A liitle input from those who may have heard....

PerfectCreature

I recently received an iPhone as a gift from a co-worker who was infatuated with getting me to give up my pro-driod; anti-apple ways.
I have caved and decided to use the iPhone as my primary cell for the time being.
Anyway, main point is this. My old earbuds quit the bed, they were left on the table for a period of time and no longer work. I am not sure what happened, but non the less I need new ones. I am left using some old Skull Candy ear-buds I had stashed in the closet.
I have been on the head-fi website assome other threads I have looked at discussed and found these to be of interest. I am interested in only in-ear designed headphones. (IEMs) The on-ear headphones will be to large to carry around or transport. These are primarily for when I am away from home to listen to my laptop and for the iPhone or any other media device that is portable. Not looking for headphones to be hooked up to an amp of any sort, just a quality, great sounding headphone that will be durable and last.
The following are being considered, I am looking for anyone who has tried them out that can vouch for them as being a top choice.
I will accept other recommendations, but my price limit is a maximum of $200 all said and done, although I prefer to keep them within $100-150. (I looked at websites such as Amazon, Crutchfield, Frys, etc etc)
I plan to make an order after next week.

In no specific order:

1) Head-Direct RE0/RE-262
2)Ultimate-Ears T-fi 10
3) Bose IE2
4) Klipsch X10/X5
5) Etymotic Research HF5
6) Vsonic GR07

Those are the ones I saw mentioned most, and with the most praise.
Any inputs or suggestions other then those ones?

Drenis

Should consider the UltraFit 3000's - http://www.polkaudio.com/headphones/ultrafit/ultrafit3000

PerfectCreature

I thought I had listed that as an option to choose from. Thanks for reminding me.
Any opinions.

Gadabout

I bought new IEM's a few months back and did a fair bit of research before buying.

I ended up with the Phonak's PFE 112. I got them from Ear phone Solutions I like the fact that they came with some audio filters to help listen to the music the way you like to hear it. Pretty decent IEM's for the price. I ended up getting some comply tips to make the best and most comfortable seal for me. I tried the silicone tips and they were OK, the foam were just more easier to wear for long periods.

For $30 more, the PFE 112's come with a mic and button for taking calls on your iPhone (which also puts you at the top of your price range).

For more research choices:
Here is a link to the thread I started in June - http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?121125-What-headphones-or-buds-are-you-using-for-your-portable-player
I especially like the Spec pages on Head Phone.com . If you click on one of the graphs you see in the spec sheets, you can compare 4 different products at once in each graph.

Hope that helps,
Scott

PerfectCreature

Your thread was a good read. I saw the S4i got quite a bit of mention as well as the X10 from Klipsch.
I will have to debate on those headphones you suggested. They look interestingly designed, and they are from Switz, so should be some quality there.
Any comments on their durability etc?

BeefJerky

I have a set of Shure SE210 IEMs that I am quite fond of. Like other Shure IEMs, they are a bit on the warmer side, so it'll be up to you whether that suits your taste or not.

PerfectCreature

Great, I will look at the Shures as well. Thanks for the input.

engtaz

The Polk earphones my son won at Polkfest 2011 are great. He states their some of the best he has listen too.

mrbigbluelight

Drenis wrote: »

Should consider the UltraFit 3000's - http://www.polkaudio.com/headphones/ultrafit/ultrafit3000

engtaz wrote: »

The Polk earphones my son won at Polkfest 2011 are great. He states their some of the best he has listen too.

Clicked the link and was kind of suprised. Thought the Polk earphones sold at a higher price point.

Definitely worth checking out, IMO.

PerfectCreature

I am worried about the Polk earfones though because they wrap around the ears, I have glasses and I have not seen a photos of them with people wearing glasses. If they has a sole-purpose in ear phone I would most likely get those because I am used to the Polk sound, but they are not.
I don't want my earbuds messing up my glasses or the way they wear....
Anyone with glasses chime in?

SolidSqual

I had the Shure SE 310 Headphones and I actually think my new Etymotic Research HF3 sound way better. The Shure's were considerably less musical in comparison.

Get hese: http://www.headphone.com/headphones/etymotic-hf3.php

But, search Amazon to get them around $100.

bruss

I use shures as well in ear and I love them. Forgot the model though

PerfectCreature

Shures seem to be well represented. The HF3s have good reviews, but I did not find any around $100.

SolidSqual

You'll find the Shure gear is built like a tank, but I would seriously consider the HF3 if you can. I think I got mine during a black friday sale on Amazon which is why they were around $100.

gdpeck

One brand I didn't see mentioned, but that I recommend looking into is Westone. I believe they make some of the finest IEMs available. One of the biggest advantages they have for me, is that they are extremely comfortable to wear. The sound signature is to my liking as well, but I've found that especially with IEMs, comfort is the key criteria. For many people, including myself, having IEMs stuffed in the ear isn't a super pleasant experience, and if they aren't comfortable, it almost doesn't matter how good the sound is.

I 've used IEMs by other manufacturers, but have found Westones to fit me very well. The cables are well designed and durable, while being very light in weight (adds comfort). They are also designed so that they don't transmit any noise from rubbing against clothing into your ears. And they are small enough that they work well with glasses. I currently own and love the Westone 3s and have also owned the Westone UM2s for about a year previously. I believe you stated a budget of under $200, so the Westone 1s or UM1s would fit in that range. Also, if you are interested in using your new IEMs for calling purposes with your iPhone, you could look into the TS-1. I haven't seen a lot of feedback on the TS-1 yet, as they are fairly new, and I tend to stay away from head-fi.org, because it causes me to spend too much money.

Hope this helps!
George

Shizelbs

I have a pair of second tier Shure IEM. I really like them. I've gifted Shures as well and they were well reviewed.

gudnoyez

I had the ultra fit 500's they sounded pretty good but when I went to go Mountain Biking or hit the lake fishing they were not friendly with Sunglasses, I prefer in buds for that purpose hopefully polk will come out with the in ear bud only model, my wife now uses the 500's and is happy with them, she likes them better than the ones that came with her I pod or the sony ones she has

PerfectCreature

Yeah, my glasses have frames like sunglasses. So I suppose the Ultra Fits would be out of the question. I will look into the Westones.
I also was on Crutchfield and saw some Bowers and Wilkins C5 headphones that looked very promising.

PerfectCreature

I checked out Westone. The Weston-1 seems to be the best value at this point. $120 and a 4.5 star rating from 141 reviews, they seem to be great. The warranty is two years, I found them on earphonesolutions. Has anyone ordered from them before?
They have quite a selection of earbuds and heaphones.

gdpeck

I've ordered from them a few times and have always been satisfied. As for the Westone warranty, just remember that it is one year and then they extend it to two after you register your earphones. They won't extend it if you don't purchase from an authorized reseller. earphone solutions is an authorized reseller.

PerfectCreature

Got some thinking to do I guess....

Gadabout

In reference to your durability question and for more about the Audeo Phonaks PFE 112.

They are light an comfortable. Once I switched to the comply foam tips, I can and do wear them for hours. My main use is while flying and or in the hotel rooms. So they haven't been put through any rigorous use. I probably have about 200 hours on them since Jun last year and no issues.

I don't really notice any micro phonics from the cord rubbing on clothes and the like. The design for wear is for the cables to wrap around the back of the ear. I usually have on glasses while flying and haven't experienced any comfort issues while wearing glasses.

Good luck in your search. Don't be surprised if you end up getting another pair after you buy your first set. It's just like stereo equipment. The search continues for better / preferred sound and comfort. Most folks I know that wear IEM's have 2 pair minimum and most have 3 pair.

Scott

Drenis

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Anyone with glasses chime in?

FWIW... I wear glasses. And I just wrap them slightly over my frames. I find that you shouldn't rely on the ear flap to hold the ear piece in your ear but rather keep them in a general centered spot. I even wore my ear muffs over top and never had any issues. BUt I wasn't mountain biking.

PerfectCreature

Well, I am hoping to not have to get another pair. I spent nearly 2 years collecting what I have for my home theatre setup, and I am very content with it, being in the environment I am in. I am sure once I get a larger place I will have room to actually do something more like setups most of the other polkies have. I am looking for the same contentedness in the headphones. The Skullcandies I am using are utter junk. They sound okay, but my other ones I had before these were much better.
Anyway.
I am really considering the Westone-1 http://www.earphonesolutions.com/westone-1-earphone.html
I am also debating over the Audeo PFE 112 http://www.earphonesolutions.com/audeo-earphones-black.html

Both seem to be a good deal, the PFE comes with sound filters, which I guess would be interesting. They both are supposed to have a neutral sound. Both wrap behind the ear from what I can tell. The PFE has a little larger frequency range then the W1 does. The W1 is also $40 cheaper.
Would the $40 be worth it for the PFE?

PerfectCreature

Well, I ended up choosing none of the above listed or mentioned.
I was on crutchfield and saw some AKG Quincy Jones headphones so I got to looking at them. I ended up grabbing a scratch and dent pair for about $100 all said and done with the points I had saved up from buying various items from them.
I decided to get over the ear, because all the different in ear types were driving me mad. With these headphones I suppose I out to get a DAC eventually too....
Anyway, comments on these? I have 30 days to send em back if I don't like them...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_039Q460BLK/AKG-Quincy-Jones-Signature-Q460-Black.html?search=akg+460

Gadabout

Let your ears decide. Should work well with your iPhone. You did mention you decided to get "over the ear". These headphones are "on ear". I don't know if that will make a difference to you. Might depend on how comfortable they are with your glasses.

I haven't heard the QJ's so I'll let others speak to that. It is a great deal.

Happy listening,
Scott

PerfectCreature

Well, I will post a review of them once I receive them. I am hoping they will be good. I had a pair in ear headphones from AKG and I liked them a lot, they were very balanced, but I just could not get them to stay in my ear no matter what I tries so sent them back.
Hoping these will be the same.
______________________________________________

It says the cable is detachable. What kind of cable could I use as a replacement or an extra?
Just curious if anyone knew.

nadams

Gadabout wrote: »

In reference to your durability question and for more about the Audeo Phonaks PFE 112.
Scott

Interesting... I had no idea Phonak made IEM's. They're one of the leading manufacurers of hearing aids, so I suppose the bulk of the technology was already there for them...

PerfectCreature

I did notice something along those lines when I was looking at reviews. Those are my second pair of choice should I not like the AKGs. The Westone-1 is my third.

Also, on the subject, replacing the wires of the headphones. I saw that they have a 2.5mm on one side (I assume the one that inserts into the headphone) and then a 3.5mm.
Is that the type of cord I need, should I want to have one that does not have the iPod/Phone controls....
Thanks.