expensive high end canalphones vs expensive high end headphones.which do you prefer? - Page 3

I would always choose expensive high end headphones, because a high end OPEN headphone coupled with a non-portable setup is going to sound better than high end canalphones simply because the level of resonances are reduced to nearly zero, except for natural in-ear resonances.

In other words, it's easier to get a totally clean sound without problems using a transducer placed surrounded by damping and open grille design than it is to get a totally clean sound using a really small transducer surrounded by ringy, tinny plastic.

The Etys for example are great but have serious coloration problems in the highs (sizzly sounding) due to the resonances added by the plastic. Other canalphones that I have heard sound terrible and cant be considered high end. I haven't had any experience with custom canalphones, but due to the high risk nature of custom-built phones (you don't like 'em, you don't sell 'em, and lots of people have had serious complaints about quality) I won't try them.

Plus it's a pain in the butt and very uncomfortable getting a seal and / or wearing them. After a few hours with some HD650s, I feel relaxed and unfatigued. After a few hours with Etys, my inner ear hurts to no end and feels sore and irritated, especially with a good seal.

It's also a hassle cleaning the canalphones and replacing filters, and if the cord gets yanked, you will be in a world of hurt. Even tightly-gripping closed phones will come off the head nicely in such a situation.

When you take full phones off your head, the process is about one to two seconds; putting them back on in a proper position takes four to five seconds (situating them). Canalphone seals are highly variable and it takes a long time to get a good seal.

Finally, it's pointless using a phone with serious isolation at home where it's quiet anyways - I want to be able to hear the phone ring in the room next door, and people calling my name. You can't do that with isolating canalphones.

Conclusively I don't recommend canalphones for standalone high end use (I don't consider portable setups high end because it's almost impossible to hear the differences between a $200 and a $1300 portable setup with any form of ambient noise and bass anyways; believe me I've tried and heard the contrast myself).

There are some advantages to canalphones, but they are serious disadvantages when used in a high end situation. Isolation, size, etc. Read above.

For most people, open full headphones are the better choice.

Cheers,
Geek

Goodness, that makes me sort of regret pumping for the E5s

Well, Geek's opinion is Geek's opinion. No more, no less.

It doesn't mean that that is the way everyone feels and it certainly doesn't need to mean that that is the way that you'll feel.

Of course, his is a well-described, helpful point of view, but you don't have to take it as gospel. (then again, you might agree w/ him on all points, who knows)

i have to say, i strongly disagree with absolutely everything in geek's last post.

i will let someone else go into detail.

to each his own.

The question is, does Geek have either the Sensa or the UEs.
'nuff said. Though that's coming from someone who hasn't heard either...

I'd say if you are only need a home phone and don't need isolation, then it's not worth the hassle to get custom canalphones. My highend hd650/zu are about equal to the sensaphonics in my eyes just for home use. Each are different but if I only had the hd650/zu for home use, I'd have no complaints.

I'd didn't buy the 2x-s because I wasn't happy with my hd650's, I bought them to replace my ety ER-4S. It turns out that I also need isolation at home because I listen in the living room and the hd650 let the tv sound bleed in bothering me and the hd650's bleed out bothing my wife. With the 2x-s, everyone is happy and they do sound better than the hd650 in most respects. I also can wear them on the bus, at work, on a plane, or just about anywhere. I'd never wear the hd650's out of the house.

They are also more comfortable than the hd650 since there is nothing on your head.

I would prefer headpohones in terms of sound quality and comfortableness. I am not comfortable with canalphones and my ears hurt when I use them. But of course, our preferences will vary depending on our lifestyle and places we usually go to.

Wow, near 6 year bump

Headphones.

I had the JH13 for about 3 months, before i sold them.Best thing i've ever heard, and maybe the best i'll ever hear without spending a fortune. Problem is, living with small expensive, and fragile IEMs didn't sit well with me.

When you consider the life span as well as fragility of customs, it seemed like a risky investment. Furthermore, i work out alot. I have read that a weight gain/loss of as little as 20lbs, will alter the fit of IEMs. Me losing 20lbs is a distinct possibility.

I decided to sell mine and go with full size cans, or maybe invest in a small speaker setup.