Good IEMs with small housing / body?

[Shrek6]

I’ve tried several of the budget darling IEMs (Moondrop Chu 2, Truthear GATEs), and they press up against the outer entrance of my ears (which are apparently unusually small), which causes soreness.

are there any that sound good, have a small housing, and replaceable cables? I use them with a true-wireless adapter.

Also a small nozzle size is important too, since I’ve had a few with giant nozzles that make my inner ear sore.

By small housing I mean like what AirPods have, for example.

Thanks

 

[Golgoth]

I don't think there are any smaller, more affordable in-ear headphones than the Moondrop Quarks. Their sound signature is neutral. You can find them for under $20.

 

[nereis]

ZERO AUDIO Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT Review (IEM)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Japanese ZERO AUDIO Carbo Tenore ZH-DX200-CT In-ear Monitor. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $44 from Amazon including Prime shipping. It has been around for a while and seems to have quite a following from scan of online reviews...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Zero Audio Tenore with the smallest silicone tips I can find inserted very far into the ear similar to how Etymotic fit sounds very nice to me, decent passive isolation as well but unfortunately not easily replaceable cable. These are relatively low sensitivity for IEM and which is also a merit to me.

 

[IAtaman]

I believe Sennheiser IE200 meets all your criteria for size and sound. Price wise - they are around $150 new though so not exactly budget. But you can find new/open box on Amazon for less than $100 at times.

 

[Jiraya369]

+1 for moondrop quarks or the samsung x akg buds.

Look for any other bullet style iems as well. Or maybe you just want a better shape.

 

[IsaacOscar]

As someone with the IE200, I'd definitely recommend them (with aftetmarket tips of course)

But if you want something cheaper, this thread suggested the Blon Minis:

Recommendations for an IEM that doesn't stick out too far from the ears?

Hello, can anyone recommend IEMs that don't stick out of the ears too much? Something like the Sennheiser IE200. I'd like to be able to lie down with them in and have them be comfortable even when lying on my side. My budget is up to €200. I have the iBasso Jr. Klee, which unfortunately stick...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Which are a 3rd of the price of the IE200.

 

[aromig]

The Tanchjim One is certainly worth consideration:

TANCHJIM One IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Tanchjim One In-ear Monitor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $27. Unlike many of its competitors, the ONE doesn't attempt to look like fake jewelry and instead, conveys a modern and stylistic design. The...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Berwhale]

I was about to the suggest the Moondrop LAN II Pop which are considerably smaller than my other IEMs, but i'm not sure if they are any smaller than the CHU IIs.