shotgunshane’s IEM (custom and universal) recommendations, favorites and classics

@E_Schaaf Recommended this to me and I agree that for the money, it’s a screaming deal. I’ve had IEMs that cost more come with fewer accessories and the IEMs themselves don’t feel like they’re bargain basement priced. The sound is way better than the price suggests, although it isn’t a giant killer in any sense other than having an excellent price to performance ratio. At $19 it’s worth having as an emergency backup if nothing else.

 

I just got the Truthear Hexa. With the small narrow bore tips they fit and sound amazing for the money. First time ever where I can listen long term to iems.

 

Had a great experience last week where I was able to try out about 120+ iems. All the way from $15 to $5k (local currency) Interesting take-aways from me was the only two iems I'd consider buying was the 7hz Timeless and the Sennheiser ie 600. What stood out to me was how effortless and natural the 7hz Timeless sounded. Sennheiser ie 600 seemed to have the the best balance of technicalities while also sounding natural. I'll get a bit flamed for this but still left preferring my KSC75 over anything I heard, although the ie 600 has me a bit curious, but I think I'm done buying anything over $400 now adays.

 

I had the 7Hz Timeless and the only upgrade that stuck was the IE600, so I’d say you have good ears! And I think the 600s are worth it if you can find a used pair and swap out the stock tips with IE Pro tips.

 

Yea, got to admit the IE600 is really, really tempting.

 

@ColdsnapBry , have you heard the IE200? I haven't heard the 600, but I thought the 200 way better than earlier Senn IE x00s and not unfavorably comparable with the Timeless. And descriptions of the 200 as a baby 600 might encourage you.

 

Yea I did, the 200 and 300 sounded like music being played in a hallway from another room. Sounded really bad to me.

 

Ha! I found the 200 way better than the 300 - but didn't hear them side by side. Save for the 600 then!

Edit: Also, I heard the 200s with Spiral Dots rather than the stock tips, which might have made a difference.

 

The Truthear Hola is a very pleasant listen. A driver died on my Arias some months ago and the Hola is a super nice replacement, especially for the price a single $20 bill.

Also, the coinpurse style pouch the Holas come with, while not ergonomically *great*, is a fun little touch.

 

Have anyone here had ears on the Moondrop Variations?

 

Quite good overall, but they can be thin/shouty/slightly annoying at times. Mid-bass tuck is making whole presentation a little bit lean. I am also not a huge fan of EST tweeters odd timbre.

 

Has anyone here heard the ie 600 off the Sony Wm1a DAP? Just wondering if there's good synergy between the two. Thanks.

 

Damnit! Truthear Hola is suddenly sold out everywhere. This was my go-to always-in-my-bag IEM. My dog chewed it up. This happened to me with Moondrop Crescent too. Another cheap always-on-me IEM that I really liked a lot and got left in a taxi in Jeju. Suddenly couldn’t find them anywhere. This is why I don’t keep my more expensive ones always in the bag!

 

They're still available on Amazon Australia if they ship to you.
EDIT: Also available on Amazon UK fulfilled by Amazon.

 

too successful, gotta repackage into a different look, call them something different, and charge more.

 

thanks a lot for the heads-up. Aussie showed sold out too but UK had them. Went ahead and ordered.

 

I think you got the last one, I went to grab a backup pair and now it says currently unavailable.

 

I actually saw several different listings. I chose the cheapest but it was only by a few pounds