I have a collection of headphones and iems that is probably unhealthy, but we are not here to talk about that. Instead, I came into work and realized I’ve been using the same KZ-zs10 pros for a few years of zoom (has a mic on the wire), music, and whatever else at work with no complaint.
Given all the other options out there, or that I own, it surprises me that such a humble iem has performed so well. Which brings me to my question: what is your old reliable? Your everyday workhorse? What headphone or iem do you reach for over and over again?
When I’m on the go I use the Samsung Buds+
When at work, the Linsoul Kiwi Ears Cadenza and the AKG K371
When at home, I rotate between the AKG K702 (my favorites), the Sundaras and the Truthear Hexa
My 7hz TimelessAEs have taken over my listening
I’ve got the non-AE version, they’re great
Man, I’m so tempted to get the AEs, the blue looks really nice and the Timeless have such great reviews.
The headphones I shove in my pocket are the KZ ZSN pro X with a 2.5mm balanced output plugged into a Fiio BTR3.
My next setup will be a Fiio m17 paired with some better dynamic T1s.
Seinheiser HD 600s on the desktop
I’m old. My hearing aids have Bluetooth. Brilliant sound, better than any headphones/earbuds I’ve ever had. They wee reeeeeallly expensive though.
I go for my Beyer Dynamic DT-990s when given the option. I’ve never experienced another pair of headphones that I can comfortably wear all day.
I love my DT 990 Pros; I know it doesn’t get a good rap in some circles, but I love the V-shape sound signature and the DT 990s do that to perfection. And they have such a great soundstage.
For on the go I rock either some KZ ZSN Pro X dirty buds or my EarFun Air Pros.
For gaming and general computer usage I got my Samson SR850s, which are just brilliant for the price. Get some deeper ear pads and I can wear them all day long.
For getting high and critically listening to music tho, I friggen love my Monolith M565 open back planar magnetics. Holy STINK, as somebody who grew up poor not knowing anything audiophile, these things are God damn glorious.
I have a love/hate relationship with my Bowers and Wilkins PX9s. They sound wonderful and they do an excellent job of cancelling noise. I tested against the Sony 1000X when I bought them and found the PX9s to have a more extensive soundstage and a rich, if somewhat bass-heavy tone. But these are my 2nd pair. I returned the 1st pair for the same reason you see in the picture. They’re so poorly designed that with regular use, the arms just break. Same thing happened to this pair, but they’re well past warranty so a bundle of Gorilla tape is holding them in place. Because of the way the arms curve backwards, one cannot lie down with these as the pads just start to flip open from the front. And speaking of pads, the oval shape makes it a GIANT pain in the ass for anyone with a somewhat larger ear, like myself. With all that said, they’re the ones I have so they’re the ones I use. I slap on my Grado SR325X when I get home, but open ear headphones just don’t work well out in the world, obviously. For better or worse, this is what I have for now.
The 2 pair of IEMs I use by far the most are my Blessing 2: Dusk and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro (for convenience).
Sennheiser IE 600, great drivers and the best thing about them is they are so tiny and comfortable, I can sleep on the side without noticing them in my ears
Maybe it’s just me but I have mostly converted to TWS now, their convieneces are unmatched compared to traditional IEMs. Plus, noise cancelling is an absolute must-have for outdoor usage. Which is quite the irony considering how I own multiple LG V-series phones lol.
At home I alternate between the Sony WF-C500 and WF-1000XM4, plus Moondrop Quarks for gaming.
For outdoors usage, WF-1000XM4 and Beoplay EQ. But mostly the XM4 since the Beoplay EQ’s app sucks balls and it’s pretty bad at blocking wind noises. If anything, I believe that the EQ actually amplifies wind noises in NC mode compared to the XM4 and C500.
Being productive? KiwiEars Cadenza for active tasks, Senheiser HD599Cs for sitting tasks (I need a better closed back).
Relaxing/Gaming? Moondrop Kato or Hifiman Sundara. A very nice range of uses and quality for me.
DT880 for cans. Recently got the Moondrop Chu II IEMs for $20. Fantastic for the price.
My seeAudio Yume is my favorite everyday iem. The shell fits like a glove to my ear and it’s by far the least fatiguing iem I own.Sony CH700N
Sennheiser IE 600
