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[AND THE WINNER IS...] Which IEMs would you buy today as best sound isolators?

post #1 of 45
7/15/08 at 12:15am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

new poll in the house! I'm so, so close to the final decision; I really need your help. Before choosing your fav, please take this priority list into consideration:

1) Sound Isolation (the most important quality to me -at least now-)
2) Sound quality/cleanliness/detail (wide range of music tastes)
3) Price
4) Warranty/Customer Service (regarding cable problems/replacements)
5) Features (adaptation to many ear tips like Shure foams/olives or Comply, accessories, etc)

You can check my previous thread for more info:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/u...lation-343635/

Note: The prices don't include eBay because manufacturer's warranty issues.

Many thanks!


UPDATED 07/21:

Hi all... thank you so much for all of you who voted and those who replied questions. I have a winner in its way home from Amazon:

---> ETYS ER-4P <---

(and in the next step I'll try the P-to-S converter)

I didn't go with the Control FreQs because at least 95% of the FreQ owners didn't buy the entry level. And at the end I discarded the SA6, just because I don't think with my musical behavior I would take advantage of the sound signatures. It seems too many small pieces to interchange... also the isolation was a huge factor, and most of the comments (and the poll itself) went for the Etys.

The final results before decision:
ETY 4P --> 23
SA6 --> 17
ETY 4S --> 14
FREQ --> 13
SHUREs --> 9
UEs --> 7
ATRIO --> 6

Combined, the 4P+S has 37 votes, more than doubling the SA6. I still believe the SA6 are awesome and one of the hottest IEMs in the market, but right now not for me. Probably another time. Also, when I decide for a custom, I'll definitely go for the FreQs, but probably the double-driver, or music maker with SS.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me to decide for my first IEMs!
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post #2 of 45
7/15/08 at 1:18am
Thread Starter 
The polls only accept 10 options. But would you add the Westone UM1 ($109) or the HD RE1 ($169)?
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post #3 of 45
7/15/08 at 1:30am
Have you considered the Altec IM716? It's got drivers from Etymotic, and I've seen great reviews of it here.

As for what I've actually heard, I can only tell you about the Shure E2C (discontinued and outdated) and the SE420 (great, but outside your price range unless you find used).
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post #4 of 45
7/15/08 at 1:37am
ER4P and also a S adapter
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post #5 of 45
7/15/08 at 1:47am
x2 on the ER4(with sillicone tri-flange tips)

I wish I had the OP's budget.
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post #6 of 45
7/15/08 at 2:57am
Thread Starter 
How can I edit the poll? I want to update a few prices and change some options... thx
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post #7 of 45
7/15/08 at 3:21am
My Triple Fi's are pretty great for isolation. I was cleaning the house, while listening to them earlier, and I couldn't hear the vacuum cleaner
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post #8 of 45
7/15/08 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
Dublo, the Triple.fi are out of budget... any recommendation on my list? Thanks.
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post #9 of 45
7/15/08 at 12:54pm
The Etymotic ER4S are known for really good isolation and great sound. I haven't tried them personally, but if I were to choose an IEM out of that list, I'd go with them.
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post #10 of 45
7/15/08 at 9:24pm
Thread Starter 
I have some updates that I can't update in the poll. Please check the first page. thx
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post #11 of 45
7/15/08 at 10:43pm
i have um2's with the custom molds [um56] the molds really boost the isolation. with the foamies they were very good but the um56 is much better. while they aren't great sounding senn cx300's isolated extremely well for me. but had no high end to them.
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post #12 of 45
7/16/08 at 2:57am
Ety ER-4 any day, P for portable (duh), and S for home reference. Awesome isolation, neutral, flat SQ, and although not cheap, they are still the best I've heard. Actually, they are cheap compared to newer triple armatures and custom moulds, if you think about it. The standard, IMO...
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post #13 of 45
7/16/08 at 5:20am
Of those listed choices I would pick the Etymotic ER•4P.
But following the thread topic I would pick up an Ultimate Ears UE11 Pro
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post #14 of 45
7/16/08 at 5:51am
Just keep in mind you can mix and match a number of IEMs and tips. Still have to buy the extra tips, of course.
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post #15 of 45
7/16/08 at 6:54am
Good tips make all the difference when it comes to isolation.
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