I don't know much stuff having a remote, but within your price range I do have some in mind that I have owned and used a bit roughly. One is SoundMagic PL50. Great sounding mids, over-ear style with ear hooks/guides. The PL30, same thing, half price, slightly more bass but more difficult fit (for me at least). Sony EX300-SL, lots of bass, good fit and ergonomics, good build. All sound good with rock. Not sure about jazz though since I don't listen to jazz. All IEM I mentioned have been used for more than a year before they were sold away. The oldest being the PL50 (my personal favourite), which was over a year. None of them have been damaged by using them for running, hopping, jumping, cables drenched in sweat. However, I don't scrunch and stuff them in my pocket or bag just like that. I would wrap them around my hand (careful not to twist the cable) and place it securely in my bag or pocket.

There's also the newer version SoundMagic E30 which I will probably be getting, claimed to be a bit of a sporty IEM. I tend to run away from truly sporting IEM either because they are too expensive, a bit goofy looking for general use and sound quality is my priority.

Oh, price doesn't determine the toughness. In fact many expensive IEMs needed to be taken care of for them to last. Like if you bought a very expensive grand piano, you wouldn't want to throw your car keys on it, let your kids play on it or see it being used as a serving table now would you?

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 10 2011, 06:01 AM

Yes, PL30 hasn't got the bass amount or depth compared to some higher end IEMs, and quite possibly the earpump. The focus is on the quality.

The JBL which E1-AKG recommended is good I think, in that it fulfills your requirement very well. Has loads of accessories, Iphone compatible and quite robust. I don't know how it'll sound though.

I forgot one IEM which you can find at Jaben, which is the Audio Technica CP300 or CKP300 sports IEM. The only difference I think is that the CP300 is an earhook style IEM. Maybe they're kind enough to let you try one if you are able to go to their shop. A review I read from our local forumer said it has quite a bass. Don't expect anything audiophile though, but from the review I think you can expect it to be in a level worthy of mentioning, at least in accordance to your requirements. Still does not have volume control or mic though. If you can find a cheap mic/volume control that is Iphone compatible and can be plugged in with another IEM that would be great. The CP/CKP300 has a short cable (but an extension is provided) which suits that purpose. But you can end up spending a bit more, unless you already have one.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 10 2011, 03:01 PM

For the PL50, the bass can be felt, but not really eardrum massaging.
Hey, forgot about some other brands, like the Meelctronics. Thanks to Chyan for pointing that out. Checkout Brainwavz as well. I've used M1 but they do have other, bassier options.

They are both the same in principle, in that both manipulates a membrane or a drum(vibrating them) to make sound waves. However, for a balanced armature, instead of having the magnetic assembly attached rather directly to the drum/membrane there is an arm (the armature) that does the vibrating of the membrane/drum.

The armature construction generally allows for a faster attack (it reacts quickly to frequency changes) than a heavier dynamic construction, but does not move air as much as a dynamic (less bass feel) and cannot go to higher and lower extremes (less freq range than dynamics, or does not behave as well at both ends of the extreme frequencies). Though SQ is supposedly better, it has more accurate production of sound, very good in the mids and less smearing of sounds (happens when there are many sounds playing at different frequencies at the same time or the transition is fast and the music is busy). BAs are also very critical when it comes to seal.

Choose which sound you like. After having tried both types which perform similarly, I have chosen one which suits me best (I'm not gonna tell you, afraid it might cloud your judgement. ).

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 11 2011, 01:33 PM

SoundMagic PL50 vs Hippo Shroom EB.

Hey guys, I have something to ask.
I am looking for a headphone to go out and about with. The price is strictly under RM300. It must be good looking (not big and goofy) and sound is important, any sound sig will do, but if it's bassy that would be a plus. Doesn't have to be audiophile, just something with decent quality but fun to listen to. My source would be the Teclast T51 or my laptop. Thinking along the lines of some Audio Technica DJ headphones, or some Denons, and I'm also considering the Fischer Audio FA-004. I'm opening myself to more suggestions.

I'm just being playful here. I really want to have a headphone to go out with. Sometimes its easier to have one so you can put them on and take them off in a breeze, unlike IEMs.

Oh almost forgot, must be a closed type, and circum-aural.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 12 2011, 04:40 PM

And the Atrio is certainly the bass reference. As a happy owner of one I'd say that coming second to it is no shame at all.

Oh and BTW, sent you a PM about one DUNU IEM.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 14 2011, 10:43 AM

If you don't want sound to leak out of the headphone or leak into it, than you definitely would want a closed type headphone.

IEM form Jays I think. Also beats, but Jays are generally better value for money.

I have tried experimenting with my friend's gaming headphone (something from Logitech) to edit a video clip I made for the end of semester dinner. I edited the music and sounds from the video according to what I hear from the headphones, which turns out all right with the headphones.....and it turned out horribly when I use my SoundMagic PL50. Voices ended up too forward and harsh, bass was messy. Didn't want that for the PA system.

I used the PL50 to re-edit and it turns out quite alright through the PA system when played. Lesson is, unless the gaming headphone is super accurate, do not bother to edit anything with them. Gaming headphones sounds too artificial to be used as monitors. They're tuned for games and surround sound enhancements.

But for general gaming and movie, gaming headphone is the best. I think you can't go wrong with any decent ones though. I have no Idea about the two models you posted, but after testing many gaming headphones throughout your price range (thx to my DOTA/CS crazy friends who bought them), I'd say go ahead for those. But song editing, I think not.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 16 2011, 04:37 PM

Audio Technica CKP-300?

You've to state your budget.
Anyways, I've had Sony MDR-EX300 and EX500. Both work quite well with moderate music volume, but with no music playing they have average insulation. Of course that depends on your fit. Mine and yours may be different. The hybrid silicon tip is excellent BTW.

The EX300/500 or their upgraded replacement, the 310 and 510 are priced at RM199 and RM359 respectively. I think their price has dropped from the initial RM209 and RM369.

That's not what it really means either.
It means as if you are the artist performing instead of watching a performance. You have instruments and voices closer to you.

I do have a Grado SR60i. It can do separation pretty well, in that you can hear distinct instruments and not just a cloud of noise. I haven't had experience with other proper headphones, and also the bigger brothers of the SR60i, but sound stage for the SR60i is nothing to complain about. Good but doesn't quite excite you. In fact gaming headphones (which are closed type) can do better than it. May have good separation but all sound a bit close. That's the "in your face" sound. Ones with virtually no separation and limited soundstage I call those the "on your face" sound. (I just made that up) Higher end Grados and Alessandros have greater soundstage, or so they say.

These Grados and Alessandros (the lower and mid-end ones) do great at only certain genres. I swear to you, out of all the IEM I've tried, none can come close to perfecting the sound of an electric guitar as the SR60i. I can't imagine what those higher end ones can do. Then again, for other genres, I might go for other IEM/headphone. I remember my Brainwavz M1, Shroom EB and Radius DDM (oh yeah) sounding better with natural string instruments (acoustic guitars, pianos etc.).

If you really want soundstage, with an almost holophonic effect, pick something else. If you're like me and 80% of your collection is full of hard-rock and metal, small sound stage is not an issue. Beware, these Grados can sound AGGRESSIVE with high treble (hot) recordings, a small warning to you.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 21 2011, 10:59 AM

Hehe...then forget the Grado within your budget. The treble will get to you first before the comfort issue kicks in.
I might let other headphone sifus do the proper recommendation.

However, if I were you, but I have no way to audition and is partially blind in picking out the perfect headphone, I'd say a Shure SRH440. Partially blind because I'd depend on reviews (from reputable audiophiles). If you can audition, then it could be anything. You might not want to just do what I do, buy now, listen a while, sell back later and get a new one. It's a hit and miss thing, great losses along the way. I do that just for kicks.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 21 2011, 11:15 AM

Yeah, planning to do those later with the SR60i. Not until I get my financials settled though.

Oh if you like the retro look like I do, there are a few models from Fischer Audio. The FA-004 and Oldskool 70's. I don't know where you can audition them, I think you can refer to WS Tradings (IINM) for those. There's a store somewhere where you can arrange for some audition.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 21 2011, 11:19 AM

Unless you have your own wood/metal workshop and is confident in putting the headphone together yourself, it's free.

I think the wooden or metal housing can set you back at RM200++, just for the housing. Saw it in a Jaben lelong site a while back.

For enthusiast, yes. It's worth it if you do it yourself. Not to me as I'd hire someone else, which beats the "DIY" purpose of it. I'd say that RM200++ is better spent on something else, upgrading your source or pile it up for a more significant headphone upgrade. You'll hear less colouration compared to the plastic housing of the stock, but nothing very significant unless you have them "golden ears". I'd say leave the mods for another day. Unless you can find a wood/metal housing that fits for a fraction of the price.

So your choices is very open within your price, and a lot have that retro look.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 21 2011, 11:38 AM

Heck even Grado isn't really famous. I found a local Bose dealer in my area, and I happened to have my Grado with me. He boasted about the Bose, and how much I "overpaid" for my Grado (which he has never heard of). He doesn't even know what he's talking about.

There's nothing wrong with favouring a particular brand, as long as that brand actually produces something worth the money you paid for. I may also be looking buying an Audio Technica as my friend is always talking about it, and never actually seen one. I may buy one and let him have a go. Looking for a good looking portable anyway.

That makes it easier, since Grado isn't all that portable. You can but unless it's re-cabled or you do what I do, wrap the cable around your waist in your belt loop.

Audio Technica AD300 and up is good too. They look good and many say they have good sound stage. Really close into making up my mind to buy one for my father.

I honestly don't know. Take a proper measurement and refer to the shop. To mill out a solid aluminium billet can cost quite a bit. It has to be very precise, as you don't want to redo the process which requires a whole new set of material. I think for proper measurements you would need to take the headphone apart. Take into account every nooks and crannies, like holes to hook the Y-fork onto the housing etc.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Dec 21 2011, 12:20 PM