Yet another #$%*&@ canalphone recommendation thread :D

[MrBungle]

Previous happy VSonic owner, infinitely happy Brainwavz M3 owner...However.

I have a habit of wearing my canals around my neck when I'm not using them, and last Friday, unbeknownst to me they slipped off my neck & onto the ground whilst having a coffee & when I got up to leave, I trod on the left earpiece. The housing was cracked & detached from the earpiece itself (the bit with the speaker/that goes in your ear), no wires were damaged/broken. So I had a crack with the superglue & managed to get things back in one piece.

Unfortunately tho, they just don't sound the same anymore. Volume/tone has definitely changed in the left earpiece, and I'm going to go insane if I have to use these CX300's I keep for emergencies any longer than a week or two.

Given I've enjoyed the VSonics for their not muddy bass, and given I absolutely enjoyed the detail of the M3's (the less upfront bass wasn't an issue at all, on the contrary, being able to hear each bass note more clearly than I've ever heard in a canalphone was brilliant), what would people suggest I consider to replace my busted M3's ?

I'm happy to go up a notch or two price-wise (say to $190 or so of the B2's - anything up to/under this level is fine). Apologies for the saga & TIA for any/all suggestions/advice

[BusinessEvolution]

I currently have a pair of B2s on pre-order hopefully coming in early next month, <subtle>wonder if anyone knows the current status </subtle>. I would recommend them, though to be honest I haven't heard them yet.

[Antihippy]

Smae thing happened to me.

I think it might be the superglue that ruined it. You don't need to glue it, it just snaps back together.

[Benno1988]

I had choice between B2's and the HF5.

I came from some Shure SE425's because the over the ear design pissed me off, and was especially annoying with glasses.

The B2's can be worn straight, but will stick out. Hence I went the HF5's. These things are freakin tiny and sound great.

You mightn't care how you wear them or if they stick out etc.

[Riverback]

I've always wondered what's the difference between the B2's and the HF5's

and are the B2's worth waiting for?

[Benno1988]

I was waiting for them and gave up.

Loving the HF5 at the moment. No regrets.

B2 isn't even up on presale @ mp4nation, so can't imagine how much longer theyll be.

[basstones]

I'm using the B2's as i'm writing this, I've only had them a few months but i've been happy with them. Bought them before heading overseas, so used them while travelling. Comfort was pretty good once I got the right size, had no issues having them on for long periods during the flight (the included aircraft adaptor was a nice touch).

No complaints about the sound quality, more balanced than previous canalphones i've had. At this stage i'm liking the cable, they are always the first thing to go though so we will see how long it lasts. Isolation is good, but i'm going to play with some different tips soon to see if I can improve it.

[MrBungle]

@BusinessEvolution, @Benno1988, @basstones - Thanks for your suggestions. At this point I'm leaning toward B2's (when they arrive) tho I could still easily be swayed I'm leaning away from Ety's; wax filters = one more thing to have to stuff around with/pay to replace periodically.

@Antihippy - Wasn't a 'clean' break. Was a jagged fracture/complete separation (I stood on it with my full weight), no chance of the two halves 'snapping back together'. Glue was the only option, unfortunately. I suspect sound is 'leaking' given it's no longer put together as intended, or it may be a case of damaged wiring even if thorough inspection before I repaired it didn't indicate same.

Thanks for your thoughts so far folks, much appreciated *Headphonic group hug*

[BusinessEvolution]

I'm leaning away from Ety's; wax filters = one more thing to have to stuff around with/pay to replace periodically.

In theory, having replaceable wax filters will keep the canalphones in top shape over the years. I was interested in this as well, however I have a terrible history with breaking canal phones. So far they are averaging 1.5 years each, if you don't count the pair of Sony canal phones that I managed to fix. I'm hoping the B2s are durable


Currently in use I have:
Psvita Sony Blue limited edition canal phones ($20-30) (if only they sounded as good as they look, they don't sound that bad though)
Sony standard canal phones ($50)

[MrBungle]

@BusinessEvolution, thanks for your advice re: the wax guards on the Ety's. The other question I had for people with B2's, do the Comply T-400's fit, or do I need another model ?

[BusinessEvolution]

@BusinessEvolution, thanks for your advice re: the wax guards on the Ety's. The other question I had for people with B2's, do the Comply T-400's fit, or do I need another model ?

I don't have the B2s yet, but going off the comply site and headphonic site, the T-100's fit the B2.

http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=406

[MrBungle]

Thanks @BusinessEvolution Now we wait for new stock to arrive.