Don't know, I think that IEMs are more comfortable than any headset I ever had. Headset can have clamping force, and your head can sweat a lot because of them. And the top of headset can create pressure on your head and even stop blood from circulating. IEMs are lightweight, and with good eartips you can even forget that they are in you ears. Also, you can use wireless transmitter instead, if you have problems with wires. And to tell you the truth I never used IEM's wires the way you use them. Wires are intendent to be in front of you, not at the back of your neck.
As I said, everyone’s ear shape varies… so if you can get IEMs that work for you that is great… and I find that any headphone that is at least 50 euros or more tends to be a lot more comfortable for most… also a wireless transmitter is an extra cost… headphones are plug and play…so it all depends on what you want to spend…
@@The_Tech_Drawer I had like 10 headphones. And only one was kind of comfortable. I have 3 IEMs and only one which was like 10$ is uncomfortable. But if you never used IEMs, you need to give your ear canals time to adapt to them. There are some cases, when people have sensitive skin in ear canals. You can't deny, that IEMs have much better ventilation, and have contact with much smaller area of you body. And they are much lighter than headphones. And you can modify hell out of them. My last headphones were Audeze Maxwell and they were like super heavy and sweaty.... So when I bought my first pair of IEM - Kefine Klanar with wide Tangzu Sancai eartips - I were blown away by their comfort and lightness. They felt like freedom.
@@JamesBond-xv1ly It's going to be in large part a matter of your body and your preferences. The vast majority of the populace finds using IEM long term to be uncomfortable. But the vast majority of the populace doesn't listen to earphones long term so it's here nor there. Most folks when they get where they are going take out IEM, take off headphones and turn on speakers often the ones inside of a monitor. Headphones vary so much in size, weight, and quality that just blanketing them all together doesn't really do them any favors. Sure a big heavy set of closed back studio monitors have some weight. A pair of Koss KPH 30's or 40's basically doesn't. They are small. They are on ear as opposed to over. They are vented so open back. And they are budget kings. Both audiophiles and casual listeners love the shit out of them. And like most headphones if you find them uncomfortable you can mod them. To much clamping force? Bend them back a bit to lessen. Uncomfortable pads? Swap them out. In the case of the 40's they have user swappable cables that allow it to interface with different standards of plugs. ETC ETC.
@@exturkconner Your judgement of IEMs are kind of one-sided. Because I can seat in IEM like 10 hours a day without feeling any discomfort at all. But for most comfortable experience, you need to find eartips that are good for you. And yeah, you need to give your ears some time to adapt to IEMs, at least a month. Same goes for headphones actually. I mean I can seat with IEMs in my ears even without listening to anything.
Word to the wise. Beware that clamp pressure, as a 45 yo gamer and creative professional I've been wearing cans for over 3 decades, for work and pleasure, gamer headsets to studio grade, but I can no longer due to chronic jaw issues, which the headsets are largely to blame for. Just something to keep in mind for the future! Also, good luck on your RUclips journey youngfella, hi from Co Cork, remember me when you're in the major leagues!
Moondrop Chu ii is a good IEM. also dont wear it routing the cable at back of your neck since you are just sitting down. I usually do that if im performing on stage. but if just using at my desk or using my DAP i usually wear it under my chin.
@@Valorantplayer2727 When I watched the reviews one RUclipsr mentioned this, but then tried another pair and said they were pretty much without fault. And most RUclipsrs fail to highlight their physical failings which is a very important thing… if they don’t fit you can’t use them…
@The_Tech_Drawer crincle always says that you can never get the Same soundstage and depth from iems as you would from a decent pair of headphones but detail is easier to listen out for in iems
@@Valorantplayer2727 I have nothing bad to say about anyone but is he not partnered with truthear? Doesn’t that make him bias towards IEMs. Also I am focusing more on the physical qualities as opposed to sound…
Before you read this, I think your reviewing standards are great, but I thought there was a bit of information I would recommend you know 1) your audio reference isn't the greatest 2) Your entire "dark side" sector of the video was all just subjective stuff, ik u mentioned this in your conclusion, but its worth gaining experience before making collective judgements on iems 3) those iems really arent good, at least get a mid tier set and make real judgements 4) Most normal headphones' cables dont plug from 1 earcup, but both, you just have a logitech headset, reminder: logitech doesnt make good audio gear 5) no one wears iems running through the back of their neck, unless of course you were trying to do what artists do at concerts, where they hide the iems to prevent hazards or problems such as their hand just pulling the iems out, or simply just to stop the cable from flying around all the time whilst theyre moving quickly 6) the pressure build up problem is due to the lack of ventilation on the iem, as I previously mentioned, you not only cheaped out on the iems, but didnt bother doing research towards your choice before making a COLLECTIVE judgement on IEMs as a whole 7) seal, the clips u showed made it seem like you werent even wearing them properly, either that or the iems collectively didnt fit well in your ear, again, research would've been helpful in this situation 8) may I finally add that the cable on that IEM is pretty bad I'm really sorry if this does bother you, definitely isn't my aim in doing this, but as someone who reviews many audio products on other platforms, again, I think its best that you do more research on products, before making judgements on them. I think your reviewing standards are great, and I hope you succeed over time! :)
@@wifi-io I know my audio reference wasn’t the greatest, I just wanted to compare a decent set of earbuds, and a decent gaming headset as it helps viewers to understand the direction I am coming from better… I also understand these IEMs aren’t great… they are a good budget pair but not a high end pair, hence why I compared the physical qualities more so as I know comparing audio from them to more expensive products is not applicable… And yes the audio cable is bad, hence why I said maybe I am a bit fussy, but when I wore them around the front it didn’t make much of a difference. I won’t take offence though, I appreciate you taking the time to comment, I will take it on board and I always hope to make my next video even better 👌
@@The_Tech_Drawer Hey man, I appreciate you doing a review with budget items. Not everyone wants to dump a ton of money on some headphones, just want a decent budget option
@@ivandagiant these are the worst budget option like literally cheaper options such as moondrop chu 2 or truthear gate are way better in terms of sound quality, build quality, comfort from shell design, durability, tuning, cable, accesories, packaging
1) Cable are snake oil and only for aesthetics. 2) Past 50-100$ for IEM's you hit a wall of diminishing returns in current market, i know ret's who overdosed on copium would always try to justify their dumb purchase and tell you how "ma ggawd this 500$ earplugs are so worth it" but - nope. 3) Gaming headsets are nothing mindblowing either so it is a fair comparison. Logitech G is not "mid tier", its just subpar headphone from a big company 4) Of course it is a "reviewer" aka online salesman for a free unit who says writes that much bs.
hence why ones are subjective, every iem sounds different, has different fit, and handles the SPL (sound pressure level) in your ear differently, same with pinna gain (the outside part of ur ear that changes noise) even the eartips matter in terms of both sound and fit, and even things like imaging and soundstage, which brings me back to the start where iems are all about findinf YOUR personal preference. Sound, fit, comfort. Overall iems are well, as subjective as it gets, to most people that dont notice different in sound or arent audiophiles wont always find iems appealing, since to a normal person they could all feel the same or sound the same but just at different price points. so just choose whatever is suitable for u, and thoroughly go through the specs and understand the product before buying it. no point listening to the media if it doesnt suit you
Switched from mainstream overear headphone to iem a year ago and couldn't be happier tbh. I had a wh-1000xm3 which I replaced with the Chu 2. The chu 2 were just lighter so I felt I could wear them for longer. Pressure build up is a thing but I find them less frequent and more bearable than over ear clamping force from headphones. Iems are also just almost guaranteed to sound better for music listening out of the box. Stuff like gaming headsets/ANC headphones really need EQ to not sound muddy to me. Lastly, I can take them anywhere relatively easily. I use public transport a lot and even personally find something like an xm3 bulky. Iems? They just fit into my pocket.
@@ThisLuvee I used the headset as a gaming example… but for audio listening IEMs can be great… although I have tried some high end headphones for audio and they are amazing as they have more space for bigger more powerful drivers… but if IEMs work for you as I said by all means use them… they can be amazing…
What? Why are you wearing your IEM from behind your neck? I just wear mine in front. That does mean the wire dangle in front of me, but it also mean the wire is not rubbing against my neck. IEM's are guilty pleasures these days, because they lack modern conveniences. But they have awesome sound quality, and IEM's at $50 can easily outperform earbuds at $150.
Honestly, I agree with this video. The pros/cons of the form factor are rarely explained. As you said: Having the pressure in your ear is different than an over-ear headphone. Depends on how wide the IEM's nozzle is, but you won't know if it's a problem until you've got a chance to wear it, and likely that means after buying. And as you mentioned, the cable being anchored ultimately to your person (ears, neck depending on how you wear it) is a change. Arguably less comfortable than an over-ear. Having the cable terminate in the earcup vs an earhook might sound like a small thing, but it's off your skin, not tugging directly on you if you accidentally pull on the cable, easier to forget about it and not be bothered by it. And I think the cables on headphones are often a bit longer, which can be more convenient for versatile use, switching between devices. You can buy a 3.5mm to 3.5mm extension cable for the IEM, but that's an additional expense and hassle. Or a longer cable that plugs into the IEM itself, but once again you need to take care to get a comfortable one, which... how can you know without buying it first? There's also debates about if an open and spacious sound is possible with IEMs, which is something some people look for. So, it is a different product segment with its own cons, not just the pros of the alluring price, small size and portability. There are the downsides or sidegrades of it too, depending on how you assess it. Of course IEMs are overall good IMO, but it's not something that would make me want headphones to go extinct. If for comfort differences alone I'd like to have a pair of each form factor. If my ear canal gets fatigued, a headphone would save the day. If the headband digs into my head or my ears get sweaty/too hot, the IEM likewise can once again save the day I suppose. I'm not aware enough of the sound differences, but it does seem an open and spacious sound is more a headphones and speakers thing and not IEMS' forte. But the clarity across the frequency range of something right in my ear canal with a good seal, and the consistency of the sound not changing when I move my head due to the secure and tight fit, seems kinda hard to beat, on the other hand. So, pros and minuses.
@@__Random_user_ Yes, everyone points this one out, I use it both ways but for me it is more comfortable on the back… if it is better on the front for you do that…
Great video, though I do have some observations. I personally can't really use regular headphones, so I'm stuck with earbuds/earphones/IEM's and I think a couple more things are worth noting. The set you chose (CCA CRA+) was great 2 years ago. Now, there are a lot more, theoretically better pairs of IEM's. The price difference was something you actually mentioned but to really compare these it would still be fair to pick similarly priced headphones. It's worth noting that cheap IEM's can sound great but usually come with the price of QC and the build quality. It's a lot easier to break cheap IEM's than it is to break cheap earphones (especially the older ones from AKG, sony and so on). In the $50 price bracket you can actually get a decent pair. Some of them are metal, some of them have shells from resin but they're less likely to break after a while because of better materials/drivers/[...]. They also come with more additional stuff like a case, a better cable and even the packaging is something that might be a significant part of the price. I'm not trying to shame cheap IEM's. Chi-fi is actually great nowadays and a $20 pair can last you a couple of years with no problems. It is worth noting though that they might be less durable than their competitors. I loved my Salnotes Zero (the same era as the CCA CRA and the + version) but they unfortunately broke after 1,5/2 years. Also, where did you buy your CCA CRA+ from? I think it was kinda expensive. You should be able to get them for even $15 on aliexpress or like $26 on linsoul (probably cheaper when on sale)
Thanks for the comment, if IEMs work better for you than that is great… I did try to highlight I focused on fit and cables, things that were more applicable to IEMs as a whole… I will definitely consider getting another higher end pair soon… the ones I picked up were actually 25 euros and can be had for 20…
I’m happy switching to iems I still have my Logitech gaming headphones but they’re just back ups in case I break my iem’s now. They feel comfy, and sound great
@@notal2 No problem, if you check the comments, everyone says the same, and I wear them around the front as I find it more comfortable and it is the way my cables are routed…
Overrated not really. Overhyped? DEFINITELY. Whether it's IEMs or Headphones it still boils down to your preference and comfort. One f*cking problem is every godamn product is ALWAYS get overhyped by Reviewer, I mean bro I know newer is better or whatever, BUT DANG IT, THE PREDECESSOR IS STILL EXIST AND CHEAPER!!!
For me, IEM has been good enough - though my reference for this has primarily been KZ ZSN Pro X. The sound quality was fine, better than headphones of similar prices but not better than my Samson SR850 which fits my preference better. The biggest plus has been that above USD 50 it starts to also give me good body as well - my KZ ZSN Pro X has been fallen, beaten, and yanked to the point of denting after years of use. And I've only needed to replace the cable twice. With headphones of similar prices, something would have broken that would be harder to repair if possible at all. Also, it's easier to find reviews for cheap IEMs over cheap headphones for the ones available in my region.
I just don't think IEMs is one size fits all kind of thing. A headset comes with a Microphone that if its wired its passable you know. I got KZ ZSN s10 Pro X recently and the microphone cable is just too slow I cant just +30db it because then it Hisses.
Headphones can be heavy and have tight clamp force so both headphones and iems can be uncomfortable. You might be better off with a tws with low latency best for gaming. Samsung and JBL are a safe bet because of the harman research being influenced in the sound
I agree with the drawbacks, tho I just wear them with the cable in front, not on my back, and found a pair of ear tips that fit me perfectly and I use them with all of my IEMs And with over ear headphones size and depth of the pads matters almost or just as much as ear tips in IEMs, it's not like all of them are going to fit you well Valid but not IEM specific issues
Personally I swear by 7Hz Timeless, but I know planar magnetic are "controversial" and some people hate it The best and worst IEMs I got at the same time are Moondrop Blessing 2 They sound ABSOLUTELY AMAZING but the design quality for this money is just straight up scam the cable you get in the box is the nosiest shitty piece of garbage I've ever seen and it's a miracle it's still intact after a year because it's so thion and rigid it looks like it would just break when throwing them in the case. I bought $5 cables that were infinitely better in every single way than that one The ear tips don't have notches to be secured on the IEMs themselves, the only thing that's keeping the tips on IEMs is friction of the silicone against a polished plastic. After a while the silicone in the ear tips stretches and after that the tips come loose every time you pull the IEMs out of your ears, unless you glue them like I did IDK what about the Blessing 3, but unless they fixed the issue, not worth buying unless you plan to buy a replacement cable at the same time and glue the tips
Who made them out to be faultless? The audiophile review community does not pretend they're flawless. And this blanket referring to "them" as if all IEM's are made equal speaks volumes to the nature of the issue here. You're not understanding that products of all kinds have better and worse representations of that product's abilities. Its not iem vs the world. It's shit products vs good ones.
Just saying they have been in use for performers and are made for artists who need something while being screamed at by 1000's of people. I don't think its in question if they are good it has more to do with price point and why any normal person would buy them if you aren't performing. They are usually meant to be made for person by person basis, they work somewhat like Gfits from Logitech and UE which are basically a cheaper and market friendly. An IEM made to be cheap I don't think will ever truly reach mainstream because wireless earbuds have gotten too popular. It is only an audiophile thing now.
@@coopwaters201 Yes, many do use them for performances, but mainstream models especially in the 50ish price range can offer good value for money if the things I mentioned don’t bother you… I feel they suit gaming better though as many wireless earbuds as you said preform well…
Crinacle, bad guy good audio reviews are great reviewers who don't over hype iems and tell it as it is. I got my IEM today. Simgot ew300. The detail in the sound is amazing!
Is it good for bass? I love tight thick bass, enough decay, little deeper bass & rumble. I am using ew200 but it lacks bass quantity so much that I couldn't feel good in immersive games
@@kikiwonwon29 it has a tight punchy bass. I found the bass more clear than bose quiet comfort 45 headphones and Sony's bass boosted earphones I forget the model name. But I didn't quite get the rumble in it. There's an option to change the nozzle of the earphones to get a more bassy sound but I haven't tested that out yet. If you want this for gaming then this is going to be an amazing one as it is amazingly detailed with good imaging but a bit smaller soundstage , not to say the soundstage is bad at all. Overall it's amazing, I would recommend it to but without much thought at all as it's that amazing
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Don't know, I think that IEMs are more comfortable than any headset I ever had. Headset can have clamping force, and your head can sweat a lot because of them. And the top of headset can create pressure on your head and even stop blood from circulating. IEMs are lightweight, and with good eartips you can even forget that they are in you ears. Also, you can use wireless transmitter instead, if you have problems with wires. And to tell you the truth I never used IEM's wires the way you use them. Wires are intendent to be in front of you, not at the back of your neck.
As I said, everyone’s ear shape varies… so if you can get IEMs that work for you that is great… and I find that any headphone that is at least 50 euros or more tends to be a lot more comfortable for most… also a wireless transmitter is an extra cost… headphones are plug and play…so it all depends on what you want to spend…
@@The_Tech_Drawer I had like 10 headphones. And only one was kind of comfortable. I have 3 IEMs and only one which was like 10$ is uncomfortable. But if you never used IEMs, you need to give your ear canals time to adapt to them. There are some cases, when people have sensitive skin in ear canals. You can't deny, that IEMs have much better ventilation, and have contact with much smaller area of you body. And they are much lighter than headphones. And you can modify hell out of them.
My last headphones were Audeze Maxwell and they were like super heavy and sweaty.... So when I bought my first pair of IEM - Kefine Klanar with wide Tangzu Sancai eartips - I were blown away by their comfort and lightness. They felt like freedom.
@@JamesBond-xv1ly There are pros and cons to everything no matter what it is… so if they work for you that is great 👍
@@JamesBond-xv1ly It's going to be in large part a matter of your body and your preferences. The vast majority of the populace finds using IEM long term to be uncomfortable. But the vast majority of the populace doesn't listen to earphones long term so it's here nor there. Most folks when they get where they are going take out IEM, take off headphones and turn on speakers often the ones inside of a monitor.
Headphones vary so much in size, weight, and quality that just blanketing them all together doesn't really do them any favors. Sure a big heavy set of closed back studio monitors have some weight. A pair of Koss KPH 30's or 40's basically doesn't. They are small. They are on ear as opposed to over. They are vented so open back. And they are budget kings. Both audiophiles and casual listeners love the shit out of them. And like most headphones if you find them uncomfortable you can mod them. To much clamping force? Bend them back a bit to lessen. Uncomfortable pads? Swap them out. In the case of the 40's they have user swappable cables that allow it to interface with different standards of plugs. ETC ETC.
@@exturkconner Your judgement of IEMs are kind of one-sided. Because I can seat in IEM like 10 hours a day without feeling any discomfort at all. But for most comfortable experience, you need to find eartips that are good for you. And yeah, you need to give your ears some time to adapt to IEMs, at least a month. Same goes for headphones actually. I mean I can seat with IEMs in my ears even without listening to anything.
Word to the wise. Beware that clamp pressure, as a 45 yo gamer and creative professional I've been wearing cans for over 3 decades, for work and pleasure, gamer headsets to studio grade, but I can no longer due to chronic jaw issues, which the headsets are largely to blame for. Just something to keep in mind for the future! Also, good luck on your RUclips journey youngfella, hi from Co Cork, remember me when you're in the major leagues!
@@HandsomeTez Thanks for taking the time to comment mate, hello from Co Cork too!
Moondrop Chu ii is a good IEM. also dont wear it routing the cable at back of your neck since you are just sitting down. I usually do that if im performing on stage. but if just using at my desk or using my DAP i usually wear it under my chin.
2:51 this can be solved with aftermarket eartips easily.
You said that tech youtubers say iems have no flaws? They usually always say the soundstage is narrow
@@Valorantplayer2727 When I watched the reviews one RUclipsr mentioned this, but then tried another pair and said they were pretty much without fault. And most RUclipsrs fail to highlight their physical failings which is a very important thing… if they don’t fit you can’t use them…
@The_Tech_Drawer crincle always says that you can never get the Same soundstage and depth from iems as you would from a decent pair of headphones but detail is easier to listen out for in iems
@@Valorantplayer2727 I have nothing bad to say about anyone but is he not partnered with truthear? Doesn’t that make him bias towards IEMs. Also I am focusing more on the physical qualities as opposed to sound…
@The_Tech_Drawer he literally said iems can never touch good open back headphones on soundstage???
@@Valorantplayer2727 👍
bro i just realised you have only 26 sub, wait i'll make that 27, great video man
imma make that 28
Imma sub to, 50th
Before you read this, I think your reviewing standards are great, but I thought there was a bit of information I would recommend you know
1) your audio reference isn't the greatest
2) Your entire "dark side" sector of the video was all just subjective stuff, ik u mentioned this in your conclusion, but its worth gaining experience before making collective judgements on iems
3) those iems really arent good, at least get a mid tier set and make real judgements
4) Most normal headphones' cables dont plug from 1 earcup, but both, you just have a logitech headset, reminder: logitech doesnt make good audio gear
5) no one wears iems running through the back of their neck, unless of course you were trying to do what artists do at concerts, where they hide the iems to prevent hazards or problems such as their hand just pulling the iems out, or simply just to stop the cable from flying around all the time whilst theyre moving quickly
6) the pressure build up problem is due to the lack of ventilation on the iem, as I previously mentioned, you not only cheaped out on the iems, but didnt bother doing research towards your choice before making a COLLECTIVE judgement on IEMs as a whole
7) seal, the clips u showed made it seem like you werent even wearing them properly, either that or the iems collectively didnt fit well in your ear, again, research would've been helpful in this situation
8) may I finally add that the cable on that IEM is pretty bad
I'm really sorry if this does bother you, definitely isn't my aim in doing this, but as someone who reviews many audio products on other platforms, again, I think its best that you do more research on products, before making judgements on them. I think your reviewing standards are great, and I hope you succeed over time! :)
@@wifi-io I know my audio reference wasn’t the greatest, I just wanted to compare a decent set of earbuds, and a decent gaming headset as it helps viewers to understand the direction I am coming from better… I also understand these IEMs aren’t great… they are a good budget pair but not a high end pair, hence why I compared the physical qualities more so as I know comparing audio from them to more expensive products is not applicable… And yes the audio cable is bad, hence why I said maybe I am a bit fussy, but when I wore them around the front it didn’t make much of a difference. I won’t take offence though, I appreciate you taking the time to comment, I will take it on board and I always hope to make my next video even better 👌
@@The_Tech_Drawer Hey man, I appreciate you doing a review with budget items. Not everyone wants to dump a ton of money on some headphones, just want a decent budget option
@@ivandagiant these are the worst budget option like literally cheaper options such as moondrop chu 2 or truthear gate are way better in terms of sound quality, build quality, comfort from shell design, durability, tuning, cable, accesories, packaging
1) Cable are snake oil and only for aesthetics.
2) Past 50-100$ for IEM's you hit a wall of diminishing returns in current market, i know ret's who overdosed on copium would always try to justify their dumb purchase and tell you how "ma ggawd this 500$ earplugs are so worth it" but - nope.
3) Gaming headsets are nothing mindblowing either so it is a fair comparison. Logitech G is not "mid tier", its just subpar headphone from a big company
4) Of course it is a "reviewer" aka online salesman for a free unit who says writes that much bs.
hence why ones are subjective, every iem sounds different, has different fit, and handles the SPL (sound pressure level) in your ear differently, same with pinna gain (the outside part of ur ear that changes noise) even the eartips matter in terms of both sound and fit, and even things like imaging and soundstage, which brings me back to the start where iems are all about findinf YOUR personal preference. Sound, fit, comfort. Overall iems are well, as subjective as it gets, to most people that dont notice different in sound or arent audiophiles wont always find iems appealing, since to a normal person they could all feel the same or sound the same but just at different price points. so just choose whatever is suitable for u, and thoroughly go through the specs and understand the product before buying it. no point listening to the media if it doesnt suit you
@@bigbean7273 I agree 👍
Switched from mainstream overear headphone to iem a year ago and couldn't be happier tbh.
I had a wh-1000xm3 which I replaced with the Chu 2.
The chu 2 were just lighter so I felt I could wear them for longer. Pressure build up is a thing but I find them less frequent and more bearable than over ear clamping force from headphones.
Iems are also just almost guaranteed to sound better for music listening out of the box. Stuff like gaming headsets/ANC headphones really need EQ to not sound muddy to me.
Lastly, I can take them anywhere relatively easily. I use public transport a lot and even personally find something like an xm3 bulky. Iems? They just fit into my pocket.
@@ThisLuvee I used the headset as a gaming example… but for audio listening IEMs can be great… although I have tried some high end headphones for audio and they are amazing as they have more space for bigger more powerful drivers… but if IEMs work for you as I said by all means use them… they can be amazing…
What? Why are you wearing your IEM from behind your neck? I just wear mine in front. That does mean the wire dangle in front of me, but it also mean the wire is not rubbing against my neck. IEM's are guilty pleasures these days, because they lack modern conveniences. But they have awesome sound quality, and IEM's at $50 can easily outperform earbuds at $150.
Honestly, I agree with this video. The pros/cons of the form factor are rarely explained. As you said: Having the pressure in your ear is different than an over-ear headphone. Depends on how wide the IEM's nozzle is, but you won't know if it's a problem until you've got a chance to wear it, and likely that means after buying. And as you mentioned, the cable being anchored ultimately to your person (ears, neck depending on how you wear it) is a change. Arguably less comfortable than an over-ear. Having the cable terminate in the earcup vs an earhook might sound like a small thing, but it's off your skin, not tugging directly on you if you accidentally pull on the cable, easier to forget about it and not be bothered by it. And I think the cables on headphones are often a bit longer, which can be more convenient for versatile use, switching between devices. You can buy a 3.5mm to 3.5mm extension cable for the IEM, but that's an additional expense and hassle. Or a longer cable that plugs into the IEM itself, but once again you need to take care to get a comfortable one, which... how can you know without buying it first?
There's also debates about if an open and spacious sound is possible with IEMs, which is something some people look for.
So, it is a different product segment with its own cons, not just the pros of the alluring price, small size and portability. There are the downsides or sidegrades of it too, depending on how you assess it. Of course IEMs are overall good IMO, but it's not something that would make me want headphones to go extinct. If for comfort differences alone I'd like to have a pair of each form factor. If my ear canal gets fatigued, a headphone would save the day. If the headband digs into my head or my ears get sweaty/too hot, the IEM likewise can once again save the day I suppose. I'm not aware enough of the sound differences, but it does seem an open and spacious sound is more a headphones and speakers thing and not IEMS' forte. But the clarity across the frequency range of something right in my ear canal with a good seal, and the consistency of the sound not changing when I move my head due to the secure and tight fit, seems kinda hard to beat, on the other hand. So, pros and minuses.
@@MrSmitheroons Thanks 👍
Waaaaitt whaaat? You put the cable behind your neck? No way that's comfy. I put the cable forward on my chest.
@@__Random_user_ Yes, everyone points this one out, I use it both ways but for me it is more comfortable on the back… if it is better on the front for you do that…
@@The_Tech_Drawer I mainly lay on the sofa with IEMs so having them on my neck would often drag my head back but I see your point
Great video, though I do have some observations. I personally can't really use regular headphones, so I'm stuck with earbuds/earphones/IEM's and I think a couple more things are worth noting. The set you chose (CCA CRA+) was great 2 years ago. Now, there are a lot more, theoretically better pairs of IEM's. The price difference was something you actually mentioned but to really compare these it would still be fair to pick similarly priced headphones.
It's worth noting that cheap IEM's can sound great but usually come with the price of QC and the build quality. It's a lot easier to break cheap IEM's than it is to break cheap earphones (especially the older ones from AKG, sony and so on). In the $50 price bracket you can actually get a decent pair. Some of them are metal, some of them have shells from resin but they're less likely to break after a while because of better materials/drivers/[...]. They also come with more additional stuff like a case, a better cable and even the packaging is something that might be a significant part of the price.
I'm not trying to shame cheap IEM's. Chi-fi is actually great nowadays and a $20 pair can last you a couple of years with no problems. It is worth noting though that they might be less durable than their competitors. I loved my Salnotes Zero (the same era as the CCA CRA and the + version) but they unfortunately broke after 1,5/2 years.
Also, where did you buy your CCA CRA+ from? I think it was kinda expensive. You should be able to get them for even $15 on aliexpress or like $26 on linsoul (probably cheaper when on sale)
Thanks for the comment, if IEMs work better for you than that is great… I did try to highlight I focused on fit and cables, things that were more applicable to IEMs as a whole… I will definitely consider getting another higher end pair soon… the ones I picked up were actually 25 euros and can be had for 20…
I’m happy switching to iems I still have my Logitech gaming headphones but they’re just back ups in case I break my iem’s now. They feel comfy, and sound great
this dude is unfairly underrated lets make him popular
ik I'm late but just noticed you were wearing the cable wrong
@@notal2 No problem, if you check the comments, everyone says the same, and I wear them around the front as I find it more comfortable and it is the way my cables are routed…
Overrated not really. Overhyped? DEFINITELY.
Whether it's IEMs or Headphones it still boils down to your preference and comfort.
One f*cking problem is every godamn product is ALWAYS get overhyped by Reviewer, I mean bro I know newer is better or whatever, BUT DANG IT, THE PREDECESSOR IS STILL EXIST AND CHEAPER!!!
I hate IEMs since they sit in your ears, headphones are just better for you
Comfort is king
For me, IEM has been good enough - though my reference for this has primarily been KZ ZSN Pro X. The sound quality was fine, better than headphones of similar prices but not better than my Samson SR850 which fits my preference better. The biggest plus has been that above USD 50 it starts to also give me good body as well - my KZ ZSN Pro X has been fallen, beaten, and yanked to the point of denting after years of use. And I've only needed to replace the cable twice. With headphones of similar prices, something would have broken that would be harder to repair if possible at all. Also, it's easier to find reviews for cheap IEMs over cheap headphones for the ones available in my region.
@@FengLengshun If they work for you that is great, hope you enjoy them…
I just don't think IEMs is one size fits all kind of thing. A headset comes with a Microphone that if its wired its passable you know. I got KZ ZSN s10 Pro X recently and the microphone cable is just too slow I cant just +30db it because then it Hisses.
@@Fadelz True, as I said in the video, when it comes to tech some people have different needs to others… hope you find a solution to your problem tho…
The CCA cra+ was notorious for having numerous qc issues
I didn’t know that, I never had quality issues with mine, they still are fully functional…
@The_Tech_Drawer the newer cca cra+ was downgraded to be cheaper after it got good reviews
@The_Tech_Drawer mb it wasn't qc issues it was tweaked after release making it a lot worse doesn't help that it's severely outdated in today's market
@@moddedjolt3073 Yep, that is why I focused more on the physical aspects of IEMs that affect all of them… instead of just what might be tied to one…
there's a device on amazon which can convert any wired earphone to bluetooth try that with IEM so it might help.
I will definitely look into that, might look at getting a better pair of IEMs before investing money into it…
Headphones can be heavy and have tight clamp force so both headphones and iems can be uncomfortable. You might be better off with a tws with low latency best for gaming. Samsung and JBL are a safe bet because of the harman research being influenced in the sound
I agree with the drawbacks, tho I just wear them with the cable in front, not on my back, and found a pair of ear tips that fit me perfectly and I use them with all of my IEMs
And with over ear headphones size and depth of the pads matters almost or just as much as ear tips in IEMs, it's not like all of them are going to fit you well
Valid but not IEM specific issues
Personally I swear by 7Hz Timeless, but I know planar magnetic are "controversial" and some people hate it
The best and worst IEMs I got at the same time are Moondrop Blessing 2
They sound ABSOLUTELY AMAZING but the design quality for this money is just straight up scam
the cable you get in the box is the nosiest shitty piece of garbage I've ever seen and it's a miracle it's still intact after a year because it's so thion and rigid it looks like it would just break when throwing them in the case. I bought $5 cables that were infinitely better in every single way than that one
The ear tips don't have notches to be secured on the IEMs themselves, the only thing that's keeping the tips on IEMs is friction of the silicone against a polished plastic. After a while the silicone in the ear tips stretches and after that the tips come loose every time you pull the IEMs out of your ears, unless you glue them like I did
IDK what about the Blessing 3, but unless they fixed the issue, not worth buying unless you plan to buy a replacement cable at the same time and glue the tips
👍
Who made them out to be faultless? The audiophile review community does not pretend they're flawless. And this blanket referring to "them" as if all IEM's are made equal speaks volumes to the nature of the issue here. You're not understanding that products of all kinds have better and worse representations of that product's abilities. Its not iem vs the world. It's shit products vs good ones.
Just saying they have been in use for performers and are made for artists who need something while being screamed at by 1000's of people. I don't think its in question if they are good it has more to do with price point and why any normal person would buy them if you aren't performing. They are usually meant to be made for person by person basis, they work somewhat like Gfits from Logitech and UE which are basically a cheaper and market friendly. An IEM made to be cheap I don't think will ever truly reach mainstream because wireless earbuds have gotten too popular. It is only an audiophile thing now.
@@coopwaters201 Yes, many do use them for performances, but mainstream models especially in the 50ish price range can offer good value for money if the things I mentioned don’t bother you… I feel they suit gaming better though as many wireless earbuds as you said preform well…
Crinacle, bad guy good audio reviews are great reviewers who don't over hype iems and tell it as it is. I got my IEM today. Simgot ew300. The detail in the sound is amazing!
@@DoctorDoom619 Enjoy!
Is it good for bass? I love tight thick bass, enough decay, little deeper bass & rumble. I am using ew200 but it lacks bass quantity so much that I couldn't feel good in immersive games
@@kikiwonwon29 it has a tight punchy bass. I found the bass more clear than bose quiet comfort 45 headphones and Sony's bass boosted earphones I forget the model name. But I didn't quite get the rumble in it. There's an option to change the nozzle of the earphones to get a more bassy sound but I haven't tested that out yet. If you want this for gaming then this is going to be an amazing one as it is amazingly detailed with good imaging but a bit smaller soundstage , not to say the soundstage is bad at all. Overall it's amazing, I would recommend it to but without much thought at all as it's that amazing
Lol😂😂😂😂
Weird facial expressions ehhh
@@armaanmodi They are the only expressions I have so they will have to do 😂
First