What it’s all About
Music is a universal idea. Just about everyone alive today enjoys it in one way or another, whether that be through listening to it, the creation of it, or the playing of music. While everyone may listen to music, a select few put thought into how they listen to it; because what you listen through matters nearly as much as what you listen to.
Vocabulary
- Audiophile: A person who cares about how good music sounds and always is looking for ways to improve their sound system.
- Monitor/Driver: Another word for a speaker.
- IEM: In-Ear Monitor, also known as earbuds.
- EQ: Equalization or how something sounds (manipulated using programs and is different for every audio device).
- Soundstage: How “real” audio sounds when listening through headphones or IEMs.
- Over-Ear Headphones: Headphones that go fully around your ears instead of resting on them. They’re typically more comfortable and allows for a better soundstage.
- On-Ear Headphones: Headphones that lay on your ears. They’re typically less comfortable.
- Open-Back: A type of headphone that allows noise from the outside or inside to escape. It also allows for a better soundstage.
- Closed-Back: A type of headphone that doesn’t allow noise from the outside or inside to escape.
Humble Beginnings
Starting your audiophile adventure has to begin somewhere. For most, including myself, the journey starts inexpensively, although increasing from there. In most cases, a pair of IEMs will be cheaper than a pair of headphones. An extremely well-received and trusted beginner IEM is the 7Hz x Crinacle “Zero: 2.” They’re made in collaboration with Crinacle, a highly respected audiophile YouTuber who mainly reviews IEMs. Also, these IEMs are priced at a shockingly low $25!
Upgrades People!
After using a cheaper pair of IEMs for a bit, you may find it time to upgrade. From here there are infinite choices. To keep using IEMs, to get a pair of headphones, or even buy some desk monitors; luckily, I have experience with all three of these.
- IEMs: After using your Zero: 2s for a while, you may want to elevate your audio experience. Alright, easy, the IEMs that I recommend are a step up from these starter buds. The S12s by Letshuoer are a great increase in listening and what I recommend, priced on the cheaper end at $110.
- Headphones: IEMs may not be your favorite as it’s harder to get a good soundstage, and I agree. From here there are many paths but I’m going to water it down a bit. Open-back or closed-back, I prefer the soundstage of an open-back but the isolation of a closed-back is also tempting. I started my headphone journey with the closed-back Beyerdynamic DT770s, priced at a not exactly cheap, but relatively inexpensive price of $170.
- Desk Monitors: I will not be covering these in this article for one main reason: the entry-level price for desk monitors happens to be very expensive. My entry monitors come in at $400. They are, however, very nice sounding if you get a good pair.
Overkill? No… not Possible!
Audiophile-level equipment can get very expensive, seeming to grow exponentially in price. My current over-ears are a very nice pair of Sundaras by HifiMan which cost me $250. These are still considered “mid-range” with high-end products reaching up to thousands of dollars. Luckily none of this is necessary and all of my prior recommendations are still viable options.
Bluetooth…
Bluetooth is greatly frowned upon in the audiophile community for a simple reason: it’s not lossless, meaning that some of the audio quality is lost when transferring the Bluetooth signal. This means that even a much cheaper IEM such as the Zero: 2 can have the same audio quality as an AirPod Pro. However, I am not stopping you from buying Bluetooth products as they are nice for certain reasons, such as when exercising. However, I personally do not recommend any Bluetooth products.
