New and Improved Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 v2.0 - Huge Sound in a Tiny Package. - Page 12

If you can wait until October, you can get these with a full iPhone interface, including mic. See - Products - Ultimate Ears Earphones Headphones Personal Monitors

How are the dynamics of the new Super.fi 5 compared to the Super.fi 5 Pro? From what I'm reading, the SA6 typically have better dynamics than the Super.fi 5, correct? I'm looking for something with a really good kick for listening to metal and rock.

I'm now trying to decide between the Super.fi 5, Super.fi 5 Pro, and the Sleek SA6. I started out wanting to buy a decent $30 set of canalphones for work, and now this?

That is cool, I am done with headphones though.

How do these compare to some Shure SE420s?

I'm still tossing up between these phones and the SA6, so maybe you guys can help me. I've read the comparisons in this thread, but I'm still undecided.

I listen mostly to ambient, post-rock, classical-type music with a bit of electronica and indie rock thrown in for good measure. I use AD700s at home which I love; I really love the large soundstage and the instrument separation (well, they sound good to my non-audiophile ears!) I tried my Dad's SE210s and really disliked them - they seemed very veiled to me. Note also that I'll be using an iPod and Macbook unamped, and buy most of my music from iTunes so it's mostly relatively poor quality (128kbps up to 256kbps).

Given the horrific state of the Aussie dollar at the moment (should have made up my mind sooner ), and my preference to buy locally if possible, the SA6 is around $AUD80 more expensive than the SF5. Obviously the extra year warranty and replacable cables are things that I will take into consideration in terms of value (I don't really care about the wireless option), but I'm mostly concerned about the comparative sound quality having regard to the music that I like.

Sorry for the long post; hopefully someone can help me!

If you have read this thread, you will see that I had the Sleeks and bought the SF5s. At first, I thought they sounded pretty good. But I soon got very bored with their sound sig. I apparently am not alone (see this new thread) http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/m...stions-358991/

To me, in the end, the Sleeks are, pound for pound (as they say in boxing) the best value in IEMs. I also have the Klipsch X10s. I am keeping them, since I got them for under $200 (no longer an option). But in the end, the Sleeks are a better sound and value than the UEs.

As I said, I did read yours and others' comparisons, and I did see that most people (except for Edwood, I believe) tend to prefer the SA6. I suppose I am just concerned about getting the best value, particularly since $AU280 is pretty close to the $US250 RRP (if I bought them for $US200, I'd make up almost the difference in buying decent shipping) which I seem to recall ClieOS saying in the big review thread was not quite so worthwhile. I guess I just don't want to spend $80 extra if I don't need to!

But I've been obsessing over this purchase for over a month so it's probably time to just suck it up, pay the money and hope for the best.

Owned the new UE Super.fi 5...and still own the Sleek SA6. This should give you an idea of my preference.

Sleeks were the easy winner

Good idea. You're making the right choice. Just wasn't sure what else you wanted someone to say. In this case, and in my view (and oak3x's), you do need to spend the extra $80 for the best sound, by far.

I'm very intrigued. How would these fare in the noise-canceling department vs the new full-size Sennheiser models?

Which phones are you talking about, SA6 or SF5? Both can do a very good job of isolating, but the Sleeks give you more tip options, and in my view, provide more isolation, using either foamies or OEM flanges. The SF5s, not as much, but with Comply T400s, they do isolate pretty well.

I have owned most every popular IEM:

Shure E4c, se310, se420, se530
UE Super.fi 5 Pro, Super.fi 5 (new), Triple.fi
Etymotic ER-4P
Denon
Livewires
Westone UM2
Sleek SA6

While my Livewires present the best sound for my personal taste, the Sleek SA6 come in a close second.

I am confident you will be very pleased with the Sleek SA6

One final question before I buy the SA6 (then I'll stop derailing this thread, I promise!) Is it relatively forgiving in relation to low bitrate music, and will it still sound good unamped out of an iPod 5.5G headphone jack (which I know isn't the best quality source)? Thanks again.

Just to confirm - you rate the SA6s above both the SE530s and the Triple.fi 10s?