meanspirit
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2013
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 13
Hi. I'm looking for some new IEMs after the right earbud of my Image S4s has died. I've had them for about 3 years now, and they have served me fairly well. However, I realise after doing research that they were overpriced (though I used a gift voucher so it wasn't my money as such) and just reading the forums here gives you the picture that they really aren't that great. I reckon the problem with them is to do with loose wiring and I could probably attempt to fix it in future, but with low price IEMs being supposedly so good these days, I want to try something different, especially since I feel like since I'm used to the S4, I'll be pleased with most alternatives
What I like about the S4:
What I don't like:
I primarily listen to music via my HTC Sensation these days, so it would be nice (but not essential) if I can find a set with a microphone. I'm not well versed enough in audio stuff to describe the EQ stuff that I need really. I mainly listen to progressive metal and jazz, and I find myself on the phone with S4 (and on my computer through speakers to be honest) to set the EQ to a sort of U shape with higher bass and treble and slightly scooped mids. So I guess that's probably how I like my music to sound!
I've done a bit of research here and elsewhere on the web, and have found 4 contenders (I don't want to spend much more than £40):
1. Brainwavz R1 (with mic)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brainwavz-Dynamic-Speaker-Earphones-Smartphones/dp/B009UO26B8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264055&sr=8-2&keywords=brainwavz+r1
These seem amazing for the money - how are they compared to the S4?
2. Sony MH1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Headset-MH-1C-SmartKey-Control/dp/B008BRAQJO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264111&sr=8-2&keywords=mh1c
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MH1-Wired-Smart-Headset/dp/B007M0J2H8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264111&sr=8-4&keywords=mh1c
I'm a bit confused with the Sony - there's a few that look identical but are hugely different in price. Neither of these are the older Sony Ericsson ones it seems so I don't understand why one is £15 and one is nearly £45. Also, the cord looks like it could be annoying.
3. SoundMAGIC E10M
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SoundMAGIC-E10M-Isolating-Earphones-Apple/dp/B0075LFKI4/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365264369&sr=1-8&keywords=e10
4. SoundMAGIC E30
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soundmagic-E30-BK-SoundMAGIC-E30-Earphones/dp/B005HJ38OO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365264452&sr=1-1&keywords=e30
To be brief: I want something that sounds 'better' and a bit more lively (I know it's subjective!) than the S4 but still fits and seals as well in my small ears.
Thanks a lot!
What I like about the S4:
- Comfort. I have pretty small ear canals and having previously had Sennheiser CX300 which sounded decent but could never get a proper seal, the S4s were a breath of fresh air. I use the double flange tips and I don't even realise they're there mostly
What I don't like:
- Well, I'm kinda used to the sound to be fair after using them for so long, but I do remember that they cost about 3 times as much as the previous Sony and Sennheiser phones I used to use and sounded about the same really.
I primarily listen to music via my HTC Sensation these days, so it would be nice (but not essential) if I can find a set with a microphone. I'm not well versed enough in audio stuff to describe the EQ stuff that I need really. I mainly listen to progressive metal and jazz, and I find myself on the phone with S4 (and on my computer through speakers to be honest) to set the EQ to a sort of U shape with higher bass and treble and slightly scooped mids. So I guess that's probably how I like my music to sound!
I've done a bit of research here and elsewhere on the web, and have found 4 contenders (I don't want to spend much more than £40):
1. Brainwavz R1 (with mic)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brainwavz-Dynamic-Speaker-Earphones-Smartphones/dp/B009UO26B8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264055&sr=8-2&keywords=brainwavz+r1
These seem amazing for the money - how are they compared to the S4?
2. Sony MH1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Headset-MH-1C-SmartKey-Control/dp/B008BRAQJO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264111&sr=8-2&keywords=mh1c
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MH1-Wired-Smart-Headset/dp/B007M0J2H8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1365264111&sr=8-4&keywords=mh1c
I'm a bit confused with the Sony - there's a few that look identical but are hugely different in price. Neither of these are the older Sony Ericsson ones it seems so I don't understand why one is £15 and one is nearly £45. Also, the cord looks like it could be annoying.
3. SoundMAGIC E10M
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SoundMAGIC-E10M-Isolating-Earphones-Apple/dp/B0075LFKI4/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365264369&sr=1-8&keywords=e10
4. SoundMAGIC E30
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soundmagic-E30-BK-SoundMAGIC-E30-Earphones/dp/B005HJ38OO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365264452&sr=1-1&keywords=e30
To be brief: I want something that sounds 'better' and a bit more lively (I know it's subjective!) than the S4 but still fits and seals as well in my small ears.
Thanks a lot!