Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendation needed! upgrade to e2c
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Recommendation needed! upgrade to e2c

post #1 of 17
10/19/06 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,
I currently have a pair of e2c but I find the sound too muddy and is not very comfortable after long wearing.(the ear piece is too big)
I am looking for something under $150. I listen to all kind of music, but mainly pop, jazz, some hip hop. but not heavy metal or rock. I mostly use it when I commute (walking)/ or on the plane or when working out.
The e2c has really good isolation (at least i think), and it serves its purpose well esp on long plane rides.

Ideally, I am looking for something that has overall better performance, I'm not an audiophile, and I'm going to use it with my Ipod video. I want something that is economical but yet, will be a jump (significant difference) from the e2c.
I am considering the e3c or the super.fi 5 eb. I am not sure if the EB is too much bass? I am not a basshead but I would appreciate more bass then the e2c. What's others' opinions on that? Both are within my range ($139)
It seems the super.fi.5 pro fits everything that I want, smaller profile, comfortable fiting, yet great quality, but it's $50 out of my budget, so I'll not be considering that unless there's some place selling it for cheaper.

So any help is great! I'm looking to buy within these 2 days. Thanks all.
Reply
post #2 of 17
10/19/06 at 2:48pm
If you want more bass than the E2C's, you might as well disregard the E3C's. The E3C's will sound bass-shy compared to the E2C's, although the sound will be tighter with more detailed mids. I have the E3C's and like them well enough (although I think they're overpriced at the suggested list price), but I now wish I had spent more for E4's or Westone UM2's.

At your price range, consider the Westone UM1's (comfort). I haven't heard them, but there are many threads. There are also the Etymotics ER-6i's (really small size).
Reply
post #3 of 17
10/19/06 at 3:16pm
you can probably get a set of used e4s for ~$150
Reply
post #4 of 17
10/19/06 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies! What about the super.fi 5 eb?

I don't think i'd consider a used pair for personal things like this (but that's just me).

UM1 looks very flimpsy, is it easily breakable?
Reply
post #5 of 17
10/19/06 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies! What about the super.fi 5 eb?

I don't think i'd consider a used pair for personal things like this (but that's just me).

UM1 looks very flimpsy, is it easily breakable?
Reply
post #6 of 17
10/19/06 at 4:07pm
I would not bother with upgrading to the e3. The e4 is great though.
Reply
post #7 of 17
10/19/06 at 4:14pm
The E4 doesn't sound muddy at all. You might want to give them a try. They're great for jazz. Alternatively, you might want to try some Etymotics. It'll be a night 'n day difference in terms of clarity.
Reply
post #8 of 17
10/19/06 at 4:22pm
Take a look at the Altec Lansing iM616/iM716.
Reply
post #9 of 17
10/19/06 at 4:41pm
The Superfi 5eb will be very base heavy. The 5 pros have excellent base but it is not boomy or overpowering like the 5eb. You can get em online for less than $170.00. Currently the 5 pros are my favorite iem.

Or if you want to go on the super cheap you can modd your e2c for a much better sound. I did it with mine and the sound was much improved. Became much clearer and had more sparkle...

Ply
Reply
post #10 of 17
10/19/06 at 6:34pm
I found even the Creative EP 630 to be a significant upgrade to th E2c. Didn't like them at all for the same reasons as you.
Reply
post #11 of 17
10/19/06 at 6:48pm
Thread Starter 
Hi All thanks again for all the replies~

I am really swayed into getting the e3c , despite the comment ...
Is it not significantly better then e2c? I really think the super.fi pro 5 would be my best choice but since it's like another 50 bucks more,... I am not sure if i want that....How much is the Super fi pro 5 compare with the e3c then? Is it worth the $50 bucks more?
If the e3c is not significantly better then the e2c , then I won't want to spend another 139 on it.
Reply
post #12 of 17
10/19/06 at 7:07pm
I have both and the say you get what you pay for. The Super-fi EB are not overly bassy but can produce a good thump with hip hop. I could not keep the E3's in my ears long enough to really evaluate the sound. They kept slipping out.

Go with the Super-Fi. I know its $50 out of your price range but the overall satisfaction will quickly make up the $50. Plus, its only $50 not $500, then I would not recommend the jump. On a decision like this, you have to think long term. So you give up you $2 cup of Starbucks for one month to regain the $50 you spent on being happy with your IEM's. Rethink your decision about the Super-fi. Is $50 bucks really out of your price range to be happy for the next year or so or is $50 important enough to just tolerate a good pair of headphones in the E3 knowing that the extra money would have brought so much more joy into your life. Then you are back out there getting the Super-fi and have spent $450 for the headphones you wanted in the first place.

Just my opinion.
Reply
post #13 of 17
10/20/06 at 1:01am
you might want to read my thread:

First Impressions of SHure E4G's

before you consider buying E4G's, which you aren't anyway
Reply
post #14 of 17
10/21/06 at 12:19am
Thread Starter 
After reading all the replies and searching around the post, I have made some alternations to my needs! but still have a couple other questions before i invest so much for a pair of new headphones.

It seems that e4c also fits my need so well. It seems to carry the clarity that I want. I might think that's a viable option for me at this point.

Another option is im716, after reading the replies, I searched on this and found some really good reviews. Since the im716 is so much cheaper then the e4, is it good enough?

Another problem is, i am just going to listen to the music right out of my ipod, and all the songs are just conversion from cd (192 or 128 bit) or download...?
I am not sure HOW to convert from cd into a higher bitrate into I tunes.. Can someone also tell me? :P
So, will the headphones really matter if I am only listening it right out from the ipod w/out any amp or anything???

I would hope it'll worth the money from the jump from e2 to e4 or to im716... to make the money worth. i'm on a tight budget here

Thanks all again!
Reply
post #15 of 17
10/21/06 at 12:22am
Google search CDex. It is a great ripping program that can do LAME, a good mp3 encode, at whatever settings you need. I do 192-320 VBR V0 encodes and it sounds just as good as the cd's to my ears and my mid-fi setup. This comes out to around 100mb per 60 minute disc in total disk space.

If you can't figure out how use CDex ask here and we'll help.


You can download it here.
http://www.download.com/CDex/3000-2140-10226370.html
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendation needed! upgrade to e2c