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livewires, SA6, UE triple-fi 10, klipsch image ???

post #1 of 24
3/4/08 at 1:55am
Thread Starter 
Hi, I am a new member here at head-fi, but I have been reading on here for about a month. I have never owned a good pair of headphones or IEM's before, so this is all very new to me, but I would like to get a really good set of IEM's. After reading a lot of the threads here I decided to go with the klipsch custom 3's, but I am not very happy with them. I find them very uncomfortable, and, like a lot of people on this forum, I don't think I'm getting a proper seal. Even when I think I'm getting a fairly decent seal it just seems like the music dosen't have the power I'm used to. I am used to listening to my music through great home stereo systems. I've listened to and loved Klipsch cornerhorns, Nola speakers, Focal speakers, and other super high end systems. I don't really know how to describe this, but with the Klipsch C3's songs that normally make me want to just fall down on my knees and cry when listening on even a decent home stereo just seem to lose all of their power. Since this is all so new to me, I don't know what the problem actually is. I was listening though my Ipod nano 3G with no amp using both lossless and AAC formats. What IEM available is going to come as close to great stereo sound as possible? Obviously I'm not going to get great home stereo sound out of my Ipod, but can I possibly come close? I know using a headphone amp probably would have helped, but I really want to keep things easily portable. From reading this forum, I have sort of narrowed it down to either livewires, sleek audio SA6s, UE triple-fi 10s or klipsch images. Out of all these what would you recommend? Are there any others around that same price range that I'm overlooking? Sorry I made this such a long question, and I don't know if I described my problem very well, but thank you all in advance for any help you can offer.
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post #2 of 24
3/4/08 at 9:25am
I'll put in my vote for the Sleek Audio SA6's, I've not heard the others on your list but considering you're not happy with the Custom 3's it would seem to be counter-intuitive to go with the Images. Many people seem to have fit issues with the UE's as well so they might not be the best option.

I've not had any issues with fit with the SA6's and the beauty of their design is you can tailor the sound to personal preference via the VQ system. All in all a very versatile product that with future developments is only going to become more versatile.

How do the SA6's sound you ask? Very nice indeed, they have a smooth, clean and articulate yet lively and punchy sound that I find very involving.
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post #3 of 24
3/4/08 at 9:47am
I'm currently testing Sleek, Triple Fi with Images coming today. Have returned Custom 3. Have owned ety 4p for years, and wondering what else is out there in the $250+ range without going to custom ear molds. I can tell you now the Sleeks dont do it for me, wish the Triple Fi did (altho have ordered new Comply tips to try) and hope between the Triples and the Image I may have my dream IEM. Will keep you updated. O and using 5.5g Imod with Portaphile or Tomahawk as amp.

O in case you're wondering: the Sleeks were absolutely no match for the Triples or my Etys. FOund the sound quality abnormal--artificial highs and too bloomy in the bass. Ety and triples were way more natural and was more musical. But that's just my ears
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post #4 of 24
3/4/08 at 10:13am
Heh, and by contrast I found the Ety's while decent sounding were too thin and etched for my tastes.
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post #5 of 24
3/4/08 at 10:44am
I found the SA6 better than the Triple.Fi by a nice margin. Better bass and better mids, much more comfortable and easy to keep a seal. Triple.Fi's sole advantage was the smooth, extremely detailed highs, which, even though the SA6 has a very nice high end, it can't match.
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post #6 of 24
3/4/08 at 11:04am
well, not giving up yet on the Sleeks or the triples. WOuld LOVE to get the Sleeks to better either the Triples or the Ety. Obviously, more experimentation on my part is needed with the Sleeks and the myriad combinations of treble and bass adjustments.
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post #7 of 24
3/4/08 at 11:25am
x2 on the Sleeks over the ER4P. Interesting how people differ. I actually sold off the Etys for the Atrios, and am now in the process of selling the Atrios for the SA6s - hopefull my final buy/sell maneuver for awhile.

My view is the exact opposite when it comes to Sleeks v. Ety. Not even close to me, as the Etys, even the P version, sounded a bit too thin and needed EQing on the bottom end. I appreciate the Etys for what they are, it's just not balanced enough for my taste.

And I too like the flexibility, and potential, of the SA6 system. The idea that I may be able to go wireless with them someday is especially appealing, as long as their SQ remains the same with a wireless/bluetooth option.
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post #8 of 24
3/4/08 at 12:06pm
I'd try out the sleeks first before you dip into customs like livewires. the LW is fantastic and you would not be disappointed by sq, but you might get that nagging "what if" if you went in one direction before trying another.
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post #9 of 24
3/4/08 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnmike1 View Post
well, not giving up yet on the Sleeks or the triples. WOuld LOVE to get the Sleeks to better either the Triples or the Ety. Obviously, more experimentation on my part is needed with the Sleeks and the myriad combinations of treble and bass adjustments.

If you have other IEMS tips lying around, try all the possible combos (tips/ports). I, at least for now, have settled on bass+, treble++ with middle size Klipsch ear gels. The Klipsch gels add a little extra zip over the Sleek double flange.
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post #10 of 24
3/4/08 at 2:20pm
I'd agree to not go custom right away. Try the Triple.fis. Those are probably going to give you the biggest sound. Shure SE530s are very full and large sounding too.
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post #11 of 24
3/4/08 at 2:34pm
mmmm what about the sleeks compared to the UM2?
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post #12 of 24
3/4/08 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EyeAmEye View Post
If you have other IEMS tips lying around, try all the possible combos (tips/ports). I, at least for now, have settled on bass+, treble++ with middle size Klipsch ear gels. The Klipsch gels add a little extra zip over the Sleek double flange.

Klipsch gels?? Aren't their openings huge compared to the Sleeks?? Like putting them on the Sleek would give you huge slop??? Like the Klipsch have a larger diameter opening than the Sleek?? Will try it, but as I remember the two are not compatible.
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post #13 of 24
3/4/08 at 4:21pm
However, I think I prefer my C700s to the SA6, but I need some more time. The SA6 has less bass (slam) compared to the C700s, but it sounds great everywhere else!

I'll play around with the Livewires a bit, because I set Clear Bass +3 and underequalized everything else -1 to match my C700s, and I haven't tried this setting with the Livewires yet. Maybe it's the 50 ohm wire that's affecting the sound...?

Edit: Retracting comment about Livewires' SQ. It sounds completely different than weeks ago!
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post #14 of 24
3/4/08 at 5:54pm
I asked John Diles how the resistors change the sound and here's what I got:

"The 50 ohm connector puts almost a film over the sound and I do not recommend usage until you feel that there is a problem with our standard design."
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post #15 of 24
3/4/08 at 6:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnmike1 View Post
Klipsch gels?? Aren't their openings huge compared to the Sleeks?? Like putting them on the Sleek would give you huge slop??? Like the Klipsch have a larger diameter opening than the Sleek?? Will try it, but as I remember the two are not compatible.
No, the ear gels fit the treble tube very snugly.
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