Yesterday I finally got myself a new DAP (previous has been dead for quite a long time). It's a 3rd gen iPod Nano. Yeah, I know it has far from the best sound quality but, man, the interface and design are awesome.
Anyways, i need new earphones for it. Unfortunately I have zero chance to try anything so I'll have to buy them blindly trusting fellow Head-Fier experience. The only headphone on whose sonic signature I could base is Beyer DT880 ed. 2005, 250 ohm. I guess also HD595. I really like the way DT880 sounds, the clarity, soundstage, neutrality and detail are all awesome. The highs are sometimes a bit harsh (very rarely) and occasionally I'd like them a little bit more involving but most of the time they're fantastic. So, after doing some research I've come to conclusion that an equivalent IEM (I'm looking for an IEM) would be something from Etymotic. Namely, I'm looking at ER6i because it's relatively cheap and I like their low profile fit, ER4p sticks out too much. All nice and simple, right? Nah, lets make it more challenging - what about Shure's SE530? I know its sonic signature is different from DT880 but maybe I should try something new? How and in which way is it different? From what I've read SE530 is more melodic, lush (whatever does that mean) with pretty big bass for an IEM. What about clarity? The last thing I want is muddy sound. Plus the design looks good. I also really like the case, many tips and modular cable which would make organizing much better.
What worries me a bit about Etys is that together with iPod they might sound too thin, which the Shure might even out. But then again, if I can get the ER6i now, it's much more cheaper and I'll worry less about damaging them. How's the durability of both of these 'phones by the way?
Music mostly will be electronic (NO trance/techno, but IDM (Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Autechre and similar) and ambient), some rock (Beatles, Beck, Tom Waits, some others), jazz and some various others.
Files will be MP3, good quality (V2, LAME 3.97), no amp in foreseeable future.
Budget - around $400 (would like it to be less heh), I live in EU so factor in also shipping costs.
Things not to recommend - Ultimate Ears, because they look funny (and UE11s are way too expensive), lower end Shures.
Cherrs
gkl
Anyways, i need new earphones for it. Unfortunately I have zero chance to try anything so I'll have to buy them blindly trusting fellow Head-Fier experience. The only headphone on whose sonic signature I could base is Beyer DT880 ed. 2005, 250 ohm. I guess also HD595. I really like the way DT880 sounds, the clarity, soundstage, neutrality and detail are all awesome. The highs are sometimes a bit harsh (very rarely) and occasionally I'd like them a little bit more involving but most of the time they're fantastic. So, after doing some research I've come to conclusion that an equivalent IEM (I'm looking for an IEM) would be something from Etymotic. Namely, I'm looking at ER6i because it's relatively cheap and I like their low profile fit, ER4p sticks out too much. All nice and simple, right? Nah, lets make it more challenging - what about Shure's SE530? I know its sonic signature is different from DT880 but maybe I should try something new? How and in which way is it different? From what I've read SE530 is more melodic, lush (whatever does that mean) with pretty big bass for an IEM. What about clarity? The last thing I want is muddy sound. Plus the design looks good. I also really like the case, many tips and modular cable which would make organizing much better.
What worries me a bit about Etys is that together with iPod they might sound too thin, which the Shure might even out. But then again, if I can get the ER6i now, it's much more cheaper and I'll worry less about damaging them. How's the durability of both of these 'phones by the way?
Music mostly will be electronic (NO trance/techno, but IDM (Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Autechre and similar) and ambient), some rock (Beatles, Beck, Tom Waits, some others), jazz and some various others.
Files will be MP3, good quality (V2, LAME 3.97), no amp in foreseeable future.
Budget - around $400 (would like it to be less heh), I live in EU so factor in also shipping costs.
Things not to recommend - Ultimate Ears, because they look funny (and UE11s are way too expensive), lower end Shures.
Cherrs
gkl