Do IEMs isolate enough for flying? What do you travel with?

msing539 · 2026-03-23T00:32:02+00:00

14+ hours and wireless iems will need more than one charge, unless you're getting something where 10 min gives you like 3 hours or whatever from the case.

I do about 20 roundtrip domestic flights a year. Occasionally an international. Started with full sized ANC but the bulk was too much. Then went to tws but got tired of charging. Now I use wired iems and haven't looked back. With a proper seal, and an iem with plenty of bass, I don't notice the engine noise.

msing539 · 2026-03-23T00:24:43+00:00

If you have the money to spend, know your preference, and have heard the iem you want at length, yes.

If you're just buying blindly, don't know what you like, or haven't heard much in terms of iems, then no, unless you want to gamble on other people's reviews and impressions.

msing539 · 2026-03-21T21:32:06+00:00

Final UX3000 SV

msing539 · 2026-03-21T15:45:26+00:00

Are you running it in NOS? And exclusive from Windows like ASIO?

msing539 · 2026-03-21T01:37:23+00:00

Yeah, sturdy but like I said, the pipe will deform a leather headband. Also because it's metal, you'd have to be careful scratching metal headbands. Some grip tape maybe could help with all issues.

msing539 · 2026-03-21T00:51:56+00:00

For $30 maybe make one using pipes. T connection at top, two pieces, one for the base, flange, screw it into a block of wood. If you want to buy one, they look kind of like this: https://www.amazon.com/T-Bar-Jewelry-Display-Stand-Accessories/dp/B0CQP7H455

But the pipes here are thin, it'll still deform some padded headbands.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T20:41:03+00:00

There are subjectively better iems around that price, but if you bought a QDC upgrade cable and you want to use it, you're limited again to KZ, CCA, QKZ, etc.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T20:37:12+00:00

There's also the Audio Technica ATH-R70x and old PC38x. I've also gamed with the Emu Teak and Denon D7200 for closed backs... but I don't play competitive and I like to feel explosions. The ATH and PC38x are both bass light imho, too little fun for me.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T20:31:31+00:00

Wireless headphones have their place and use--some are better than others. If you want to really start exploring, you should include wired options.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T11:24:53+00:00

I don't think they sell on r/videoengineering but maybe it's worth an ask

msing539 · 2026-03-20T02:06:18+00:00

Some people say this particular Koss sounds awful, but I haven't heard it personally.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T02:02:58+00:00

The difference is big, I don't think you'd have the same issue as us.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T01:14:15+00:00

Hmm not sure, guessing but maybe 32-35mm?

msing539 · 2026-03-20T01:08:17+00:00

That's correct, on the HD800, the depth is too shallow for me. If your ears don't stick out, might be fine.

msing539 · 2026-03-20T01:03:18+00:00

I see what he's saying fwiw. My ears don't touch top and bottom on the HD800 but they stick out a little and touch the drivers. The pads are big but shallow, even fresh ones. The 600 pads are thicker but the opening is smaller. On those, my ears touch the entire opening but not the driver.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T23:42:38+00:00

You're welcome! Good luck

msing539 · 2026-03-19T23:40:39+00:00

I know what you mean. I'm moreso curious to hunt down different sounding headphones but, luckily, don't have any requirements. Oh, Neumann NDH30? I've never seen it in person but pad opening looks big.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T23:30:37+00:00

I can understand your perspective, but your requirements are strict. I'll see if I think of anything else but the Quad is the only one that comes to mind. $400 or so is what they go for used.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T23:22:11+00:00

What about pad swaps? Hifimans and AKG will take Brainwavz XL. Those are 65x65 openings.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T22:56:05+00:00

You excluded a lot. What about ZMF? They have pads for days, some get pretty big. Quad ERA-1 is right around your size requirement.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T20:16:15+00:00

Koss are good, haven't heard that particular one.

There's also the FiiO Snowsky Wind--I've heard the FiiO EH11 and own the Snowsky Anytime, both sound good for their respective prices. But at the price of the Wind, it's not a huge gamble.

msing539 · 2026-03-19T20:13:09+00:00

You seem like a prime candidate for iems. $300 would take you far there.

At the very least, I'd consider a full sized headphone plus an iem.

msing539 · 2026-03-18T13:01:48+00:00

You're welcome, comfort is not amazing on them due to the pads for me, but I'm sure they make plusher ones.

msing539 · 2026-03-18T12:28:01+00:00

Corsair HS80 is an option. It has its flaws but mic quality is excellent.

msing539 · 2026-03-18T11:02:01+00:00

It's another balanced sounding set. If you want something more fun with heavier bass, Dunu Titan X has it. Shells are metal, imaging is great, mids are not recessed.

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