My First IEM

I recently purchased a pair of Klipsch Image S4i that I use with my iPod Touch everyday to listen to music. I loved them the instant I put them on, which is quite expected given the fact that my previous headphones were the stock Apple buds and a Sony EX50 LP I have burned them in for ~60 hours and can tell a subtle difference in the bass being a bit more tame. I am no audiophile by any means but just a kid who wants his music to sound better. Coming to music I listen to rock and metal (led zep, pink floyd, metallica, black sabbath, megadeth, iron maiden, rhcp etc) mostly and also the occasional pop. I would love to push these to their absolute best. I saved up for these from scratch as my parents think anything above $20 for headphones is outrageous, maybe they need to have a look here at Head-fi . All/most of my music is 320kbps mp3 and I did download some in flac and converted to apple lossless but I honestly didn't hear much difference (maybe because I played it on my iPod?)

So I'm wondering what the next step is for me to get the best outta these? I'm saving up again and hope to spend it on something pretty awesome!
Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARIM 

The JVC FXT90, Sony EX600, Sennheiser IE8, UE TF10Pro willbe next big step.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djvkool 

UE700, TF10, B2, RE262

much appreciated, will look into those. But i was wondering how i can improve the sound through the S4s, i mean i have just a source, an iPod touch, how do i get better sound? an amp?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by e2pathos 

I'm no expert on IEMs or Amping so don't take my word, but I also own the S4's and love them to death as my first IEM, definitely the best quality you can get for that money, I'd say they sound way better than they cost for sure. Anyways, as far as I know, a lower end IEM such as this really wouldn't get much out of amping them, just like amping my ATH-M50s really wouldn't have a significant increase. Basically they sound great but they already reach their OHM potential without any extra power source.

 

Another reason you may not have noticed a difference between the mp3s and the apple lossless is just because of the IEMs themselves, while they are great and I love to listen to them, you really don't hear huge differences between true 320s and FLACs in lower end devices such as these, I have a few albums in FLAC and 320 MP3 and using my ATH-M50 cans, I can hear only a slight difference, really just a slightly tigher bass and the mids and highs are a little more crisp.

 

Really wouldn't be concerned with amping an IEM this low on the audiophile spectrum, once again, love them a lot but not worth amping I don't think.

 

The only way I can suggest getting a better sound is buying the comply foam tips for them, they give you a fantastic seal, so you can listen at a lower volume keeping your ears healthy without hearing any outside sound whatsoever, the perfect seal from the foam tips will also give you quite a boost in sound quality, pushes the bass to full capacity but keeps everything else crisp and smooth.

Hope I helped!

 

yes that was really helpful. i'll try and find them asap though these oval gels aren't really all that bad. i'll make sure my next buy is something that has better sound quality, these are great iems for a first buy or budding audiophile :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottparker 

I prefer ex1000, w4, ie8, if possible, go er4

yeah mate, will look into those, thanks :)

well budget is around 10K rupees, which is around 200 dollars. so feel free to suggest. i can wait and save up more if the recommendations are worth it :) thanks for the advice