The Best IEMs in the World Are Just $8

[totti1965]

....was the fancy title of a youtube video, that sharur just released yesterday

ok, here are some measurements I found:

measured with B&K 5128 Head and Torso Simulator (HATS)

measured with IEC 60318-4 (711)

It seems to measure very very well after some corrections between the range of 80 Hz to, lets say, 500 Hz.
No wild curve-chaos!
So maybe easy to equalize!

Can any of you guys make a graph-based correction suggestion with perhaps 5 to 10 parametric EQ suggestions (gain and Q)?
Or send a Table based on Crinacle´s database?

Of course I couldn´t resist and bought a pair here in Germany at Media Markt for just EUR 8,49 one hour ago.
I am curious how it will sound. This will be an insightfull evening!

Sharur finds the cable quite uncomfortable, after turning this IEM 180 degrees (for much better sound in the bass region) because it seems
to be constructed to NOT crancled upside down around the ears.

The construction is a novelty - according to sharur it is perhaps a Samsung patend: Concentric drivers like the KEF LS 50 Meta or the Genelec 8351b speakers!!!



Comparison with other IEM (measured with IEC 60318-4 (711):

 

[DEALUX]

I had a very similar (probably identical sound) model that came with the Galaxy S9 series. It had decent clarity but was way too harsh overall.

 

[totti1965]

I had a very similar (probably identical sound) model that came with the Galaxy S9 series. It had decent clarity but was way too harsh overall.

Yes, this IEM is clearly a bit on the bright site.
Compared with Crinacle Zero Red -you can say, after equalization, they sound quite similar, the Samsung still a bit brighter.
But: The Zero Red is worth every Penny. It has more wearing comfort. First of all, because you can choose between 6 different pairs of ear plugs silicones!
It fits also better around the ear at stays where you leave it.
The Samsung needs from time to time a bit of correction in fitting to stay correctly deep in the ear.

But: No complain after it sells for less than a Mac Donald’s Menü!

With roon I did some quick and dirty equalization (6-band), but I am open for better suggestions!
Which my trusted IPad 6 I have set the overall gain to minus 6 dB

So, I am listening by far not so loud as it seems (setting on the pic is 68/100)

 

[totti1965]

I was a bit slow:
I have not seen, that sharur gave precise suggestions in the description of the video.

He says:
„The Samsung EO-IA500 and AKG EO-IG955 are the best sounding and measuring earphones money can buy, and only cost $8. This is the ultimate audio blackpill and will be hard to swallow for many.“

EQ for them below:
Preamp: -2.5 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 28 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 0.917
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 223 Hz Gain -6.6 dB Q 0.412
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 791 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 1.277
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2335 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 1.414
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2451 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 2.998
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 3596 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 2.133
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4868 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 1.826

PEQdB

The solution to audio.

peqdb.com

 

[roladyzator]

While I haven't heard the AKGs (but would like to try them), the Sony MDR-EX15LP (or AP if you want a microphone) are my favorite contender in the $10 price bracket.

Oratory1990's measurements and EQ settings for Sony MDR-EX15

I think the target adherence on those is even better than the AKGs out of the box.

With Oratory's EQ, but with a 2 dB shelf over 4 kHz instead of the suggested 6.5 kHz peak, they sound quite good to me.

Most importantly, they are very comfortable due to the small size and they seal well (they don't slip out. I didn't mean isolation which is nothing special).

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

They do seem to be 14 quid for us UK peasants Totti. I agree that is still coppers!

 

[Grooved]

I was a bit slow:
I have not seen, that sharur gave precise suggestions in the description of the video.

He says:
„The Samsung EO-IA500 and AKG EO-IG955 are the best sounding and measuring earphones money can buy, and only cost $8. This is the ultimate audio blackpill and will be hard to swallow for many.“

EQ for them below:
Preamp: -2.5 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 28 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 0.917
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 223 Hz Gain -6.6 dB Q 0.412
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 791 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 1.277
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2335 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 1.414
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2451 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 2.998
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 3596 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 2.133
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4868 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 1.826

PEQdB

The solution to audio.

peqdb.com

but are these two the same?
I just found on Squiglink that they were measured by the same equipment, and the IA500 look like a tilted version (for more bass and less treble) of the IG955:

 

[Flippo63]

I Got them and I am very happy with them. Out of the box they are very good except for to much upper base. With the shown eq they are wonderful.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I bought them just for S & G and did Sharur's EQ. Lots of distortion even at moderate listening levels. Could pass if you want to take something really cheap on a plane or something like that, but definitely no where near a daily driver let alone a special occasions IEM. Consider them for the Xmas gift exchange if you draw someone you're not crazy about. If it's for you, splurge and buy the 7hz Salnotes Crinacle Zero 2 which at $25 is a real steal of an IEM that can happily be used to provide Genelec level monitor quality sound for years. Just get Divinus Velvet tips on it, and buy a nicer cable.

 

[Flippo63]

I didn't get any distortion

 

[Flippo63]

I bought them just for S & G and did Sharur's EQ. Lots of distortion even at moderate listening levels. Could pass if you want to take something really cheap on a plane or something like that, but definitely no where near a daily driver let alone a special occasions IEM. Consider them for the Xmas gift exchange if you draw someone you're not crazy about. If it's for you, splurge and buy the 7hz Salnotes Crinacle Zero 2 which at $25 is a real steal of an IEM that can happily be used to provide Genelec level monitor quality sound for years. Just get Divinus Velvet tips on it, and buy a nicer cable.

You might have gotten a bad pair. I do not get any distortion.

 

[InfiniteJester]

IIRC, you were supposed to wear them with the L monitor on the right ear and the R monitor in the left ear, because Samsung didn't realize their potential or something like that, and only in such a way you could unlock their fantastic features.

I mean. What to expect from that kind of recommendation?

 

[CptKlotz]

I think the L/R suggestion was so you can wear them upside down with the cable going up, more like other IEMs which could make sense.

Anyway, I couldn't resist buying a pair. For € 8 + shipping, they even come with a microphone and inline remote control, plus three sizes of tips which is pretty crazy.

I'm not a great fan of the shape. They seem to be a compromise design between a "real" IEM and an earbud, maybe to appeal to the "I don't like to stick things deep in my ear" crowd.

I think the fit isn't great. The base is too wide and the stem is too short (story of my life...).

I installed some long, tri-flange tips and managed to cram it into my ears with a good seal. In this case it has monster bass and you can easily dial down the 50 to 300hz area by up to 5dB.

BUT... If I use the supplied tips and accept a looser fit, the bass quantity is about right, still with very good extension. They can play *very* loud without much apparent distortion even at 20hz. There is perhaps a hint of aggressiveness in the upper presence region and a bit of sibilance, but nothing too bad. I didn't notice any channel imbalance.

25 years ago, when I was using the earbuds that came with Sony or Philips devices or Sennheiser MX300, these things would have been a revelation. Subbass and clear sound from an earphone.

Today, I prefer the Chu II or Crinacle Zero Red.

That being said, these are pretty awesome for the price and having an extra pair of phones with a microphone to throw in your laptop bag never hurts.

 

[diamondbond]

After three days of A/B testing against my $500+ sets, I have to eat crow; I genuinely thought Sharur was trolling with this recommendation and only ordered on FOMO. These are legitimately exceptional.

Observations:
The driver speed and transient response are remarkable. Detail retrieval exceeds what I'm hearing from significantly more expensive sets; reverb tails, micro details, and texture are all clearly resolved. The bass response is particularly impressive: tight, controlled, and well balanced in both quality and quantity (after EQ), no bloat & no overhang.

What's striking is how much cleaner these sound compared to my other IEMs. Everything else now sounds somewhat veiled or smeared in comparison, which honestly surprised me in an uncomfortable manner.

Conclusion
You probably have 15$-30$ to spare (Spinfit W1/Tang Sancai Wide Bore), if so; give them a shot with EQ, you have nothing to lose.

 

[scw0w]

What if i buy them and use without any EQ? Is it good?

 

[CptKlotz]

It has pretty bloated bass, which might not be as bad when you're outside walking and listening at moderate volume. Using eartips with a looser fit might help a little bit.

Maybe there are also mechanical mods that you can do. Closing the little hole on the body of the IEMs didn't seem to do anything for me, though.

 

[Eddie_Vanjovi]

I grabbed the USB version and did an EQ. Great little gem. I feel a lot of the 3.5 mm trrms ones are fake. EQ didn't sit well with the 3.5 mm I grabbed.

Good find, but then again, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. These have been the best IEMs I've used thus far in this money pit of a hobby after an EQ.

Tried his EQ, and as always, treble is good, vocals and any instrument that is meant to sound warm, no go. He must be sensitive to this region as his EQ preference makes me wonder if he has ever listened to a guitar in person before. No string instrument sounds correct with his preference curve.

 

[gaz]

Thanks for alerting us to these, I was interested to try them. Firstly, there are many fakes, so I put in some effort to get genuine. I checked customer photos, then bought from:

https://shopee.co.th/rakadee.shop

Mine were a perfect match for these photos:

https://www.samsung.com/levant/mobile-accessories/samsung-3-5mm-earphones-black-eo-ia500bbegww/

With IEM Harman tuning I find familiar songs where some sound is ridiculously prominent - a good mixer would never have allowed it - and the song is then unenjoyable. So I equalised to my favourite curve (Vamp898) and then they sounded good.

But the seal I get is marginal with the stock tips - the bass is easily affected, and if I lie on my back, the bass disappears! I have not found this with other IEMs.

I will use these for travel, and the microphone may be handy.

 

[Ventfull]

After three days of A/B testing against my $500+ sets, I have to eat crow; I genuinely thought Sharur was trolling with this recommendation and only ordered on FOMO. These are legitimately exceptional.

Observations:
The driver speed and transient response are remarkable. Detail retrieval exceeds what I'm hearing from significantly more expensive sets; reverb tails, micro details, and texture are all clearly resolved. The bass response is particularly impressive: tight, controlled, and well balanced in both quality and quantity (after EQ), no bloat & no overhang.

What's striking is how much cleaner these sound compared to my other IEMs. Everything else now sounds somewhat veiled or smeared in comparison, which honestly surprised me in an uncomfortable manner.

Conclusion
You probably have 15$-30$ to spare (Spinfit W1/Tang Sancai Wide Bore), if so; give them a shot with EQ, you have nothing to lose.

Did you swap the channels like he recommends?

 

[1337wafflezz]

They definitely need EQ but that treble on paper is surprisingly smooth! I’d probably reduce the 8(ish)khz a little bit but beyond that? bumping up the mids from 400hz-1000hz by proxy reduces the upper mids and treble. then reducing the 250hz by a fair margin is a good idea and you’re good to go.