[REVIEW] 18 IEM reviewed and compared!!! (Final update NOV 2, 08)

[wae5]

Must be good because it makes me want to spend money!

[robojack]

ClieOS, you mentioned that the SA6's build quality could be better. Could you (or anyone else) elaborate more on this, and what was lacking in build quality (or what broke easily)?

[steviebee]

An excellent review! Clear, concise, not jargony or partisan. Superb.

Thanks


Edit\ can I suggest a sticky? This could be a great resource for IEM seekers. In the new sub-forum perhaps...

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by robojack

ClieOS, you mentioned that the SA6's build quality could be better. Could you (or anyone else) elaborate more on this, and what was lacking in build quality (or what broke easily)?

Just bit and pieces of minor issue.

I (and several others if you keep track on the original SA6 thread) received my SA6 with a faulty treble port. Good thing that Jason is quick on the replacement. Sleek Audio is really fast on the response and I know they have moved production back to U.S. (from China) to improve on QC, which is a good thing.

What I'll like to see improvement are 1) The included case is really nice to look at but putting SA6 inside isn't as easy as it seems. 2) The mini jack is larger than it needs to be. 3) Too many chromed pieces on the IEM. Basically speaking, I am just being really picky here but I think the design of SA6 can still be improved by getting rid off the unneeded decorative pieces and focusing more on getting the functional pieces done just right. Simpler design can have a beauty of its own.

To be fair, I want to make a note that the reason I seems to be extra picky on the SA6 is because it is my favorite IEM and therefore I do look at its more strictly than other. If Sleek Audio even fix the 3 issue I raised, than a solid 4 stars on build quality will be given. The reason why I won't give build quality a 5 stars rating is because of the VQ system. Although VQ system works well for the SQ rating, having too many moving parts means wear and tear will be more significant, thus reduce the rating.

[chinesekiwi]

Great article just one little issue though,

Strange how you rate the CX300's value higher than the EP-630's when the EP630's are significantly cheaper than the CX300's while being close to the sound of the CX300's..mmmm...

Anyway, great article nonetheless.

[antonyfirst]

Cli, what makes you favor the RE1 over the SA6?

[robojack]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Cli, what makes you favor the RE1 over the SA6?

Good question, the RE1s from your description, sound similar to the Futuresonic Atrio's in their high-end mellowness and low-end presentation.

And not to sound shallow, but they look somewhat cheap, almost exactly like the buds that come with my Sony Ericsson phones (see below), except they come with bi-flanges. Do they isolate as well as other IEMs, or are they more canalphones (you mentioned they don't leak sound, but do they block out exterior noise as well)?

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi

Great article just one little issue though,

Strange how you rate the CX300's value higher than the EP-630's when the EP630's are significantly cheaper than the CX300's while being close to the sound of the CX300's..mmmm...

It used to be that EP-630 was costing around $25 while CX300 was $80, therefore it didn't make sense to buy CX300 with 3 times the price of EP-630 cause CX300 isn't 3 times better.

However, now EP-630 is still around $25 (from a reputable sellier like Amazon) while CX300 has dropped to around $50 thus making it a viable choice. Why? The reason is, you can somewhat cure CX300's bloated bass with a bit of EQing and making it sounds like a more neutral and detail 'phone, which is quite acceptable for its low price. But you can't get rid of the muddy bass of EP-630 with EQ, nor can you make it as detail as CX300. So even the Senn is still more expensive, the lower street price makes it a better value over EP-630.

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Cli, what makes you favor the RE1 over the SA6?

The simple reason will be, when I plug both of them into my amp and A/B them on the same volume, RE1 just sound better than SA6 in all regard except for detail/treble.

RE1's smooth sound is so effortless it gives me the feeling of closing my eyes, kick back and enjoy the music - a feeling I often found on big can. On the other hand, SA6 (and most other IEM) is too much on the attack thus I never quite feel like I can be totally 'relax' when I am using SA6. This minor feeling is why RE1 is above SA6 - for the comforting factor of its smooth sound, if you like.

Originally Posted by robojack

And not to sound shallow, but they look somewhat cheap, almost exactly like the buds that come with my Sony Ericsson phones (see below), except they come with bi-flanges. Do they isolate as well as other IEMs, or are they more canalphones (you mentioned they don't leak sound, but do they block out exterior noise as well)?

With the big bi-flanges, you get slightly better isolation than EP-630 / CX300 on RE1 /2, and it should be more than enough for city life.

Unfortunately the design is quite common among generic China made IEM, as Chinese manufacturer often share the same industrial design to lower cost. The good news is, they sounds much better than those Sony

[Jabada]

The q-JAYS pouch is really small but you can fit the hole IEM with the extension cable into the pouch.
Just do it like this guy: YouTube - How to put Etymotic ER-4's into pouch
The cable will neve tangle when you take the IEM out of the case.

The ER4 shirt clip match perfectly with the EX700SL extension cable plug diameter.

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by Jabada

The q-JAYS pouch is really small but you can fit the hole IEM with the extension cable into the pouch.
Just do it like this guy: YouTube - How to put Etymotic ER-4's into pouch
The cable will neve tangle when you take the IEM out of the case.

The point of providing a pouch / case is to give the protection needed when you are not using the IEM. Soft pouch, though convenient, lacks sufficient protection for delicate device. If you put it in you backpack along with other bigger, heavier things, the IEM won't survive for long.

Same reason with small case. Putting the IEM into the case often require stressing the cable a bit. The smaller the case the more stress you need to apply to the cable. Why use a small, tightly fitting case when you can use a larger case? A small Altiods tin with foam inlay does a better jobs with room to spare.

For all these reason. Shure, UE, AL, and CrossRoads all score higher for providing a functional hard case.

Originally Posted by Jabada

The ER4 shirt clip match perfectly with the EX700SL extension cable plug diameter.

Yes, but once you put a shirt clip on the EX700SL, it won't fit into the nice leather case anymore.

[NDS]

nice review! I'm still torn between the RE2's and the im716s though. If i were to drive them out of just say a DAC/ipod would you choose the RE2s over the im716s? Also...hows the isolation on the RE2s compared to im716s. I love the isolation of the im716s for public transportation but they're large and the cord is annoying, i'm looking for a replacement for them. Do the high's of the RE2 compare to those of an unamped im716?

[goober-george]

ClieOS nice review do you think you will review the Philips SHE9850 anytime soon? I've only seen one person comment on them, and gave a positive review.

[FeedMeTrance]

That's absolutely fantastic mate.

Great reviews would have loved this when I first got into audiophile-land!

Great

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by NDS

nice review! I'm still torn between the RE2's and the im716s though. If i were to drive them out of just say a DAC/ipod would you choose the RE2s over the im716s? Also...hows the isolation on the RE2s compared to im716s. I love the isolation of the im716s for public transportation but they're large and the cord is annoying, i'm looking for a replacement for them. Do the high's of the RE2 compare to those of an unamped im716?

If you mod'ed or amped your iM716, than it will have a better edge over RE2. Unamped (unmod'ed) iM716 is no match for RE2, both on detail and bass. iM716 obviously isolates a low more than RE2 (around -30dB vs. around -22dB).

Originally Posted by goober-george

ClieOS nice review do you think you will review the Philips SHE9850 anytime soon? I've only seen one person comment on them, and gave a positive review.

I will, if I even find it in stock locally. The salesman working in the store that carry it told me that it is such a big seller that their stock ran out in days, and they couldn't get Phillips to resupply them until sometime July.

[wrecked_porsche]

Wow, really nice review, very concise and straight to the point. Thanks a lot for the great review!