What in-ear headphones sound best to you?

[Joe]

Greetings all-
I have been trying various in-ear headphones, and have yet to find some with good sound.
What to you like best?
Ones with good bass?
Thanks,
Joe

[BearCubinNY]

Originally Posted by Joe

Greetings all-
I have been trying various in-ear headphones, and have yet to find some with good sound.
What to you like best?
Ones with good bass?
Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe,
I have a couple pairs of Ultimate Ear in-ear phones. They sound great! They are a bit pricey and they do require a custom fitting that can be a PITA if you're not in a major metro area.

Ultimate Ears | Custom In-Ear Monitors Overview

I'm posting this after reading your other thread about tweeking in-ear phones. You're probably on to something there. As long as the in-ear phones remain comfortable while listening, your tweek looks good.

Reg

[bart]

Have you seen this?

The Playback Guide to Earphones & Custom-Fit In-Ear Monitors | AVguide

[AudioNut]

Joe,

I have no idea which ear speakers are the "best" but I can say that I've had a pair of Etymotic ER-4 for about 15 years and they have proven themselves to be superior to a dozen or more "others" I've tried and rejected.

No, I haven't tried everything, all I can say is that the ER-4s have been completely satisfactory. The easily replaceable, cone shaped ear-pieces completely seal the phones from outside noise. (At one time, I had a audiologist make me a pair of molded earpieces and I threw them away after a week or so, in preference to the "stock" cones.)

I'm not aware of improvements to the ER-4's during the many years I've used mine. There have probably been some, but I really like my "old" phones and recommend them highly. They are accurate, they have good bass, they paint a good soundstage, they are light weight, yet very sturdy.

I've carried them in my pocket, dropped them outside in a rainstorm where they sat overnight, sat on them, and, in general, abused the heck out of them . . and, they are as good as new.

I like them! The web page for the ER-4 is Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-4? MicroPro Series

[Dj_AmTraX]

To my ears, these Sony are the BEST in sound and build quality. I've had a few IEM in my lifetime.
YouTube - Sony MDR-EX1000 Unboxing, Studio In-Ear Monitors

[Joe]

Wow Bart-
That guide is really interesting- going thru it now.
Thanks,
Joe

[Joe]

oh yes- I have a cheaper pair of Etymotics- the MC-5.
I like them, but I don't get a lot of volume out of them. I am building a headphone amp right now, and will see how they sound after that.

I guess I should have gone to the pro series.

Thanks,
Joe

Originally Posted by jprice

Joe,

I have no idea which ear speakers are the "best" but I can say that I've had a pair of Etymotic ER-4 for about 15 years and they have proven themselves to be superior to a dozen or more "others" I've tried and rejected.

No, I haven't tried everything, all I can say is that the ER-4s have been completely satisfactory. The easily replaceable, cone shaped ear-pieces completely seal the phones from outside noise. (At one time, I had a audiologist make me a pair of molded earpieces and I threw them away after a week or so, in preference to the "stock" cones.)

I'm not aware of improvements to the ER-4's during the many years I've used mine. There have probably been some, but I really like my "old" phones and recommend them highly. They are accurate, they have good bass, they paint a good soundstage, they are light weight, yet very sturdy.

I've carried them in my pocket, dropped them outside in a rainstorm where they sat overnight, sat on them, and, in general, abused the heck out of them . . and, they are as good as new.

I like them! The web page for the ER-4 is Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-4? MicroPro Series

[W9TR]

I am a long time Westone user and highly recommend their products. They are voiced like McIntosh equipment - big and bold, with great midrange detail and very extended treble response - highly recommended. I log a lot of miles in airplanes and find the Westone universal fit products comfortable on extended flights - even to the Far East. I have tried the Etymotic products, the higher end Shure units, and mid-line Ultimate Ears (not the full custom kilobuck ones.)

My next step is to get custom earmolds made.

[Joe]

Thanks for the input W9TR, I will look into those.
My preferences go along the bass end.
Please see my custom ear molds post- you may be interested.
Regards,
Joe

[W9TR]

Joe,
I'll check it out, definitely. If it's bass you like, try the Westone 2's. Bodacious!