Budget IEM (Chit Chat)

[kitsura]

What is considered budget? Anything 10k and below the Mysticraft HEX is considered budget to me...

 

[kitsura]

My current IEM and cable is around USD 10k give or take. Hard to listen to those $100 IEM with weird tuning or super small soundstages.

 

[tuckloong]

hehe balance a bit with Moondrop

 

[Nuclear Boy]

It will shine if you use it with 4.4mm balanced output, this IEM is hungry for more power.

I have measured the maximum power usage with my S12 some time ago. Just 10 milliWatts per channel (peak) and it is already ear-damaging kind of loud, and with bass playing too. S12 sensitivity is 102 dB/mW, PRX is 94, so 8dB diff -> around 5-6 times more power. So most dongles, even the generic Apple one at 30mW/ch (rms), will be able to adequately drive it at a normal, less-damaging but still loud listening volume. Definitely no need for balanced output, unless I'm hellbent on destroying my units ears.

The only headset I have that needs anything close to balanced output is my Sundara - 300+ mW peak per channel, with +10dB bass slope. I have an ONIX Alpha XI1 for that, 500mW rms/ch.

 

[Nuclear Boy]

What is considered budget? Anything 10k and below the Mysticraft HEX is considered budget to me...

For many years before COVID, none of my personal hearing equipment costs more than $30... The $25 Xiaomi Piston 2 was my exclusive daily set for many years, and it's still working now even with torn cable insulation.

Whatever I don't get in stock tuning, I claw a decent bit back with EQ. My $4 Vido earbuds is the prime example. Just a low and high slope filter and it is "end game" kind of sound for me.

 

[BlackWing1977]

I have measured the maximum power usage with my S12 some time ago. Just 10 milliWatts per channel (peak) and it is already ear-damaging kind of loud, and with bass playing too. S12 sensitivity is 102 dB/mW, PRX is 94, so 8dB diff -> around 5-6 times more power. So most dongles, even the generic Apple one at 30mW/ch (rms), will be able to adequately drive it at a normal, less-damaging but still loud listening volume. Definitely no need for balanced output, unless I'm hellbent on destroying my units ears.

The only headset I have that needs anything close to balanced output is my Sundara - 300+ mW peak per channel, with +10dB bass slope. I have an ONIX Alpha XI1 for that, 500mW rms/ch.

I find PRX does requires a bit more power compared to even full size headphones like Sennheiser HD600... perhaps is due to the sensitivity... I rarely need to turn on high gain on my Creative ZxR soundcard.. but for PRX I will turn it on, as if I dun turn on high gain, I will have turn up the volume knob... to at least 70%... whereas most of my full size headphone max only 30 to 40%..

 

[kitsura]

For many years before COVID, none of my personal hearing equipment costs more than $30... The $25 Xiaomi Piston 2 was my exclusive daily set for many years, and it's still working now even with torn cable insulation.

Whatever I don't get in stock tuning, I claw a decent bit back with EQ. My $4 Vido earbuds is the prime example. Just a low and high slope filter and it is "end game" kind of sound for me.

I stumbled onto a very good TOTL IEM by buying a 64Audio demo set really cheap. Since then I've always tried to find a better pair but mostly failed until recently. But the majority of cost of my IEM is from the cable, I'm not even counting my DAP into it yet.

 

[MangoCAT]

@BlackWing1977 can try soundpeat h3 if prefer a tws style for image over earhooks

 

[BlackWing1977]

Just got this for $0.65 after shopee no minimum purchase $3 voucher, in case I want to use IEM with microphone on my PC. Converts 4 posts 3.5mm and split into 2 x 3.5mm connection for headphone and microphone.

 

[BlackWing1977]

@BlackWing1977 can try soundpeat h3 if prefer a tws style for image over earhooks

I already got Creative Outlier Air V3, but I scare drop out easily so dun feel comfortable bringing it out to use.

And the ear tips kinda sucked... literally dun have much bass as it dun seals well.

 

[MangoCAT]

I already got Creative Outlier Air V3, but I scare drop out easily so dun feel comfortable bringing it out to use.

And the ear tips kinda sucked... literally dun have much bass as it dun seals well.

i started from their outlier.

Happy with LDAC de tws - az80 and sony linkbuds S and keeping nothing ear(open)
Next goal is noble audio

 

[MangoCAT]

I already got Creative Outlier Air V3, but I scare drop out easily so dun feel comfortable bringing it out to use.

And the ear tips kinda sucked... literally dun have much bass as it dun seals well.

eartip let me think
look for those that is not for widening soundstage.
W1 and Pentaconn COREIR AL not really to amp the bass

 

[networked]

I already got Creative Outlier Air V3, but I scare drop out easily so dun feel comfortable bringing it out to use.

And the ear tips kinda sucked... literally dun have much bass as it dun seals well.

had a set solid battery life and sound isolation. but this skers are hard to pair last time with bt

 

[BlackWing1977]

eartip let me think
look for those that is not for widening soundstage.
W1 and Pentaconn COREIR AL not really to amp the bass

I tried other ear tips I have... and got a scare so do not want to try as the protruded plastic thing is not like regular IEM... so end up the ear tips drop off and got stuck in my ear canal... lucky it was not too deep and I was able to pull it out.

 

[tuckloong]

@BlackWing1977 can try soundpeat h3 if prefer a tws style for image over earhooks

Me also beoing

 

[tuckloong]

What is considered budget? Anything 10k and below the Mysticraft HEX is considered budget to me...

Maybe think of it this way....something budget for buddies here to start their audio journey...

Also think of budget like the ones U dont wish to bring for travel, commute or to the gym....The 10k IEMs and Headphones stay at home while using these "budget" ones when one travel overseas, commute daily by public transport or daily workout at the gym

TS wanted to start this so all can share their experiences and help one another out

 

[dev_stg_prd]

Sub $100 , best tws ??

 

[kitsura]

Sub $100 , best tws ??

Creative Aurvana Ace hands down due to XMEMS driver. I’m using the Ace Mimi as my daily driver.

 

[kitsura]

Maybe think of it this way....something budget for buddies here to start their audio journey...

Also think of budget like the ones U dont wish to bring for travel, commute or to the gym....The 10k IEMs and Headphones stay at home while using these "budget" ones when one travel overseas, commute daily by public transport or daily workout at the gym

TS wanted to start this so all can share their experiences and help one another out

I have some throwaway cables that came with my 64audio IEM and also some nameless brand I bought some years back. But nowadays I travel light and only bring along my mobile phone and TWS. The IEMs and DAP stay at home.

 

[MangoCAT]

Me also beoing

another viewpoint from nic tse dad lookalike.
Picky audio is pref V-shape with warm timbre