Thank you!
I’m going to try them without first and if needed I’ll give them a try. They come on Thursday.
3 Likes
I try to avoid memory foam because it really blocks all sounds, lets face it when you use iems you are really detach from anything around you. Memory foam just does it even better, 
. But really it’s kinda hurt my ears a little. I like the silicone tips.
I actually have the 3D scan for both ears from an audiologist I was going to get a custom iem made but decided not to go through with the order, lucky for me the company now went out of business.
1 Like
I have foam tips that I use for listening to music at work and Starbucks because they’re great for that extra isolation. They also have a significant effect on the sound profile too, usually emphasizing the bottom end so if you have an IEM/earbud that’s already bass heavy, foam tips can make it overly boomy. The pair I use them also has a very short nozzle so the foam really helps with the fit. Narrow silicone tips will also enhance bass over wide bore tips. I generally prefer spinfit silicone tips 
silicone tips are much more durable too, foam tips are difficult to clean and don’t stand up as well to regular use.
3 Likes
I’ll be getting the Hola soon. I have a few coming the Cadenza is coming tomorrow. It’d probably similar to many that I already have but we’ll see. So far I love the FH-E and the FA7 the FA7 fits really well and sounds just awesome. There’s one more Fiio that I want to try the FH15. It looks great with the teardrop design.
I’m using the BTR15 and M11 but i found that the apple dongle is pretty darn great as well.
2 Likes
I like the memory foam 100% for the fit. The silicone tips always wiggle loose. I’ve tried different sizes and higher quality silicone products and they all fall out. The memory foam stays put.
3 Likes
So I got my ZSN Pro IEM and while I do find them comfortable, using them with a NU-X Mightyplug MP2 I get a terrible hiss.
Switch to my Arctis Nova Pro (wireless but connected wired) I get no hiss at all, or at least it’s imperceptible.
I have not tried them through my interface, but using the MP2 is my standard practice method. Sadly this won’t work. Maybe there’s a workaround somewhere. I’ll search the web.
EDIT
It seems it’s due to them being more sensative than other headphones and it’s catching the noise floor of my device. Adding an impedence adaptor should help. Now just need to find what ohms to get. According to this thread they recommend 75 ohms. Perhaps I’ll start there.
2 Likes
I got my 80ohm adaptor and it works wonderfully. No more hiss and the earbuds are already quite comfy. I’ll give them a proper workout to see how they feel after a longer session, but for now, they have been saved from the return packaging.
Link to the adaptor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FMG8144
4 Likes
Just an update on the IEM discussion.
I recently picked up these on sale, which if you don’t mind the green color, they appear to be on sale often.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C8WJGW8Z
I can tell you the comfort in the ear is so much nicer. They come with Comply brand memory foam ear buds so you squish them before putting them in and they form to the inside of your ear.
Super comfy and blocks out most noise around you so keep that in mind.
I still need to use the impedance filter, though. Too bad, but not the end of the world.
4 Likes
For the longest time, all I see people use the Shure IEMs on their gigs. They are very popular among musicians. It builds like a tank.
2 Likes
How did you make out on your IEM journey?
Whatever happened with those TImeless II, did they cancel them? I haven’t heard anything about them in a long time.
1 Like
Man I know. I wasted one whole dollar buying a spot on linsoul website. 
As for my IEMs I stopped at a couple of dozens the cheap ones are so good, it makes no sense to keep pushing for more expensive ones. 10 years ago maybe, nowadays you have to work so hard trying to find faults on the cheap ones. The community seems to shift too, many are now prefer the “fun” V shape tuning less ear fatigue listening experience.
What have you acquired lately?
3 Likes
I got some used Timeless off Amazon in like new condition for around $125 USD, a couple of pairs of cheap BT earbuds for work and some wired ones for watching YT in bed on my tablet.
The market seems fairly stagnant right now, mostly people buying stuff because they want more stuff and not because anything is significantly better. The stuff in the $20-50 range is so good that pretty much anyone can find a tuning they like from the last few years. Like you said, a lot of people going for more “fun” tunings now. I’m pretty happy with the Timeless and my HD560S headphones, they should last me a good long time
2 Likes
If I can go back I’d have stopped after my 800s. Then again MassDrop happened and the 6xx is just too delicious to pass up,
2 Likes
Yes and I’d buy my pbass first instead of 5th
2 Likes
So, based on all that extensive experimenting, what is your (current) recommendation for solid affordable IEMs?? Thanks!
4 Likes
Crinacle IEMs
7hz Zero either one is awesome.
$20 Best all around listen to everything pleasant experience. good bass and enough high to feel premium.
TruthEars Zero Blue or Red. Both are great. Blue has very interesting Sub Bass (sub woofer).
Moondrop Chu $12, Chu II $18.
Chu II has more bass but if you want a $10 religious experience go with the original Chu. Most say that it rivals $100 IEMs, I’d say that it rivals 800s.
I also like the HBB collabs
the controversial KZ x HBB is very good and interesting that you can get under $15. It was supposed to be Hybrid of multiple BA and one Dynamic but KZ just faked it and tune the one Dynamic and disable the rest. It sounds pretty awesome.
The $25 BLON X HBB is another good one for Bassists. Great definitions and well balanced.
KZ D-fi tuning $18. I paid $4 on AliExpress.
Unbelievable IEM for under $10.
Or a CCA CRA at a $1.21 yeah! Fairly neutral
I changed all of the cable so it’s a bit more manageable as the original cables are usually stiff. except for the FIIO I kept original.
I actually love all of the FIIOs they are like basses, P bass, Jazz bass, MM, passive, active. different tuning flavor. I really enjoy it and the packaging is similar to an Apple unboxing experience.
My daily driver is the cheapest FD11. It punch way way above the weight. I paid $20 for it.
The best FIIO is the FH3. I have both version the original and Eclipse (Crinacle collabs).
If you are in to over the ear and if you can still find one, the 60mm FT3 350ohm version is a steal. I can drive that with my iPhone with the dongle just fine, albeit a little less volume, 
I paid less than $200 for mine and the 10’ Furukawa mono-crystalline cable alone probable cost more than $200. I’m actually listing on it right now.
4 Likes
Thanks for a comprehensive list, Al!! 
2 Likes
Which one would you get?
2 Likes
Casual listening, you can do it anywhere but a fun dedicated listening session is such a luxury that I don’t often have. To be able to put on a pair and just block everything else out, is not what on the table. I have to have one ear off to make sure that the kids are ok and not causing any trouble
1 Like
Damian Erskine has recommended these:
Not easy to get in my neck of the woods, though… Amazon Germany seems to have them, but won’t ship to Denmark (I am guessing it’s a tax/customs things as they come from the States…).
1 Like