The sub 200$ IEM market is just flooded with so many options that it’s nearly impossible to decide on an IEM. Even when you narrow it down your sound preferences you have minimum 10 options with slight variations between each other. For example, some fit your sound preferences but have large nozzles which causes discomfort (Zero: Red). The IE200s are extremely comfortable but it took so much of effort from tape mod, tip rolling and cable change to be worth it. On the sound aspect, we have planars, single DD, hybrids (DD + BAs) with each of them tuned very similarly with some differences in technical performances and overall characteristics. Some of them does bass + mid well but lack in treble others do the opposite. The 7Hz Timeless does everything good enough but timbre does sound unnatural in certain tracks.
Do we have too many options with IEMs now that it causing choice overload? How do you typically decide on IEMs if you don’t have the option to demo them before buying?
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Totally agree with this. But it’s nice we have options. Honestly I would start skipping into end game if you’ve tried a couple $200 ones. I have the Timeless AE (consider this over the regular timless btw) zero Red, IE 200 and I recently just got the IE 900 during the Black Friday sale. It feels nice to just know I don’t need to keep looking for side grades or slight upgrades. I got a feel for what I wanted trying the cheaper stuff but after I felt the IE 200 fit I knew I wanted that comfort but with top tier sound so I just went for the IE 900. Very happy so far.
Maybe go for the IE 600 it’s a great deal right now. Save the money on the timeless and jump
Genuinely asking, why don’t people just go for a TWS if at the $200 mark? I get TWS will die in a few years, but I also don’t expect cheap iems to last long either.
They serve different purposes. TWS are great for portability and lack of cable which make them good for commuting and listening outside but they lack in sound quality.
Is 200 considered cheap? Cause if so I need your job, lol. In all seriousness besides the tws items dying in a year or two depending on usage the cheaper tws options probably have a lower quality battery that will have a potentially catastrophic failure (fire/explode) depending on use.
so, just buy any.
Honestly, it’s very hard to find trust in the iem market. My advice, keep it simple and buy cheap say under 120 or so. Great value can be had in the market.
A lot depends on comfort, if the cable bothers you, and a bit on scource gear as well.
Honestly, I listen to a Gizaudio x Binary Audio Chopin at work with an Apple Dongle. It’s magical and all you need imo. Could probably even go cheaper for some. Truthear Red, or EW200 from Simgot are hella good for the price. Start small, then ask youself what does this iem not do for me?
I’m sold on the newer planars. My MP145 does everything I want it to. I would recommend that with an apple dongle as a first purchase.
What eartips are you using with MP145? I am using the balanced ones but I feel discomfort after a few hours.
tape mod and tip rolling is too much effort First world problems lmao
Pick a sound signature, pick 2 or 3 with a good return policy, test em out. A LOT of these IEMs sound similar, you really cannot go wrong with just picking a few you hear are good and deciding for yourself.
Seems like the only option so far. Just have to convince myself to spend over 500$ to select one under 200$.
Exactly,I am also stuck with this unlimited option for under 200$ IEM , since my first iem was the KZ Zs10 pro and wanted a good upgrade from that,but I am overwhelmed with so many options. Initially I was planning to go for aria but now most are saying it’s not worth it now then I decided to go for hexa then I hear it’s lacking in some categories. If only I could try all those IEM from my country,it would literally save my time researching based on reading the graphs etc.
So just buy pretty ones. If there’s waifu on the box that’s even better
The waifu part is debatable (or not) but I was gonna say the same. Go for looks and comfort. These factors probably make the iem more enjoyable than a slight improvement in audio quality.
We don’t all hear sound the same way. So, no matter how many reviews you read or watch, in the end, you have to decide if this is the right product for you and the type of music that you like to listen to.
I like my blessing 2 dusks
Just buy used, and catch and release until you are satisfied.
Decent strategy if you have the time to monitor avexchange for a few weeks.
The situation becomes even more complicated when you add the subjective layer of EQing a new sound signature of recently purchased IEMs which you originally disliked. Case in point, the Tin T4 Plus with EQing its emphasized upper mids and lower treble, for a more balanced FR effect. Love them as much as my IKKO OH10 and Timeless now.
analysis paralysis
Er2xr