Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › IEM's that make vocals sound like they're coming from the heart for under $250? (Contemplating HiFiMan RE-262)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

IEM's that make vocals sound like they're coming from the heart for under $250? (Contemplating...

post #1 of 17
10/27/12 at 9:05pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
I'm looking for a pair of IEMs that make vocals sound great, because with my JVC HA-S500, AND Monoprice 8320's (Please note that my AKG K702's never did this before I sold them), when I'm listening to a song, the vocals sound far away, and shouty, so in a song where you're supposed to just feel what the singer is saying, you really just can't get into the song. For that reason and the fact I prefer IEM's, I'm going to sell my JVC's for some money, and use my birthday money to get a nice pair of IEM's where I can really get into the song. I would also prefer a kind of light, well controlled bass with a decent amount of kick (the K702's were sufficient, but I could use a little more), and treble that's not overly bright and fatiguing or overpowering. Can some people help me figure out what to get?

EDIT: I like over the ear cabling, and it needs to be comfy, have semi-textured bass, and a decent soundstage (Not all in you head)

I know not all my requirements are going to be in an IEM for this price range, or maybe not even in any IEM period.

Thank you in advance for all the help I will get from the great people that help me out on this addicting yet amazing forum!

-Mark
Edited by gopanthersgo1 - 10/28/12 at 12:38pm
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 17
10/28/12 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
BUMP
Reply
post #3 of 17
10/28/12 at 12:05pm
For the voice the most important are the mids so it will be a good idea to take a look at earsonics Sm2

Cheaper the Eph 100 Yamaha can do the job
Edited by levonhelm - 10/28/12 at 12:06pm
Reply
post #4 of 17
10/28/12 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
Oh, 2 more things, I like over the ear cabling, and it needs to be comfy.

EDIT: I also need a decent soundstage, and textured bass
Edited by gopanthersgo1 - 10/28/12 at 12:21pm
Reply
post #5 of 17
10/28/12 at 1:48pm

I don't love the vocal presentation of the SM3, so I'd assume it's similar for the SM2 -- it's a bit of an acquired taste. You might like it though.

 

For me, I love the mid-forwardness of the UM3x -- it's a bit out of your budget but you can find it used for about $250. They're pretty much right up your alley -- mid-centered, slightly dark, smooth treble, over-the-ear, very comfortable. The soundstage isn't the largest though, certainly smaller than the AKGs you've been using.

Reply
post #6 of 17
10/28/12 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeroicPenguin View Post

I don't love the vocal presentation of the SM3, so I'd assume it's similar for the SM2 -- it's a bit of an acquired taste. You might like it though.

For me, I love the mid-forwardness of the UM3x -- it's a bit out of your budget but you can find it used for about $250. They're pretty much right up your alley -- mid-centered, slightly dark, smooth treble, over-the-ear, very comfortable. The soundstage isn't the largest though, certainly smaller than the AKGs you've been using.

Thanks, what brand is it though? nevermind, I found it.

EDIT: The soundstage isn't that big of an issue. (other people, don't flame me tongue.gif)

2nd EDIT: Is the cable removable? Not a big concern, but would like to know.
Edited by gopanthersgo1 - 10/28/12 at 1:54pm
Reply
post #7 of 17
10/28/12 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopanthersgo1 View Post


Thanks, what brand is it though? nevermind, I found it.
EDIT: The soundstage isn't that big of an issue. (other people, don't flame me tongue.gif)
2nd EDIT: Is the cable removable? Not a big concern, but would like to know.

There's a removable cable version. Sounds like the UM3x might be the right choice for you. A Shure IEM might also be a good choice, you can look at those too.

Reply
post #8 of 17
10/28/12 at 2:44pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeroicPenguin View Post

There's a removable cable version. Sounds like the UM3x might be the right choice for you. A Shure IEM might also be a good choice, you can look at those too.

So right now I'm looking at the Westone UM3x and the Shures look expensive.
Reply
post #9 of 17
10/28/12 at 3:17pm

UM3X is a good choice but the less expensive UM2 is better if you are talking just vocals.  One of the most under-rated IEM's on the market. 

Reply
post #10 of 17
10/28/12 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyro View Post

UM3X is a good choice but the less expensive UM2 is better if you are talking just vocals.  One of the most under-rated IEM's on the market. 

I'm also looking at decent treble, and tight bass (the AKGs were PERFECT to me), not just vocals, but thanks!
Reply
post #11 of 17
10/28/12 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
I found some Shure SE530's, for $215, should I get them?
Reply
post #12 of 17
10/28/12 at 5:33pm

^^^The 530s are old and had a lot of cable issues. Are they new old stock or used?

Reply
post #13 of 17
10/28/12 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
Quote:
Originally Posted by alv4426 View Post

^^^The 530s are old and had a lot of cable issues. Are they new old stock or used?

Used
Reply
post #14 of 17
10/28/12 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
OK, I decided no go on the Shure SE530's
Reply
post #15 of 17
10/28/12 at 7:28pm
Thread Starter 
  • 3,585 Posts. Joined 3/2012
  • Location: B̴̨͍̞̯̯͚̙̯͈̘̙̮̰ͮ͗̔̒́ͪ͆̿̈́ͤ͑̽̔̅̇͟͞l̶̡̹̱͎̼̜̠̈ͥͨ̾̐̉͆̚͘͝ą̡̛̾ͣ͐ͫͩ͞͞...
  • Select All Posts By This User
So do I find a pair of SE535's or UM3X?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › IEM's that make vocals sound like they're coming from the heart for under $250? (Contemplating HiFiMan RE-262)