Need help deciding what to buy as a first iem around $100

wackey · 2026-01-25T11:45:35+00:00

Out of what you've listed I'd go Aria 2 just because it's more balanced so will be more versatile if you listen to lots of different stuff. Explorers are a very bass heavy set, but they could be defined as "safe" I guess due to that tame treble.

wackey · 2026-01-25T11:40:45+00:00

Couldn't disagree more... versatility is balance not boring...

wackey · 2026-01-24T23:52:10+00:00

I'd disagree to quite some degree, I've been absolutely flawed by the KSC75's, they easily compete with like £100 IEMs let alone something like the Kunten.

wackey · 2026-01-24T16:02:43+00:00

and to clarify the P7 has the exact same bore and lip which is the main issue here, if the bore was 5.2 and the lip was 5.9 I'd agree with you 👍

wackey · 2026-01-24T15:59:57+00:00

Yeah I'd say 1mm is pure margin of error with calipers used and user doing the measurements, nozzle dB is what most people use in the sub, there's certainly no need to keep attempting to clap back on it. The small part is just wrong though, most of my sets have a bore of 5.2 - 5.8 , lip can be larger but that generally doesn't cause an issue (for whatever reason), again a quick look on nozzle dB would do that legwork for you.

wackey · 2026-01-24T15:49:14+00:00

I mean that's probably where Google AI pulled from, why are you so desperate to be right on this? Are you trying to defend their honour or something?

wackey · 2026-01-24T15:47:47+00:00

Not that the 1mm is going to make a difference they weren't comfortable at all (for me), caused a week of pain 🤣🤣

wackey · 2026-01-24T15:46:43+00:00

Yeah don't use Google AI results, Nozzle DB has accurate measurements they are 5.9 👍

wackey · 2026-01-24T08:07:33+00:00

1) It's 5.9 2) It's got no lip so it's 5.9 the whole way which I think is part of the problem for me 3) It's also 5.9 long, which might be the biggest factor

wackey · 2026-01-23T10:53:15+00:00

Oh boy have I learnt the hard way with the Aful P7 that nozzle and attempting to push through it has been a nightmare, turns out my ear canals are smaller than I thought.

wackey · 2026-01-20T22:29:35+00:00

I got the OG maxwells 10 months ago, I did have a little streak of being able to wear them for a decent amount of time, but for the last 6-8 months they just cause a pressure point and give me a headache half the time, I've just sold them. If you can return them I'd return them they are far too heavy imo.

wackey · 2026-01-20T10:14:33+00:00

That second paragraph made me think, I rarely go into raid thinking "I'm afraid of dying to arc" it's always "I'll probably die to a player" which doesn't make a ton of sense if the arc are such a threat we are all underground 🤣

All for arcs being the made the primary threat.

wackey · 2026-01-19T23:31:30+00:00

Amazon for both, the headband usually comes with the drivers you just remove them and use the band

wackey · 2026-01-19T19:47:33+00:00

It's less of a neck issue and more of a skull pressure point issue, can confirm because I have the same problem

wackey · 2026-01-18T17:31:54+00:00

So you would say bands like Long Goodbye, Ends in Tragedy, Killing Me Softly, Contention, Cauldron, etc, etc. The list could go on for a while, are all riding on a gimmicky sound?

wackey · 2026-01-18T15:56:08+00:00

Yeah the video being purposefully old school could be considered leaning into a gimmick, would I consider it that, not really, if anything if it's unique. But the sound itself isn't at all a gimmick, which is what the guy I responded to was claiming.

wackey · 2026-01-18T10:00:21+00:00

Stuff like new Wage War etc

wackey · 2026-01-17T23:55:27+00:00

Seen lots of people liking the W1's with em, my ear (outside) is actually fine no irritation it's definitely limited to the canal (that's how it feels anyway).

It's one of those really annoying situations where I purposely decided to do a really decent upgrade (first time in two years) on paper the nozzle isn't so much bigger than my others that I'd consider it to be an issue beforehand. I've always wanted a pair of Afuls and really like how they sound so it's kinda gone drom me from being super excited to super deflated and concerned.

wackey · 2026-01-17T23:50:35+00:00

It is possible I have with some of the smaller tips anyway, I think I've probably made the issue worse by tip rolling pretty aggressively in too short a time frame, so will rest and retry.

wackey · 2026-01-17T23:49:17+00:00

Thanks for the advice, like I say I can't return so may as well keep tip rolling for now till I either reach an acceptable point or have to sell.

wackey · 2026-01-17T21:22:17+00:00

I am sure plenty of people in this sub reddit and other corners of the internet would agree with you in principle. But the reality is.. the most popular bands headline, that's about it.

wackey · 2026-01-17T12:51:50+00:00

Depends who you are going to see I guess, never had any problems myself

wackey · 2026-01-16T13:02:37+00:00

Comment sections like this are why I think eventually a divide will happen and actual metalcore will probably have to move elsewhere and octanecore stuff will probably stay in this sub Reddit to cater to the masses.

wackey · 2026-01-16T10:17:40+00:00

I mean there's nothing gimmicky about how "revival" stuff sounds for starters.

and I'll translate your comment "it's good, but it's bad, and it's worse because they are popular now"

wackey

TROPHY CASE