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Is SE535 worthy of an upgrade from SE425? - Page 2

post #16 of 60
1/13/13 at 12:10am
I enjoyed both, but I still think 535 isn't going to be a big upgrade, more of a different sound signature.

I really do suggest you get custom IEMs like I already said, cheaper than 535 and more natural sound which will sound excellent with all your music.

If not, get the 535 as it compliments the 425 sound and with both you'll be very happy
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post #17 of 60
1/13/13 at 12:37am
Thread Starter 

Thanks man! But can you explain the custom made procedure. Which company offer the service. How cheap is it to have custom made earphones?

I watch some of the clips in youtube, it requires you to set up an appointment with audiologist, someone who slap a plastic jelly foam into the ear canal to make a mold.

something like that?

Is it what you meant by custom made earphones?
 

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post #18 of 60
1/13/13 at 2:56am
Yes, go to an audiologist, get ear impressions, should be around $20-40
Then ship them to the company you want to make them, 2-3 weeks later they arrive at your door.
Look up the Alclair reference monitor
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post #19 of 60
1/13/13 at 3:05am

Allocate your money for higher quality music files instead of buying a new IEM. Oftentimes you'll see a more significant improvement in sound quality that way.

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post #20 of 60
1/13/13 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 

How would you describe the sound signature for SE535s? Warm or bright. My SE425 is too bright for my taste. Sound too sharp.

BTW aren't custom made earphones expensive. After all they're tailored according to specific trait. JH  Audio's custom made earphones are expensive! The flagship cost $1,475: 8 drivers per can, that's 16 drivers total!

So what are the limited drivers that Alclair can provide for their flagship model?

 

Thanks for your informative sources!


Edited by kfki - 1/13/13 at 4:30am
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post #21 of 60
1/13/13 at 4:28am
Thread Starter 

You mean spend money on better sourced CDs, rather than buying a new IEM? You do know each IEM offer a unique sound signature.

That means every brand or model of IEM offers a different interpretation of the music you hear everyday for the last 10 years, but still may sound different, depends on the sound signature.

That's what makes IEM so fascinating!

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post #22 of 60
1/13/13 at 5:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfki View Post

You mean spend money on better sourced CDs, rather than buying a new IEM? You do know each IEM offer a unique sound signature.

That means every brand or model of IEM offers a different interpretation of the music you hear everyday for the last 10 years, but still may sound different, depends on the sound signature.

That's what makes IEM so fascinating!

Of course I do know that every IEM has different sound signature, each interpreting music differently. I have a mid-heavy, a bass-heavy, a V-shaped and a treble-heavy IEM for that exact reason.

 

But the question you asked was : "Is SE535 a HUGE HUGE DIFFERENCE sonically than SE425?" and your thread title : "Is SE535 worthy of an upgrade from SE425?"

In my humble opinion, NO for both question. Yes, SE535 is an improvement/upgrade over SE425, but in my opinion, only marginally. I was just trying to say that if you want that much of a difference/upgrade, upgrading your music source will give you bigger difference than upgrading IEM.

 

Changing IEM from SE425 to SE535 = Marginal improvements in sound quality + slightly different sound signature. Not worthy of the price in my opinion.

Using good quality source instead of bad source = HUGE HUGE DIFFERENCE in sound quality.

 

Though if you still want to upgrade your IEM, then by all means, please do so. It's your money, your choice.

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post #23 of 60
1/13/13 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 

Thanks bro!, you just save me from drowning! the evil of devil in me tempts me to cash in another IEM, but the sane of saint in me tells me not to... You're regret for your unwise decision.

Part of me is still curious about what this flagship earphones sound like. I might make a trip to an audiophile store to try them out myself, to unravel the mystery.

come to think of, it's kinda pointless to buy another IEM with just a marginal upgrade: one woofer, and that's it. Price? 200 bucks more! If I really want a real upgrade, I will consider UE 900 or Westone 4, or just wait for for Shure to release a 4 drivers IEM in the future...

At the meantime, I will enjoy what I have and stop being ungrateful!
 


Edited by kfki - 1/13/13 at 7:47am
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post #24 of 60
1/13/13 at 7:51am
Thread Starter 

BTW, which IEM do you currently own? Which one is your favorite?

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post #25 of 60
1/13/13 at 6:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfki View Post

BTW, which IEM do you currently own? Which one is your favorite?
I own Heir 3.Ai, Shure SE215 and FitEar F111. They all have their uses and certain genres suitable for 'em. But if I have to pick one, F111 is my current favorite.
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post #26 of 60
1/13/13 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 

I read both of your reviews in SE425 & SE535

 

You mentioned the Highs in SE425 don't shine, what do you mean by that? 

However you find the HIGHS in SE535 shine. What do you mean by roll off.

 

For instance, when I'm listening to Toni Braxton's unbreak my heart through my 425s. When she's about to sing the high note. The pitch was not solid or smooth, a little static. Is that what you mean by roll off? Is this where SE535 fix the issue, the high note can be buttery smooth.

Please clarify that.

 

Thanks!

 

I'm picky about great rendition of high notes. Whenever I listen Divas like Mariah Carey's whale sound or Toni Braxton's powerful voice, I want them to be smooth and not breaking down static.

Can SE535 outshine those issues?

 

Metal & rock perform great through 425s! 


Edited by kfki - 1/13/13 at 8:05pm
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post #27 of 60
1/13/13 at 8:16pm
Are you referring to me? I never did any reviews on SE425 or SE535.

I do know that in general treble is not really the strengh of Shure IEMs. Shures' all about mids.
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post #28 of 60
1/13/13 at 10:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfki View Post

Do you own both pairs? Would you say buying another pair give you a total experience?

The reason I didn't go all the way to 535, is because of the ridiculous price tag. 

Initially I got 215, the reason I return them was the muddle sound when instruments get complicated! I listen to great variety of music, I don't stick to a specific genre.

I listen to rock, new age, heavy rock, Metal, Pop, R&B, Trance, Dance, Reggae

Favorite rock band: Queenscryche, Bon Jovi, U2, Muse, KISS, Linkin Park, Zed Leppelin, Pink Floyd

R&B: Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton

Metal: Metallica, Iron Maiden

New Age: Sara Brightman, Enya, Kitaro

Trance: Robert Mile

Dance: Lady Gaga

Pop: Michael Jackson, Madonna

Reggae: Bob Marley

 

Which of these genre do you think my SE 425 best perform

or SE535?

 

As an SE425 user, I'll say that your musical preferences are at odds with the Shures' musical signature. Shures have a fair bit of hf roll off, and are best for acoustic/jazz/classical type recordings.

Most of the genres (except maybe reggae) you list here benefit from highs and lows, the mids are not as dominant.

Also, since these genres rely on the highs, audio compression may be easy to notice, especially at the bit rate you're using. Try using lossless to see if it improves the sound. 

 

Otherwise, no use in upgrading. You might want to look into other IEM brands, ones that suit your music. Sennheiser IEMs are particularly well suited in this regard. Maybe the IE80 can work.


Edited by proton007 - 1/13/13 at 10:13pm
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post #29 of 60
1/13/13 at 11:12pm
Yes the 535 would be better in the highs, roll off means they don't extend very far, the 535 has slightly nor detail but smoothness in the highs, the 425 were very good though and both are fairly similar in the highs
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post #30 of 60
1/14/13 at 1:44am
Thread Starter 

sorry bud, i was referring to randomkid, he made 2 reviews on shure.

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