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camille's trek through the IEM/canalphone-dom [56k, watch out]
My portable setup isn't entirely complete as I wanted, but it's going in the right direction. I tried to compile and search for any photos I may have kept or posted in forums pertaining, but seemed to only fish out about a couple or so (which seemed to be the ones I'm looking for)
But enough of that, it seemed like a long journey but the search is now over.
September 2005:
I was still in that buying frenzy after landing my first job, and splurged on ER-6is at full price. Of course, this was pre Head-Fi (don't let the registered date fool you), as I would easily bought it at a much cheaper price. I actually liked the sound that the ER-6i produced, problem was that the cable was real flimsy and one fateful day while on the SkyTrain, one of the TriFlanges got stuck in my ear. I knew it would happen again and again, so it was quite the turn off. I stopped using them soon after. I wish the comply tips weren't so damn worn out, I would've used them. Remember, this was Pre Head-Fi and I didn't realize Shure foamies would be the saving grace for these ER-6is. C'est la vie. Sold them in favour of Shure E3 (which then was sold soon after.)
October/November 2006
The search for a decent IEM had halted almost a whole year before buying Sony MDR-EX90s. Notice the great downgrade to Uber-portability w/ the 2G iPod Shuffle. Granted, the EX90 are canalphones, but from what I heard, they were worlds better than the erstwhile EX71s. At first listen, I liked them, what's more they sounded just awesome modded. though finding a right fit was the challenge. The driver housing was huge, and didn't fit well in the ear. The other problem (which I have with many Sony earphones) is the J-style cord. It's just not the right kind to use in this situation. The cord weight gets shifted all to the left earphone, and you'd be finding yourself adjusting that left one at least every 5 minutes. Not cool. Sold those as a result.
November 2006-February 2007
Again, yet another downgrade as upon reading a thread about $25 canalphones that, yes kicked the EX71s ace in terms of sound; you can tell I'm not the biggest EX71 fan. The JVC HA-FX33 (or Marshmallows) for me definitely lived up to the hype. Easily worth the $25 I spent; on par with the KSC-75 for those dirt-cheap deals IMO. I will hold on to them as a beater pair.
February 2007
at last, the IEM search is now complete. The portable setup altogether is far from finished. I knew I was through with universal IEMs. Enter the Westone ES2s. I think it was those or UE-5cs, but upon reading the mega-thread of the ES2s, I was convinced. So a massive firesale commenced shortly after the winter BC meet. They're not put to the very limit, but that will come in due time. I am loving every bit of them now. I don't even think the Custom Westone 3 will perk my interest in a new IEM; I am seriously done searching.
Is is coincidence or what that we both downgraded our gear at one point in our journeys? [sorry if that didn't look like English to you I am too lazy to go back and rephrase it yet I have the motivation to write this...]
lol, grats on finding your ideal portable rig. I hope the curse fades away after this. For me, it has no but I have no intention of it fading away any time soon
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"That's the problem with people like you, you want results but you never want to get your hands dirty. You'd better start rolling up your sleeves. I'm gonna need a hacksaw." - Jack Bauer
---------------------------------------------------- Headphones - UE-11 - Westone ES2 - Grado PS-1 (reversed bowls) Amps - Headamp Pico in Slate Gray (yup, that be all I need!)
congrats on finding the ONE. I hope that you never feel a need to shop for new IEMs again (after spending a huge amount of money on something that cant be sold)
so you found ms right? hmmm, great job mate. for me too, es2 will probably be my next thumb in the wallet act. i think you must tell me how the trek went for a canadian? cheers
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BOSE: Better Sound Through Research
How well does the nano drive those? Is it pretty much the same as the standard ipod?
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Music: 椎名林檎, レミオロメン, L'arc~en~ciel, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Tool, Classical, Spanish Guitar, The Decemberists, Ratatat, Couch, Explosions in the Sky. (equipment in profile)