Super.fi 5 Review
Let me start off by telling you some background about me and my listening preferences/habits. If you don’t care and just want to get to it, skip a bit to where the review starts
I favor a full sound with lots of bass and treble. I don’t really like a warm sound, I like clear definition while still sounding full. However I especially don’t like an overly cold and bright sound!
I have an extensive musical background; I’ve played clarinet in wind symphonies, orchestras and such for years, including my 5 years playing at college. I also play guitar, mostly all styles except for polka…. So you will have to pardon me if I use musical adjective that might be better suited for an orchestra.
I like rock music, but can appreciate most music!
Most of the reviews around the internet regarding the super.fi 5 are in comparisons to other IEMs, most to the Shure E4c. While I cannot give a comparison to the E4c, I will do my best to compare it to the Grado SR60. I realize that this is not an apples to apples comparison, but I’d like to provide some sort of frame of reference for other readers.
Methods:
I used both my Macbook pro – 2.0 Ghz intel core duo with both iTunes and VLC player to listen to tracks as well as a 80 GB 5.5 gen iPod. Equalization was set on Latin on the iPod and iTunes. VLC was EQ’d at Techno, but I lowered the higher frequencies a bit.
The super.fi 5s were listened to using the FS mod (where you put the headphones in backwards and switch the cables as outlined on the ultimate ears website) because it is more comfortable to me. The sound is about the same to my ears. The small single flange earpieces were used.
Tracks listened to include:
Songs
Tender Surrender by Steve Vai
Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre
Woozy by Ludacris
Gorillas by Jedi Mind Tricks
Musique a Grand Vitesse by Michael Nyman
Stardust by Nat King Cole
You could be mine by Guns N’ Roses
Albums
Some Devil by Dave Matthews
Mer de Norms by A Perfect Circle
The Piano Soundtrack by Michael Nyman
Overview & General Grado SR60 comparison
I like the Super.fi 5. It is the best listening device I’ve heard as of yet. It is a robust, full sounding, dark, meaty sounding headphone. Its natural state is a little dark for my tastes, and I’d have liked to hear more higher frequency presence, sparkle and transparency.
Its greatest assest is it’s full sound – thick, full, and natural. Compared to the Grado SR60, the super.fi 5 has a smaller soundstage, less brightness, much more kick, maybe a bit less deep deep bass (as evidenced on Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre) and a more “live”, organic sound. Vocals were reproduced much better on the super.fi with proper equalization. One especially huge standout was “Stardust” by Nat King Cole. I marveled at the super.fi’s ability to render Nat King Cole’s voice with so much authority deepness – especially when he dipped into his lower register! In comparison, the Grados sounded cheap and tinny.
Unfortunately, this full sound can drag down the top end and make things sound a little warm and rolled off. That’s good or bad depending on you. With proper equalization one can get a very nice full, thick, yet very detailed sound.
Sound:
Bass – The bass on the super.fi 5 is very good. Deep bass gives a good expansive boom, like on Woozy by Ludacris. Some bass is a little too deep for the super.fi 5 to reach, like on Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre; my car stereo can make that super deep bass rumble, but it is just barely out of reach for the super.fis. Not a big deal in my opinion. Drum kicks and higher frequency bass is really quite good – punchy and robust. Gorillas by Jedi Mind Tricks has a cool bassline and it is quite nice and juicy sounding on the super.fis. Bass doesn’t seem to be improved much when you plug it into a computer and use VLC or iTunes compared to the iPod – which is a very good thing (to me at least). The Grados on the other hand, really come alive when used with VLC or iTunes. I think they are a bit lackluster on the iPod. Music with a lot of impact doesn’t come apart of distort either, unlike the Grados or some other headphones I’ve used with the iPod – a big plus.
Midrange – The super.fi 5 is a thick sounding headphone. This thickness comes from the super.fi’s pleasant midrange. The midrange is dark, warm, moist, and quite well represented. It isn’t airy, dry or expansive like the Grados, instead it is present and authoritative and a bit wet sounding without being cheap and honky. On the Michael Nyman tracks this is expressed quite nicely. One can hear contrapuntal melodies and intricate harmonies much more readily in Nyman’s compositions with the super.fis than on the Grados.
I was surprised to hear such a high degree of resonance in these headphones. Overdriven guitars have great cabinet ‘thunk when low distorted power chords are struck. Electric guitars have great dynamics and colorful sound with the super.fi 5. The midrange just has good tone. It makes guitars come alive and sing; especially Tender Surrender and other guitar-laden tracks.
Nat King Cole sounded awesome on these headphones! I was just stunned with how well the super.fi 5 reproduced his voice. WOW! I can’t really use a cool adjective to explain it. That dude can sing.
Treble – I view treble as the only detractor of these headphones. Since these are warm sounding headphones, the treble is pleasant, and to most ears, probably excellent. Since I prefer a full bass/treble sound, I would prefer a bit more bright, glassy top end. When I apply some more treble to the Latin curve in iTunes, the sound REALLY opens up. This is especially true on the Nyman tracks, Jedi Mind Tricks, A Perfect Circle and to some degree, Some Devil. The other songs all sounded just a little bit better with the added treble. These are definitely not transparent and bright sounding earphones like the Grados, instead they make vocals sound very natural, warm and well supported.
Since I do most of my listening on my iPod and cannot customize an EQ setting (grrr) I am a bit ambivalent to the treble. So If you are an iPod owner who favors a warm sound these are the ticket. I feel that these would be excellent for any other mp3 player
Detail – Oh yes, these are very detailed! I can hear singers wavering on their pitch as they end their notes, hear musicians turning pages, finger noise, etc. Much more detailed than the Grados.
Comfort – These are pretty comfortable – not quite as comfortable as my Sony EXP51-LPs, but still rather comfortable. Since I use the FS mod to listen to these headphones, everyone’s comfort level will differ. I can wear them for 2-4 hours if I’d like. Sometimes my ears get a bit tired though.
Conclusion:
I like these headphones a lot. They would be perfect for my if I could just squeeze a bit more treble out of them with my iPod. For home use with a computer, they really are champs, so are the Grado SR60s. The midrange is thick, natural and warm, yet still detailed. Due to the above praise and the excellent reproduction of bass on the iPod with the super.fi 5s, I think these are utterly fantastic headphones the iPod or any computer. I really see them equally suited for any musical preference.
Let me start off by telling you some background about me and my listening preferences/habits. If you don’t care and just want to get to it, skip a bit to where the review starts
I favor a full sound with lots of bass and treble. I don’t really like a warm sound, I like clear definition while still sounding full. However I especially don’t like an overly cold and bright sound!
I have an extensive musical background; I’ve played clarinet in wind symphonies, orchestras and such for years, including my 5 years playing at college. I also play guitar, mostly all styles except for polka…. So you will have to pardon me if I use musical adjective that might be better suited for an orchestra.
I like rock music, but can appreciate most music!
Most of the reviews around the internet regarding the super.fi 5 are in comparisons to other IEMs, most to the Shure E4c. While I cannot give a comparison to the E4c, I will do my best to compare it to the Grado SR60. I realize that this is not an apples to apples comparison, but I’d like to provide some sort of frame of reference for other readers.
Methods:
I used both my Macbook pro – 2.0 Ghz intel core duo with both iTunes and VLC player to listen to tracks as well as a 80 GB 5.5 gen iPod. Equalization was set on Latin on the iPod and iTunes. VLC was EQ’d at Techno, but I lowered the higher frequencies a bit.
The super.fi 5s were listened to using the FS mod (where you put the headphones in backwards and switch the cables as outlined on the ultimate ears website) because it is more comfortable to me. The sound is about the same to my ears. The small single flange earpieces were used.
Tracks listened to include:
Songs
Tender Surrender by Steve Vai
Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre
Woozy by Ludacris
Gorillas by Jedi Mind Tricks
Musique a Grand Vitesse by Michael Nyman
Stardust by Nat King Cole
You could be mine by Guns N’ Roses
Albums
Some Devil by Dave Matthews
Mer de Norms by A Perfect Circle
The Piano Soundtrack by Michael Nyman
Overview & General Grado SR60 comparison
I like the Super.fi 5. It is the best listening device I’ve heard as of yet. It is a robust, full sounding, dark, meaty sounding headphone. Its natural state is a little dark for my tastes, and I’d have liked to hear more higher frequency presence, sparkle and transparency.
Its greatest assest is it’s full sound – thick, full, and natural. Compared to the Grado SR60, the super.fi 5 has a smaller soundstage, less brightness, much more kick, maybe a bit less deep deep bass (as evidenced on Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre) and a more “live”, organic sound. Vocals were reproduced much better on the super.fi with proper equalization. One especially huge standout was “Stardust” by Nat King Cole. I marveled at the super.fi’s ability to render Nat King Cole’s voice with so much authority deepness – especially when he dipped into his lower register! In comparison, the Grados sounded cheap and tinny.
Unfortunately, this full sound can drag down the top end and make things sound a little warm and rolled off. That’s good or bad depending on you. With proper equalization one can get a very nice full, thick, yet very detailed sound.
Sound:
Bass – The bass on the super.fi 5 is very good. Deep bass gives a good expansive boom, like on Woozy by Ludacris. Some bass is a little too deep for the super.fi 5 to reach, like on Bitch Niggaz by Dr. Dre; my car stereo can make that super deep bass rumble, but it is just barely out of reach for the super.fis. Not a big deal in my opinion. Drum kicks and higher frequency bass is really quite good – punchy and robust. Gorillas by Jedi Mind Tricks has a cool bassline and it is quite nice and juicy sounding on the super.fis. Bass doesn’t seem to be improved much when you plug it into a computer and use VLC or iTunes compared to the iPod – which is a very good thing (to me at least). The Grados on the other hand, really come alive when used with VLC or iTunes. I think they are a bit lackluster on the iPod. Music with a lot of impact doesn’t come apart of distort either, unlike the Grados or some other headphones I’ve used with the iPod – a big plus.
Midrange – The super.fi 5 is a thick sounding headphone. This thickness comes from the super.fi’s pleasant midrange. The midrange is dark, warm, moist, and quite well represented. It isn’t airy, dry or expansive like the Grados, instead it is present and authoritative and a bit wet sounding without being cheap and honky. On the Michael Nyman tracks this is expressed quite nicely. One can hear contrapuntal melodies and intricate harmonies much more readily in Nyman’s compositions with the super.fis than on the Grados.
I was surprised to hear such a high degree of resonance in these headphones. Overdriven guitars have great cabinet ‘thunk when low distorted power chords are struck. Electric guitars have great dynamics and colorful sound with the super.fi 5. The midrange just has good tone. It makes guitars come alive and sing; especially Tender Surrender and other guitar-laden tracks.
Nat King Cole sounded awesome on these headphones! I was just stunned with how well the super.fi 5 reproduced his voice. WOW! I can’t really use a cool adjective to explain it. That dude can sing.
Treble – I view treble as the only detractor of these headphones. Since these are warm sounding headphones, the treble is pleasant, and to most ears, probably excellent. Since I prefer a full bass/treble sound, I would prefer a bit more bright, glassy top end. When I apply some more treble to the Latin curve in iTunes, the sound REALLY opens up. This is especially true on the Nyman tracks, Jedi Mind Tricks, A Perfect Circle and to some degree, Some Devil. The other songs all sounded just a little bit better with the added treble. These are definitely not transparent and bright sounding earphones like the Grados, instead they make vocals sound very natural, warm and well supported.
Since I do most of my listening on my iPod and cannot customize an EQ setting (grrr) I am a bit ambivalent to the treble. So If you are an iPod owner who favors a warm sound these are the ticket. I feel that these would be excellent for any other mp3 player
Detail – Oh yes, these are very detailed! I can hear singers wavering on their pitch as they end their notes, hear musicians turning pages, finger noise, etc. Much more detailed than the Grados.
Comfort – These are pretty comfortable – not quite as comfortable as my Sony EXP51-LPs, but still rather comfortable. Since I use the FS mod to listen to these headphones, everyone’s comfort level will differ. I can wear them for 2-4 hours if I’d like. Sometimes my ears get a bit tired though.
Conclusion:
I like these headphones a lot. They would be perfect for my if I could just squeeze a bit more treble out of them with my iPod. For home use with a computer, they really are champs, so are the Grado SR60s. The midrange is thick, natural and warm, yet still detailed. Due to the above praise and the excellent reproduction of bass on the iPod with the super.fi 5s, I think these are utterly fantastic headphones the iPod or any computer. I really see them equally suited for any musical preference.
I see Dr. Dre’s usage of dysphemisms are every-bit as odious and tasteless as ever.
