tstarn06
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- May 9, 2006
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I posted on this elsewhere (im616 sale thread), and it's no big deal, but it is interesting. I recently got a pair of UM56 custom sleeves for my UM3X, and it's a great combo. But as it turns out, the UM3X also work very, very well with two other much less expensive IEMs, the Klipsch Image S4s and the Altec-Lansing im616s.
The S4s are $79 phones that I believe outperform any other comparably-priced IEM I have owned, in fact they might be on the next level performance wise, if not price-wise. I favor them over the X10s I owned, for example.
The 616s, well I owned a pair once upon a time, paid like $60 for them, and they were very nice. They have Ety drivers, some say the same one that is in the er6i. Not sure. I sold them to a friend when I bought the 716s, had the latter depodded, but sold them too because I felt they needed an amp, mod and all.
Anyway, because of a recent wild closeout sale, I got a pair of the 616s for $14 ($17 after shipping), and when the arrived, I was instantly impressed by the Ety detail and clarity (I used to own the ER4Ps as well, but it has been a long time). Only thing, a little bass lite. No surprise.
Well, then I did two things. I stuck the UM56s on the 616s, and I connected them to the Sony A818, bumping the Clear Bass to +3 and adding a little mid bass EQ as well.
Amazing. I can't believe the synergy between the two pieces of gear. At the risk of sounding truly insane, I have not been able to stop listening to this combination. I am sure the UM3X and S4s will still get plenty of rotation. But that $14 purchase has me shaking my head, wondering if my ears are just not sophisticated enough to appreciate the more expensive gear.
I found an old (2005) PC Mag review of the 616s, which retailed for $149 according to the reviewer, and they felt the 616s held their own with the ER4Ps, a pretty big statement. The reviewer, who seemed pretty sharp, raved about the 616s.
Again, an amazing stroke of luck. I have a request in for a second pair of 616s, but apparently the liquidator who has them only has a few left, and is selling to the original "wave" of buyers first. Hope I can get a second pair.
The S4s are $79 phones that I believe outperform any other comparably-priced IEM I have owned, in fact they might be on the next level performance wise, if not price-wise. I favor them over the X10s I owned, for example.
The 616s, well I owned a pair once upon a time, paid like $60 for them, and they were very nice. They have Ety drivers, some say the same one that is in the er6i. Not sure. I sold them to a friend when I bought the 716s, had the latter depodded, but sold them too because I felt they needed an amp, mod and all.
Anyway, because of a recent wild closeout sale, I got a pair of the 616s for $14 ($17 after shipping), and when the arrived, I was instantly impressed by the Ety detail and clarity (I used to own the ER4Ps as well, but it has been a long time). Only thing, a little bass lite. No surprise.
Well, then I did two things. I stuck the UM56s on the 616s, and I connected them to the Sony A818, bumping the Clear Bass to +3 and adding a little mid bass EQ as well.
Amazing. I can't believe the synergy between the two pieces of gear. At the risk of sounding truly insane, I have not been able to stop listening to this combination. I am sure the UM3X and S4s will still get plenty of rotation. But that $14 purchase has me shaking my head, wondering if my ears are just not sophisticated enough to appreciate the more expensive gear.
I found an old (2005) PC Mag review of the 616s, which retailed for $149 according to the reviewer, and they felt the 616s held their own with the ER4Ps, a pretty big statement. The reviewer, who seemed pretty sharp, raved about the 616s.
Again, an amazing stroke of luck. I have a request in for a second pair of 616s, but apparently the liquidator who has them only has a few left, and is selling to the original "wave" of buyers first. Hope I can get a second pair.
