+1 for the KZ AS10, if you're worried about the cheap price for your budget buy a couple of back ups. I did not like the ZS10's....sound was to sharp...cutting. I haven't tried the ZS7 but for me the 5's and 6's were to sharp and pointy on the edges....sounded good though. Compli foam tips complete the package.
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Recommend a <$300 set of buds
- Thread starter Bodeanly
- Start date
I just ordered the TRN V-80. We shall see.
My old head phones are giving up the ghost after ten years of hard use. When I bought them, I tried every pair in the store and these were the lightest, most comfortable and best sounding, but far from the most expensive.
Koss UR 40's.
I don't think price is a good indicator with headphones. I received some Dr Beats as a gift. Quickly passed them on to my kid.
I've tried a number of pairs over the years and kept the Koss.
My old head phones are giving up the ghost after ten years of hard use. When I bought them, I tried every pair in the store and these were the lightest, most comfortable and best sounding, but far from the most expensive.
Koss UR 40's.
I don't think price is a good indicator with headphones. I received some Dr Beats as a gift. Quickly passed them on to my kid.
I've tried a number of pairs over the years and kept the Koss.
Yep - and now I see they are back in stock on Amazon - cheaper than EBay too!
I actually want to pickup a pair of the TRN V-80s because they get great reviews too - but seriously how many pairs of iems does one guy need? I also have the Shure 215's - they came with my wireless iem unit. I used them once and was really surprised at how muddy and undefined they were.
As far as comfort - I don't notice a difference between the ZS7 and AS10 - both are more comfortable than my ZS5s were - I think the reworked the inner shell on the ZS7. The ZS5s were definitely a little pointy.
No matter what you buy - get some good foam tips. Increased isolation is really important.
I have both the KZs and a set of Westone UM50 Pro ($650 buds I got used from another TBer).
Are there differences? Yep. Are the Westone buds better? For sure.
But I will say this. If I had been able to listen to both in a store, and had a choice between the KZs and the Westone buds at regular price, I would have gotten the KZs.
The Westones are better. But they're not $500 better.
Get the KZ buds. Get the upgraded braided silver cable (it REALLY DOES upgrade the SOUND of the buds... all the difference in the world). Get some Comply tips. (Go ahead and spring for a variety pack so you can figure out what fits you best.) You'll likely come in at around $80 for the buds, cable, tips and shipping. Maybe $100 total if they've gone up or have nicer models than when I bought mine a couple years ago.
Are there differences? Yep. Are the Westone buds better? For sure.
But I will say this. If I had been able to listen to both in a store, and had a choice between the KZs and the Westone buds at regular price, I would have gotten the KZs.
The Westones are better. But they're not $500 better.
Get the KZ buds. Get the upgraded braided silver cable (it REALLY DOES upgrade the SOUND of the buds... all the difference in the world). Get some Comply tips. (Go ahead and spring for a variety pack so you can figure out what fits you best.) You'll likely come in at around $80 for the buds, cable, tips and shipping. Maybe $100 total if they've gone up or have nicer models than when I bought mine a couple years ago.
I use the KZ buds. I don't recall which model but I've been very happy. I don't have any experience with high end iems but everything I've read would suggest that $300 isn't going to go very far in the upper end gear range. Get the cheaper buds and give them a try - then, if you don't like them you'll at least have a better idea of what you want (as well as a head start on the money).
You guys are awesome! I'd have already bought the Shure's if not for TB. Thanks for taking the time.
I think it's the same reason a Fender MIA bass that sells for 3~4 times what an MIM bass sells for. Granted, the MIA basses give you more bass than an MIM, but not 3~4 times more bass. A lot of times people get stuck on the idea that more expensive by default means better quality. While that may hold true to a degree, does the increase in performance match the increase in cost or is it the perception of more expensive means better product. This is why marketing types make more than engineers.
I can comment that I've owned and/or tried all of the iems listed here except the Alclair dual xb, kz zs5, Kz zs7, and Cca10 . I have read extensive reveiws by guys with similar taste in iems tho and I can stand by my reccomendation. The Kz As10 are the best sub hundred dollar iems I've tried to date. The kz zs10 where far too mid scooped, they where hard to drive to propper volume you needed a headphone amp to push them to full potential and the shells where too bulky. The trn v80 are like a slightly improved kz zs6 the shell is more compact and they are abit less sibbilant/ harsh but still lack detail compared to the As10. The Westones ive tried are very similar to the shure with slightly improved shells sound is still far too muddy and they are way overpriced imho. My shure se215 where the worst set I've owned by far cheap shells muddy as all hell and the cable oxidizes turning green if you look at it wrong the same issues follow their whole line with slightly improved sound but huge jumps in price. For my needs the Bgvp dmg and dm6 iems have been the biggest jump in quality for the price I've tried to date They both feature a good selection of eartips much higher quality cables, better bass response and detail retrival without scooping the mids they would be my main reccomendation but if the money is tight you dont need the custom mold dm6 or you want a good back up on the cheap the Kz As10 are gonna be the best choice. Either way any of these will work but read up alot find your personal needs and wants before dropping the coin. Ive tried over 30 budget friendly pairs in the last year alone just getting my feet wet. I now really know exactly what I like and what to look for in in ears. Kz are killer to try a bunch out on the cheap too the kz Zsn and As06 are some even cheaper killer options no one here mentioned yet give them a peek as well. Sorry if my post is abit scatter brained and happhazzard half asleep and overtired. I hope this was somewhat helpfull though cheers.
Correction - I used the ZS1s first which are dual driver with plastic cases, not ZS5s. It was late last night when I posted
I have, after reading the thread on the KZ's, purchased a set of ZS5s.
My normal earbuds are Shure 535ltd with custom molds. I got the KZ's for less than 20 bucks and figured that when they won't serve as IEMs, They might do as normal buds for on the go and if not even that, they'll serve as an emergency backup in my bag for when I forget to bring headphones but need them.
I bought the Shures used, in mint condition for 250 bucks. The molds cost me 150 on top.
I tried them out side by side in my home setup, my experience is in the KZ thread. In a nutshell: The Shures have more bass, which is partially caused by the molds which increased bass response dramatically.
They also feel louder and a bit more rounded. But do they sound like something that is 25 times the price of the KZ's ? Nope.
I could easily gig with the KZ's without a big measure of discomfort of not having my Shures.
The one big difference is built quality. The Shures are built in a way you'd expect when you drop close to 500 bucks on a set of earbuds. The KZ's are built in a way you'd expect when you drop close to 20 bucks on a set of earbuds. So you simply get another pair - you're still below 40 bucks and have a working backup plan.
I have the KZ buds in my gigbag. Just in case anything goes wrong with my IEMs or those a band member.
My normal earbuds are Shure 535ltd with custom molds. I got the KZ's for less than 20 bucks and figured that when they won't serve as IEMs, They might do as normal buds for on the go and if not even that, they'll serve as an emergency backup in my bag for when I forget to bring headphones but need them.
I bought the Shures used, in mint condition for 250 bucks. The molds cost me 150 on top.
I tried them out side by side in my home setup, my experience is in the KZ thread. In a nutshell: The Shures have more bass, which is partially caused by the molds which increased bass response dramatically.
They also feel louder and a bit more rounded. But do they sound like something that is 25 times the price of the KZ's ? Nope.
I could easily gig with the KZ's without a big measure of discomfort of not having my Shures.
The one big difference is built quality. The Shures are built in a way you'd expect when you drop close to 500 bucks on a set of earbuds. The KZ's are built in a way you'd expect when you drop close to 20 bucks on a set of earbuds. So you simply get another pair - you're still below 40 bucks and have a working backup plan.
I have the KZ buds in my gigbag. Just in case anything goes wrong with my IEMs or those a band member.
Hey Now
I have owned the Westones for a few years so that is why I have them. I always liked them and I run a small sound company and can provide 2 wireless Sennheiser G3 units and 1 wired IEM unit for bands if they want, so I wanted basically the same bud. I have owned 2 different sets of KZ's with the replacement cables but I couldn't tell you the model number as there are so many of them now.
They both sounded OK and fit reasonably well. I did find the highs very brittle as it has been reported. I sold one pair to a singer I worked with who broke her Westones and needed something affordable, she liked them overall.
I think with the KZ family of buds you get your money worth and at their price points you can buy two or three to find the right one for you.
I'll be your bud for free... but if you need a ride somewhere, you're gonna have to Uber up a 6 of Goose Island IPA...
... minimal cost for a driver.
... minimal cost for a driver.
I ran in ear monitors with my last band for years but had been using an amp until just recently. Going back to IEM's I had to get something cheap because money was an issue. Bought a set of KZ ZS5 mainly because it was the first thing to pop up on an amazon search and the reviews were pretty good.
These KZ earbuds are for real. In my previous band I used the stock buds that came with the Sennheiser wireless units and upgraded to $499 Shure Se535. Loved these but I had a bunch of gear stolen including the 535's so next purchased the Westone UM30. Didnt like these as much for bass guitar so I sold them to the guitar player and bought 535's again. My current lead singer has been using them and I bought the ZS5's for him. Well, sound check that night was somewhat of a disaster and there wasnt time to do the swap so I used the KZ's that first night. Glad I did as I would have never known how good Chi Fi gear has become.
The kick drum and bass guitar sounded beautiful with the ZS5's that night. Blew me away. However the mids are scooped and the separation wasnt the best so I bought the As10's for the next gig. Great sounding monitors with incredible separation but I didnt quite like how my bass guitar sounded with these. I am now using the $49 ZS7's. They have the great low end of the Zs5 and detail of the As10. These are perfect for me as a bass guitarist.
These KZ earbuds are for real. In my previous band I used the stock buds that came with the Sennheiser wireless units and upgraded to $499 Shure Se535. Loved these but I had a bunch of gear stolen including the 535's so next purchased the Westone UM30. Didnt like these as much for bass guitar so I sold them to the guitar player and bought 535's again. My current lead singer has been using them and I bought the ZS5's for him. Well, sound check that night was somewhat of a disaster and there wasnt time to do the swap so I used the KZ's that first night. Glad I did as I would have never known how good Chi Fi gear has become.
The kick drum and bass guitar sounded beautiful with the ZS5's that night. Blew me away. However the mids are scooped and the separation wasnt the best so I bought the As10's for the next gig. Great sounding monitors with incredible separation but I didnt quite like how my bass guitar sounded with these. I am now using the $49 ZS7's. They have the great low end of the Zs5 and detail of the As10. These are perfect for me as a bass guitarist.
My girlfriend has the Shure 215's and I was going to borrow them until I read some reviews. Then I started the thread, hoping people like you would give decent feedback. Nothing scattered or haphazard about that. Thanks for being so detailed.
Not bashing the KZ line, but I found they did not fit ME well. If I jammed them in my ears and held them there, they sounded fine - but they wouldn't stay there and that was before I even tried to sing or strap on a bass and move around.
I landed on these after returning the KZs I tried: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D6MZ0YO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They support the low end very well (low B even) as well as vocal work. I do have the luxury of being able to dial in my own mix which helps a lot.
I landed on these after returning the KZs I tried: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D6MZ0YO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They support the low end very well (low B even) as well as vocal work. I do have the luxury of being able to dial in my own mix which helps a lot.
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