Well i smashed my ultimate ears metrofi 200s between a couple of 45 pound plates at the gym...had a few close calls and always feared that would happen. Would like another pair but i got them for 20 and they retail at 80 so i'm looking elsewhere.
So looking for a bit of help, here's some relevant info:
Price range: Preferably < $70
Music: Trance + electronic, rap, some rock. So bass and highs are my main concerns.
Music players: Sansa Clip, HTC EVO phone

Any help appreciated!

edit: looking at a pair of UE SuperFi 5vi's at buy.com for 70 (retail 180) which would be nice since i just got a phone i could use them with.

And to clarify i am looking for IEMs

Dr. Tran

United States125 Posts

June 29 2010 01:44 GMT

I am a frequent member of head-fi, and I also consider myself quite familiar with IEMs (currently rocking out on a pair of JH-13s.)

For your price range & applications I'd recommend the following (and please do some researching on said headphones to get a better feel for them, head-fi.org would be the ideal place to start):

Head-Direct RE0: $80

Known for being perhaps the most accurate single driver IEMs to date (my buddy has a pair, and I must say, they are easily my pick for any IEM < $100)

Westone UM1: $109

BASS BASS BASS. But seriously if you are a basshead you will love these.

Shure Se115: $65

Good on the bass, and great isolation.

Also keep in mind that all headphones need sufficient burn-in time. Anywhere above 100+ hours of use should suffice (although many IEMs have rather short burn-in periods.)

I'll compile a more complete list in a little bit. but you should check these out first.

decafchicken

United States20068 Posts

June 29 2010 01:54 GMT

Will look into those right now! Looking to order some tonight, want them before the end of the week ~~

Been looking around a bit and the Klipsch s4's are looking pretty solid.

Also, i wear these while active(gym/running) so feedback when you touch the cord(microphonics?) + headphones that stay in are important

Dr. Tran

United States125 Posts

June 29 2010 02:10 GMT

If you want to minimize feedback when you touch the cord (like when you're at the gym) then you should go for an IEM design that wraps over the top of your ear (for examples IEMs like the Shure Se530, Ultimate Ears TF10, practically every Westone IEM on the market.)

So far as the Klipschs go, I hear they are really solid once they burn in. And I also hear that Electronic music is a strength for those IEMs.

decafchicken

United States20068 Posts

June 29 2010 02:37 GMT

Hmm...think i'm between these two:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-CK7-Titanium-Earphones/dp/B000N427GI
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-IMAGE-S4-Noise-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B001V9LPT4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1277775808&sr=1-6

Westones look good but a bit out of my range, as well as all the ultimate ears i would want to get

Shures seem to have very spotty reviews, very hit or miss

Going out for a bit, making my decision in ~3 hours. Your input is important. Make your voice heard in decaf's IEM Election 2010.

lac29

United States1485 Posts

June 29 2010 04:06 GMT

Go with something cheap if you're going to mainly use it in the gym. I'd recommend the perennial $25 workhorse, the Creative EP630. Cheap but effective and easily replaceable. I've gone through or given away 4 probably over the past 6 years or so. I would recommend that you don't get anything expensive for the gym because of the increase possibility of accidents like the one you mentioned ... plus usually you aren't concentrating on the music as much as exercising, so any benefits in detail from expensive IEMs won't make that much of a difference (this is coming from someone who owns a pair of Shure E530). You're going to get them sweaty as well ... so might as well leave the nice headphones for bedroom listening and cheap, replaceable ones for the gym.

GreEny K

Germany7312 Posts

June 29 2010 04:09 GMT

There seems to be a "new headphone" thread every week. Search is your friend.

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/search.php?q=Headphones&t=t&f=-1&u=&gb=date

Most of those are relevant.

T.O.P.

Hong Kong4685 Posts

June 29 2010 04:14 GMT

On June 29 2010 10:44 Dr. Tran wrote:
I am a frequent member of head-fi, and I also consider myself quite familiar with IEMs (currently rocking out on a pair of JH-13s.)

For your price range & applications I'd recommend the following (and please do some researching on said headphones to get a better feel for them, head-fi.org would be the ideal place to start):

Head-Direct RE0: $80

Known for being perhaps the most accurate single driver IEMs to date (my buddy has a pair, and I must say, they are easily my pick for any IEM < $100)

Westone UM1: $109

BASS BASS BASS. But seriously if you are a basshead you will love these.

Shure Se115: $65

Good on the bass, and great isolation.

Also keep in mind that all headphones need sufficient burn-in time. Anywhere above 100+ hours of use should suffice (although many IEMs have rather short burn-in periods.)

I'll compile a more complete list in a little bit. but you should check these out first.

I also recommend the RE0. It's best sounding IEM under $200. But you have to clip the earphones to your shirt because microphonics is quite bad. It also has durability problems.

decafchicken

United States20068 Posts

June 29 2010 04:41 GMT

On June 29 2010 13:06 lac29 wrote:
Go with something cheap if you're going to mainly use it in the gym. I'd recommend the perennial $25 workhorse, the Creative EP630. Cheap but effective and easily replaceable. I've gone through or given away 4 probably over the past 6 years or so. I would recommend that you don't get anything expensive for the gym because of the increase possibility of accidents like the one you mentioned ... plus usually you aren't concentrating on the music as much as exercising, so any benefits in detail from expensive IEMs won't make that much of a difference (this is coming from someone who owns a pair of Shure E530). You're going to get them sweaty as well ... so might as well leave the nice headphones for bedroom listening and cheap, replaceable ones for the gym.

Haha the gym is where I focus the most on my music...I get really into it right before lifting heavy.