WWFC wrote Budget: 35

Music preference: Dubstep/Electro

Type / form factor and portability: any

Open/Closed (Not for in-ear): any

Source(s): blackberry

Over-ear: Sony XB500, Panasonic HTF600

On-ear: Koss Portapro, AKG K518, Philips Citiscape Metro

In-ear: Sony XB41EX, Meelectronics CC51, JVC FX1X, Meelectronics M6, Soundmagic PL21, Soundmagic E10

Iv'e got Rasta Skull Candys!

-UrbanFreeFlow

UrbanFreeFlow wrote Iv'e got Rasta Skull Candys!

-UrbanFreeFlow

Cool, that sucks for you.

So, you're a fellow brony */)*, you're an audiophile, you're a TTG fan, and you hate Beats/Bose/Skullcandy. I love you. Anyway, I'm in need of some new IEMs - I have the VSonic GR06, Ultimate Ears TF10, Sennheiser IE7, and frankly, I don't like them. Any of them. And Head-Fi doesn't want to help.

My budget: ~$75-150 (Preferrably sub-$75)

Genres: Everything, so my preferred sound signature is much like the ATH-M50's - well extended treble, textured bass quality, but not too much punch, recessed mids (not a must-have, other two are). So, V-shaped or relatively neutral with good treble and bass extension. Preferrably very reminiscent of the M50.

Type: IEM, not interested in circumaurals right now; travelling a lot.

Open/Closed: (Assuming open = vented dynamics for IEMs) Either is fine, preferrably closed with minimal sound leakage.

Source: Driving these out of a 3GS/Nano 3G *ouch, I know*, but it'll be lined out to a FiiO E5/E6.

--- Head-Direct's RE0 seems to fit my taste, but I've read there just is no punch. I need just a little punch in the low end, but not too much as to veil the mids. I've also been looking into the ATH-CKM50 and CKM99, any word on those two?

Nexexy wrote So, you're a fellow brony */)*, you're an audiophile, you're a TTG fan, and you hate Beats/Bose/Skullcandy. I love you. Anyway, I'm in need of some new IEMs - I have the VSonic GR06, Ultimate Ears TF10, Sennheiser IE7, and frankly, I don't like them. Any of them. And Head-Fi doesn't want to help.

My budget: ~$75-150 (Preferrably sub-$75)

Genres: Everything, so my preferred sound signature is much like the ATH-M50's - well extended treble, textured bass quality, but not too much punch, recessed mids (not a must-have, other two are). So, V-shaped or relatively neutral with good treble and bass extension. Preferrably very reminiscent of the M50.

Type: IEM, not interested in circumaurals right now; travelling a lot.

Open/Closed: (Assuming open = vented dynamics for IEMs) Either is fine, preferrably closed with minimal sound leakage.

Source: Driving these out of a 3GS/Nano 3G *ouch, I know*, but it'll be lined out to a FiiO E5/E6.

--- Head-Direct's RE0 seems to fit my taste, but I've read there just is no punch. I need just a little punch in the low end, but not too much as to veil the mids. I've also been looking into the ATH-CKM50 and CKM99, any word on those two?

Honestly, I'm not your guy for a very specific IEM request. I've never heard any of the ones you own myself and have only actually used one semi-nice IEM, my Klipsch S4 (I know). However, I do own the M50 and it is my main headphone, although I use them with Beyerdynamic velour pads. I just haven't heard, much less owned, enough headphones to pick out intricacies in sound or really compare headphones properly. Basically, I have to completely rely on research. Ishcabible, on the other hand ( [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] ), knows a TON about IEMs and even reviews them. He'll be much more qualified than I am to recommend an IEM, but after some research, I'm willing to put my support behind the Audio Technica CKM series, for what it's worth. It seems to have the AT house sound you want and value appears to be top-notch. Looks to me to be exactly the IEM you described!

For me, IEMs are too much to keep up with. The market moves too fast and there are just too many of them. Too many great new deals cropping up and reviews being made. Between a school, a job this summer, ponies, other hobbies, and this topic: Forums/t=3809045/the-custom-pc-topic.html, I've fallen behind on the headphone market. Looking at the CKM50 and the rest of the CKM line, though... It's tempting to pick one up. I would if I wasn't trying to broaden my horizons.

Thanks, I'll go ask the guy you mentioned. This one guy, famed on Head-Fi for discovering budget-value IEMs (he discovered the Monoprice 8320), also recommended the CKM50 at $24 and also commented that it is even superior to the M50 in terms of sound quality. The only thing stopping me is availability. Ever since his post, the price raised astronomically to $70 in a week. I found one for $20 at Buydig, but it's white. I'm not too big a fan of white earphones; they're reminiscent of Apple buds, and give the impression that they're cheap.

And the money, as well. I'm broke, but I'm trying to sell some of my IEMs to maybe pick up a black one at $40.

Tis true. There can NEVER be too many ponies.

Nexexy wrote Thanks, I'll go ask the guy you mentioned. This one guy, famed on Head-Fi for discovering budget-value IEMs (he discovered the Monoprice 8320), also recommended the CKM50 at $24 and also commented that it is even superior to the M50 in terms of sound quality. The only thing stopping me is availability. Ever since his post, the price raised astronomically to $70 in a week. I found one for $20 at Buydig, but it's white. I'm not too big a fan of white earphones; they're reminiscent of Apple buds, and give the impression that they're cheap.

And the money, as well. I'm broke, but I'm trying to sell some of my IEMs to maybe pick up a black one at $40.

Tis true. There can NEVER be too many ponies.

Ishcabible is also a member on here, he pops in here pretty frequently. Ishcabible

That's the guy whose review I read, I think. VERY convincing, led me to doubt him until so many others confirmed it. And really, if I could find those for such a low price, I'd definitely own a pair or two. I feel you on the white, though, I think it exudes cheapness more often than not. Still might be worth it, though. I hope you like them, you seem to have hit a good variety of sound signatures.

Nexexy wrote Thanks, I'll go ask the guy you mentioned. This one guy, famed on Head-Fi for discovering budget-value IEMs (he discovered the Monoprice 8320), also recommended the CKM50 at $24 and also commented that it is even superior to the M50 in terms of sound quality. The only thing stopping me is availability. Ever since his post, the price raised astronomically to $70 in a week. I found one for $20 at Buydig, but it's white. I'm not too big a fan of white earphones; they're reminiscent of Apple buds, and give the impression that they're cheap.

And the money, as well. I'm broke, but I'm trying to sell some of my IEMs to maybe pick up a black one at $40.

Tis true. There can NEVER be too many ponies.

Oh, that guy is kind of unreliable. I don't like speaking subjectively, but I really hated a lot of the stuff he said was awesome, like the HTF600 and the cheap Philips'. I never got to try the Monoprice or CKM50, but he always speaks in hyperboles that are generally inaccurate. For $20, that's a cheap gamble, but don't expect too much. (I'd love to be wrong though).

But for your tastes, the Monster Turbine Pro Gold would be the closest thing to the M50's that I can think of (didn't really like them either...I have weird tastes) but they're probably way over your budget. If you want something cheapish, you can't really go wrong with the DUNU Hawkeye (which I REALLY need to review since I've had these since CES...). They're the most similar IEM that I can think of that's under $75. Honestly, I don't have too much experience in the $75-$150 area. I've only tried the Brainwavz B2 in this price range. The rest are above or below, sorry!

Ishcabible wrote

Nexexy wrote Thanks, I'll go ask the guy you mentioned. This one guy, famed on Head-Fi for discovering budget-value IEMs (he discovered the Monoprice 8320), also recommended the CKM50 at $24 and also commented that it is even superior to the M50 in terms of sound quality. The only thing stopping me is availability. Ever since his post, the price raised astronomically to $70 in a week. I found one for $20 at Buydig, but it's white. I'm not too big a fan of white earphones; they're reminiscent of Apple buds, and give the impression that they're cheap.

And the money, as well. I'm broke, but I'm trying to sell some of my IEMs to maybe pick up a black one at $40.

Tis true. There can NEVER be too many ponies.

Oh, that guy is kind of unreliable. I don't like speaking subjectively, but I really hated a lot of the stuff he said was awesome, like the HTF600 and the cheap Philips'. I never got to try the Monoprice or CKM50, but he always speaks in hyperboles that are generally inaccurate. For $20, that's a cheap gamble, but don't expect too much. (I'd love to be wrong though).

But for your tastes, the Monster Turbine Pro Gold would be the closest thing to the M50's that I can think of (didn't really like them either...I have weird tastes) but they're probably way over your budget. If you want something cheapish, you can't really go wrong with the DUNU Hawkeye (which I REALLY need to review since I've had these since CES...). They're the most similar IEM that I can think of that's under $75. Honestly, I don't have too much experience in the $75-$150 area. I've only tried the Brainwavz B2 in this price range. The rest are above or below, sorry!

I did not believe him at first - not at all - due to his cheesy formatting/grammar/hyperboles, but the 8320 rose significantly to the top 40 (I think) in the IEM section of Head-Fi. A lot of other reputable Head-Fiers (I think Mark supported most of his findings), I decided to pick up the 8320. Surprisingly, the SQ was great for the price (not as much as he made it out to be), but it sounded quite similar to the $50 A151. A lot of people comment the CKM50 is much like the M50 in terms of signature, but subpar in terms of SQ - some people think they're identical. He claims the original pricing of the CKM50 was to be around $150 to provide an in-ear counterpart to the M50.

I'm still not sure.

EDIT: Just read a Supremus' signature who had his portable rig as:
ATH-CKM50 -> iBasso #? -> Cowon J3, and he said he sold his TF10s in favor of the CKM50. I guess that's the subjective audio quality thing popping up again. Hope it works out for me.

Nexexy wrote

Ishcabible wrote

Nexexy wrote Thanks, I'll go ask the guy you mentioned. This one guy, famed on Head-Fi for discovering budget-value IEMs (he discovered the Monoprice 8320), also recommended the CKM50 at $24 and also commented that it is even superior to the M50 in terms of sound quality. The only thing stopping me is availability. Ever since his post, the price raised astronomically to $70 in a week. I found one for $20 at Buydig, but it's white. I'm not too big a fan of white earphones; they're reminiscent of Apple buds, and give the impression that they're cheap.

And the money, as well. I'm broke, but I'm trying to sell some of my IEMs to maybe pick up a black one at $40.

Tis true. There can NEVER be too many ponies.

Oh, that guy is kind of unreliable. I don't like speaking subjectively, but I really hated a lot of the stuff he said was awesome, like the HTF600 and the cheap Philips'. I never got to try the Monoprice or CKM50, but he always speaks in hyperboles that are generally inaccurate. For $20, that's a cheap gamble, but don't expect too much. (I'd love to be wrong though).

But for your tastes, the Monster Turbine Pro Gold would be the closest thing to the M50's that I can think of (didn't really like them either...I have weird tastes) but they're probably way over your budget. If you want something cheapish, you can't really go wrong with the DUNU Hawkeye (which I REALLY need to review since I've had these since CES...). They're the most similar IEM that I can think of that's under $75. Honestly, I don't have too much experience in the $75-$150 area. I've only tried the Brainwavz B2 in this price range. The rest are above or below, sorry!

I did not believe him at first - not at all - due to his cheesy formatting/grammar/hyperboles, but the 8320 rose significantly to the top 40 (I think) in the IEM section of Head-Fi. A lot of other reputable Head-Fiers (I think Mark supported most of his findings), I decided to pick up the 8320. Surprisingly, the SQ was great for the price (not as much as he made it out to be), but it sounded quite similar to the $50 A151. A lot of people comment the CKM50 is much like the M50 in terms of signature, but subpar in terms of SQ - some people think they're identical. He claims the original pricing of the CKM50 was to be around $150 to provide an in-ear counterpart to the M50.

I'm still not sure.

EDIT: Just read a Supremus' signature who had his portable rig as:
ATH-CKM50 -> iBasso #? -> Cowon J3, and he said he sold his TF10s in favor of the CKM50. I guess that's the subjective audio quality thing popping up again. Hope it works out for me.

Audio Technica likes to artificially raise their MSRP's for their headphones. Their actual prices are usually half (although the M50 might be an exception; I don't know their MSRP off hand) so don't buy into that too much. Who's the user? I haven't really browsed the site in a while.

I'm reading ericp10's impressions, since I tend to hold his opinions in rather high regard, and you'd probably like them if he does!