Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Why does everyone seem to think the e5 is bass heavy?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Why does everyone seem to think the e5 is bass heavy?

post #1 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
I've been trying to figure this out since I got them... It seems that a good number of people are constantly refering to the E5 as bass heavy. The thing is, if you compare them to most full sized cans, the bass is just average. Consider for example the HD650. It has arguably more bass than the E5, and yet doesn't seem to carry the "bass heavy" label the E5 does. I understand that the E5 puts an emphasis on bass and mids, but that would make them "treble light" if anything, and not "bass heavy". In my opinion, to become "bass heavy" the bass has to over power the mids AND trebles. For example I could understand why someone might think the UE Super.Fi Pro is a bit on the "bass heavy" side, and the EB very much on the "bass heavy" side.

Anyway, this is just something that's been bothering me for a while since the E5 seems to get a bit of a bad rep from it.


**BTW**

To anybody that's waiting on my big review. I've had a lot going on this week and still haven't gotten over to Edwood's house to pick up the UE Super.fi EB and the Etymotic ER4s, as well as his Pimeta. I'll try and get over there later today or tomorrow so I can have the review out early next week. My most humble appologies for the delay.
Reply
post #2 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:17pm

E5's Bass

Your "treble light" distinction makes sense; however, I've been keeping up with the E5 vs. E4 vs. UM2 vs. Super.Fi threads and I don't really recall the E5's as being labeled "bass heavy" (taken to mean exaggerated). Can you point out a specific reference? The more common context has been comparing the E5's to other earphones and, in that respect, they exhibit a fuller/richer/heavier relative bass response -- a positive characteristic! Shure E5 owners seem to really approve of the bass-mids, but many have described them as rolled off in the treble region (a weakness). That seems to be in complete agreement with your "treble light" notion.

KenB
Reply
post #3 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmmmmm
The e4c's aren't bass heavy, and that point will be greatly exaggerated when coming from the bass-heavy e5's.
This would be one example... but there have been many many comments about the E5's being "bass heavy".
Reply
post #4 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:46pm
The HD650 is a tad bass heavy.
Reply
post #5 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:48pm
I see, but I think this is a semantical issue at its root. In context, I don't interpret Jmmmmm's comment to mean that the E5's are bass OBESE, but simply heavier than the E4's -- relatively speaking. If the E4's are bass light (I own them and agree with that characterization), then the E5's would surely be bass heavy by comparison. That doesn't imply, at least to me, that Jmmmmm, or anyone else, considers the E5's as having too much or bad quality bass which I thought was your primary question/concern.

In most relative comparison contexts with other earphones, the E5's will, indeed, be considered bass heavy -- but not in a pejorative or negative way. You would agree with that, correct?

KenB
Reply
post #6 of 27
6/23/05 at 5:53pm
Another vote for there having been many, many comments saying that the E5C is bass heavy, whether or not recent threads have said so.
Reply
post #7 of 27
6/23/05 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Consider for example the HD650. It has arguably more bass than the E5, and yet doesn't seem to carry the "bass heavy" label the E5 does.
I think the reason you hear more about the e5's being "bass heavy" is that there are a lot more people that have heard both the ety's and the shures. I just don't think as many people have compared the Senn 650's to something as ultra detailed as say the CD3000's or the SA5000's. This isn't to say that either the e5's or 650's are bass heavy. Its just that ultimately, everyone is going to have their own opinion on what the right amount of bass is. But if you've only experienced one type of style its harder to say if what you're listening to is accurate or not. I just think more people have experienced the drastic differences between the e5's and the ety's, and thus are able to comment on what they believe is the right sound. Personally, I do think the 650's are a bit bass heavy, but I also think the SA5000's are a little lean in the bass, especially in the the lower regions. I haven't heard the e5's so I can't comment on them, but after finally getting a good seal, I think the UM2 is just slightly bass heavy, so I imagine the e5 is at least just as heavy if not more. But like I said, I haven't listened to them.
Reply
post #8 of 27
6/23/05 at 7:02pm
I think the E5's reputation as being bass heavy is that they are mostly compared in relation to other canalphones.
Reply
post #9 of 27
6/23/05 at 7:45pm
Actually, I think that the E5 has appreciably stronger bass than does the HD650.
Reply
post #10 of 27
6/23/05 at 10:14pm
Awww, you guys actually read my posts...


I haven't heard the e5's, but all acounts say they have approximately the same amount of bass as the um2's, which I've had until very recently.

In my opinion (and with my preferences), the um2's have a bit too much bass compared to the rest of the spectrum. The e5's also have more bass than almost all other canalphones, and all other canalphones aren't considered 'bass-light', are they?
This all should be taken in context of other canalphones. It may be true in an absolute sense that the 650s have more bass, but I doubt they have more bass in respect to the rest of the spectrum. I agree, though, your 'treble light' does make sense.

I also think the um2's are far more 'bass-heavy' (I apologize for using that term again ) than the ue 5pro's. The 5pros also have a forward midrange. The difference is that I don't think any details are covered up by the 5pro bass, but I do believe some details were covered up by the um2 bass.

Of course, this is all my opinion, and you are certainly free to have you own.
Reply
post #11 of 27
6/23/05 at 10:35pm
the e5s are bassy compared to other canalphones (eg e3c and er4p) which is probably where its reputation comes from. but definately not compared to full-sized cans. They have less body in the bass compared to every fullsized can I,ve heard in the same price range as the e5.

jesse
Reply
post #12 of 27
6/24/05 at 2:28am
Anyone who has not listed to the Super.Fi's.

-Ed
Reply
post #13 of 27
6/24/05 at 2:45am
I agree the E5's do not sound bass heavy compared to regular full size phones. I notice more bass with my 650's, and much more bass with my DT 770-80s's. Out of the three, the only one I ever fault for having too much bass (sometimes) is the DT 770-80.
Reply
post #14 of 27
6/24/05 at 5:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasper994
Consider for example the HD650. It has arguably more bass than the E5, and yet doesn't seem to carry the "bass heavy" label the E5 does. I understand that the E5 puts an emphasis on bass and mids, but that would make them "treble light" if anything, and not "bass heavy".
Well that's like saying that the HD650 is "treble light" because my speakers put out more bass. It's all relative, and while the treble and mids of the E5 are better than many earphones, it is the bass that is its most prominent characteristic.
Reply
post #15 of 27
6/24/05 at 5:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmmmmm

I also think the um2's are far more 'bass-heavy' (I apologize for using that term again ) than the ue 5pro's. The 5pros also have a forward midrange. The difference is that I don't think any details are covered up by the 5pro bass, but I do believe some details were covered up by the um2 bass.
Well, if you think the SF5P has less bass then the UM2 then the E5 would either be right on or "bass light", because the SF5P is even more tipped up in the bass region.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Why does everyone seem to think the e5 is bass heavy?