Audiophiles! The journey towards one. Terms (part one)

Firstly, this is a new section of the clarevoiyant blog. This section shall be called audioflies.

So, here are some terms you might need to know before you start your journey to become and audiophile. Of course that would mean throwing away (or at least giving them to your little destroyer kid to rip apart) that default samsung or iphone/ipod earphones. They are not audipphile quality and if anyone of you want to explain to me how good it is, please. You are not even on the audiophile-beginner level. You should take a listen to the Sennheiser CX300 at least before you judge your default earpiece. That is to use only in emergency when your good earpeice spoils and requires a fixing. Anyways, on with the terms.

• Earpiece: The one that looks like this. Earpieces like these typically range from anything from SGD$5 (default iphone earpiece) to SGD$1299 (Shure SE525). Obviously the most expensive ones will get you the best balance and sound. However, if you don't want or don't have enough budget, I suggest you get a "starter kit" earpiece that range from SGD$50 to $100.
• Inner-ear: Earpieces that are like that below
• Outer-ear: Earpieces similar to the iphone/ipod default earpeice.

These are some of the starter earpiece that I would suggest you to get (after trying them out)
1. ajays-one
2. ajays-three
3.Audio Technica CKM 55
4. Sennheiser CX300 II
5. Klipsch S4
6. Beyerdynamics DTX 101 iE
7. Bose IE2
I suggest number 1-4 for budget budding audiophiles looking for quality without the higher price tag. For those looking at over SGD$100, the number 5 to 7 suits well.

• Earphones: This is the one that look likes two cups one on the left and one of the right, attached together by a head band. This type are good for creating more balanced music.
• Open Back: The cups are open vented (usually) which gives greater clarity and sound stage. However, it often also increases surrounding annoyance especially when your music is on too loud. Some people just don't appreciate your type of music.
• Closed Back: The cups are closed something like the picture below.

• Driver: Most earpiece and headphones/earphones use dynamic drivers which are basically like little hammers that hit the air to compress air and create the sound you hear. The rule of thumb in general is the larger the driver, the better sounding the music you have. Though this isn't always the case. See the klipsch X10 as an example. That earpiece is so small but it has amazing balance and sound stage. Also, a great price tag.
• Armature: There are some earpiece and earphones that don't use dynamic drivers. They use armatures which are essentially miniature robotic arms that punch the air to create the sound you hear. These come in single, double, triple and quadruple. The more arms, the larger the earpiece. These are slightly technical in nature so, if you are looking for a warm and balance sounding earpiece or a bassy one, these won't be for you. Plus, these exponentially become more expensive the more arms they have.

These are basically some types of earpiece and headphones you can get. Rule of thumb wise, don't get a earphone before a earpiece. Because the earphones will sound better than the earpiece but remember, it isn't portable. To get a similar quality earpiece, you will be spending quite a lot more. Next time: How to describe music from a earpiece/headphone and my story of journeying towards becoming and audiophile.