New and Improved Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 v2.0 - Huge Sound in a Tiny Package.

[oak3x]

If anybody is interested in experiencing the new Super.fi 5's for yourself...

FS - Ultimate Ears Super-Fi 5 (new 2008 model)

[nsx_23]

Hmm, I'm tempted, but should I upgrade to something like E500 or TF10?

I don't see this being that much of an upgrade over SF5pros I have now.

[ixeo]

Originally Posted by Edwood

Much larger soundstage. A little clearer instrument detail and separation. But overall texture and detail, (especially high and low frequency) is still better with the Triple.Fi. Also, the Triple.Fi is generally a more "exciting" listening experience, as it has more dynamics.

Did I mention the huge soundstage?

-Ed

very good description. if i get you right, the Triple.Fi just get your feet tapping and enjoying the music. how would you then describe comparing the Ety ER4P/S to the Super.Fi 5?

i am one step away from ordering..either the Super.Fi 5 or the ER4P/S..due to the same price bracket. usage with ipod unamped.. your thoughts..or anyone who has heard both..

[LogicalDisconnect]

Sorry to bump, but has anyone else who said they purchased these tried them yet? I'd like to hear a few more impressions before jumping in.

[tstarn06]

Well, I took the plunge and picked up the SF5s, and I have to say, they sound very, very good, especially for the money. I prefer them over the Ety ER4P, for example (from what I remember).

I also A/B'd them with the Sleeks, and they hold up well but...to me, the SA6 bass is more pronounced, richer, fuller (I did all listening with the Sony A818, flat EQ with two clicks up on Clear Bass). On the mids and highs, pretty close. As EdWood noted, the UE's do have a soundstage advantage over the Sleeks. But again, to me, the bass is so much more there for the Sleeks over the UEs. I am going to keep both, for one reason. I found the SF5s to be very comfortable, using Comply T400 foamies (two pair come with package, but I had someon hand too). With the Sleeks, I never got used to the flanges, though I know they are among the best. I really favor the foam sleeves, and the UEs just go in so easily, no guessing. Roll the Complys in fingertips and insert. Nothing to it. I usually need to fiddle around more with the Sleeks using Shure olives, and while the tight fit delivers more isolation, it's is also pretty snug for long term listening.

Anyway, I still favor the SA6 sound signature (maybe that bass pinhole mod made the difference), but I do like them both. Always room for two fantastic vale and sound in-ear phones in a collection, right?

Also, if the Sleek wireless feature works welk, having no cable will be a major differentiator.

So my first foray into UE territory is a good one, but I'm not interested in the TF10s. Just too large for me, and I don't like looping wires over my ears. I would recommend either in-ear phone, but if I had to choose, I'd stick with the SA6s.

[epithetless]

Good to hear you still prefer the SA6, tstarn06...I was starting to get the itch to try the new SF5s, despite disliking the SF5 Pros and being thoroughly pleased with my Sleeks (I suffer, sadly, from Shiny Newthing Syndrome ). Since I'm not at all interested in something with less bass than the SA6, my itch is beginning to subside...

Out of curiosity, though, how do the SF5s compare in regards to sibilance and fatigue?

[tstarn06]

I listened to the SF5s for 8 hours yesterday in AC at the poker table,and no fatigue (but very low volumne). No harsh highs to my ears. Overall, a very good phone. I can see why the OP and jant21 found them so likable. I realize some will find it hard to believe that the SA6 bass has more impact, but that's what I heard, in quick switching between the two on some very bottom-end focused tracks. I believe the SA6 bass mod really works (I use bass+ and treble++ on the Sleeks).

[epithetless]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

(I use bass+ and treble++ on the Sleeks)

Really? That's quite a change from the treble= and treble+ I remember you wavering between. The treble++ goes a step too far into harsh-highs territory for me. What prompted the shift on your end?

[tstarn06]

Just decided I wanted more sparkle, and so far, it's not bothered me. I keep the EQ flat, for sure, but I also shift back to the treble+ and treble= now and again. It's all part of the SA6 fun, right?

[robojack]

tsarn, good to hear that you still prefer the SA6's. I agree with you that the bass is quite profound on the SA6s after the bass + pin-hole mod. I was a tad bit curious, but now I don't think there's a need to waste any money on these (which is good considering how I just slapped money down on a tube amp and DAC only a few days ago).

[tstarn06]

Not worth the purchase if you already like the Sleeks. I was just looking for another pair of in-ear phones, and these fit the bill. Just completed a dog walk with the Sleeks, a Clip, a FiiO amp and my new Dowin S adaptor cable, and the sound was sensational. So you are making a good move. I had a little extra cash, and always wanted a pair of UEs. I have to say, with the Complys, the SF5s are very comfortable, another plus. But again, I'd choose the Sleeks for a variety of already listed reasons.

I may sell off the AL716s (modded) since I never will probably use them again. They are my Ety ER4P surrogates, but I don't think I need them any more.

[robojack]

I already have a pair of SF5 Pros, so unless the difference was day and night, I wasn't about to drop more money into UEs.

Does your S adaptor cable increase the impedence of the Sleek's even further? If so, what is the impedence of the Sleek's after using the cable, and is there a noticeable improvement with the SQ? Any downsides?

I usually use my Sleeks with my Predator, and I'm always wondering if there's any benefit of using a P to S adaptor to increase the impedence.

[tstarn06]

Just tried it (S adaptor) out on the advice of EdWood or jant21 (can't remember, but it's back in the thread). For $30, I thought I'd see how it sounds. And with the lineup I listed, it really seems to have an impact on the Sleeks, more refined. But, it takes more volume to drive the SA6s. With an amp, no problem.

I can't give you any specifics on impedence, but someone else may be able to. I really like the SQ with the Dowin S cable. And it's only 4-5 inches, so not too much to deal with. Just a nice sound uptick, but not critical. With your Predator, it could make the Sleeks even better.

[tstarn06]

Wanted to thank you for that tip. I connected the SF5 and the SA6s to my Sony DAP with the FiiO amp and a Dowin S adapter cable, and both phones really responded. Admittedly, it's not very slim, but the Sony and FiiO weigh almost nothing (they are velcroed together) and the Dowin Cable is not too bad (short). Overall, a very refined system.

Sony A818 (or Sansa Clip)>FiiO>Dowin S Cable>SA6/SF5...sweet system, with both phones. I use Comply foamies with the SF5s (perfect match with my ears) and olives with the SA6s. Consider me the "poor man" enjoying this setup.

Originally Posted by jant71

The 5 would be in between the ER4P and UE11 in bass amount. A nice balance, not bassy like the 11(red is above green till about 250Hz) but not more neutral like the ETY( green above red straight through to the mids).

You can see the mids are more forward than both. A bit less versus the Ety. But this translates to more even versus the UE11 which has more bass emphasis and the ER4P which is actually more mid-forward due to less bass. Also you can see the slight treble roll-off versus the other two. the ER4P's higher treble peaks show that the ETY will be the brighter phone.

So, the freq. balance of the UE11 is bass heavy followed by balanced mids and highs.
The Ety has lighter bass with more forward mids and treble.
The 5 as it looks is more balanced and even than either.

I did have the ER4p and the graph does represent what I heard. The SF 5 is more even and smoother. It is smoother both being less peaky and because of the slight roll-off of the 5.

The ER4P and the FiiO would bring the sound balance of the two phones closer together. As we know the Ety is mostly recommended with a warm amp.

The SF 5 with the FiiO adding some bass and the S-adapter adding a bit of extension and refinement would sound much like the UE11. A poor man's version of it if you will.

Of course FR graphs are more about sound balance and extension, not sound signature. Things like tone, texture, detail, soundstage, speed can't be interpreted from a FR graph.



.

[jant71]

You're welcome. The S adapter has been my "amp" for quite a while as the only things small enough for me were the Super Micro and now the Fiio. The adapter always works on single armatures since they are usually too easy to drive so they have less low end impact but it is in there waiting to be unleashed. And the Fiio is a no-brainer at it's price. Both together does a nice job.

I also had a Sony (6XX series). Your set up should have a fine amount of bass and punch.

I have a Sony NF610 minidisc. If I run the FiiO -> S-adapter -> SF5 w/Complys, I actually go -2 on the bass and +1 on the treble(-1,+1 with stock tips).




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