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Want IEMs that can handle anything coming its way

post #1 of 12
1/14/12 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

I have been browsing these forums on and off for many years now, and finally made the jump into posting. Unfortunately that jump is a request for a set of IEMs. I have been reading extensively for a month now and still can not make a decision. Perhaps getting the conversation started will help me choose.

 

Background:

I like music. All kinds of music. Rock, Jazz, Classical, Country, Rap, Folk, Funk, Indie, Electronic, Old Italian soundtracks,  blah, blah, blah. I would never consider myself an audiophile, but I do appreciate the sound of music and I would love an IEM that can help my appreciation. 

 

I have had only two pairs of headphones in my time. First were the Sennheiser 570s, my introduction to a higher end type of headphone. These were great open-air phones for the price despite poor reviews. Second was the Ety HF5. These were great - I could actually hear things I never heard before and really showed me what a good pair of IEMs could do. I had issue with the lack of bass (as most people say) but I will say these IEMs allowed me to appreciate my music like no other. These broke a year ago and now I am on the hunt for new IEMs.

 

I recently purchased both the ue700 and Triple Fi 10 and in the same day returned both. I wont say I wasn't impressed, but neither really captured the sound of my music the way I wanted. UE700 had a fantastic fit and isolation, but the sibilance and muddiness with many instruments prompted my return. The TF10 had an awful fit on me and I just wasn't blown away like I expected. When it did fit I did not have the spacious soundstage that I desired. 

 

Request:

I am looking for $200 IEM that can handle anything thrown at it, travel well (not too bulky and fit nicely) have good isolation, no sibilance, a respectable soundstage and have that overall WOW factor. I will not be using an amp and would like to push it through macbook, iphone, or any mobile mp3 player.

 

The ultimate caveat here is that I MUST buy through amazon as I have a $200 gift certificate. I would be willing to put in some of my own money if it's worth it.

 

Thank you in advance and I can't wait to hear what you guys have to say.

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post #2 of 12
1/14/12 at 4:11pm

I would say W3 if you could spend about $275 I have seen them go for.  Well worth it if you can come up with the additional $$.

 

Otherwise UM2 can certainly handle anything you throw at them.  Very under-rated on this forums.

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post #3 of 12
1/14/12 at 4:36pm

Ill throw the GR07 into the mix.

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post #4 of 12
1/14/12 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 

I've considered the Westone 3's, but I can't find them for a sub $300 price. You've got me interested in the UM2 - I was originally looking at the gr07, 262, but was uncertain those would meet my requirements. How does the UM2 fit? Does it have both down and over the ear fits? 

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post #5 of 12
1/14/12 at 5:10pm

i've read um2 isn't an exciting iem, so probably no wow factor, and 262 really needs an amp to sound good... i think doing some reading on re272 won't hurt...
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by polin View Post

I've considered the Westone 3's, but I can't find them for a sub $300 price. You've got me interested in the UM2 - I was originally looking at the gr07, 262, but was uncertain those would meet my requirements. How does the UM2 fit? Does it have both down and over the ear fits? 



 

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post #6 of 12
1/14/12 at 5:28pm

ACS T15 does have the bass to play rap and hip hop and the detailing in the mids and highs to cover the rest (the weakness is rap and hip hop, but that body is just so engolfing it makes you go WOW!).  Another idea would be Phonak 1xx, I think with the black filters, they should be able to tackle just about any genre (not as well as the 232s though).

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post #7 of 12
1/14/12 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinyman392 View Post

ACS T15 does have the bass to play rap and hip hop and the detailing in the mids and highs to cover the rest (the weakness is rap and hip hop, but that body is just so engolfing it makes you go WOW!).  Another idea would be Phonak 1xx, I think with the black filters, they should be able to tackle just about any genre (not as well as the 232s though).



Here ya go buddy : http://www.head-fi.org/t/572175/vsonic-gr07-perfection

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post #8 of 12
1/15/12 at 1:48am

Westone 3 has that "wow factor". 

 

You can get them from earphonesolutions for $296 using the coupon code H15 (15% off)

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post #9 of 12
1/15/12 at 4:41am

Monster Turbine Pro Copper - for sure...

 

Westone 3 was a bit of dissapointment for me, it is a superb IEM don't get me wrong, but only if I push it deep, like Ety deep, gets uncomfortable pretty quickly...

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post #10 of 12
1/15/12 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 

I think the westone's and the turbine copper are gonna be a little TOO out of my range. I'd love to consider them, but I think I'd rather take the go at $300 phones on my next IEM purchase. I've been looking at the GR07 and 262 more seriously. I understand the "need" to amp the 262, but I read that it sounds great without it too - its just even better with it. As for the GR07, I know this will sound ridiculous, but I would prefer straight down wear to over the ear. Does anyone know if that is possible with the GR07?

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post #11 of 12
1/15/12 at 8:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by polin View Post

I think the westone's and the turbine copper are gonna be a little TOO out of my range. I'd love to consider them, but I think I'd rather take the go at $300 phones on my next IEM purchase. I've been looking at the GR07 and 262 more seriously. I understand the "need" to amp the 262, but I read that it sounds great without it too - its just even better with it. As for the GR07, I know this will sound ridiculous, but I would prefer straight down wear to over the ear. Does anyone know if that is possible with the GR07?


 

Yup: cada6930_WP_000202.jpeg

 

But I don't think you'll feel the need to. The GR07 disappears when it's in. I've worn mine for 8 hrs straight with no problems

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post #12 of 12
1/15/12 at 9:26am

I just dont like L/R channels being switched when you wear them straight down.

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