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[B]Atrio M5's vs Phonak PFE vs Q-Jays?[/B]

post #1 of 15
2/3/09 at 4:37am
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone!

I'm in need of a new set of IEM's, and I wanna ditch the ol' crappy stock Apple ones that came with my iPod.

After much research on this website, and countless others, I have narrowed down my search to a choice of 3 IEM's, and I can only afford one!

1st: Atrio M5/M8's...I heard these were good all around, but what worries me is the size of the buds themselves, and how bulky or funny looking they will be in my ears, and EXACTLY how hard is it to get these into your ears? Is it really that hard??? Future Sonics Atrio M5 / M8 Review

2nd: Phonak Audeo PFE's...I like just about everything I hear about these, except for the weird fit in your ear can hurt a bit if they don't fit your ear perfect and can almost "dig" into parts of your ear cause their more blocky than round. Phonak Audéo PFE (Perfect Fit Earphone) Review

3rd: Jays Q-JAYS...I was originally looking at these because people said the bass and mid was better than the ER4's, but not quite as good of treble. It also intrigued me that they are small like the hf5's. Again, problems with these are I've heard is microphonic cables, and can be more sibilant than Ety's. JAYS q-JAYS Review

I mainly listen to a lot of rock, acoustic, and some R & B: Metallica, Airborne Toxic Event, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, 30 Seconds to Mars, the Beatles, Less Than Jake, Linkin Park, Sublime, etc.

I want these to be able to be used for everyday use, from sitting at home, to walking around, to exercising!

So...after my research, that's kinda what it boils down to for me. Any suggestions which way I should go? Please?????
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post #2 of 15
2/3/09 at 5:30am
I have only heard the PFEs, but from what I have read the are better than the Q-Jays. I can't recall a comparison with the Atrio.

I don't think anyone other than dfkt has had the PFEs dig into their ears, they fit very comfortably in my ears, and others have stated they are very comfortable.

My guess is that the Atrio and PFE have different sound signatures...the Atrio will be more bass heavy (but not bloated) with decent mids and highs.

The PFE is going to be very detailed with the grey filters, but has a slightly recessed bass, but that is not saying it isn't there, it is. With the black filters it is very balanced, and until I heard a more detailed IEM, I was happy with the detail with the black filters.

With the black filters the PFE handles all genres very well.

Happy hunting!
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post #3 of 15
2/3/09 at 5:57am
i tried atrio's n i dun like it bcoz too boomy. i not a basshead.. :smile_phones
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post #4 of 15
2/3/09 at 7:48am
Hi,

The Microphonics is not a problem at all if you wear them behind your ears which works great with our q-JAYS. q-JAYS is also very small which fits your described profile. When it comes to sound I won't state anything
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post #5 of 15
2/3/09 at 10:43am
My PFE's are very comfortable, sometime I forget I'm wearing them...

nG
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post #6 of 15
2/3/09 at 11:14am
The Q-Jays or the pfe's are what you want. Klipsch if you can stretch the $ a bit. Those are really stealth fits.

They are all fine sounding, well supported iems. Whatever you choose, you should be able to make a decision if you like them or not within the return time frame.

I have the A5s and they are big but so am I. Boomy they are not though. Just full range with roll off at the higher end. Non-fatiguing sound with a full bottom. Kind of like my wife lol.
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post #7 of 15
2/3/09 at 11:55am
i guess it depends on what you want, the Atrios are somewhat warmer, and more dark, while the jays and the PFE' s are slightly colder and brighter, it depends on the music you like and the dap you use,
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post #8 of 15
2/3/09 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FightOnBoLT View Post
Hello everyone!

I'm in need of a new set of IEM's, and I wanna ditch the ol' crappy stock Apple ones that came with my iPod.

After much research on this website, and countless others, I have narrowed down my search to a choice of 3 IEM's, and I can only afford one!

1st: Atrio M5/M8's...I heard these were good all around, but what worries me is the size of the buds themselves, and how bulky or funny looking they will be in my ears, and EXACTLY how hard is it to get these into your ears? Is it really that hard??? Future Sonics Atrio M5 / M8 Review

2nd: Phonak Audeo PFE's...I like just about everything I hear about these, except for the weird fit in your ear can hurt a bit if they don't fit your ear perfect and can almost "dig" into parts of your ear cause their more blocky than round. Phonak Audéo PFE (Perfect Fit Earphone) Review

3rd: Jays Q-JAYS...I was originally looking at these because people said the bass and mid was better than the ER4's, but not quite as good of treble. It also intrigued me that they are small like the hf5's. Again, problems with these are I've heard is microphonic cables, and can be more sibilant than Ety's. JAYS q-JAYS Review

I mainly listen to a lot of rock, acoustic, and some R & B: Metallica, Airborne Toxic Event, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, 30 Seconds to Mars, the Beatles, Less Than Jake, Linkin Park, Sublime, etc.

I want these to be able to be used for everyday use, from sitting at home, to walking around, to exercising!

So...after my research, that's kinda what it boils down to for me. Any suggestions which way I should go? Please?????
With the music you listen to the q-JAYS will give you more impact and "rock sound" than the Phonak, and sound closer to the SE530 and Image X10. When I had the q-JAYS I found they worked best with the foam tips and a shallow insertion into the ear canal, and they worked well unamped with a 3G Nano or with a bright amp. To me the Phonak are a little better with jazz, classical and acoustic where the improved mid/high micro-detail is more important than bass and impact. The Phonak don't lack bass and impact but don't match that of the q-JAYS. With the black filters the Phonak are smoother like the q-JAYS, but the black filters still don't boost the bass so much as tame the mids and highs.
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post #9 of 15
2/3/09 at 5:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FightOnBoLT View Post
Hello everyone!

I'm in need of a new set of IEM's, and I wanna ditch the ol' crappy stock Apple ones that came with my iPod.

After much research on this website, and countless others, I have narrowed down my search to a choice of 3 IEM's, and I can only afford one!

1st: Atrio M5/M8's...I heard these were good all around, but what worries me is the size of the buds themselves, and how bulky or funny looking they will be in my ears, and EXACTLY how hard is it to get these into your ears? Is it really that hard??? Future Sonics Atrio M5 / M8 Review

2nd: Phonak Audeo PFE's...I like just about everything I hear about these, except for the weird fit in your ear can hurt a bit if they don't fit your ear perfect and can almost "dig" into parts of your ear cause their more blocky than round. Phonak Audéo PFE (Perfect Fit Earphone) Review

3rd: Jays Q-JAYS...I was originally looking at these because people said the bass and mid was better than the ER4's, but not quite as good of treble. It also intrigued me that they are small like the hf5's. Again, problems with these are I've heard is microphonic cables, and can be more sibilant than Ety's. JAYS q-JAYS Review

I mainly listen to a lot of rock, acoustic, and some R & B: Metallica, Airborne Toxic Event, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, 30 Seconds to Mars, the Beatles, Less Than Jake, Linkin Park, Sublime, etc.

I want these to be able to be used for everyday use, from sitting at home, to walking around, to exercising!

So...after my research, that's kinda what it boils down to for me. Any suggestions which way I should go? Please?????



I suggest the Phonaks I see you posted a little something at the Phonak? Thread. I would read the whole thing then decide. The Phonaks lack a little bass quantity, but have one of the best bass quality I have heard, beating out some full sized headphones. Anyhow, check this out this is a comparison between the Q-jays which won Editors choice over at anythingbutipod.com but got beaten out by the Phonaks....Comparison of 19 popular IEMs (Spreadsheet) - Headphones - abi>>forums




Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
With the music you listen to the q-JAYS will give you more impact and "rock sound" than the Phonak, and sound closer to the SE530 and Image X10. When I had the q-JAYS I found they worked best with the foam tips and a shallow insertion into the ear canal, and they worked well unamped with a 3G Nano or with a bright amp. To me the Phonak are a little better with jazz, classical and acoustic where the improved mid/high micro-detail is more important than bass and impact. The Phonak don't lack bass and impact but don't match that of the q-JAYS. With the black filters the Phonak are smoother like the q-JAYS, but the black filters still don't boost the bass so much as tame the mids and highs.
I disagree; maybe you were referring to the S-jays. Bass quantity: Plenty. For the Q-jay the Quantity is LITTLE. I would say the Phonaks are the way to go. They work good for Metal, Rock, especially Nickelback's new song.
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post #10 of 15
2/19/09 at 3:41am
quick question.. would any of you who have both the qjays and the m5 buy the phonak?
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post #11 of 15
3/13/09 at 3:23pm
I currently own a pair of Phonaks and I have a pair of Q-Jays coming in about 1-2 weeks.. i'll do a comparison
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post #12 of 15
3/13/09 at 5:10pm
^ how do u like your PFE's so far?
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post #13 of 15
3/13/09 at 5:44pm
honestly, though I haven't heard the atrio, I think the only reason to prefer them over the pfe's is if bass is the only thing you care about. the pfe's have substantial bass for me even with grey filters, and i used to be a basshead. They might just not hold the note as long as other basshead, but that improves the overall sound because it makes those quick drum notes that usually get hidden behind big bass very impactful.

I doubt the pfe's will be uncomfortable. I and two of my friends both think they are extremely comfortable. the plastic housing fits really well into the well of my ear, kind of like a hearing aid would. (thats phonak's other product)
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post #14 of 15
3/13/09 at 8:37pm
I have the atrios, and had the Phonak's.
The phonaks beat out the atrios in everything other than sheer bass quantity.
The atrios are easy to put in, however, they are a little finicky about positioning, but after a day or so you get used to how far in you have to put them - too far in and you lose the bass and get bloated mids.
The phonaks fit excellently, they barely stick out of the ear.
The atrios look like you have spark plugs in your ears, they stick out a LOT.
I haven't tried the q-jays, no need to after hearing the phonaks.
I wish I didn't send them back....
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post #15 of 15
3/13/09 at 9:42pm
lol at the [b] tags on the title.
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