In-ear headphones again

[SGirl]

After several weeks of trying to find a shop with some in-ear headphones I could try, I've finally found one! And they had two kinds of IEHs I could try, and I didn't like either of them.

So. Any recommendations for IEHs for use with an AK240, with or without a Chord Hugo?

Thanks in advance.

[StuH]

Sennheiser ie800 (I use these - briliant!) or the new AK/JH Layla maybe?

http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/in-ear-headphones-earp...

http://www.earphonesolutions.com/layla-jh-audio.ht...

[SGirl]

Brilliant - thanks Stu! I'll give them both a look. I asked at the one shop that had IEHs, but they didn't have the Sennheisers in stock to try - something about the boss not allowing them to keep expensive small stuff in the shelf, or something. I very much doubt I'd be able to find the Layla anywhere to try out!

The Layla set is appealing because it's designed to work with my device and we already know A&K do superb kit, but that's a shedload of money for a couple of things to shove in my ears now and again.

[Finlandia]

Layla is universally praised, well it really should be at that price

Others to consider, Phonak PFE232 (may be hard to find as they have been discontinued for a while), Shure SE846 (even if I wasn't that overwhelmed by them after a short listen), Westone UM Pro 50 are the best I have tried, but then you have Westone W50 and W60 which are meant to be at least as good or better. Hifiman do some really good dynamic IEMs, as do the already mentioned Sennheiser.

It depends what you want, maximum isolation, neutral sound or treble or bass focused sound, universal or custom made shell.

In short, there are two different types of drivers, dynamic and balanced armature. Dynamic ones offer better low end and bigger soundstage, BA ones again have better isolation and detail retrieval across the spectrum, and a much better treble.
There are hybrids available as well, with a dynamic speaker and one or more balanced armatures, one of the better ones is the AKG K3003, but also check out the Dunu DN2000J. Just keep in mind that the hybrids take not only the best of both, but they retain the less good of both too.

Custom shells offer better isolation and comfort, but cost more and ideally should be re shelled every two years or so, depending on how your ear canals change. There is also more a risk with things going wrong in a custom jobby, are the impressions done correctly, are the shells exactly like the impressions. Don't let it put you off though, most audiologists know how to take impressions and the custom manufacturers know how to make the product, just that there are more things to go wrong on a custom IEM than on a universal one where you pretty much just swap the tips.

Most custom IEMs use BAs, a handful are hybrids and very few have dynamic drivers.

Well, this ended up a real mess, but there you go

[SGirl]

Wow. Thanks Finlandia! Loads to think about there.

I love the look of the Laylas, but there's no way I can justify that cost. Unfortunately. I only want the things so that I can listen to music discreetly while I'm out and about, so they'll not get that much use. I don't think I can be bothered with custom shells either - again, mostly because they won't get that much use. It's too much of a faff for not that much reward. If I were going to use them the whole time, I'd wait a bit and get the Laylas - but I'm not, so I won't.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the IE 800s - the HD 800s are currently my absolute favourite cans in my small collection, and if the IE 800s are anything like as good then I'll be happy! Besides which, we went to a hifi shop at the weekend and the guys there were raving about them. (Nice to see students so keen on decent sound quality!) So I'm definitely tempted in that direction, I think.

[StuH]

SGirl said:

Wow. Thanks Finlandia! Loads to think about there.

I love the look of the Laylas, but there's no way I can justify that cost. Unfortunately. I only want the things so that I can listen to music discreetly while I'm out and about, so they'll not get that much use. I don't think I can be bothered with custom shells either - again, mostly because they won't get that much use. It's too much of a faff for not that much reward. If I were going to use them the whole time, I'd wait a bit and get the Laylas - but I'm not, so I won't.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the IE 800s - the HD 800s are currently my absolute favourite cans in my small collection, and if the IE 800s are anything like as good then I'll be happy! Besides which, we went to a hifi shop at the weekend and the guys there were raving about them. (Nice to see students so keen on decent sound quality!) So I'm definitely tempted in that direction, I think.

They're awesome and TINY! - I needed to buy some extra Comply tips though - couldn't get on with the supplied ones.

[Ej74]

I had the Soundmagic E10's good buy at around 25 GBP - felt the bass and treble at the higher volumes lacked substance

Now on Media Devil In Ear for 20 GBP - I don't think the quality can be beaten at that price point


PS. the Soundmagic got snagged on my handbrake and I managed to rip a bud off ! now imagi9ne if you'd have done that with a pair of the Layla's !

[SGirl]

StuH said:

They're awesome and TINY! - I needed to buy some extra Comply tips though - couldn't get on with the supplied ones.

My IE-800s arrived yesterday. I must have weird ears, I couldn't get on with a matching pair of tips - I'm using one of one kind and one of another. First impressions are good, although they've not been run in yet so I need to put a few more miles on the clock before I make my mind up. But they're certainly a lot better than the B&Ws I was using before, not so tinny and a lot more comfortable.

[SGirl]

Ej74 said:

I had the Soundmagic E10's good buy at around 25 GBP - felt the bass and treble at the higher volumes lacked substance

Now on Media Devil In Ear for 20 GBP - I don't think the quality can be beaten at that price point

PS. the Soundmagic got snagged on my handbrake and I managed to rip a bud off ! now imagi9ne if you'd have done that with a pair of the Layla's !

Thanks Ej74, sounds interesting! I've not seen either of these in the shops, I'll have a look round though. At that price it's worth buying a set to keep in the car.

Don't even suggest damaging a pair of Laylas, the thought is enough to make my eyes water!

[telecat]

And I thought I would be pushing it by recommending these.

http://hifilounge.co.uk/stax-srs-002-in-earspeaker...

Though I have to admit I like my

http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Headphones/Headpho...

[Ej74]

http://www.bestearphonesguide.co.uk/reviews/mediad...

http://www.bestearphonesguide.co.uk/reviews/soundm...

For the price can't be beaten !
I keep my Bose at home for travel only

[theboss]

StuH said:

They're awesome and TINY! - I needed to buy some extra Comply tips though - couldn't get on with the supplied ones.

Which comply tips did you order as I understand they can't technically list them as compatible?

I'm struggling a bit with the supplied silicon tips with my IE800.

Good choice OP all round OP - I love my HD800 too!

[StuH]

theboss said:

Which comply tips did you order as I understand they can't technically list them as compatible?

I'm struggling a bit with the supplied silicon tips with my IE800.

Good choice OP all round OP - I love my HD800 too!

You want TSX 500's - I got a 3 size pack as I wan't sure which would be right for me. The difference compared to the supplied tips is unbelievable - fully sealed up the bass is just of mind-blowing quality. I think the vents really help here as it gives the seal but without the pressure inside the ear. FYI I also have HD800's for my desk rig

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comply-Tsx-500-Comfort-PLU...

[StuH]

telecat said:

Though I have to admit I like my

http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Headphones/Headpho...

I'm a big fan, my P7's have been my goto dog walking phones, BUT try and get a listen to the new OPPO PM-3, quite an improvement over the P7 for the same money. Although P7 II must be due soon as P5's have been updated.