My new King of IEMs (Tony's Triple.fi review)

[Spyro]

Good review. I too, prefer TFP's to E530 but I did get a real kick out of the "SLAM" the Shures gave with drums...realistic or not. I also have no problem with the TFP fit. Smallest flange, tilted upwards at 20-30 degrees, then set the memory wire. Works everytime.

Antonyfirst: On that TFP treble do you notice on some recordings it may be TOO dry and airy? Sometimes I desire more "SSSSSS" (like Ety). But I suppose you can EQ it to liking.

[gp_hebert]

Do they provide the same kind of isolation as Etys with Shure black foamies?

I've had the Super.fi 5 Pro a while ago and I always thought they felt chubby in my ears. I wasn't using the black foamies at the time though, but they felt a lot bigger than the Etys and the lack of comfort was my main reason for selling them...

[antonyfirst]

Actually I find the treble on the Triple fi to be "wetter" than the Etys. It might be because of the whole sound signature. The Etys are too lean and unbalanced and the treble, left alone, feels over-represented. When Etys are equalized for good, though, it's a different story. I loved my Etys with my Kenwood player's Rock equalization.

[antonyfirst]

Originally Posted by gp_hebert

Do they provide the same kind of isolation as Etys with Shure black foamies?

I've had the Super.fi 5 Pro a while ago and I always thought they felt chubby in my ears. I wasn't using the black foamies at the time though, but they felt a lot bigger than the Etys and the lack of comfort was my main reason for selling them...

They provide the same kind of isolation as the Etys. The Etys go deeper in the ear though. The triple fi don't feel huge in my ears (not with the Shure foamies though). Seal is impossible to lose.
I would suggest this Shure black foam tips mod (with UE foamies' plastic tubes) to all Sony, Denon, Kenwood and Sennheiser IEMs owners.

I liked the Etymotic braided wire over my ear better than the Triple fi wire. It has to be noted, though, that the Etys looked geeky when worn over the ears (ie: always ).

[gp_hebert]

I liked the Etymotic braided wire over my ear better than the Triple fi wire. It has to be noted, though, that the Etys looked geeky when worn over the ears (ie: always ).

One of the reasons why I ordered Alex's replacement cable.

I have considered buying the Triple.fi a couple of times, but the comfort experience I've had with the Super.fi was really bad and the lack of midrange noted in a few reviews has always stopped me from oredering them. It's nice to see another perspective on the matter.

[antonyfirst]

I was helped in my choice by a couple of members: volron1 and jlingo. Especially the latter has an incredible ability to describe the sound. He has the Apuresound recabled Etys too (both P and S), and has written his impressions in the appropriate thread.
I trust them both.

[MadMonky]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

It has to be noted, though, that the Etys looked geeky when worn over the ears (ie: always ).

Agreed, i wear them for all my flights, and always notice at least a couple people giving me funny looks

[antonyfirst]

Originally Posted by MadMonky

Agreed, i wear them for all my flights, and always notice at least a couple people giving me funny looks

The good thing on the walk is I'm listening to the music, so I don't care.

[IPodPJ]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

The Triple fi give a better feel of listening to a good full size headphone. Actually, some times I forget I'm listening to IEMs.

I don't know if I'd go that far. All IEMs seem to have that typical "tri-bubble" syndrome, meaning the sound seems to come from left, right, and center but nowhere in between. Fullsize cans don't seem to suffer from that. While they do sound closer to a fullsize can than other IEMs might, I'd still never forget I was listening to an IEM though. But as far as IEMs go, the Triple.Fi are definitely on top (for universal fit).

[theory_87]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Bass between the Triple fi and Shure E500 is just different. It's more present with the E500. It's more discrete with the Triple fi, but it still slams.
I like midrange and treble more with the Triple Fi. The highs are much more sparkling.
They both have good fit (with the Shure black foam tips... I hate silicon tips ).
The Triple fi give a better feel of listening to a good full size headphone. Actually, some times I forget I'm listening to IEMs.

Regarding the cable, I hated the pod on the Shure's cable.

The Triple fi rank as first in my IEM ranking.


Last thought: I'll try a Westone ES2 cable with my Triple Fi in a couple of months. I want to try a westone feeling with my Triple fi earpieces. Some people who tried it (theory87) think the resulting sound is better than the Westone ES2 (he thinks the same of the normal Triple fi, though).
If someone wants to try a cheaper UE, the Super.fi 5 Pro are said to improve drastically with the ES2 cable.

I use E500 and TF10p base on my mood for the day and the place i'm going to visit

Peronally, I find Shure olive on tf10p redue the treble sparkle and bloated the bass a little. Switching back to UE silicon sleeves, I find the bass more punchy and deeper and treble detail seems to be better and extended.

ES2 cable will make tf10p sounder slightly warmer and detailed. Another advantage is the flexible cable

sf5pro will benefit alot from ES2 cable. There is so much more detail, treble roll off gently and there is more texture to the bass. Sometime, i prefer sf5p over E500 or tf10p.

I find that synergy with the IEM is important. My modified Ref synergise very well with tf10p and E500/sf5p synergise better with Hornet or mini3. Guess I'll need UE11p to have all the sound characteristic for the 3 IEMs