweet
Philips Fidelio S2 ($199, Treoo)
RHA MA750 ($198, Treoo)
TDK BA100 ($159, Stereo)
VSonic GR07 Bass Edition ($163, LendMeUrEars)
Yamaha EPH-100 ($178, DG Lifestyle)
201-300SGD
Analytical
Etymotic Research HF5 ($239, Stereo)
Audio Technica IM02 ($258, Stereo)
Balanced
Dunu DN1000 ($261, Treoo)
JVC FXT90 ($209, Stereo)
Bass
Futuresonics Atrios M5 ($249, Stereo)
Mid
Shure SE215 SE ($219, Stereo)
Warm and Sweet
TDK BA200 ($229, Stereo)
TDK IE800 ($229, Stereo)
VSonic GR01 ($260, LendMeUrEars)
Anyone feels I left out an IEM that should be on the list, please tell me along with location and current MSRP.
You can also suggest ways to improve the suggestion of this thread.
Hope this thread helps a lot of people out there.
P.S. If any moderators want to sticky this please do
Latest update: Massive revamp for the year 2014
Last edited: