I have to start this post by saying I realize that some people didn't think my entry deserved to win over some of the other entries in the contest. I am not going to defend my entry to anyone since I did not determine the winner. I am not going to go through each and every entry and tear it down to defend mine. I also wanted to say that just because someone spent way more time on something and it looks cool doesn't means it was on target with what the contest was aiming to find.
Contest Thread:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188487
Actual Contest Page:
http://www.headphone.com/headroom/news/contests
On to the review.
I am not someone who buys tons of headphones or IEMs and tries them all out and sells or returns the duds and keep my favorite. I go about the whole purchasing ordeal as someone who is on a budget and responsible. I usually set a maximum pricepoint and research everything under that till im sick of it and purchase whatever has the best price to performance based on other peoples opinions and reviews.
Prior to winning the contest I already had a set of open phones (Alessandro MS1) Closed phones (AKG K81DJs) and IEMs (Altec Lansing IM716s). These are the only headphones I have ever used so all of my opinions are made with that as a background.
All of my choices for purchase have been made with the limitations of being able to be driven without an amp and a 1/8 inch plug since I listen to headphones exclusively from my mp3 players or computer.
The super.fi 5 pro met my requirements (even though I won them with a amp) so I mainly have been using them straight out of my Iaudio G3.
And the Iaudio G3/Super.fi pro 5 combination get the simple review of:
!!!!!!BEST ULTRA PORTABLE SETUP EVER!!!!!!!!
They sound great to me. I do not have a golden ear or anything and only can compare them to my IM716s and Koss Plugs. They sound different than the IM716s, I don't know if it is technically better or worse than the Altecs, but I would rather listen to the Super.fis because they are less "harsh" (I guess this is the correct term for saying the IM716s remind me of a meth bender and the Super.fis remind me of a casual evening of drinking at dinner.)
To me the main reasons even over the sound that I like them better is the Quality/Engineering/Comfort/Wonderful packaging/included accesories. I will just list the things I liked better about them that aren't really mentioned in most reviews but made me smile.
The connector is a hard 90degree bend and fits tight up against the player to prevent it from cranking on the jack when in my pocket. It also makes the whole setup more compact. This is a huge plus for me since now I can fit my player in some little useles pelvis pocket on my cargo shorts and not have to worry about screwing up the jack on my player.(the Im716s have a small plug with like a 160ish degree bend in it which didn't as work well for me)
The actual cabling clear and matches my Iaudio G3 perfectly with its metalic/white layout. (this really wouldn't affect my decision to purchase but it is definately not a negative isnce it looks nice.)
The replaceable cords is so relieving. I am always careful with all of my stuff but I will use these in many more situations knowing that if something does happen its gonna cost me almost nothing compared to the cost of a new set of IEMS (this alone makes these worth buying over any IEM that doesn't have this feature)
The amount of eartip options was crazy compared to the 2 given with the IM716s. I think it had without looking at least 5 options. Gives much more of a chance to get a comfortable seal.
These things are a breeze to insert and remove and waaaaaaaaay more comfortable than the IM716s. With my IM716s I used the triflanges since they dont seem as disposable as the foam tips. I did achieve a wonderful seal with the IM716s but to achieve this I had to moisten the tips, pull up on the upper part of my ear and push them in until they touched my brain and then backed them out about 1/32 of an inch. The Super.Fis I just pretty much tug on the lobe a little and give a constant pressure on the back of the IEM until it stops going in. I would guess these go in less than half as far as the IM716s. Have close to the same isolation and like 1/4 the microphonics.
These MoFos are stealth boy. The over the ear behind the head design kicks arse. I usually put these on, run the cord down the middle of my back over my Tshirt and under a collared polo type shirt up to my MP3 player in one of my front shorts pockets. When I am not using them I pull the lider deal all the way up towards the IEMs and put it over my head like a necklace. The Im716s have the volume control switchy thingy on them which isn't all that bad but the over the ear behind the neck design is what makes me all smiles.
The 2 different cases, quality packaging, multiple tips, attenuater and 1/4 inch converter make this a well rounded out package.
I won't get into the sound much anymore because I don't know enough about how to describe what I am hearing through these but can leave it at:
I like the way they sound since most of the talk on these is based on opinion which I lack because opinion directly relates to experience.
Review of the Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro I won in the Ultimate Sanctuary contest
