New Headphones or IEMs around 150€
 

Hello ABI,

In the summer of 2010, I bought some Sennheiser CX880s which I loved (might do a review), but the jack started geting moody and cutting off the sound to my left ear whan it was touched, and since it was under guarantee, I sent it back to the shop. Unfortunately, the repair guy said it would be difficult to repair, so I've now got a 100€ gift voucher for this shop (fnac: http://www.fnac.com/Casque-ecouteur/shi176594/w-4), and I'm wondering what phones to get.

I'm willing to add about 50€ to the original 100, or maybe a bit more.
The shop have the AIAIAI TMA-1, and the famous panas zirconia, and many other phones, and I'm hesitating between medium-sized phones and IEMs.
I listen mainly to post-punk and electro, but I also listen to rock, a bit of pop, old psychadelic bands and metal. I'd be using them on the bus and they'd have to be storable in a coat pocket or in a bag without breaking.

I like bass, but it has to be precise. Highs can't be too harsh or tinny, and I like my mids not bloated.

I'm looking forward to your suggestions,
Stront :)

I'd say go for the TMA-1, a really good headphone and still handy for on the go (but since I've got not that much experience with cans, don't blame me if i'm wrong ;) ). For some impressions about the TMA, you could read the review by dfkt (which you probably did already)

If it was me, I'd definitely go for the HJE900's. They sound amazing, and considering your last headphones broke due to cable problems, I'm sure you wouldn't mind the replaceable cable. :D

If you're leaning toward over-the-ear headphones, I have no clue. My only medium-sized pair of headphones is a $20 Logitech headset that sounds like someone being strangling by a pillow, so I don't have much experience there.. But apparently those AIAIAI are good (though I can't think of anything but Monkeyball when I hear about them). ;)

I'm personnaly looking at :
(Headphones): -AKG Q460
-Philips "The Stretch" mentionned by the DarkSide
-Beyers
-Sennhiser HD25
-Shure SRH750DJ
-V-Moda Crossfade
-AIAIAI TMA-1
and possibly the Marshall Major

(IEMs) -Panasonic Zirconia (obviously, from the review...:) )
-Sennheiser IE6
-Denon AH-C710
-Bose In Ears 2

Any ideas ?

If you have the option of using cans instead of IEMs they would probably be a better option. . . I was disappointed in the performance of the HJE900's (but I'm the only one).

Unfortunately, the HJEs aren't an option anymore : the price went up by 120€ since it's the end of the sales.

I did read somewhere that the IE6 is somewhat better than the IE7, but I can't remember where.

For that money you should definitely be able to get something better than your cx880.

I found that after about 300 hours of burn-in my CX880s sounded good, but if that's the case, I can't wait to try something else :)