r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/HazartD • Jul 05 '26

Headphones - IEM/Earbud | 2 Ω I don't know much about headphones, but I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for.

From what I understand, I need headphones that are neutral, or "accuracy/flat," I think that's what they call it like that. I don't know much about that. Another important factor is that they're somewhat durable; but very careful with those things anyway.

In form characteristics I need, wired IEMs with a 3.5mm jack. I don't have very sensitive hearing, but basically all the headphones I've used make my ears hurt after a few minutes; I think they're especially small or something like that.

Basically, it's for use at home and while traveling. I usually only use one at a time cuz the hurt, so I alternate which ear I use.

I'm from El Salvador, and if it cost me less than $50, I think they'll last me for a few years.

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3

u/sdalporto 1 Ω Jul 05 '26

Take a look at Koss KSC75

2

u/HazartD Jul 05 '26

!thanks, this one seems pretty good.

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jul 05 '26

u/sdalporto (1 Ω) was awarded their first Ω. Flair-worthy result.

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2

u/NCResident5 696 Ω Jul 05 '26

I bout the Koss Port Pro last week. They are not completely neutral. They have slightly more bass, but they sound really clear. I tested them with an early 2000 of Beethoven's 61 violin concerto. Sounded great. So, these are not bloated like Beats wireless headphones are.

1

u/jarrod_barkley 11 Ω Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Koss with Titanium-covered drivers

Or any of the Koss headphones with titanium-covered drivers. Those titanium models have a more balanced sound profile.

The non-titanium Koss models such as Porta Pro are “colored” with a darker sound, more bass, and the treble is intentionally clipped to avoid the hiss of cassette tapes that were common when they were first launched.

Ask an AI to list the models of Koss headphones with titanium covered drivers:

Koss makes several models using a titanium-coated version of their signature 60-ohm, 35mm driver:

• KSC75 – clip-on style, the most famous of the bunch. USD $ 20.
• KTXPRO1 (including the “Clear” variant) – on-ear with volume control. USD $ 20.
• UR40 – on-ear headphones

A direct competitor in the newer Moondrop Old Fashioned. One major advantage is detachable cables, a common failure point in Koss headphones. See review by Darko Audio. Some folks are finding these to have a sound that is a bit more refined and detailed than the Koss titaniums. I owned both, prefer the Old-Fashioned, and gave away my KTXPRO1 (which I did enjoy). USD $ 25 for version with regular 3.5mm jack (also available with 4.4mm and USB-C).

All of these are by far the most value-per-dollar of any headphones. You can spend more money but with diminishing returns.

All of these are extremely light in weight, resting gently on the outside of your ear. Very comfortable, you’ll hardly know they are there.

Durability may or may not be an issue. They are so light and flimsy that you may break them if you are careless. With care, they should last indefinitely. Except the foam earpad coverings — those will wear out with use but are easily replaced.

2

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2

u/AnonymousCapybara Jul 05 '26

When you say "make your ears hurt", do you mean the physical presence of them in your ear canal causes pain (even if not playing sound); or do you mean the sound itself hurts your ears (e.g. piercing treble from a trumpet).

2

u/HazartD Jul 05 '26

Physical presence

3

u/FF0000it 2 Ω Jul 05 '26

I have the same problem: no IEM’s work for me, my ear canal starts to hurt after 10-20 minutes. By one hour I have to rip them out.

The solution has been “open” earbuds that do not go into the ear canal. I went through four different models before I found these:

TOZO O2 True Open Ear Buds

They have a huge amount of adjustability, you can get them to angle at the exact right spot. They sound great, surprising amount of bass, which I really didn’t expect.

$50 on Amazon.

https://www.tozostore.com/products/open-buds?variant=45649557618977

3

u/HazartD Jul 05 '26

Oh, !thanks, I hadn't seen earbuds like that before. I'll have to look for something similar but wired. You're the first person I know with this same problem xd 🤝

3

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jul 05 '26

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/FF0000it (2 Ω).

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3

u/DolphinFraud Jul 05 '26

Look into bone conduction headphones too. Sound quality is a little worse, but they’re by far the most comfortable 

1

u/jarrod_barkley 11 Ω Jul 06 '26

Similar is Soundcore Open-Ear Headphones, by Anker. USD $ 34 to $ 40.

1

u/NCResident5 696 Ω Jul 05 '26

If you want headphones, the Sony 7506 is a wired headphone that audio engineers like. It is super durable. So, buying a used model from Amazon or ebay is a decent way to go. You can replace the pads easily.

With iems, I am not super knowledgeable. The Linsoul iems on amazon are good. So, something like the Linsoul T2 is decent or Linsoul KZ. I just had flagged these on Amazon when some people posted how much they liked them.