[JohnR]

OK, I've seen recs here for $8 and recs for $1300    Any recs in between, say at up to $100?

Reason - I'm fairly sure I will hate IEMs, but I'm willing to spend a little to find out.

Wants: neutral sound, not "dark" or "detailed" or "punchy" - just neutral. I expect Tyson knows what I mean.

Thanks 

[newzooreview]

These seem to fit the need:

Hifiman RE-Zero

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Hifiman-RE-Zero-In-Ear-Headphones/productinfo/REZERO/

[saisunil]

These seem to fit the need:

Hifiman RE-Zero

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Hifiman-RE-Zero-In-Ear-Headphones/productinfo/REZERO/

I have a new set - never tried ... I am saving for customs ... so it could be yours at a good price if it interests you ...

[saisunil]

Just remember fit is all about what foamies / inserts you use ... that is comfortable and gives you good seal
... usually after market (in between sizes) get you closer to that fit unless - your ear size is perfect small, medium or large ...

[dmatt]

John,

How about a pair of Etymotic HF5?

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Portable-Earphones-Cobalt/dp/B000XP8DJC

$95 if you are OK with cobalt (instead of red or black).

Tyson likes them (for what it's worth ):
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103864.0

So did Stereophile:
http://www.stereophile.com/headphones/etymotic_research_hf2_amp_hf5_in-ear_headphones/

I purchased a pair of HF3s for my wife and they sounded pretty good.  I use old Shure SE530s.


- David

[Haoleb]

I'll second the HF5's I have had a set for a couple years and use them mainly at work to listen to music when I am doing stuff that requires hearing protection. They offer outstanding isolation from the outside world and are comfortable to wear for a few hours at a time. So far they have been quite durable as well. I will admit when I first opened the box they came in and pulled them out I thought.. wow.. 120 bucks for these? Because they are so small and there seems to be nothing to them... But even though I didnt have to pay for them (my work did) I would definitely feel ok spending that  much of my own money for them.

The zipper on the little carry pouch broke and now it just unzips itself and i have noticed that i get distortion in them which I suspect might be stuff inside the driver itself but I am not 100% sure. Could also be my ipod. Either way I have used them in very dusty enviroments and like i said they have held up remarkably well.

Sound wise they are pretty nice. I dont think they sound as good as my sennheiser HD280 or Grado 125's but their biggest advantage for me is their noise isolation and they are very small and stay in the ear very well.

[eclein]

I have Etymotic MC5's, they were like $79 and I like them for the detail and even sound throughout, they are a bit thin in the low end. You might not like them John because they fit well into your ear canal for best results and they are detailed but not harsh. I have not heard the HF5's.

 I was going to suggest an Ultimate Ears offering maybe UE-600, I have not heard them but I owned a pair of UE700's for awhile and just recently sold them to raise funds for something but will soon buy some UE600's myself...I like the same things you do John but I'm finding with IEM's I enjoy some nice tight bass. I have some Sony's with extra bass that are sometimes a touch too bassy and distort although some EQ works well.

 I'd like to try the Hifiman ones Saisunil has one day, they will probably be the next I try after the UE600's....John if you do go ahead and buy some UE600's and do not like them I will most certainly purchase them from you and have you ship to me from Aus. its the least I could do..!!

 Keep in mind these are in my opinion the hardest thing to recommend, the intimate listening thing is a lot different in terms of SQ because you can really dial in what you like once you start hearing some.....try 2 pair at $50 and pick you fav. then we can help even more....my .02

[Tyson]

Etymotics are as good as you're gonna get in this price range if you're driving straight from a portable device.  I would also recommend getting the Sure black foamies, as they are much more comfortable and give stronger/better bass with the Ety's.  The stock ety tri-flange and other tips all kinda suck, IMO.  Just remember that even with the black foamies, you have to insert them into your ear canal just like regular foam earplugs.  The deeper you insert them, the better the isolation, and the better the bass.

[mcgsxr]

I bought a set of Shure SE115's for $80 a few years back.  I use the foamies.

I don't often use the iem's, and usually use the Fiio when I do.

I like them a lot for travel though.  Pretty neutral in my mind.

[lcrim]

There is a place in Singapore (not that far from Oz) that specailizes in headphones and headphone things.  The company name is Jaben and I've dealt w/ them and they were good.  Fairly good selection. They take Paypal.
http://jaben.net/shopping2/home.php
They are an outlet for Hippo headphones and many others.  IEM's that are decent for less than $100.
review-  http://www.head-fi.org/t/480348/hippo-headphones-review-finally
Larry