Four headphones down in four weeks. What’s the Quark of today? Ultra cheap, great value, mobile IEM’s. (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago by QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world to c/budgetaudiophile@lemmy.world

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My cheaper headphones are all failing and I need to grab a few pair of whatever is the best value iem today, similar to how the quarks were when I bought them 3-4 years ago.

Is it still the Quarks? I saw something from 7hz that was really popular at $30 but I think it has a detachable cable. I’ll have those pins snapped off in a week.

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[-] hitagi@ani.social 1 points 1 month ago

I went through 3 Quarks before I moved on to my 7hz Salnotes Zero.

I loved the Quarks because of the size but the cable kept breaking after a few months. My Salnotes Zero have been with me for a few years now. I had to replace the cable and the nozzle filter though.

[-] in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social 2 points 1 month ago

+1 to 7hz I always recommend the Crinacle Zero:2 IEMs

[-] QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

Ok cool. I was between those and 7hz crinacle zero. I’ll have to find a comparison video review or something.

Do you use them as a mobile IEM or are you usually stationary? I tend to wear mine when I’m cooking and the goddamn cabinet handles hook my cable and rip it right out of my phone so I’m nervous about the pins. Maybe I just need a set of these + quarks for when I’m moving around.

Also, just curious which version you have. I feel like my usb-c dongle takes the brunt of my abuse but I kind of want the usb-c cable version.

[-] hitagi@ani.social 2 points 1 month ago

Do you use them as a mobile IEM or are you usually stationary?

I usually use them mobile like when I walk to campus (I never leave home without it). I haven't tried cooking with them on but for activities like that, you might want to consider wireless earphones instead (I don't know much about those though).

Also, just curious which version you have.

I use mine with a 3.5mm TRN cable and a USB-C dongle to connect to my phone. It can be a bit bulky because of the dongle.

[-] QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Gotcha. I have Sony Linkbuds but I’m out on wireless. I could rant, and I won’t, but it turns out that all the conspiracy weirdos who tried warning us about WiFi, wireless headphones, 5G, etc. were right. Whoops.

Anyway, I’m ordering a pair right now. I’m psyched. Thanks.

[-] ReluctantlyZen@ani.social 1 points 1 month ago

I believe the Moondrop Chu 2 is one of the best value IEMs today

[-] QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

I got a pair this week. Love them for their price and I’m definitely keeping. I also got a pair of KZ Castor Pro and I can’t quite explain it but the Castor sound better and somehow I’d rather listen to the Chu

[-] sbeak@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

I've got the Moondrop Chu 2 and it sounds great! The build quality is quite nice too.

[-] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 0 points 1 month ago

Are Zero Audio still around? I picked up a pair of their Carbo Mezzo wired earbuds some years ago in Japan and was very happy with the sound quality.

[-] QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

It doesn’t appear that they are, unless you’re referring to 7hz who make both Crinacle Zero and Salnotes Zero

this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026

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