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Shure SE 535 or Sennheiser IE 80?

post #1 of 51
6/15/12 at 9:37am
Thread Starter 

Hello,

I am new to the forum.

 

I was interested in getting one of these two. Can anyone comment on these in terms of bass, soundstaging, fit in ear, etc?

 

Thanks in advance,

Ken

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post #2 of 51
6/16/12 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 

You're kidding. Not one reply?

Ken

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post #3 of 51
6/16/12 at 8:23am

IE80 has more bass and a wider soundstage. In terms of fit, I feel SE535 is more secure, but IE80 is a little more comfortable, although SE535 has a big edge with isolation. Overall, SE535 has better clarity, a brighter sound and better mids, but IE80 has more bass and a wider soundstage.

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post #4 of 51
6/16/12 at 9:05am

I felt the bass on the Shure SE535 to be rather one note and bland while I briefly auditioned it on a Cowon S9. (Listening material: Eye of a Tiger, Let it Rock, Higher Power, by Survivor, Kevin Rudolph, and Boston, respectively.)

I have not heard the IE80.

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post #5 of 51
6/16/12 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 

I ordered the SE-535 and got them today. They go back on Monday.

 

I wouldn't say that they are a huge disapointment as I didn't expect much. There is no bass to me and it is not the fitment.

 

I'll try the IE-80 and if they don't cut it, I'll go back to over the ear headphones.

Ken

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post #6 of 51
6/16/12 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

I ordered the SE-535 and got them today. They go back on Monday.

 

I wouldn't say that they are a huge disapointment as I didn't expect much. There is no bass to me and it is not the fitment.

 

I'll try the IE-80 and if they don't cut it, I'll go back to over the ear headphones.

Ken


No bass... pretty much expected if you have not really used high-end headphones much. But don't worry, the IE80 is basshead and definitely has lots of bass that do not mud the whole frequency... so I would suggest that they are more for you. 

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post #7 of 51
6/17/12 at 7:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremypsp View Post


No bass... pretty much expected if you have not really used high-end headphones much. But don't worry, the IE80 is basshead and definitely has lots of bass that do not mud the whole frequency... so I would suggest that they are more for you. 

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I have a very nice two channel system in my home with Mark Levinson amps, Aerial Acoustics speakers, and Meridian DSP. I don't listen to headphones that much except for on the train to work and running.

 

You're right, I have only listened to run of the mill earphones but I have a pair of Sennheiser headphones that sound nice.

 

I listened to then again today and I do appreciate the detail but the lack of bass is not to my taste and it seems like the highs are just too bright.

 

How is the soundstage and detail on the IE-80s?

 

Thanks,

Ken

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post #8 of 51
6/17/12 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 

Out of curiousity, how would the Westone 4R compare with these.

 

Thanks,

Ken
 

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post #9 of 51
6/17/12 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I have a very nice two channel system in my home with Mark Levinson amps, Aerial Acoustics speakers, and Meridian DSP. I don't listen to headphones that much except for on the train to work and running.

 

You're right, I have only listened to run of the mill earphones but I have a pair of Sennheiser headphones that sound nice.

 

I listened to then again today and I do appreciate the detail but the lack of bass is not to my taste and it seems like the highs are just too bright.
 

How is the soundstage and detail on the IE-80s?

 

Thanks,

Ken

The soundstage of the IE80 is very wide, wider than the SE535. In terms of detail... it's okay, but the SE535 wins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

Out of curiousity, how would the Westone 4R compare with these.

 

Thanks,

Ken


The Westone 4R has a little bit more bass than the SE535, but still quite little... The IE80s got more.

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post #10 of 51
6/17/12 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 

After letting these play over night and listening to them, I do appreciate the detail and soundstage of them. When I listen to my other garden variety earphones, there is a lot more bass but is sounds very muffled and muddy.

 

I'm hoping the IE-80's can give me what I like about the 535,s but with more bass.

Ken
 

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post #11 of 51
6/17/12 at 9:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

After letting these play over night and listening to them, I do appreciate the detail and soundstage of them. When I listen to my other garden variety earphones, there is a lot more bass but is sounds very muffled and muddy.

 

I'm hoping the IE-80's can give me what I like about the 535,s but with more bass.

Ken
 


Well, the IE80 does sound darker compared to the SE535, meaning the SE535 would have more clarity. Luckily, they do not sound muffled or muddy. 

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post #12 of 51
6/17/12 at 9:49am
Thread Starter 

I saw your comment regarding the bass with the Westone. How does the rest of the sound stack up in terms of soundstage and detail?

 

And would it be worth throwing the Sony EX1000 into the mix?

Ken
 

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post #13 of 51
6/17/12 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

I saw your comment regarding the bass with the Westone. How does the rest of the sound stack up in terms of soundstage and detail?

 

And would it be worth throwing the Sony EX1000 into the mix?

Ken
 


In terms of soundstaging and detail, the Westone 4 does very well, and as for the bass, it takes quality over quantity like the SE535. EX1000 would be a different creature, the highs is a little grainy, but the soundstage is very wide, the bass is also very deep and punchy, although I don't think I would consider it basshead. 

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post #14 of 51
6/17/12 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

Damn, too many choices to try. :)

 

I know that a lot of it comes down to personal preference, but where would you rank these: 535, IE-80, Westone 4R, and Ex-1000 in terms of detail, soundstage, bass,  etc?

 

Thanks very much.

Ken

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post #15 of 51
6/17/12 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ken6217 View Post

Damn, too many choices to try. :)

 

I know that a lot of it comes down to personal preference, but where would you rank these: 535, IE-80, Westone 4R, and Ex-1000 in terms of detail, soundstage, bass,  etc?

 

Thanks very much.

Ken


Soundstage - IE80 > 4R = EX1000 > SE535

Detail - SE535 >= (equal, if not better) 4R >= EX1000 > IE80

Bass - quantity - IE80 > EX1000 > 4R > SE535
           quality - EX1000 > SE535 >= 4R > IE80

Clarity - SE535 > EX1000 > 4R > IE80

Mids - SE535 >= 4R > EX1000 = IE80

Highs - SE535 > 4R = EX1000 = IE80 

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