The complete IEM discussions thread

[Fulcrum29]

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Almost all IEMs on Takealot are overpriced. Rather, look to Marshall's or Bothners; there are some others too. This is talking about KZ in-ears. Otherwise, Amazon and AliExpress are the places to go.

I see Bothners is listing the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 at R801, not bad at all. Oh, Marshall's have it at R800. I don't know what their minimum spend is though.

 

[Fulcrum29]

The qkz were cheap on temu, but did come with a case, the KZs didnt but those you can disconnect the buds from the cable. The QKZ also had plastic ear strips.
I mean for R60 they are really good.

For R60 it is a bargain. It is probably better than all wireless in-ear models priced under R1 000.

 

[Lupus]

For R60 it is a bargain. It is probably better than all wireless in-ear models priced under R1 000.

I wouldn't go that far, they don't have the same upper as some good wireless earbuds have. The KZs can be

 

[Fulcrum29]

I wouldn't go that far, they don't have the same upper as some good wireless earbuds have. The KZs can be

I did a quick read up on them, the QKZ AK6's. For what do they retail here, R200? I don't even know what is available in that price class. Sometimes people ask me what I would recommend and I dunno what to answer. The short answer is usually the CCA CRA (new version), but I don't think it is a good in-ear to start out with though an okay carry around.

First impressions with any in-ear, headphone or so don't really validate it; it takes time to get used to them.

From personal experience, most budget, like sub $20 in-ears, can be tremendously improved by upgrading the ear tips, and avoiding mic cables. Rather get a separate typec cable with mic when needed.

 

[Lupus]

I did a quick read up on them, the QKZ AK6's. For what do they retail here, R200? I don't even know what is available in that price class. Sometimes people ask me what I would recommend and I dunno what to answer. The short answer is usually the CCA CRA (new version), but I don't think it is a good in-ear to start out with though an okay carry around.

First impressions with any in-ear, headphone or so don't really validate it; it takes time to get used to them.

From personal experience, most budget, like sub $20 in-ears, can be tremendously improved by upgrading the ear tips, and avoiding mic cables. Rather get a separate typec cable with mic when needed.

Yeah the QKZ did take getting some used to

 

[Fulcrum29]

I am currently considering saving up to get a Simgot EA500 LM. I have only heard good things, but it is pricey, and priced very close to a headphone that I have on my wishlist. My next audio buy will likely be a K11 which is priced slightly higher than the EA500 LM. Crazy. I can only get one, and that will likely be over December.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Yesterday I started testing a FiiO (Jade Audio) JA11, not the JCALLY JM12. I have both, and it is the same thing. It is remarkable how much better these little devices can drive IEMs or any headphone than a standard motherboard.

I discussed these things in the CSGO/CS2 thread. It is absurb that when I now revisted this how much better audio equipment has become packed into a small chassis. The highest end motherboard I have here is a Gigabyte X870E Aorus Pro which has a Realtek ALC1220 HD Audio (and... alledgedly audiophile grade capacitors, whatever that means). However, using the JA11 I can drive them louder without any noise whatsoever. I know that on-board motherboard audio chipsets are limited, and not well shielded.

For anyone who uses IEMs or headphones and rely on the onboard audio, get a JA11/JM12. I am currently busy doing a write up, and I have some interesting results. I am testing IEMs dating all the way back to 2013...

 

[Fulcrum29]

I don't have a JCALLY JM6 Pro, but that is the one that I would get. The JA11 is struggling to drive some Beyerdynamics that I have in my podcasting set.

Unless you have a dedicated thumb drive (audio) that has an chipset supporting mic support. Keep that in mind when you are looking at something like the FiiO KA11 that is way too much power without mic support. I don't use mics with wired in-ears, but I know some do. The JA11/JM12/JM6 PRO support mics. Beyond that, looking at FiiO you would need to consider a KA15/KA17.