Ultimate Ears UE 900 Discussion and Appreciation Thread - Page 98

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueescalade88 

Or does anyone think the shure 535s should be in this discussion? 

Hey guys,

Been reading these forums forever, but finally made an account today. Was looking for a new set of IEM's to replace my SE530's (cable problem) a month ago and was deciding between these and the SE535 red limited editions as I've always wanted them. Bought a pair of UE900 from local apple store and they totally blew my mind. Thought the soundstage was more open, detailed, and found more extension in the low end than my SE530s. Already sold the SE530s so didnt have them to do A/B comparisons with. Used them for about 2-3 weeks and no issues with the cabling like some of you guys have here, but for whatever reason decided to return them and order the Red SE535's (probably more of a brand loyalty thing, since i've owned the e2Cs, SE210s, and SE530's). Nonetheless they are both great IEMs. Will probably buy another set of UE900s if the price ever drops. They are definately a step up from the Triple Fi.10s (which i also own).

I've just ordered these bad boys!

It's disappointing to hear that some have had issues.  I am heartened however to hear that not everyone has had these problems.  I myself have not had any problems.  I hope that those who have had problems will receive satisfaction from UE.  I do know that these IEMs, when they aren't having any problems, produce some seriously excellent sound!  I'm listening to mine as I type this, and I am still blown away by the SQ, the PRaT is especially remarkable.

After losing my RE 262s I will buy these next Wednesday. I currently own a Sansa clip zip, iPod Classic, and an E11 that was used to drive the 262 pair.

Looking at the specs I can assume these won't need the E11 at all to sound it's best?

Just invested in some Comply TSX500s which have the wax guards. This should prevent to port from clogging. I cannot notice any appreciable loss in fidelity at all.

Bought these from an Apple store in late December. PID on the cables says 1243. I have experienced the right driver audio crackle/cutoff issue since day one, but it was intermittent and rare enough that I did nothing about it at first. It has worsened in the last week or so, so I just got them RMA'd. Of course, the phone process was a pain, because God forbid anything function smoothly in our New Reality TV World. The rep on the phone confirmed they have had this issue with this model.

Why is it that all my headphones that cost hundreds of dollars and are treated with kid gloves have chronic issues with bad cables and bad drivers and seem to last about 15 minutes, but all the cheap, crappy headphones take a beating and work forever?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dat bass 

After losing my RE 262s I will buy these next Wednesday. I currently own a Sansa clip zip, iPod Classic, and an E11 that was used to drive the 262 pair.

 

Looking at the specs I can assume these won't need the E11 at all to sound it's best?

These really don't need an amp to sound their best.  They do improve with resistance it seems (use the included airplane adapter eventually to test this :p).

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

 

These really don't need an amp to sound their best.  They do improve with resistance it seems (use the included airplane adapter eventually to test this :p).

Curious about this and your feeling on the airplane adapter. Tell me more. I will test too.

I do notice a big perceived improvement using my Fiio E17 as an amp over just using the iPhone 5. It definitely adds alot to the bottom end for me. I think its more about output impedance though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awtryau89 

Curious about this and your feeling on the airplane adapter. Tell me more. I will test too.

 

I do notice a big perceived improvement using my Fiio E17 as an amp over just using the iPhone 5. It definitely adds alot to the bottom end for me. I think its more about output impedance though.

More output impedance should actually make the UE 900 more neutral.  So it's more than just output impedance (this of course is just based off of data).

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

More output impedance should actually make the UE 900 more neutral.  So it's more than just output impedance (this of course is just based off of data).

My ears say something different. I noticed they sounded muffled-warmish (worse timbre) out of an iPad Mini compared to an iPad 2/iPhone 5+E17.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrazino 

 

My ears say something different. I noticed they sounded muffled-warmish (worse timbre) out of an iPad Mini compared to an iPad 2/iPhone 5+E17.

I didn't say anything about an amp...  I just said with direct correlation with impedance, higher output impedance (or more resistance; they both have the same effects) will cause the IEMs to become more neutral.  A different source is going to be the main cause of what you're hearing.  The reason why I brought up output impedance was because what I quoted felt that the boost in bass was due to output impedance when it was probably due to the source or amp itself.  

So, what I'm basically saying is that your ears are right, but it's not based on output impedance (as awtryau89 thought).  

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyman392 

I just said with direct correlation with impedance, higher output impedance (or more resistance; they both have the same effects) will cause the IEMs to become more neutral. 

And I said my ears say something different. I haven't seen measurements of the iPad Mini, but I assume the output impedance is higher than with E17 - that's the reason I didn't pick one up.

It sounds more neutral through an E17 (very low output impedance) than a different source.

While I bought a bad pair that had quality issue, for the brief time I heard them working properly, I preferred the UE900 over the W4 and most people around here know I am a big Westone fan.  I just thought the UE900 had superior midrange clarity which really made things sound bright and crisp but still very smooth.  Also with UE900 it is all about the soundstage where with W4 I hear instrument separation competing with a nice big soundstage.

And for what it's worth the Grado GR10 sounds uncannily close to what I hear in the UE900.  But for both priced at $400 I would certainly take the UE900 for the larger soundstage but there is a lot to be said for the simplistic form factor of the GR10.  Very nice IEM but should be $300 or under.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrazino 

 

And I said my ears say something different. I haven't seen measurements of the iPad Mini, but I assume the output impedance is higher than with E17 - that's the reason I didn't pick one up.

 

It sounds more neutral through an E17 (very low output impedance) than a different source.

The differences between individual sources and amps goes further than output impedance my friend, a lot further.  I have a feeling those differences will be greater than just the pure output impedance alone.  

Just as a precaution I will buy some deoxit for these IEMs when I switch out the cable to the audio only one.

Does it  matter which one I buy? If so which one?