DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Need a pair of IEM for 2k or less bucks

10 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/need-a-pair-of-iem-for-2k-or-less-bucks.158039/

papul1993
papul1993 Original post #1
Jun 4, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Hi,
I have Sony Xperia Mini ST15i. I listen to music only on it on the move. Now, the stock earphones are pretty good. But I want something better than that for less than Rs. 2000. (Can't increase it)

I don't understand many of the terms audiophiles used to describe the quality of audio equipment so I will try to state my requirements by telling you guys what kind of music I like to listen to.

I like Metal. My favourite genres are thrash and symphonic metal. I want everything in metal music to stand out. They shouldn't just focus on Bass. I want everything balanced. Metal doesn't sound so good on my stock Sony earphones. One of the primary reasons I am choosing to replace them.

Next, I listen to a lot of classical. Indian and western both. The classical music should sound clear and clean. They are quite good on my stock Sony earphones. So I guess I shouldn't expect much better performance from what I am going to buy.

I hardly listen to Pop music of these days. Also very little Hindi music.

I will buy the earphones from flipkart. This very week if I get good recommendations.

EDIT: Will also buy PowerAMP. :D (Do voodoo patches work on Xperia Mini?)
thetechfreak
Jun 4, 2012 at 3:23 PM
Sennheiser CX180 Earphone Price India, Sennheiser CX180 Earphone Review, Sennheiser Headphone India - Infibeam.com
papul1993
Jun 4, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Sennheiser CX180 Earphone Price India, Sennheiser CX180 Earphone Review, Sennheiser Headphone India - Infibeam.com

^^^ "powerful bass driven sound". Don't want that. I want everything to be well balanced.
teejay_geekEd
Jun 4, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Get the SoundMagic e30.
SOUND MAGIC IN-EAR E30 With BALANCED SOUND & BASS

That's the best that you can get within 2k.
You may want to spend 290 bucks more and get the Brainwavz M1 from Brainwavz M-1 [M-1] - Rs.2,290.00 : Pristine Note, Shop audio, headphones, amplifier, DAC, hifi, mp3, audiophile products online store India

Either way, you can't go wrong.
And I don't think you shud choose the cx180. Senny's CX series receive a lot of flak for not sounding good.
I haven't seen a CX(cx 280, cx 281, cx 300 also) series getting more than 5.5 out of 10 by joker in his mega review thread. Whereas e30 and M1 are ranked much higher.
samudragupta
Jun 4, 2012 at 5:11 PM
+1 for soundmagic E30
papul1993
Jun 4, 2012 at 5:12 PM
How are the Tekfusion Twin woofers? Are they good?
gulati.ishank
Jun 5, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Soundmagic E30 would be best in your budget.
A
Jun 5, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Opt for Twinwoofer .
Tekfusion - Twinwoofers In-Ear Headphones
Price on Webmarket is around 1300
Pros: Excellent Bass on mid and high
Cons: 1 M extension cable which might be short
teejay_geekEd
Jun 5, 2012 at 4:39 PM
If I were you, I'd go for the e30 or the M1 and not take a chance with Twinwoofers.
papul1993
papul1993 #10
Jun 25, 2012 at 10:24 PM
Still haven't bought it. Any other suggestions?