Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › IEMs with great mids in particular - which ones should I consider?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

IEMs with great mids in particular - which ones should I consider?

post #1 of 17
12/9/11 at 2:31am
Thread Starter 

I'm using Etymotic HF5s which I've had and enjoyed for 2-3 years now.  However, I would like to upgrade to an IEM which has better all round performance, especially in the mids, but without losing clarity and soundstage (which Etys are great for).

 

My budget is about £300/$450.  Customs are an option, although maybe out of my budget and also I'm based in the UK so it would be harder getting some brands from the US/overseas.

 

Basically, something with the clarity/soundstage of my HF5s but with great mids/bass and an improvement in overall impact and sound quality.

 

The music I listen to is vocals, acoustic, scores (soundtracks), latino and rock

 

**just to add....I have considered the ER-4S but I'd need an amp, and I really don't want to lug one onto my iPhone as I use it for photography a lot of the time.

 

Thanks smily_headphones1.gif


Edited by Zafonic - 12/9/11 at 2:40am
Reply
post #2 of 17
12/9/11 at 12:51pm

Westone UM3x has great clarity, good bass, and amazing forward mids. However it doesn't have that wide of a soundstage.

Reply
post #3 of 17
12/9/11 at 2:19pm
The Sony EX1000 offers greater clarity in mids and more separation with wider soundstage and extended highs. Overall soundsignature is neutral like HF5 but dynamic and bass is deeper. Grado GR10 is an upgrade over HF5 with detailed midrange and better instruments separation.
Reply
post #4 of 17
12/9/11 at 2:29pm

RE262 has the best mids I have heard. It has good soundstage too but begs for an amp. For overall performance you could go for Vsonic GR07.


Edited by s0lar - 12/9/11 at 2:30pm
Reply
post #5 of 17
12/9/11 at 7:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s0lar View Post

RE262 has the best mids I have heard. It has good soundstage too but begs for an amp. 


+1.  Great mids on the RE262.

 

In lieu of amping the RE262, the EX1000 has an incredibly transparent midrange.  It's not as forward/centric as the RE262 but due to its transparency, it's pretty special.  It's hands down the best soundstage I've heard in a universal.  The only down side is they are pretty goofy looking.  Sacrifices!

 

Reply
post #6 of 17
12/10/11 at 1:11am

 Ortofon e-Q7 and e-Q5 are amazing for vocals. Soundstage is phenomenal as well as mids are a bliss.

not even speaking about its clarity and transparency.

 Many reviews to back up what I am saying. can get better for acoustic music for my perspective.

in UK available  at iheadphones for under 350US

 

 

Reply
post #7 of 17
12/10/11 at 1:25am

I agree the Ortofons are amazing for vocals.

 

They sometimes show up here in the for sale forum for much cheaper and in brand new condition. Here's someone selling them for US$250 

Reply
post #8 of 17
12/10/11 at 1:43am

Agree with this. The combination of clarity and timbre in the midrange of the EX1000 results in incredibly lifelike vocals. Not forward, but also not recessed.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by shotgunshane View Post


+1.  Great mids on the RE262.

 

In lieu of amping the RE262, the EX1000 has an incredibly transparent midrange.  It's not as forward/centric as the RE262 but due to its transparency, it's pretty special.  It's hands down the best soundstage I've heard in a universal.  The only down side is they are pretty goofy looking.  Sacrifices!

 



 

Reply
post #9 of 17
12/10/11 at 2:57am

SE535, say no more.

Reply
post #10 of 17
12/10/11 at 3:34am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

 

The RE262 seem like a good buy, especially since I can get them from a UK dealer for about $160 (which in the grand scheme of things is much cheaper than other IEMs suggested).  There are only two things that bother me about them: a) can I use foam eartips with them?  You see, I prefer a deep fit to give me as much sound isolation as possible....I do this with the Etymotics; b) it seems that you need an amp with them, and this is what I want to avoid really.  

 

I read that the RE262 sounds like the IEM equivalent to the Sennheiser HD 600, and if this is true then it would be great.  

 

Shure.....I had considered the SE425, but personally I prefer to wear IEMs in the 'regular' way, and not going over my ears.  

 

I'll have a look at the EX1000 and Ortofons now....

Reply
post #11 of 17
12/10/11 at 3:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LostMySelf View Post

SE535, say no more.


Long time ago I was lurking these forums... Just wanted to say my SE530s have amazing midrange. IMHO, they do well with all genres, but especially well with vocals and acoustic, and the 535s should be even better smily_headphones1.gif
Also they dont need amping, but will sound even better when amped.
Reply
post #12 of 17
12/10/11 at 5:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zafonic View Post

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

 

The RE262 seem like a good buy, especially since I can get them from a UK dealer for about $160 (which in the grand scheme of things is much cheaper than other IEMs suggested).  There are only two things that bother me about them: a) can I use foam eartips with them?  You see, I prefer a deep fit to give me as much sound isolation as possible....I do this with the Etymotics; b) it seems that you need an amp with them, and this is what I want to avoid really.  

 

If you decide to try them, something very small and inexpensive like the Fiio E6 should drive them fine.  You can use foam tips (like comply) but the supplied silicone biflanges are pretty great.

Reply
post #13 of 17
12/10/11 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 

Thanks!  I might just get a small, thin amp like one of the Fiios which are great value.  The RE262 seems to get very good reviews and may be what I'm looking for. I think they also come with foam olives so that would be good.  I've never been able to get a good seal with anything other than Ety foamies.

Reply
post #14 of 17
12/10/11 at 10:00am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zafonic View Post

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

 

The RE262 seem like a good buy, especially since I can get them from a UK dealer for about $160 (which in the grand scheme of things is much cheaper than other IEMs suggested).  There are only two things that bother me about them: a) can I use foam eartips with them?  You see, I prefer a deep fit to give me as much sound isolation as possible....I do this with the Etymotics; b) it seems that you need an amp with them, and this is what I want to avoid really.  

 

I read that the RE262 sounds like the IEM equivalent to the Sennheiser HD 600, and if this is true then it would be great.  

 

Shure.....I had considered the SE425, but personally I prefer to wear IEMs in the 'regular' way, and not going over my ears.  

 

I'll have a look at the EX1000 and Ortofons now....

Keep in mind that what people in general say about head direct products is that they need amping, so you may have to spend more money to get an amp. The build quality is also not as good as some other midrange iems, and they are not very good at responding to customers (page 2-4 has some post on people's experiences with head direct http://www.head-fi.org/t/580400/searching-for-a-sweet-and-warm-iem-for-250/60). It may be a safer buy to spend money on some US or European companies, who usually would be better at customer service. Both Shure and Westone have 2 years customer service (if bought from an authorized dealer), whereas Head Direct is one year, and you have to ship it back to mainland china (which some people have reported having their stuff confiscated by customs)

 

 

 

Reply
post #15 of 17
12/10/11 at 10:15am

I've sent a few things to China and haven't had anything confiscated.  I've also returned an item back to Head-Direct in New York and while they were slow to respond, they were good to their word.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › IEMs with great mids in particular - which ones should I consider?