Just got UE Super Fi 5 EB... suggestions

[K_19]

Well, I just switched my IEM from a Shure SE210 to Ultimate Ears Super Fi 5 EB. Got it used for $100 with about 80 hours broken in (so soon I should be able to hear the effects of the dynamic driver burn-in). The reason for the switch (upgrade?) was that although I found Shure's to be very balanced and crisp, I found it lacking that "fun" factor after a while. I wanted something with a little more kick, and thought the EB's were ideal for my needs. I'm loving it so far, especially since I use Ipod's most of the time and this makes up for the Ipod's weak bass response.

Just wanted a few suggestions with the few issues I'm having so far. I'm not sure if this is an issue with UE monitors in general, but I'm hearing a LOT of walking/movement noise. With E210's I barely heard any footsteps or brushes, but I'm hearing this a lot with the UE5 EB's, and its making it slightly unusable outside of home, which is kinda missing the point with IEM's. Is this just how it is, or is there a way to improve upon this? Also, I was wondering if there was any way I can use the Shure foams on the UE IEM's. Shure's were excellent for comfort and noise isolation, and I know UE's aren't known for either, but it has been a significant downgrade in both of those aspects for me. I'm using the large sillicon ear tips for now which fits, but it doesn't do much noise isolation or provide too much comfort, not to mention that it falls out rather easily. If there is a mod anywhere for this, that'd be great.

I'm also wondering if I should sell my E210's off. I loved it while I had it, and I still feel that it is superior to the UE's for mids (which has been pretty bad with the EB's btw... bad for vocals). How much can these fetch used, and do you think it will be worthwhile to keep? Or is there a better IEM I can get for more balanced mids and highs? Then again, I do have the Grado SR60 for that, so maybe I'll be better off saving my money.

Thanks.

[i_don't_know]

Regarding foam tips, try these:
Comply™ | Foam Replacement Tips

Just scroll down and select Ultimate Ears, then select Fi 5 EB's, then click on the tip model they give you, and order them.

[K_19]

Originally Posted by i_don't_know

Regarding foam tips, try these:
Comply™ | Foam Replacement Tips

Just scroll down and select Ultimate Ears, then select Fi 5 EB's, then click on the tip model they give you, and order them.

Are the comply tips as comfortable/create a good seal as the Shure foams? If so then I'll probably going for that. More and more I'm not liking the rubber tips at all..

[i_don't_know]

Originally Posted by K_19

Are the comply tips as comfortable/create a good seal as the Shure foams? If so then I'll probably going for that. More and more I'm not liking the rubber tips at all..

It's memory foam. I think you can imagine what they'd do.


EDIT: If you can't figure it out, they expand and create a really good seal. They also boost the bass of just about any IEM they're compatible with. When compared to other bass-boosting tips, many prefer the punchy bass of the Comply tips over the muddiness of others.

[K_19]

Well, as I am debating about getting the comply tips, I did a little mod with my E210 olive foam tips, since I couldn't stand any of the included buds with the UE5 EB anymore.. Just took out the little tubes that are inside (since they don't fit UE), and it fit right in. Wasn't overly difficult to do. The only problem right now is that it fits a little loose without a tube, and it can slip out easily. It also doesn't feel secure enough and at times doesn't feel like it doesn't make a good enough seal. But other than that, it feels very comfortable and fits much better than the standard rubber tips. it'll do for now.

The comply tips seems like the same thing, and they would have the tubes customized to fit the EB's so I'll probably get that anyway in the long run.