QUOTE(danny_sp15 @ Oct 22 2009, 03:15 AM)
hi guys, i'm currently using soundmagic PL20, which i think is a great IEM for it's price. but now i'm thinking of upgrading. i'm not using any soundcard or headamps. what kind of earphones could u guys suggest for a strict budget of less than rm150? i'm the sort of person who listens to a lot of vocals and oldies, and i prefer clarity instead of bass. currently interested with Crossroad Mylarone SVi (RM70). is this ok? or do u guys have better suggestions? prefer earbuds, iem also ok, but not headphones though..

thanks in advance!!

*really interested in the HR2 actually, but way out of budget...

Actually you prefer earbud... can try xbrand2 or xbrand 1, both also within your budget. I have 3 of them. PL20 is my first IEM, i am enjoy it so much until i get expose to my another earbud, pk3. After you listen to pk3, you will found that PL20 is really lack of bass. You need to push hard in order to get a satisfy bass for PL20. Pk3 also have a good clarity and detail just warmer and the bass is quite good. pk3 has a large quantity of bass but the quality of bass is just satisfactory.
Come back to xbrand2, i just get the both demo unit recently. (Too shame that, i just received the demo unit after a long time i coordinate the bulk for both the earphone). After i try them personally, I was surprised how good is the sound at the price. I also wonder how come Huangyong selling this earbud at this price.

But since i am just a helper, so i cant comment so much on his pricing. BUT for the SQ, the xbrand2 will even better than pk3 which cost around Rm130++. Clarity and detail, xbrand2 is slightly better than pk3 but just the sound is bright and not as warm as pk3. For the bass, there are few buyer say that the xbrand2 is bass shy. To my ears, the xbrand2 has better bass than PL20 in terms of quality and quantity as well. If compare xbrand2 to pk3 in terms of bass, pk3 will have better bass quantity. But for bass quality xbrand2 will be better. xbrand2 bass have better control and accuracy.
Sound signature:
xbrand2 (bright)
PL20 (bright)
PK3 (warm when compare to another 2)
Clarity & detail
xbrand2 > PK3 >PL20
Bass quantity (amount)
PK3> xbrand2> PL20
Bass quality
xbrand2 > PK3 > PL20
Packaging
PK3>PL20>xbrand2
Price (>= cheaper)
Xbrand2 > PL20 > PK3
Just another choice for you. No offense. Please take noted that i am not a basshead. I am looking for balanced and great sounding all the time.