This guide will no longer be updated (June 2016).

Universal fit in ear monitors (IEM) /g/uide - Version 0.07 (Sept 18, 2015)
Earbuds not welcome. They suck.


Some factors to consider when purchasing an IEM or asking for a recommendation on /g/:

        Price range
        Sound signature preference (neutral, bassy, etc)
        Do you need high isolation from your environment?
        Other features you may need (mic, detachable cable, etc)
        The source(s) you will be plugging it into (PMP, phone, etc)


List of recommended IEMs:


        Poorfag:

                $5 - Panasonic RP-HJE120 [Low Isolation] {Balanced}
                $10 - Monoprice 9927 [Low Isolation] {Neutral}
                $15 - JVC HA-FX101 [Medium Isolation] {V-shaped}
                $20 - MEElectronics M6 [Medium Isolation] {Bassy} (Recommended for active use)
                        *Apple controls model - M6P
                $25 - Xiaomi Piston 2 [Low Isolation] {Bassy} (Fakes are common)
                        *Hardwired Android mic and controls

        Value for money:

                $35 - SoundMAGIC E10 [Medium Isolation] {V-shaped} (Highly recommended on /g/)
                        *Apple+Android control model - E10S
                $50 - Vsonic VSD1S [Medium Isolation] {Balanced}
                $55 - Audio Technica ATH-IM50 [Medium isolation] {Bassy}
                        *Proprietary detachable connector
                $60 - Etymotic Research MK5 [High Isolation] {Neutral}
                $80 - HiFiMAN RE-400 [Medium Isolation] {Balanced}
                        *Android/Apple controls model - RE-400a/RE-400i
                $85 - Sony SBH80 [Medium Isolation] {Bassy}
                        *Bluetooth headset

        Point of diminishing returns:

                $100 - Philips Fidelio S2 [Low Isolation] {Balanced}
                $100 - Shure SE215 [High Isolation] {Bassy}
                        *Detachable MMCX connector
                $100 - Vsonic GR07 Classic [Low Isolation] {Balanced}
                $130 - Etymotic Research HF5 [High Isolation] {Neutral} (Highly recommended on /g/)
                        *Apple/Android remote model - HF3/HF2

        Higher-end:

                $150 - Yamaha EPH-100 [Medium Isolation] {Bassy}
                $160 - Audio Technica ATH-IM02 [Medium Isolation] {Balanced}
                        *Proprietary detachable connector
                $230 - Sony MDR-7550 [Low Isolation] {Balanced}
                        *Proprietary detachable connector
                $250 - JVC HA-FX700 [Low Isolation] {V-shaped}

        Audiophile:

                $300 - Etymotic Research ER-4PT [High Isolation] {Neutral}
                        *Proprietary detachable connector
                $350 - Dunu DN-2000J [Medium Isolation] {V-shaped}
                $400 - Logitech UE900 [Medium Isolation] {Dark}
                        *Detachable MMCX connector
                        *Bundled Apple mic+controls cable
                $500 - Westone W40 [Medium Isolation] {Dark}
                        *Detachable MMCX connector
                        *Bundled Apple mic+controls cable
                $500 - Shure SE535 [High Isolation] {Dark}
                        *Detachable MMCX connector

        More dollars than sense:

                $800 - Sennheiser IE800 [Medium Isolation] {Bassy}
                $1000 - AKG K3003 [Medium Isolation] {V-shaped/Balanced/Bassy}
                        *Apple mic+controls model - K3003i
                        *Adjustable tuning filters
                $1000 - Shure SE846 [High Isolation] {Balanced/Bassy}
                        *Detachable MMCX connector
                        *Adjustable tuning filters


Sound signature descriptions:

        Balanced - A slight bass boost with fairly even midrange and treble
        Bassy - A strong bass response when compared to the midrange and treble
        Dark - Weaker treble when compared to the bass and midrange
        Neutral - A very even response of bass, midrange and treble
        V-shaped - Boosted bass and treble, the midrange is weaker in comparison


Other Information:

        Objective Measurements:

                http://en.goldenears.net/
                http://ko.goldenears.net/
                http://monoadc.blog64.fc2.com/blog-entry-3.html
                http://personalaudio.ru/raa/otchety/naushniki/
                http://rinchoi.blogspot.com/
                http://sonove.angry.jp/
                http://www.geocities.jp/ryumatsuba/review.html
                http://www.headphone.com/learning-center/build-a-graph.php
                http://www.innerfidelity.com/headphone-data-sheet-downloads
                http://www.seeko.co.kr/zboard4/zboard.php?id=m_phones
                http://clarityfidelity.blogspot.com/


        Subjective Comparisons:

                http://theheadphonelist.com/
                http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/
                http://www.head-fi.org/t/541204/
                http://www.inearmatters.net/

        Notes:

                This guide will always be a work in progress. Pleases address guide concerns in the current /hpg/ thread.
                Isolation will vary based on the fit and ear sleeve used.
                Get some Apple Earpods if you really want earbuds.
                Prices are in Clapistani dollars.
                Gleefully stolen from IEM_guy's pastebin.
                Comments and suggestions can also be sent to daybreakadvent@hotmail.com