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Entry level in ear comparison

embellisher

embellisher

Holy Ghost filled Bass Player
Supporting Member
Apr 18, 2000
22,086
8,728
Heber Springs, Arkansas
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#1
My church is considering three different sets of earbuds. I know multiple drivers give better sound, but our budget is very small so these are the ones that made the cut.

  • Shure SE-215
  • Westone UM Pro 10
  • Galaxy Audio EB6
I would like to hear from folks with experience with any of these, pros and cons of each as far as sound quality, isolation with included tips, and durability.

I would also like to hear from anybody with experience with two or (hopefully) all three of these buds.

And finally, is there a set of earbuds at the $100 price point that just blows these away?

Thanks!
 
#2
This thread on the KZ earphone line is for you. In order of their release dates, as well as increasing price and performance: the ZST, ZS5, ZS6, ZS10, and the AS10.

Useable out of the box, but budget for likely upgrades. For reliability, plan on upgrading the cable. Whether the included earbuds will suit any particular member of your team is a matter personal preference and ear shape. With universals, I prefer foam Comply tips. Other players get what they want from the flanged tips, will some folks like the included (olive-style) rubber tips.
 
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#6
embellisher said:
Yeah, I'll probably try a set of those for myself, but the vendor we are dealing with doesn't carry those.

We are getting an all in one deal, and he's giving its a great deal on the earbuds because of everything else we're buying, but these are the only 3 choices.
Click to expand...
I know there are a lot of people on these forums that swear by the KZ earphones but they didn't do it for me. I purchased the ZS5 model and after buying the upgraded cable and foam tips the price wasn't that far off from the Shure or Westone entry level IEMs. The KZ were too big and bulky with sharper corners and would hurt after about an hour. I just couldn't get them to feel comfortable.
 
#8
SuperK said:
I know there are a lot of people on these forums that swear by the KZ earphones but they didn't do it for me. I purchased the ZS5 model and after buying the upgraded cable and foam tips the price wasn't that far off from the Shure or Westone entry level IEMs. The KZ were too big and bulky with sharper corners and would hurt after about an hour. I just couldn't get them to feel comfortable.
Click to expand...
Was that due to the tips fit in the ear canal or the angled body fit in the outer ear area? I'm curious cuz they seemed to feel OK to me.. but then I only audited them for about 5 mins.. never used for gig length.
It'll take a lot for me to drop my 1964 A8's :)
 
#10
s0c9 said:
Was that due to the tips fit in the ear canal or the angled body fit in the outer ear area? I'm curious cuz they seemed to feel OK to me.. but then I only audited them for about 5 mins.. never used for gig length.
It'll take a lot for me to drop my 1964 A8's :)
Click to expand...
It was due to the outer body of the earbud and how it fit into my outer ear. All ears are different so what is uncomfortable to me may feel fine to others. That's just the trade-off you get with universal fit earbuds. They're more affordable but you'll never get the comfort you get from a custom molded earbud. If I gigged more often I would definitely spring for custom molds.
 
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#11
embellisher said:
Yeah, I'll probably try a set of those for myself, but the vendor we are dealing with doesn't carry those.

We are getting an all in one deal, and he's giving its a great deal on the earbuds because of everything else we're buying, but these are the only 3 choices.
Click to expand...
Good deal or not id pass on all 3 of those way over priced and poor sound quality the kz. As10 are $70 on amazon and completely smoke those
 
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#12
SuperK said:
I know there are a lot of people on these forums that swear by the KZ earphones but they didn't do it for me. I purchased the ZS5 model and after buying the upgraded cable and foam tips the price wasn't that far off from the Shure or Westone entry level IEMs. The KZ were too big and bulky with sharper corners and would hurt after about an hour. I just couldn't get them to feel comfortable.
Click to expand...
The kz zs5 are not the best model to completely judge the brand on imho. I think if you got them on an uber sale under $25 they may be worth it as backups but I honestly wouldn't get anything from kz besides the zst, zs6, and As10. The zs10 are ok sounding all be it v curved and overpriced Compared to the zs6 and you also need a powerful source to drive them like a external headphone amp so I can't really rec them. I also would rather pay more for the overall sound quality over the included tips accessories and the cable just my opinion. But I own the shure se215 and I wouldn't even really want to use them as backups they are far too muddy sounding.
 
#13
SuperK said:
It was due to the outer body of the earbud and how it fit into my outer ear. All ears are different so what is uncomfortable to me may feel fine to others. That's just the trade-off you get with universal fit earbuds. They're more affordable but you'll never get the comfort you get from a custom molded earbud. If I gigged more often I would definitely spring for custom molds.
Click to expand...
I hear ya.. I was doing 80+ gigs a year (on IEM's) when I upgraded my custom 1964 Qi's to the A8's. Being a 1964 "Artist" also helped brunt the pain, so the A8's were a justifiable expense. My lead singer bought the A12's !! :)
I've been out of that mode since last Dec, doing a couple of sub gigs and playing at church.. but the gigs are starting up again in Oct.. so.. :)
 

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