New and Improved Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 v2.0 - Huge Sound in a Tiny Package. - Page 14

For us, the 5Vi's shipped out today and will be available next week and they are the same as the normal 5 just with the built in mic.

I'm having to make a decision between the Super.fi 5 Pro and Super.fi 5. I know this whole thread basically discusses them however, how much bass is lost compared to the Pros? I like to be able to hear bass, lots of earphones i've tried I cant hear it at all.

Dont need as much (muddy) bass as on the CX300's. Which to choose?

Hi Jazzy
Difficult to be precise in words(!) - but (IMHO) when I switch back to the Pros -the increase/deeper bass is immediately noticeable. But................... if I start with the 5's - I kindof love the sound and there is definitely no lack of bass there. ( I also sometimes use Ety 6i's - and the 5's have more bass than those) To be honest - ultimately - it's going to be a very personal judgement - but I'm certainly happy with my 5's - and combining fit and sound think they represent excellent value.
Good luck.

The difference in price between the 5's and 5 Pro's is not an issue as its only 18GBP. I have no way of trying them so whatever I buy i'm stuck with.

Comparing the 5s and 5 Pro's, is one easier/quicker to put in your ear than the other? At the same price, i've also got the Q-Jays and SE310's. Is UE still the better choice?

Jazzy
I find the 5's easier to put in - a smaller phone just seems easier to me than the bigger pros. But having said that - after about 2 years with the pro's you do certianly get used to em!! I had done the "flip side" mod (reversing the wires) so that the profile was flatter to the ear (rather than the "bolt sticking out!" look of originals. To be honest I think you just get used to almost anything. It was the fatigue of wearing the pros for several hours which was a negative for me - but the actual sound of the pros I still like a lot. But for regular daily use I reach for my 5's first.
Regards.

Thanks so far. So the general opinion is the SF5's have a more open and detailed sound at the expense of the SF5 Pro's bass?

If you use an equiliser on a mp3 player to increase the deepest bass, can the new Sfi5 can give the deep bass?

I don't have 5's (yet >_>), but I LOVED my 5pro's sound signature. Really fun, got me headbopping more than any other IEM I've had (UM2, UM1, iM716, others). Definitely my favorite IEM's, except one huge flaw: They're really uncomfortable, have a bunch of microphonics (well way more than Westones), and they're gigntic and stick way out of my ears. Because I own IEM's for convenience, I had to sell them.

Received my pair of Super.fi 5's from Amazon today. I realized after that one of the sponsors had it for the same price (less actually with coupon) but since I chose next day air, it was already too late to cancel.

I am very impressed with the packaging. I also like all the extras but am a bit irked. I ordered a set of Comply tips thinking they were the must have accessory but it turns out it comes with Comply tips! There goes ~$18 I don't need

So far it sounds pretty good save for an annoying problem (below). The fit is good with the tip that came installed. I will try more tips later. I think the case is nice and compact but feels very cheap. I like the E2C ballistic nylon case better.

Questions:

1. I saw it comes with a set of comply, small, medium, and large soft flex sleeves. So what size is the set installed and what's with the extra Comply tips in the carry case? Are they the same size as the ones in the packaging?

2. MAJOR ISSUE - When I plug it into my iPod, with no music on and the iPod on (paused), there is a very noticeable static. It's not black. Is anyone else seeing this?

3. The cord is mighty short. I know this is good for the gym or running so you don't have slack but on a plane or somewhere, it barely reaches around my back to my lap/desk.

4. These were my upgrade to the E2C's. I think it's much harder to get a proper fit . With the E2C's, they sort of are molded to the shape of your ear and it is obvious how they should fit. These Super.fi 5's are so small and I am not sure which way to angle them.

5. Are there any wax guards? I didn't see any in the package.

Any help would be appreciated.

I believe there are wax guards, just that it's recessed very far into the IEM and not user-serviceable. Also, regarding the static issue, have you tried using the attenuator? May be electronic noise from the iPod.

Brendan

Hi,

I do believe it's noise from the iPod. I am not faulting the phones but it is annoying. By attentuator you mean the volume control? Makes no difference how quiet or loud I make it. It's still there.

NVM, I see that UE didn't include a sound level attenuator. I got one with my 3's and attaching it to a source significantly tones down the electronic voice. Basically, it's a resistor pod, like the ones found in the ETY P-S cables.

Brendan

Where can I buy one?

I got these to get into Super.Fi. Now I have owned a lot of headphones/earphones so I am going to review this as short, straight, and honestly as I can.

Most of my headphones/earphones, when I try them the first time, tend not to sound different 80% of the time unless it's really good.

When I first got this earphones I am really hoping that is good. At least for what I paid for. So.. ok the usual silicon tips and so on. Comply tips are the creme of the crop for me. It makes a good seal and it's very comfortable.

Initial hearing is not good. Detail is there and it's good. Soundstage is there but not as huge as people exaggerating about but it is pretty wide. The highs are rolled off but it's not that bothering. Mids is a hit on this earphones. It renders female vocals nicely but not as good as male.. and this leads me to the worst part of this earphones. When I first listened to this I said to myself "OMG where the hell is the bass. It sounds so thin" and I am right. I know when I make a good seal or not. I listened to various sources but the main equipment I use is the one the studio provided me. It's flat and it gives you bit by bit on what is playing. It's pure clean untouched audio. While the treble is very good the mid bass - bass just killed this. The only way I actually enjoyed this earphone is when I used my Sony A818 with Clear Bass 2-3+ then it's almost as good as my Shure SE530 and EX-700. But that is really not fair when reviewing so I stick with flat. Don't get me wrong it's there and it extends pretty well. But the impact is non-existent and the mid-bass is almost non-existent. It's hard to tell if there is a detail since it's barely there. I've listened to various CD from Hip-Hop to Classical to Rock to Jazz. While it's OK for treble heavy music like Classical, Hip-Hop/R&B and Rock is just a huge miss. The guitar riffs are very good on these but the drums are dead as in it's just sound. Beats sounds very distant on this when listening to Hip-Hop and R&B. Male vocals lose their "masculinity" due to the bass.

So that would be my initial impression.
After 3 days it's still the same. I really tried to like them I just really tried but I couldn't. I am not a bass head but I do need it. I will have a less detail and soundstage earphones with at least some bass than all treble and no bass.

I am actually thinking on selling this or trading it for a Super.Fi 5 or Super.Fi 5 EB. So if anyone is interested for a Super.Fi 5 with a Super.Fi 5 or Super.Fi 5 EB PM me.

I am sorry but I cannot sugar coat this with only detail and soundstage.