Low cost hi-value in ear headphone help

[annunaki]

Hello all!

Looking at purchasing some in-ear headphones for my kids and wanted to get an idea of some good sounding but very affordable phones for them for Christmas.

While some of the RBH Beryllium phones may be on my list, they would be a bit much for my kids

I am thinking no more than $30 a set ideally since I need to get 4 pairs.

What are some favs of my fellow AHers?

 

[rojo]

Hello all!

Looking at purchasing some in-ear headphones for my kids and wanted to get an idea of some good sounding but very affordable phones for them for Christmas.

While some of the RBH Beryllium phones may be on my list, they would be a bit much for my kids

I am thinking no more than $30 a set ideally since I need to get 4 pairs.

What are some favs of my fellow AHers?

I got a pair of dual driver in-ear earphones that have the bones of good sound for cheap, but they need quite a bit of EQ to sound normal. With no EQ, they're pretty bass heavy and obnoxious, and the highs are recessed. Once EQ'd though, there's none of the typical problem of heavy sub bass causing flutter in the mids and highs, and they actually sound pretty good -- although they still can't do airy, regardless of the shape of the EQ. I'm thinking a design like this or maybe this where the ear hole lives equidistant from both drivers might be an improvement, but your mileage may vary. Or these buds look pretty promising as well, like they might be a knockoff of something way more expensive. Edit: I just ordered a pair of the KZ ZST to try. I'll let you know on / after Tuesday how they sound.

Hey @afterlife2, what's your favorite cheap ear bud / IEM?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

If you could stretch the budget to 50$ I would go for these https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Isolating-Headphones-Microphone-Smartphones/dp/B01H5SI88U/ if mic is not necessary they go for 42$ https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Noise-Isolating-Earphones-Gunmetal/dp/B005HP3OB0/ these sound really good and seem to be quite durable as well. By far best sounding IEM I have owned, have had mine for couple years now. SoundMagic offers some cheaper models as well but I have no experience with them so can't really recommend them.

 

[annunaki]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Unfortunately my budget here is firm .

Some of those that you supplied rojo do look to be promising, it helps get me started anyway.

 

[rojo]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Unfortunately my budget here is firm .

Some of those that you supplied rojo do look to be promising, it helps get me started anyway.

If the ZST buds work well, you could order them from AliExpress in any permutation of wired, bluetooth, mic or no mic, carbon fiber or guitar pick colors, and likely have them in time for Christmas (assuming they don't get stuck in customs for longer than a week).

 

[rojo]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Unfortunately my budget here is firm .

Some of those that you supplied rojo do look to be promising, it helps get me started anyway.

Edit: I'm not very pleased with the sound after a little more listening. I'll post another comment in a little while, maybe after work when I've got time. OTOH, the Smiphees that I thought were bloated sounding are growing on me.

Original post: I received the KZ ZST this evening.

First impressions:

• First insertion felt like I was being violated by a doctor with an otoscope. The stock tips are too stiff or something. The sound with them was boxy, like a Walmart display $50 bookshelf system with crushed tweeter domes.
• The buds came with three pair of ear tips, with the medium size pre-installed. I tried the included smaller tips, but couldn't get a good seal. I didn't try the larger tips because I had no interest in experiencing the miracle of birth through my ear canals.
• I tried three more pair of ear tips I already had. Finally, the last pair of tips I landed on are a worthwhile pairing. The secret sauce for the ZST for me are large diameter, clear color, highly pliable silicone tips.
• Finding the right ear tips for these ear buds is crucial, and they are super picky about choosing a mate. I highly recommend ordering a variety of alternative tips for experimentation: Large | Medium | Variety Medium. What works for one of your kids might not work for the next. This will most likely be true regardless of the ear buds you finally choose.
• Even with what I feel are proper tips, sub bass is still understated to non-existent. Listening to a familiar drum and bass chart, I anticipated hearing a falling sweep down into the teens that I usually hear clearly with my Parrot Zik cans. Pretty sure the ZST buds didn't get below 35 Hz before they lost audibility.
• These things seem super sensitive. 50 - 55% volume on my phone drives these ZST to the edge of comfort.
• With the right ear tips, they're comfy. I've never had ear buds shaped properly for my ears before.
• The over-the-ear design of the cables should help minimize noise transferred by the cables rubbing against clothes.
• Other than the disappointing lack of sub bass, I hear no glaring problems. Kick drums are punchy, bass guitar has a subtle emphasis but not distastefully so, ride symbol and high hat are a bit forward but not too bad (Edit: yeah, it's pretty bad). Brass has nice brassy overtones. Baritone voices (trombone, cello, male vocals) seem unsupported. Tenor and female vocals are occasionally breath-y and engaging, but more often merely adequate. But honestly, it's probably unfair that I critique these ear buds with the same expectations as $300 headphones. For their price, they're really pretty good (Edit: jury's still out).
• They aren't giant killers or miracles, but they're definitely worth $20. I actually prefer them over my $40 Thinksound ear buds, and I had thought those were a pretty decent value. Edit: No I don't. The Thinksounds sound better.

I'm doing some comparison listening this morning as I can. So far, the ZSTs are underwhelming. Don't pull the trigger yet. I remembered last night that the headphone output on my mobile phone sucks, and I'm doing some listening on an iPod to develop a better opinion.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I received the KZ ZST this evening.
First impressions: First insertion felt like I was being violated by a doctor with an otoscope.

 

[rojo]

@annunaki Hey, check this out:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1VH-00T9-00002&ignorebbr=1

Sale ends at the end of tomorrow (Thursday) evening I think. I still recommend getting a variety of replacement tips. The reviews I've read say the bass in these ear buds is understated. Consider getting some foam ear tips for a more confident seal, to avoid leaking bass.

 

[annunaki]

@annunaki Hey, check this out:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1VH-00T9-00002&ignorebbr=1

Sale ends at the end of tomorrow (Thursday) evening I think. I still recommend getting a variety of replacement tips. The reviews I've read say the bass in these ear buds is understated. Consider getting some foam ear tips for a more confident seal, to avoid leaking bass.

I purchased 2 pair. One for me to sample and one for my audiophile in training son. Of my 3 boys he has the most interest in simply listening to music.

I will get two other lower cost phones yet.

I greatly appreciate your testing these and providing your reviews!!!

 

[rojo]

I purchased 2 pair. One for me to sample and one for my audiophile in training son. Of my 3 boys he has the most interest in simply listening to music.

I will get two other lower cost phones yet.

I greatly appreciate your testing these and providing your reviews!!!

Just ordered a pair myself. I recommend you order these ear tips as well. Try them all and see what works best with your ear buds. I think the fit of the ear tips is a big reason why a pair of ear buds can sound glorious to one person while sounding atrocious to the next; and often times the array of options offered stock isn't enough. I think Comply ear tips might be more durable, but it's probably better to start with a cheap and disposable sampler pack. Then you'll know what size and style of more premium tips to order down the road when you do have to replace them.