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Recommend a <$300 set of buds
- Thread starter Bodeanly
- Start date
Nice, I'm looking to go with just an extension cable (separate) for the IEMs ...probably build my own 1/4" stereo extension unless I find something durable.
For rehearsal, I use a Behringer Xenyx 802
To make my own mix. Some "more me" (bass and vocals) mixed with the rooms's mix: our vocals.
My Shure wireless system died on me about 2 years ago, so I stopped using iems live. We have good wedges, and all wear Ethymotic ETYPlugs during gigs. I really need to find my PSM 200's problem.
To make my own mix. Some "more me" (bass and vocals) mixed with the rooms's mix: our vocals.
My Shure wireless system died on me about 2 years ago, so I stopped using iems live. We have good wedges, and all wear Ethymotic ETYPlugs during gigs. I really need to find my PSM 200's problem.
I run headphone extension cables atm but I'm gonna get a elite core extension and passive body pack for it soon.
I got KZ ZS7 two days ago, 8 days earlier than expected! Customs clearance was particularly quick.
I have been using them at the office to listen to music and will use them on Friday night for band practice.
My last in-ears were Etymotic ER4 MicroPro. I had bought these many years ago, mainly for isolation, something they are hard to beat at. But i got very tired of the absence of bass in those.
What I listen to a lot these days: The Flower Kings, Opeth, Steven Wilson, Haken, Bit Brigade, Scar Symmetry. I'm also using the stock eartips that came with them. I had ordered double flange SpinFit tips, but the match isn't great: too long and it goes too deep in my ear canal.
I'm in no way an earphone reviewer, but as of now, I love them. First thing that I like is the seperation of instruments. I caught many "new" details in songs I've been listening for over ten years. Nothing's lost in "mud" if I could say.
I made some tests, and they respond very well to equalizing. I'm pointing it out, because most reviewer talk about this.
Overall, they sound awesome. I would have liked a bit more low mids, but this is just me being picky. Most important for me: the bass is well present and defined, without killing everything else. I think their response is relatively flat, but that's only a general feeling.
They are very comfortable to me. I had them on for about 6 hours today, and even if I'm wearing glasses at work, I had absolutely no problem wearing both "all day". I walked about half a mile with them today, and didn't experience any microphonics. I'm not saying there aren't any, but it didn't caught my attention at any time.
Isolation isn't bad at all with the stock eartips. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere between 10 and 15db. I'm pretty sure finding the right tips will improve the situation here.
Can't wait to try them with the band this Friday!
I have been using them at the office to listen to music and will use them on Friday night for band practice.
My last in-ears were Etymotic ER4 MicroPro. I had bought these many years ago, mainly for isolation, something they are hard to beat at. But i got very tired of the absence of bass in those.
What I listen to a lot these days: The Flower Kings, Opeth, Steven Wilson, Haken, Bit Brigade, Scar Symmetry. I'm also using the stock eartips that came with them. I had ordered double flange SpinFit tips, but the match isn't great: too long and it goes too deep in my ear canal.
I'm in no way an earphone reviewer, but as of now, I love them. First thing that I like is the seperation of instruments. I caught many "new" details in songs I've been listening for over ten years. Nothing's lost in "mud" if I could say.
I made some tests, and they respond very well to equalizing. I'm pointing it out, because most reviewer talk about this.
Overall, they sound awesome. I would have liked a bit more low mids, but this is just me being picky. Most important for me: the bass is well present and defined, without killing everything else. I think their response is relatively flat, but that's only a general feeling.
They are very comfortable to me. I had them on for about 6 hours today, and even if I'm wearing glasses at work, I had absolutely no problem wearing both "all day". I walked about half a mile with them today, and didn't experience any microphonics. I'm not saying there aren't any, but it didn't caught my attention at any time.
Isolation isn't bad at all with the stock eartips. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere between 10 and 15db. I'm pretty sure finding the right tips will improve the situation here.
Can't wait to try them with the band this Friday!
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I just got a set of the TRN V80, they sound and feel great. I put on some comply foam tips and the isolation is perfect.
I'm using my Ampeg Scr DI as my headphone amp and running a headphone extension cable up the center of a coiled instrument cable. I have the end of the headphone cable secured to the instrument cable right before where it goes through the bass strap and I plug the IEMs in there.
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I just picked up a pair a Westone UM Pro 30's for $299 CDN. The fit is fantastic and they are a significant step up from my MEE audio M6 Pro. They are more efficient, offer great separation and more fidelity. I will keep the M6 Pro's for back up.
Have you used any of the budget buds enough to offer a comparison? I don't plan on paying more unless I am guaranteed to have some magic in my ears.
Wanted to jump into the thread, just picked up some KZ 10s and holy crap - these blow away the Shures (215 and 315) as well as the $$$ Massdrops Ive got.
Using the large buds, best off the shelf seal I've ever had. I may actually forgo custom molds like I've done for all the others. FWIW I'm 6'6" and these fit like a glove. I've had them in for close to three hours now, no fatigue.
Ty TB posters for clueing me in!
Using the large buds, best off the shelf seal I've ever had. I may actually forgo custom molds like I've done for all the others. FWIW I'm 6'6" and these fit like a glove. I've had them in for close to three hours now, no fatigue.
Ty TB posters for clueing me in!
I'm just discovering the chi-fi IEM phenomenon. I was considering customs, looking for a little more depth and headroom than my Westone UM Pro 20's. I didn't want to spend $800-1500 on customs. Immediately drowned in research overwhelmed by what is available in this market now. Finally ordered some TRN V80's as a starting point based on a ton of reviews here and elsewhere. Excited to hear these. Previously used Shure 215s, which were good enough to get me used to using IEMs with my bands, but there's nothing to love about the sound and they beat up your ears after 4 sets.
I narrowed it down to the KZ AS10, AS06, V80's and CCA 10's and 16's. Reviews, tiny details like cable quality, and price of the V80's made them my first choice. The DM6's look awesome as well so they may be the next pick, but I can order an Audio 2000 wireless system for the price difference! The prices on these things are simply stunning compared to 5 years ago. Quad driver IEM and full system for around $200?!? Crazy talk.
Fully expecting 20+ new and improved models of these (from KZ, CCA, etc) available before 2020 arrives!
I narrowed it down to the KZ AS10, AS06, V80's and CCA 10's and 16's. Reviews, tiny details like cable quality, and price of the V80's made them my first choice. The DM6's look awesome as well so they may be the next pick, but I can order an Audio 2000 wireless system for the price difference! The prices on these things are simply stunning compared to 5 years ago. Quad driver IEM and full system for around $200?!? Crazy talk.
Fully expecting 20+ new and improved models of these (from KZ, CCA, etc) available before 2020 arrives!
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Fixed.Fully expecting 20+ new and improved models of these (from KZ, CCA, etc) available before you finish reading this sentence!
I was also drowning in info before deciding, but I'm using the difference to send my kid to college.
Got the V80's today. Short version: They're not going to replace my Westones.
I like the sound but I far prefer the thinner post and more plush foam proportions of the Westone tips. I get a much better seal and it is way more comfortable. The TRN has that wider opening most consumer buds have. The New Bee tips fit right on but they're shallower and not as thick as the Westone foam tips. That leaves the buds set deeper into the ear with more pressure on my ear canal and a little more weight but not really a better seal and definitely less comfortable.
So yeah, the sub bass off those V80 drivers is deeper and smoother than the Westones for program listening, you can just about feel it in your chest the way it transfers to the bones in your head. But on the whole the dual driver Westones deliver plenty of quality reference for an IEM mix and the fit (for my ears) is closer to ideal for non-molded IEMs. I may try a different new set but for now I'm gonna call it an interesting experiment and stick with my Westones...and my soon-to-be 15 year-old son just got a killer upgrade from his Apple buds!
Final word on the V80's: if you are used to the standard earbud dimensions with foam and that seals for you, they're a great bargain and may blow your socks off. They just didn't fit me well for stage use. I like the long tapered foam tips the best out of all the options I've tried and those don't work with these IEMs.
I like the sound but I far prefer the thinner post and more plush foam proportions of the Westone tips. I get a much better seal and it is way more comfortable. The TRN has that wider opening most consumer buds have. The New Bee tips fit right on but they're shallower and not as thick as the Westone foam tips. That leaves the buds set deeper into the ear with more pressure on my ear canal and a little more weight but not really a better seal and definitely less comfortable.
So yeah, the sub bass off those V80 drivers is deeper and smoother than the Westones for program listening, you can just about feel it in your chest the way it transfers to the bones in your head. But on the whole the dual driver Westones deliver plenty of quality reference for an IEM mix and the fit (for my ears) is closer to ideal for non-molded IEMs. I may try a different new set but for now I'm gonna call it an interesting experiment and stick with my Westones...and my soon-to-be 15 year-old son just got a killer upgrade from his Apple buds!
Final word on the V80's: if you are used to the standard earbud dimensions with foam and that seals for you, they're a great bargain and may blow your socks off. They just didn't fit me well for stage use. I like the long tapered foam tips the best out of all the options I've tried and those don't work with these IEMs.
I've been tracking this thread along with some others on these cheaper IEM's. The consensus seems to be that the ZS7's are a decent pair to go with, but does anyone know if the Westone tips they sell through Amazon will fit?
https://www.amazon.com/Westone-True...ords=IEM+tips&qid=1550976660&s=gateway&sr=8-5
I may pick up the new Bee tips if those work better. It's hard to know what will fit for the IEM.
Also any reason why not to go with the ZS7's? From what I've read they have the best sound for Bass and Drums.
https://www.amazon.com/Westone-True...ords=IEM+tips&qid=1550976660&s=gateway&sr=8-5
I may pick up the new Bee tips if those work better. It's hard to know what will fit for the IEM.
Also any reason why not to go with the ZS7's? From what I've read they have the best sound for Bass and Drums.
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I would hold off on immediately ordering additional tips. Mine were a perfect fit out of the box.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Are they the memory foam tips? Ear protection and isolation is a high priority for me.
They feel like memory foam. Seal is perfect for me. Total isolation.
The Westone silicone tips will stretch over the wider openings of other buds or IEMs. This was a good thing for me because those are deeper than most. I have used them on several different makes. The Westone foam tips have a color coded tube insert that is pretty stiff. Much harder to manipulate than silicone. You might be able to force it on there, but I gave up on that idea quickly since it looked like it would destroy the tip. Without measuring (rough guess) the difference is from 5mm to 2mm. Significantly different fittings. I don't know if Westone has a different style available but the ones I've seen on Amazon look like the slim tubing ones that came with mine.
