Earphones / Headphones: Where to try, what to buy?

The best headphones I've ever owned (and indeed continue to own) are the Soundmagic PL50s. They're balanced armature, tiny (I use small comply T-100 tips). I didn't think much of them until I got the correct size tips but once I did...

The sound is unbelievably good. I would wholeheartedly recommend them.

Only problem is they didn't sound great for me until I got comply foam tips. And comply don't last for ages. So there's kind of an ongoing cost. Worth it though!

I'll get the E80S when they're readily available in grey/silver, looks like they'll be £40-£50ish.

Well now you've got me in a tizzy. PL50, E50s, or the Sony ones that I linked to??

Well that's up to you...

I've read good things about the e80s, but never tried them.

Pl50s are the best I've owned (had e10s, some £180 sennheiser iems and a few others). They don't have inline mic though. You can pick up the pl50s for £30ish on aliexpress. I'd recommend them but finding the right tips is vital for these.

Haven't tried the Sony iems so can't comment.

Bet that didn't help much eh?

I already am used to the ongoing cost of Complys so that doesn't put me off, I found the E10 were not worth it until I used the Comply tips.

I didn't know that the PL50 were rated highly, I don't need the inline mic, I'll take a punt on them.

Good! I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've just bought another pair from AliExpress at £29, just in case these ones pack in or I lose them like I did with my first pair. These ones have recently been through the washing machine but appear to have come out unscathed.

When I googled the E80S, an infographic came up with Tony Xu's email address at the bottom, he's the head honcho of Soundmagic. I thought I'd drop him a quick email saying that I very much enjoyed the PL50s and asking if there was a plan to make IEMs with multiple balanced armatures.

Got a reply a few hours later!

Dear Tom,

We have not 2 or 3 BA in ear plan at this moment, I tried to make some
sample, in fact, it’s not as good as I want, I will not just use BA to
do a product,

It must be perfect.

Thanks and Best Regards!

Tony Xu

SoundMAGIC Managing Director

This guy's alright!

That's pretty cool.

Big cans long term review update: Beyerdynamic DT880s = amazing.

I'm too impatient so stumped the £50 to get them from Amazon. I'm already impressed with them. The stock memory foam tips are OK but I'll be getting some Complys too. I didn't order them as I was hoping my current stash would fit but unfortunately not, so will order some in the correct fitment.

Think I'm going to start saving for the new RHA T20 in ears. Very positive early reviews, will wait to see if the hype dies down.

@TurtleRecall Great to see a company with that attitude.

@NurseHolliday Ah great! Let me know what you think of them once you've got the Comply tips on there. I've told a whole bunch of people how good these are, but it's hard to put into words and difficult to describe without letting other people stick my IEMs in their ears :)

@TRA yeah definitely, I'd read a couple of reviews of other Soundmagic headphones and they'd noted that this Tony Xu guy is an absolute perfectionist and will delay the release of new models until he's completely satisfied with them.

Got a pair of Mrice E300s today - only been listening for a few hours, but for £15 the sound is excellent (although probably not as good as Wired have been making out http://www.wired.com/2015/06/mrice-e300/).

Not ordered the Comply tips yet, however even without them, I'm really impressed with these headphones. I am not an audiophile, but what I notice massively about these headphones over other headphones is that I feel the "real" sound is reaching my ears rather than some sort of passive equalizer being applied through the driver design or bud shape. Is that the point of IEM design?

I'm no audiophile either, but I think that's supposed to be the point of balanced armatures, as opposed to regular dynamic drivers.

This site seems to suggest that you'll get more 'detail' and faster response with BAs, but less bass than dynamic drivers. I think I'd agree with the first bit, everything just sounds... clearer, I guess?

I also feel that there's less bass unnaturally added to what I'm listening to, and bass can definitely be EQed in.

I guess I've got weird ears because I couldn't really get comfortable with any of the stock tips, but once I got Complys they became my favourite headphones for sure.

Anyone got experience with not-crazy-money noise cancelling headphones? This has come up earlier in the thread, but didn't get much of a response.

I'm looking at the Audio Technica ATH ANC1's - anyone used them? Or does the hive mind have other suggestions?

Anyone fancies a pair of brand new Beats Solo 2 at a discounted price?

Gonna buy a Mac and will get a pair of these for free but I already have headphones I am happy with. So if anyone wants, I could order the colour you want. Its win win in my book.

I want to get a pair of unobtrusive, half decent on-ear* 'phones for my wife. I don't want to spend money on audiophile quality as she won't notice or give a shit but i don't want to buy cheap rubbish that will sound horrible and break after a month either. Any thoughts?

*she doesn't like earbuds and circumaral phones tend to be bigger than she'd be able to keep in a handbag.

You can get foldy ones

Helpful, I know.

(You want this car stereo?)

AKG 451 or Sennheiser PX200 are the obvious choices.

AKG 451s are very popular

Just to say thanks to @TRA

I bought the Sony Walkman MP3 headphones. They have been totally awesome.

Hello mate. I do!

On high alert awaiting the awaiting arrival of first-born at the moment. Due date is tomorrow. Assuming that doesn't happen over the weekend can we catch up for a beer early next week? BH Monday isn't it? Got any plans?

Cheers.

Ordered her some 451s. Ta.

Exciting!

I am at a stag do this weekend. Monday might not work.

Mid week? Or I can drop it over.

Finally killed my earbuds the other night by listening to Rammstein on the ride home. On the plus side, I got from Brixton Road to Stoke Newington in 30 mins.

Any suggestions for earbuds around or under £50
I listen to just about everything.