SE530, Triple.Fi or Westone 3/UM2?

[scim]

After some debate, saving up and research I came to the conclusion I want to take the plunge into the somewhat more expensive non custom IEMs.
After some reading I was kinda excited by the qJAYS at first, but I keep getting mixed feelings about these IEMs, I keep reading the "they're good but..." statements everywhere on the net. So my search continued.

But before I give you the list I would like some opinions about I will give you the types of music and sources I use. Currently I'm listening most of my music from an unmodded, standard firmware iPod Nano 1st gen and a Macbook Pro. I have no intention of putting amps on these (yet) since I move around a lot and I'm already carrying quite a lot of stuff with me. I am considering of buying an USB/firewire soundcard for my MBP cause I want to rip some vinyl to Flac/ALAC.
As for the music, I listen to wide ranges of music but most of it is rock/alternative. Think: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Sigur Ros, Linkin Park, Soundtrack music etc.

Well know after some deliberation I'm willing to spend around 250 euro's on IEMs, which basically 390-400 US dollars and I set up the following list.

UE Triple.Fi 10 pro's
Shure SE530
Westone 3 (if they're ever released)
Westone Um2

The Shures would come from eBay since I can't find a retail store that offers them for < 449 dollars (which is above my budget).
I'm heavily leaning toward the triple.fi's actually I'm waiting for a price on these shipped to the Netherlands from Jaben.net.
Then I started reading up on the Westone IEMs and everybody is excited about the Westone 3's (well excitement has turned into annoying wait for most I guess) and in these topics a lot of love is expressed for the UM2's.

So there you have it, personally I'm leaning towards the Triple.Fi's, but I'm starting to think about the Westones and also their 2 driver version. So I would like to ask for your opinions and advice

Unfortunately there is no way I can go somewhere and listen to these IEMs, since there are almost no stores that carry these brands in my vicinity.

[PeterDLai]

Not to deter you from your course, but I favored the q-JAYS over the Shure E500/SE530. It mostly came down to musical preference, as should your decision on an IEM.

It's hard to tell which sound signature you'd like better because although I listen to rock/alternative as well, I favored the brighter, more detailed and more energetic sound. Other fans of rock/alternative may actually prefer the smooth, mellow, more relaxing sound signature (that I thought the E500/SE530 portrayed).

I think the Triple.fi might be your best bet as it seems like it's the best of both worlds, as long as you are fine with the fit and aesthetics (they're quite big). If you can find it in Europe, the M-AUDIO IE-40 is a black/chrome version of the Triple.fi, as an alternative.

Then again, please take note I have not heard the Triple.fi IEMs before and thus can't really judge it personally. I'm only basing my opinion on reading what others have said at Head-Fi.

Good luck with your search!

[zomas65]

Originally Posted by scim

After some debate, saving up and research I came to the conclusion I want to take the plunge into the somewhat more expensive non custom IEMs.
After some reading I was kinda excited by the qJAYS at first, but I keep getting mixed feelings about these IEMs, I keep reading the "they're good but..." statements everywhere on the net. So my search continued.

But before I give you the list I would like some opinions about I will give you the types of music and sources I use. Currently I'm listening most of my music from an unmodded, standard firmware iPod Nano 1st gen and a Macbook Pro. I have no intention of putting amps on these (yet) since I move around a lot and I'm already carrying quite a lot of stuff with me. I am considering of buying an USB/firewire soundcard for my MBP cause I want to rip some vinyl to Flac/ALAC.
As for the music, I listen to wide ranges of music but most of it is rock/alternative. Think: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Sigur Ros, Linkin Park, Soundtrack music etc.

Well know after some deliberation I'm willing to spend around 250 euro's on IEMs, which basically 390-400 US dollars and I set up the following list.

UE Triple.Fi 10 pro's
Shure SE530
Westone 3 (if they're ever released)
Westone Um2

The Shures would come from eBay since I can't find a retail store that offers them for < 449 dollars (which is above my budget).
I'm heavily leaning toward the triple.fi's actually I'm waiting for a price on these shipped to the Netherlands from Jaben.net.
Then I started reading up on the Westone IEMs and everybody is excited about the Westone 3's (well excitement has turned into annoying wait for most I guess) and in these topics a lot of love is expressed for the UM2's.

So there you have it, personally I'm leaning towards the Triple.Fi's, but I'm starting to think about the Westones and also their 2 driver version. So I would like to ask for your opinions and advice

Unfortunately there is no way I can go somewhere and listen to these IEMs, since there are almost no stores that carry these brands in my vicinity.

westone UM2 are great!

anyway you'll direct your choice, welcome to head-fi and....sorry about your wallet!

[PaulK]

Hi Scim,
You can buy, and listen!, the Triple.Fi's at AudioXperience in Nuenen. Not that far from your place...
I've got the TripleFi's. They are great! Though I haven't heard the Shures/Westones (yet).

[tnmike1]

Let's toss another one in here: the Klipsch Custom 3, due to be released shortly.

[Guarneri]

Hmm... I have owned all of the headphones you mentioned at one point or another and imo, the UM2 would be the best fit for you for several reasons:
1. This is your first expensive IEM so I think that fit, build, and comfort is a very important factor as you may be turned off from IEMs forever if your first pair doesn't fit well. The UM2s are the most comfortable universal IEMs i've ever used and pretty much everyone here who's tried a pair tends to agree. SE530 fits well too, but the Triple.fi can definitely be a problem for some people.

2. From my experiences, the UM2s are very good for the type of music you listen to the most. They are pretty good at presenting all types of music except classical. In comparison, the SE530 and Triple.Fi are harder to "appreciate" because the music flow isn't as "fun" as people here at head-fi call it.

3. The UM2s are cheaper right now. I don't know whether or not this makes any difference, but I can't imagine any reason not to save $50-$100 if the product is right for you.

Of course, these are based off my experiences, most of which is based on memory so don't take my suggestions too seriously. What you like is what you should buy.

[jinx20001]

dependant on your sound preference:

se530 = warm, fun, smooth and clean

triple fi = lukewarm, sparkling trebs, clear

westone 3 = who knows, but 3 way so should be balanced very well

er4p = cold, analytical, crystal clear

um2 = super warm, booming fun, limited treble detail, could be called smooth

[davidw89]

haha jinx20001 i love how you describe these headphones..

[FeedMeTrance]

Would the Super Fi 5's be a worthy suggestion? I'd say they are comparable the UM2s?

I think they are quite great earphones for their price, but pretty sure the TF10s or SE530s would stomp all over them.

[Illidan]

Originally Posted by jinx20001

dependant on your sound preference:

se530 = warm, fun, smooth and clean

triple fi = lukewarm, sparkling trebs, clear

westone 3 = who knows, but 3 way so should be balanced very well

er4p = cold, analytical, crystal clear

um2 = super warm, booming fun, limited treble detail, could be called smooth

Nice input

To OP I recommend the UM2's or waiting for the Westone3.
The qJAYS are worth a shot imo but i haven't heard them.

[SBD]

x2 on the klipsch custom 3.

But really, do enough research and you'll only hear bad things about everything. Generally the q-jays have a flat sound (some like it, some don't) and generally the um2s and um1s are kind of said both "one step down" from what their price ranges imply. The westone 3 is going to be pretty sweet though.

[Brewmaster]

I'd take the TF's over the UM2's. The highs on the UM2's are just too rolled off.

[al217739]

I was in your exact position a few weeks ago, decide not to wait fore the westones, don't know any way I can try these so I bought the other 2 with the intention of keeping one

Even tho both aren't burnt in I find my self repeatedly going back to the triple fi, they really do have a sparkle, I also had to get the se530pth off ebay and I wonder of they working properly sometimes. I guess I will never know.

I actually find the triple fi fit better, the memery wire is ace, where as the shures keep slipping off one ear

And does anyone else find the PTH useless?

[PouncePony]

I find the PTH handy when using my E500s at my desk at work. It's a pain in the rear to remove an ear bud every time someone walks up.

-Pony

[Austin 3:16]

Originally Posted by FeedMeTrance

Would the Super Fi 5's be a worthy suggestion? I'd say they are comparable the UM2s?

I think they are quite great earphones for their price, but pretty sure the TF10s or SE530s would stomp all over them.

If you're gonna go there, why not Atrio m5's?