Generally,I would consider to build a basic headphone system if I had 500usd budget.Unless I really need the isolation or I want to try something new (v6-s).
How i use my iems, it wouldn't mane sense for me to get headphones. I would much rather get a good set of cans, as that was my plan a while ago (moving from sennheiser hd555s), but because i use these at work, cabs would only become an inconvenience.
The W4 is a steal at $318. The 1964-Quad is great for genres that have a lot of bass. The SM64 is good all around. The EX1000 is fantastic but the shape and fit may be an issue. The XBA-4 is great for EDM, but may not be a good fit for other genres. My current favorite (and this may change) is the PFE232. They are scarce now, but I managed to find one at $400.
The SE535LTD just doesn't click with me. The UE900 and 4.Ai are both very good, but I have terrible fit problem with wide-bore IEMs - they just won't stay in my ears.
The W4 is a steal at $318. The 1964-Quad is great for genres that have a lot of bass. The SM64 is good all around. The EX1000 is fantastic but the shape and fit may be an issue. The XBA-4 is great for EDM, but may not be a good fit for other genres. My current favorite (and this may change) is the PFE232. They are scarce now, but I managed to find one at $400.
The SE535LTD just doesn't click with me. The UE900 and 4.Ai are both very good, but I have terrible fit problem with wide-bore IEMs - they just won't stay in my ears.
Thanks for the reply. As of now, I'm heavily leaning towards the SM64, just because so many people say they are good all around, and it also seems to be pretty great sounding and clear. I listen to a whole variety of music, so something that is good for EDM, but not classical or rock is not something I'm going to be satisfied with. I'm not looking for heavy bass, nor do I have any clue what "V shaped sound" is, so I'm just looking at well balanced, not extremely warm or cold iems that would stand up to every day use (which seems to be a weak point of the HiFiman RE-600s with its weak and kink-prone cables).
How i use my iems, it wouldn't mane sense for me to get headphones. I would much rather get a good set of cans, as that was my plan a while ago (moving from sennheiser hd555s), but because i use these at work, cabs would only become an inconvenience.
Haha woops. The first time I made the post was on my phone, and it somehow made my text someone elses quote. So i went back and deleted the quote coding, but I guess I deleted the wrong one. I fixed it though.
I would recommend the Rhapsodio RDB v1 which is truly at amazing but it is $650. But they might be able to give a discount if you email them. If you are interested, read my review on them. I also like the EX1000 that I just reviewed but it was a bit too bright for my taste.
Thanks for the suggestion lin0003. I will definitely look into it although that is around the top of my desired budget range.
A question about the F111 and ER4S/ER4P for those who can answer or have experience. The f111 seems to be constantly compared with the ER4, sometimes saying they have the exact same sound signature. What exactly is the deal with that? Is a $600 iem really being compared to a ~$250 iem and they are the same? Or is it that the F111 has the same sound attributes (if one has bright highs so does the other, the other has the same deep impacting bass, etc.) but the F111 brings it to a whole new, higher, level?
I hope it is the latter, but it just seems strange to me that a relatively high end (not super high end) iem is being compared to a relatively lower end audiophile iem.
They are not exactly the same. The Er-4 was used as a tuning reference I believe. The F-111 is similarly evenhanded, but its been modified to use a titanium nozzle to "improve" the sound. I understand that it's got more bass presence and a "better" soundstage? I'd PM VWinter or Music_4321 if you're curious about it
Interesting. This may be the first time anyone has contradicted what I hear through my gear.
You must be a really bad-ass audiophile to be able to hear what other folks hear over the internet!!
Interesting. This may be the first time anyone has contradicted what I hear through my gear.
You must be a really bad-ass audiophile to be able to hear what other folks hear over the internet!!
Couple quick random questions. Are Comply tips really that good? What is there advantage over the rubber flanges I use currently (aside from the obvious isolation). Is one recommended over another? I've never tried comply tips, so I can't mention about comfort on my own, but I am speaking more of a sound quality side.
Do Comply tips fit on the f111? Or on any IEM for that matter? If not, is there a way to tell that they won't fit? Another way to word that question is "How do I know what tips fit on what IEMs?"
Edit: Does FitEar have a site? I see their stuff on alo and a couple other sites, but the actualy fit-ear.com site seems to be of IEMs i've never heard of, nor does it hold a database of F111s or F334s.
FitEar is a small Japanese boutique outfit. I believe their primary line of business is on the dental side, or at least Suyama's is. The Parterre, 111 and 334 are their only foray into universals. The rest of their lineup is custom. You'll only find English info on them (the universals) at the usual places like ALO and Musica.
Couple quick random questions. Are Comply tips really that good? What is there advantage over the rubber flanges I use currently (aside from the obvious isolation). Is one recommended over another? I've never tried comply tips, so I can't mention about comfort on my own, but I am speaking more of a sound quality side.
Do Comply tips fit on the f111? Or on any IEM for that matter? If not, is there a way to tell that they won't fit? Another way to word that question is "How do I know what tips fit on what IEMs?"
Edit: Does FitEar have a site? I see their stuff on alo and a couple other sites, but the actualy fit-ear.com site seems to be of IEMs i've never heard of, nor does it hold a database of F111s or F334s.
1) the comply tips are especially useful for those who can't generally stand the fit of silicone tips in the ears. They are generally more comfy .
2) There is usually a tradeoff in sound quality, as the foam that extends past the core of the tip tends to squish the opening of the nozzle like this:
This has been overcome by the newer Ts-x00 series of comply's (the x representing numbers). The core extends throughout the length of the tip, so there is no overhanging foam.
3) Yes, comply tips will fit the F111. You'll want to look at the TS-400 or TS-500 tips to fit the F111's nozzle.
Eke2k6, thanks for all the info. I've heard so much praise and recommendations about the comply tips, I wanted to learn some more. I'm surprised to see such a large collection and it looks like they have tips matched up to every major iem company (no fitear though!).
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