need new ear buds. Any recommendations?

Casually Hardcore

So I currently have a pair of klipsch x10 for three - four years and the left earbud is dying.

So, it's time for a new pair. My budget is -$400. In a huge audiophile and I spend alot of money on audio. I'm looking at sennheiser ie80 and ie60, leaving towards the 80. But, I can't quite bite the bullet on a $350 pair of ear buds, cause my audio source for these headphones is going to be my phone and handheld consoles.

Anyone has any experience with these ear buds? Or any recommendations?

Inquisitor77

You'll want to check out this thread: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/142270/audiophilia-headphones-amps-daps-and-empty-wallets

Skeith

@Tef may be able to help you out.

Tef

I think you're northern right track there. It's a tough question to answer when you're playing for a portable player in terms of how much you should spend.

Are you using a lossless codec for your music? Have you considered picking up a portable DAC like a fiio or something?

If you want to say fuck it and want to get just a nice set of canal phones that will sound good on a standard phone player, I would recommend:
Brainwavz B2
Audiotechnica ATH-IM70
audiofly AF-78
Etymotic hf5

That's a starting point at least! Definitely check in with the audiophile thread and of you want to look at dac + headphone options just holler

Casually Hardcore

While I do have a lot of lossless audio, it's all not on my phone. I'm not planning to pick up a portable DAC and amp, cause that'll be one more thing to carry.

I heard a lot of good things about the audiofy af180, but that's a hefty price tag. How does the af78 compare?

Grobian

I'm far from an audiophile but I always liked The Wirecutter reviews: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-200-in-ear-headphones/ seems to be the most expensive category they have for in ears. The article is over a year old, though.

Then there's also this one: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-in-ear-headphones-so-far/

BlindZenDriver

Sony. For earbuds they should be an obvious choice but they once was so mainstream that people now forget them.

You'll find they offer a huge range and they really know what they are doing, meaning comfy, great sound, clever details and all that. If you spend like $100 you will get something that more than matches using a phone as source.

Cog

If you're listening to audio on an iphone, I so love goodhertz.com/canopener/ as an alternative to the default music player. Makes even pretty shitty earbuds sound a lot better.

Casually Hardcore

So at the end of the day I ended up getting a pair of Dunu DN-1000, based on the very good reviews I read on them. They should be here Saturday so I'll be sure to let everyone on the audiophile thread know my opinions on them.

Tef

Casually Hardcore wrote: »

While I do have a lot of lossless audio, it's all not on my phone. I'm not planning to pick up a portable DAC and amp, cause that'll be one more thing to carry.

I heard a lot of good things about the audiofy af180, but that's a hefty price tag. How does the af78 compare?

The 180s are noticeably superior, mainly in how detailed they are. The bass is probably a bit punchier too. I suppose I'm not sure if they're $300 better is all. if you must have the best of the best then sure, otherwise you won't be disappointed with the 78s

Natas_Xnoybis

sounds like people with loads more knowledge, but I bought a pair of Shure earbuds hmm 2008ish (so model probably no longer around) for ~$250 or 300ish and have been very very happy with them.