Multi-IEM Review - 286 IEMs compared (LG Quadbeat & TDK MT300 Added 06/16/13 p.711) - Page 638

Thank for comments Joker and Suman!

Orel: i also have the CW31 and a metalhead... and i tell ya i just love the id america Sparks sound!

3 times better than the CW31 to my opinion...much deeper, smoother, bassier (not bloated), cleaner, engaging...

my only gripe about the Sparks is the cable...which annoys me a little...it just gets in my way all the time and

doesnt lack microphonics.

but the suond is great

B&H, adorama, newegg, amazon, and tiger direct would all be places (websites) to look. They all have regular sales. Then, just have it shipped to your hotel a few days before you arrive and have them hold it.

 

Alternatively, Fry's electronics has an amazing selection, there's probably a Fry's near DC. 

Hi joker! 
Massive, massive thread and extremely helpful!
I have the Philips SHE3580 and I generally love their sound for hip hop, r'n'b, electronic music... they do seem to get a little muddled in faster more noisier music

What models would be a significant upgrade over them but still retaining the same sound signature?

Also what's your preferred tips with SHE3580?

Edited by nehcrow - 2/19/13 at 4:05am

Nah, I wish there was... Fry's generally more of a west coast/south chain (outside of the two locations in Illinois and Indiana). There's Microcenters near DC, but I don't think they have quite as much variety when it comes to things outside of the PC space.

There should be some high end audio stores somewhere in DC tho, no? I'd actually love to find out too since I travel there every once in a while (there or Baltimore).

Darn should have bought the IQ for 500 when I had the chance :-(
Thanks for the review. 

The UE900 has slightly nicer (though smaller) mids and better treble sparkle than my Shure SE535. However, the UE900 doesn't isolate well enough for the truck and doesn't have enough bass energy (at low volume) to overcome the noise. I was concerned that the UE900's treble would eventually be fatiguing for me. I'm returning the UE900 later today.

 

Having stated that, unfortunately, it appears that I've contracted upgraditis. At $500, I wouldn't even hesitate to get the IQ. At over $900 however, I have concerns.

 

@ ljokerl

 

Is the IQ vented and does that effect isolation?

 

Shure tips should fit the IQ, right? (If so, that's a definite plus)

 

I want a similar treble sparkle as the UE900. Is treble sparkle present with the IQ using the Etymotic triple-flange tips? Are the Ety tips of similar thickness as the Shures?

 

You mentioned sub-bass roll-off being similar to your preliminary assessment of the IE800. I assume the IE800 has heavier bass presence? How would you briefly compare the IE800 and IQ in midrange clarity and soundstage?

Edited by truckdriver - 2/19/13 at 5:47am

I can help with this.

 

IQs are vented and I think isolation is affected but only slightly.(It may be impacted by the metal housing and not the venting.)

 

Treble sparkle to me is superior to the SE530s that I can compare.  Sparkle is a little much with silicon tips but for the triple flange I have not tried it.  The tips are same as the Shures and are interchangable.

 

As for Bass presence it is powerful and fast but to me the very low frequency bass is rolled off.  I will have to use a tone generator to tell you exactly the turning point for my ears.

 

I cant compare the IE800s but the IQ mid clarity and soundstage is fantastic compared to the Shures, at least to my ears.

I live in Baltimore, I have not been to any high end audio shops around here not sure there are any left. Most are now Home Theater install shops that are more office space and will do special orders.

 

I will keep an eye out.

Thanks forceofnature!

 

So, venting with isolation effects and bass roll-offs are strikes against the IQ.

 

I chuckled when I read the last line of your post as I was thinking to myself that this would be THE worst upgrade EVER if the IQ was not superior to the Shures.

 

I'd still like to know ljokerl's take on the IE800 and IQ.

Edited by truckdriver - 2/19/13 at 11:00am

Hmm interesting.

From my experience, the stock tips and silicone ones have plenty of sibilance but are still listenable for me. It's the Complys that sounds horrendous in the treble region to my ears!!

Complys are well known for dampening a good a mount of highs, which makes them sibilance free most of the time, but it shocked me when I try Complys with the IQs, the treble is even brighter than other tips, they sound extremely harsh and unbearable to me!

 

Though I found the IQ don't really sound terrible, but they are overpriced and don't sound good to me, the bass and treble are too much for my taste, which is fine but in these regards, I prefer the IE800 overall.

I tried both of them with ZuneHD and iTouch gen 3 + iQube v2 btw.

 

Anyway, I actually like the Ultrasone Tio, they don't have the treble and bass emphasis, they sound much more balance and coherent, though extensions at both ends are not as good as the IQ.

Yes if you are listening in noisy environments most of the time, IQs are not worth it in my opinion.  It would have to be pretty noisy though,

 

I would like to compare the IE800 myself but I know of no one near me that remotely cares about audio quality other than my son and I still seem to fund his ears as well.

 

I would like to heare ljoker's take on isolation as well as the comparison to the IE800s.  

 

For now I am really enjoying the IQs and haven't found something better for me.

 

I just cant get those silicones to seal up right or something because the sound is just all treble to me without the complys.

 

I was thinking of the Tio but wanted to drivers in the IQs.

Coming from the HiFiMAN RE-272 (analytical, not bright), -which is the better upgrade: the Alclair reference, or the CTM-200 ?

 

my preferences:

i don't like too bright IEMs (such as: ER-4s)

and i also don't like too dark a tone (Westone 4)

 

thanks!

IQ sounds extremely harsh and unbearable (high freq.) to me....