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Need some help deciding among IEMs and guidance in general (A151 and CC51... and oddly the HF5s)

post #1 of 10
12/29/11 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 

I've spent the last few days trawling the head-fi forums, looking for an IEM around $50. (full disclosure, complete newbie at this kind of stuff. currently using the buds that come standard with iPods).

 

I looked through |joker|'s excellent IEM comparison thread, and settled on the $50 range. With discounts on Amazon in mind, I picked out the MC5s, CC51s, and A151s as my choice. After some further reading, I found that MC5s are (apparently) too dry and analytical and lacking in bass for what I usually listen to, and that the CC51/A151s would probably be a better choice. I listen to everything - electronic, pop, rock, metal, classical, indie, etc. etc. Most of my music is encoded at 320kbps, with a few dropping down into the 192 range

 

After even more research, I found that the A151s had better build quality as compared to the CC51s and that while not as strong bass-wise, the overall construction/solidness/musical experience offered by the A151s would probably fit me better.

 

Here's the rub - would it be worth it to drop the extra $50 for the HF5s ($100 on amazon, both the CC51 and A151s are at $50) despite the precision/analyticalness of the headphones? The only reason I'm considering them is that I've read the sound quality is incredible. Or as a newbie am I better served just using the A151s (or CC51s)? Help a newbie out :P

 

TL;DR - for a casual listener, A151s, CC51s,MC5s, or HF5s? Feel free to suggest any other IEMs as well.

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post #2 of 10
12/29/11 at 9:49pm

A151, HF5, for a friendlier sound the Dunu Trident is nice and balanced especially for a dynamic driver. 

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post #3 of 10
12/29/11 at 10:16pm

The A151s won't be good for electronic, especially when there's layers of instruments and synthesizers.

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post #4 of 10
12/29/11 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 

Would the A151s be better for classical? and CC51s better for "modern music" (electronic, pop)? How do the HF5s rank in terms of overall performance? Would I be able to definitely say - this music sounds better through the HF5s than it would through either the A151s/CC51s? (I'm sure they're better, but is it worth it to drop $100 basically).

 

Thanks for bearing with the newbieness >_<

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post #5 of 10
12/29/11 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by itschai View Post

Would the A151s be better for classical? and CC51s better for "modern music" (electronic, pop)? How do the HF5s rank in terms of overall performance? Would I be able to definitely say - this music sounds better through the HF5s than it would through either the A151s/CC51s? (I'm sure they're better, but is it worth it to drop $100 basically).

 

Thanks for bearing with the newbieness >_<



Modern music includes everything from alternative to electronic/rap.  A151s > CC51 for classical, HF5 > A151s for classical.  Hope that helps.  As for music sounding better, it depends on what music precisely... 

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post #6 of 10
12/29/11 at 11:42pm
Thread Starter 

So would the CC51s be better than the A151s for modern music - better to a degree where I would take into account the slightly less quality build? Or on the other hand, are the A151s that much worse in all other regards in order to take the CC51s over them?  

 

Thanks so much!

 

EDIT: How would the MC5s come into play here? Would they be better than the A151s for classical, but worse than them for modern music?


Edited by itschai - 12/29/11 at 11:50pm
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post #7 of 10
12/29/11 at 11:59pm

HF5's all the way.

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post #8 of 10
12/30/11 at 2:26am

I have the HF5 and while its a great IEM the lack of bass makes it not so good for electronic and pop though some EQ'ing can help.  The CC51 would be a good all around performer and I've never heard the A151 but for a balanced armature its said they have above avg. bass.  Both MEE's would probably be good choices either way you go.  Also the Brainwavz M2 is a good $50 IEM with nice bass along with the mids and smooth treble.

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post #9 of 10
12/30/11 at 9:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by itschai View Post

So would the CC51s be better than the A151s for modern music - better to a degree where I would take into account the slightly less quality build? Or on the other hand, are the A151s that much worse in all other regards in order to take the CC51s over them?  

 

Thanks so much!

 

EDIT: How would the MC5s come into play here? Would they be better than the A151s for classical, but worse than them for modern music?



A151s have better mids, CC51s have better highs.  Bass is really a preference question.  CC51s have more thump to them while A151s have more smoothness to them, both are a wash.  MC5s have been said to only be good with classical and "boring" for all other genres.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdraluck23 View Post

HF5's all the way.



For what genres.  It's a little misleading as I'd probably prefer the CC51s for something like dub step and rap... 

 

 

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post #10 of 10
12/30/11 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 

Pretty sure I'm going to get the A151s. Thanks so much everyone!

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