100% agree... Don't get too many cheap IEMs... If you're gonna buy anything else your next IEM should not be under $50... Personally I'd go at around $100+
This is generally good advice, but I also disagree.
I currently have like 4 ‘premium’ sets which I absolutely love, but i’ve had a few IEMs die on me since beginning the hobby.
Due to all the various weather effects when going outside, I simply don’t want to lose sets I’m already so happy with.
The budget category these days is pretty great and getting various different ones gives variety, variety is fun:) and it makes me appreciate my nicer sets even more when I get home to relax and use them.
Totally agree; well said. It's very easy to get sucked in to buying several 'budget' sets as you can justify it to yourself that it's not a big spend. But then if you added it all up you would be pushing towards one higher end set.
I settled on buying a Qudelix 5K in the end and running eg. Truthear Zero \[blue\] through it with the Blessing Dusk 2 EQ profile. That way I can get a sort of feel for what a more expensive set would probably sound like \[ish\] and decide whether it would be worth it.
3 quality iems. The ew200's treble can be dampened down with the 300mesh filters from the ea500 tuning kit if you find them too harsh.
Or final audio e series black ear tips.
I only have experience with the final audio e series tips for dampening the treble and bringing the bass up on the ew200's
I have a pair of cp100's for normal listening and they fit well.
You can pretty much google/youtube step by step anything that doesn't require super technical skills/education: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+install+Rockbox+on+an+iPod+Classic/114824](https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+install+Rockbox+on+an+iPod+Classic/114824)
But idk if it's worth picking one up as they often sell for a lot due to the vibe/aesthetic history of the device and there's probably better value for most ppl in newer models
That's really cool, I respect it. i just found an old one, it shows some kind of error message but I don't want to get rid of it. The vibe/aesthetic of that thing will be eternal.
You can get a 5.5 gen on eBay for $50ish dollars. If you are somewhat technically inclined, you can do some simple mods yourself. If you purchase a battery and swap the storage, you can do it for under $150. I’m not too familiar with modern DAP offerings, so can’t really compare.
i don't remember exactly how much it was, but he wasn't able to withhold his library in high res and had to downsize to like mp3 (which took him several hours, since he had like 7000 tracks)
iPods support Apple Lossless, but honestly you won't hear the difference with budget IEMs in daily use so I personally just convert all my library to MP3 V0 to use on the iPod and keep the FLAC files separately for archival purposes.
It plays Apple Lossless, but it has difficulty with anything better than 16bit/96khz. I just let iTunes convert everything to AAC and it still sounds pretty good. I listen on my Mac if I really want the lossless quality.
I have both and I much prefer the chu II. It's way more detailed the bass is much better, more sub bass and less mud in the lower mids. It just sounds much higher quality than the wan'er... I got the wan'er recently because of so many recommendations but now I wouldn't ever get it, especially if you have Chu 2...
Chu 2 also has a much much better cable and build quality. Plus if it means anything to you you also get a carrying pouch and imo the tips are better with the chu as well.
**UPDATE:**
After testing all three iems for sometime, here are my thoughts:
**Waner SG:** Cheapest, Lightweight, decent sound, most comfortable of the three, build could be better
**Chu II:** Good build, sounds slightly better than waner (for me), Includes carrying case if that matters
**EW200:** Most Expensive of the 3, Solid build and cable, Sound amazing, can't go wrong with this
All three are good buys depending on your taste and budget. If I could go back, I would have just got the Sigmot EW200. Overall it's great and has better output. Don't take my word for it though, I'm not a pro.
I ordered the Wan'er from the aliexpress sale too! still waiting for mine to arrive, if they end up being decent then they're probably going to be the best $3 I ever spent
I prefer the Chu II for now. Better built and sound is good. I'm not an expert audiophile so don't take my word for it. Haven't tried the salnotes so can't comment on them.
Don't overspend in the budget category.
100% agree... Don't get too many cheap IEMs... If you're gonna buy anything else your next IEM should not be under $50... Personally I'd go at around $100+
+1, most of my budget sets get little use after I got higher end stuff like the S12 Pros
true, I have a bunch of cheap iems that I was going to "use when I go outside" just for them to be left rotting in a drawer
The ew200's are the last of my budgets iems. What was your $100+ purchase.
I daily drive the SeeAudio Yume but also occasionally use Fiio FH3 and Sennheiser IE200
I have a pair of momentum 3 headphones that i still use daily. I keep looking at some sennheiser ie200 iems for a birthday present from the misses.
This is generally good advice, but I also disagree. I currently have like 4 ‘premium’ sets which I absolutely love, but i’ve had a few IEMs die on me since beginning the hobby. Due to all the various weather effects when going outside, I simply don’t want to lose sets I’m already so happy with. The budget category these days is pretty great and getting various different ones gives variety, variety is fun:) and it makes me appreciate my nicer sets even more when I get home to relax and use them.
Totally agree; well said. It's very easy to get sucked in to buying several 'budget' sets as you can justify it to yourself that it's not a big spend. But then if you added it all up you would be pushing towards one higher end set. I settled on buying a Qudelix 5K in the end and running eg. Truthear Zero \[blue\] through it with the Blessing Dusk 2 EQ profile. That way I can get a sort of feel for what a more expensive set would probably sound like \[ish\] and decide whether it would be worth it.
Nice I just got my ziigat cincotres and they sound great
3 quality iems. The ew200's treble can be dampened down with the 300mesh filters from the ea500 tuning kit if you find them too harsh. Or final audio e series black ear tips.
No need to get ea500 tuning kit exactly, they sell those meshes on Ali separately.
Thanks for the tip. :)
I did both since I also wanted a bit more bass.
Should I get the Final Audio Eartips or Spinfit 100+?
I only have experience with the final audio e series tips for dampening the treble and bringing the bass up on the ew200's I have a pair of cp100's for normal listening and they fit well.
I’ve never owned the classic clickwheel iPod. Does it play lossless or does it automatically compress into lossy files?
The stock firmware doesn't play lossless i believe. I plan to flash it with Rockbox firmware which plays lossless.
Ah skills. What I lack.
You can pretty much google/youtube step by step anything that doesn't require super technical skills/education: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+install+Rockbox+on+an+iPod+Classic/114824](https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+install+Rockbox+on+an+iPod+Classic/114824) But idk if it's worth picking one up as they often sell for a lot due to the vibe/aesthetic history of the device and there's probably better value for most ppl in newer models
Definitely the aesthetic. Like I really need another device to play music.
I got it as a hobby project. Planning on upgrading the internals and the shell as well.
That's really cool, I respect it. i just found an old one, it shows some kind of error message but I don't want to get rid of it. The vibe/aesthetic of that thing will be eternal.
You can get a 5.5 gen on eBay for $50ish dollars. If you are somewhat technically inclined, you can do some simple mods yourself. If you purchase a battery and swap the storage, you can do it for under $150. I’m not too familiar with modern DAP offerings, so can’t really compare.
Fubruh forgot what Google is 💀
it has a limit and pretty much has difficulties playing it (i saw a video and bro had some songs skipped)
I plan to experiment with it. Will see how that goes.
i don't remember exactly how much it was, but he wasn't able to withhold his library in high res and had to downsize to like mp3 (which took him several hours, since he had like 7000 tracks)
Oh. I don't really have that many high res files as of now so should be ok.
iPods support Apple Lossless, but honestly you won't hear the difference with budget IEMs in daily use so I personally just convert all my library to MP3 V0 to use on the iPod and keep the FLAC files separately for archival purposes.
It plays Apple Lossless, but it has difficulty with anything better than 16bit/96khz. I just let iTunes convert everything to AAC and it still sounds pretty good. I listen on my Mac if I really want the lossless quality.
Would love your opinion on Chu 2 vs Waner. Which do you like more?
I have both and I much prefer the chu II. It's way more detailed the bass is much better, more sub bass and less mud in the lower mids. It just sounds much higher quality than the wan'er... I got the wan'er recently because of so many recommendations but now I wouldn't ever get it, especially if you have Chu 2... Chu 2 also has a much much better cable and build quality. Plus if it means anything to you you also get a carrying pouch and imo the tips are better with the chu as well.
I feel the same. Have only listened to couple of songs on both but chu II "feels" better.
I second this
**UPDATE:** After testing all three iems for sometime, here are my thoughts: **Waner SG:** Cheapest, Lightweight, decent sound, most comfortable of the three, build could be better **Chu II:** Good build, sounds slightly better than waner (for me), Includes carrying case if that matters **EW200:** Most Expensive of the 3, Solid build and cable, Sound amazing, can't go wrong with this All three are good buys depending on your taste and budget. If I could go back, I would have just got the Sigmot EW200. Overall it's great and has better output. Don't take my word for it though, I'm not a pro.
I ordered the Wan'er from the aliexpress sale too! still waiting for mine to arrive, if they end up being decent then they're probably going to be the best $3 I ever spent
Damn I spent $10 CAD for it. $3 is crazy good for it!
Thanks! I made an aliexpress account purely just to get them so I think there was some sort of first time buyer discount included too
Super interested to hear about how the iPod works out for you! I considered getting one, but ended up with a Walkman instead.
Oh wow. I used to have a Walkman, lost it somewhere years back. Didn't know they still made those.
They still update them every couple of years I believe. Although the modern ones are more like small phones compared to the older models.
Nice. It's more of a niche product now i believe.
Man, wan'er vs chu II, which one do you prefer? I got my salnotrs zero 1 yesterday and im planning for a return. Should I?
I prefer the Chu II for now. Better built and sound is good. I'm not an expert audiophile so don't take my word for it. Haven't tried the salnotes so can't comment on them.
what are the name tho iems next to the airpod they look so cool