ER-6i E3C UM-1 or AH-C700 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

wtruitt · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008, 07:37 PM

Well, after reading a myriad of posts on small ear canals, and then cross referencing with my budget, here is the list I came up with:
Etymotics er-6i
Shure E3C
Westone UM-1
Denon AH-C700
So, if I'm NOT a basshead, but rather looking for crispness and clarity in my music (listen to alot of pink floyd, journey, prince, ozzy osbourne AND alot of bach and beethoven AND about any jazz or blues). Have a Cowon D2 with no amp and most likely will not be purchasing one anytime soon.

So, folks.. opinion on "most crisp" sound? Will most likely wear these for long periods of time, so don't want to fatigue quickly either...

Thx folks.. sorry that I've offered up many more q's than answers..

Wayne

Crikey · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 03:02 AM

Well, from memory when i demoed the er6i it had the most treble sparkle out of the bunch you've included. However the bass quantity isn't alot and i couldn't "locate" it during the short time that I demoed it. It may become more apparent if I listened for a longer time. Fwir people also say this iem is the best for classical and jazz because of its clarity and detail. However you also listen to rock and the bass might not be enough so you could do 2 things.
1) get a fiio amp along with it which effectively serves as a bass boost.
2) get another iem.

Another candidate would be the Denon C700 (751) which also has that treble sparkle going for it (though it seems its (slightly?) lesser than the er6i but also has alot of bass (which would be good for rock, no?).

The um1 (which I have) would not be for you as it has prominent mids and recessed highs and lows, so its lacking that treble sparkle.

I don't know about the e3c as I haven't heard it so can't help you there. Hope my experiences help.

TacticalPenguin · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 03:20 AM

Lean to the jazz and classical, go for ER 6i
Not sure, flip a coin
Lean to the rock, go for C751 (C700 with some accessories)

The 6i's are definitely sparkly and good for jazz and classical and maybe even some lighter less bassy rock. The C751 is more all-around good.

wtruitt · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 03:27 AM

Thx much for both replies.. So, I will throw out the Westone UM1 and Shure e3c..
Leaves the Etymotics er-6i or Denon AH-C700 (C751).. I forgot that the Head Direct RE2 was also listed in this.. does that throw in a monkey wrench, or still have a flip for er-6i or C751?

Thanks much folks.. Wayne

TacticalPenguin · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 05:45 AM

The RE2 would like an amp to go with it, but otherwise they are similar to the ER 6i.

synaesthetic · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 05:58 AM

ER-6i, and use Shure olives with them in place of the ear-raping devices (also known as tri-flanges).

E3c is terrible. I owned them before, they sound like mud. If you're going to get Shures I'd go with one of the SE models, or perhaps the E4c/SCL4, which I remember being quite good compared to other Shures I've used.

Crikey · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 08:27 AM

x2 on using shure olives if you get the er6i, these provide the best isolation for the tips i've tried (which include single flanges, tri flanges and complys)

TacticalPenguin · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Single flanges on etys? Modded the eartips?

Crikey · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 04:28 PM

never actually owned the ety's, just basing my thoughts on isolation from using the tips on a um1 which i've tried with the shure single flange before

xrfxlove · #10 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 08:43 PM

If you want to try ETY's, ER4 is the only choice I think. ER4 is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch better than ER6.

wtruitt · #11 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008, 12:05 AM

Yep.. just that er4's are muuuuuuuuuch more expensive too.. which puts them out of my budget

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrfxlove

If you want to try ETY's, ER4 is the only choice I think. ER4 is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch better than ER6.

KMASCII · #12 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008, 04:55 AM

Yes the er4's make a dent in the wallet. I own both the er4s and er6 (48ohm version). I very much enjoy the er6 and turn to them a lot. They do have very good detail mids and highs for sub $100 IEMs.

The er6's do lack bass, and are bright. You'll be EQing these. But of course that's not unexpected and you should find very good results with the Cowon D2. Another thing, a lot of the bass can be regained by using foam tips. And I mean a lot. Don't use the flanged tips. I use Comply foam tips. Although they'll eventually conform to your ears, your ears will fatigue with the foam tips provided by Etymotic.

The biggest difference between the er6 and er4 is that the er4 are a more nuetral IEM than the er6. However I think that you'll find more detail in the highs with the er6. And don't worry about the bass, you'll find bass with proper foam tips. The er6's are excellent with the Cowon D2.

Edit: I forgot to mention that that I'm a Cowon D2/Etymotic user. Oh, and for what it's worth, although the er4s are very good, they're overpriced anyway.

wtruitt · #13 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008, 05:03 AM

Thx for all the advice.. I've been leaning towards the RE2 over the Ety's (unless someone convinces me this is a very poor choice).. I would LOVE to find a way to try before I buy..

Wayne

(I figure most will sound better than my Sony AS50g's.. they aren't aweful, just hoping for a big jump in SQ)..
Wayne