Since I listen quite a lot on the move, I would have to pick an IEM for my one and only… While it isn’t the best, comfort being a major factor, I’ll go with IE 900 as the best jack of all trades that is so so comfortable to wear.
For sources, for the same reason, going for a portable… If I had to pick just one to keep. Probably Questyle M15, or iFI Gryphon.
Haha…, You can tell that I do like silky/warmer sounds from those choices.
This conversation made me buy some AirPods Pro 2, with xelastic tips. They’re very comfortable and clearly useful. They won’t dethrone my Audeze LCDi4 pick. Sound quality is just on a different level and I still have portability.
But I understand those who use them a lot. Sound is surprisingly decent.
Airpods Pro 2 are “good enough” while offering so many QoL things that they have become the de-facto TWS for me (given you own an apple device to properly utilize all the features)
And now them working on making them sort of hearing aids as a new feature is pretty cool.
Even though they are a master of none, they are a true jack of all trades.
Do the Xelastec tips improve the sound? Because I find the comfort already quite good with the stock tips but I’d consider an upgrade if the sound or sound isolation improves.
I get somewhat better seal and comfort with the Xelastic tips. I see that some think they are too soft and not that durable. We’ll see.
I find that the left and right side stock tips fit differently, and aren’t that great. The tail hangs down in my right ear, but I twist it horizontal in my left ear. I’d change to other tips for better comfort and a better seal.
For improving sound isolation the Comfy tips are great:
For me the best sounding tips are these:
They really are. Sadly mine fell apart within 2 months
I switched to dekoni ones which have been going strong for quite a while now
But foam tips on airpod pro are a true game changer, I agree
That’s the exact reason I changed to the SednaEarfit Max tips for the APP2. Both the left and right now stay sealed comfortably in my ears. The sound quality remained the same minus the improved bass response due to consistent seal.
After writing that…Amazon Prime Day started… I ordered a set of memory foam tips with 3 sizes.
Awesome. I’m curious to know what you think of the comfort and fit, and also if there’s any sound degradation.
Keeping things simple. My old reliable for home reference use is Sennheiser 800s paired with an inexpensive Topping L50/E50 ensemble and the RCA cord that comes in the box. It is about asclean & clear of a signal from whatever source to the headphone as you’d want to get without spending a ton more on a stacked pair.
AirPods Pro 2.
Anything else would mean giving up 90% of my available listening time.
I have many other options, some (trans)portable, some house-bound, but if it was really JUST ONE, it’d have to be something that worked for the largest number of listening scenarios and opportunities.
That means portable. That means while traveling, as well as at destinations. That means small, light, simple, wireless and with ANC (or sufficient mechanical/acoustic isolation).