[ameyer17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechungster /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would actually like to know the answer to this. Which is the best file format, that isn't lossless. At the moment I am using a mix of AAC, and MP3, both at rates of 200+kbps. Does it really matter that much?

If I was worried about minimum potential for artifacts, I'd probably go with 320 kbps MP3 encoded by LAME for compatibility purposes.

High bitrate AAC/Ogg Vorbis/Musepack would be marginally less likely to have artifacts, but they also have less compatibility, especially with portable audio hardware.

On the other hand, it probably doesn't matter much with anything above about 192 kbps VBR, and I'm perfectly happy with -q.5 ("160 kbps VBR") Ogg Vorbis.

 

[imademymark]

1 more vote for the westone um1s!

the djays are very decent as well, especially if you don't like the over the ears fit/ geeky looking westones

 

[boomy3555]

Universals UESF5Pro
Custom Hearyourself.com'Alien Ears

Most IEMs don't require an amp. In fact It is recommended that you use an inline attenuater.

My Itunes is.wav and my WMP is .wma big files though so make sure you have a big hard drive.

 

[JMT391]

Thanks for all the suggestions - sorry for the delay in doing research but I finished looking at everything. Here is a list of what I liked and did not like (based on reading reviews from sites like headroom and Trustedreviews that produce 3-5 page reviews considering value, design, SQ, and isolation).

THE BAD:
Denon C700
NuForce NE-7M
Etymotic ER4p
Denon AH - C751
Denon AH-C551
Yuin OK3
Ultimate Ears Metro.Fi 200
NuForce NE-8
Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 4
Yuin OK2
Head Direct RE1
Head Direct RE0

THE GOOD:
Head Direct RE2
Etymotic ER6i
M-Audio IE - 10
Shure E2C
Westone UM1

After loads of reading, those are the IEMs I liked. If you couldn't infer from my avatar, I listen to a lot of rock, ranging from Foo Fighters to Killswitch Engage. I do, however, listen to some hip hop/rap (DJ Format, Jurassic 5), and electronica (the Prodigy) so I would like as balanced, diverse, an IEM as possible.

Feel free to challenge any of my decisions I'm still very open minded to suggestions. Please keep the suggestions under or around $100 ($5-$10 over is okay) though - a lot of the "bad" list was ruled out because of price (although I still did read reviews just to get an idea of what prices offer what).

 

[Zalithian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for all the suggestions - sorry for the delay in doing research but I finished looking at everything. Here is a list of what I liked and did not like (based on reading reviews from sites like headroom and Trustedreviews that produce 3-5 page reviews considering value, design, SQ, and isolation). THE BAD: Denon C700 NuForce NE-7M Etymotic ER4p Denon AH - C751 Denon AH-C551 Yuin OK3 Ultimate Ears Metro.Fi 200 NuForce NE-8 Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 4 Yuin OK2 Head Direct RE1 Head Direct RE0 THE GOOD: Head Direct RE2 Etymotic ER6i M-Audio IE - 10 Shure E2C Westone UM1 After loads of reading, those are the IEMs I liked. If you couldn't infer from my avatar, I listen to a lot of rock, ranging from Foo Fighters to Killswitch Engage. I do, however, listen to some hip hop/rap (DJ Format, Jurassic 5), and electronica (the Prodigy) so I would like as balanced, diverse, IEM as possible.

I wouldn't consider the ER6i's good for rock. hip hop or electronica.

 

[Zhdude]

Ultimate Ears Super fi 3 or Etymotic Er6i's. Shure Se110, Klipsch custom-1 . All in your price range, just see which one will be more comfortable and give you the sound signature you want.

 

[oarnura]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ultimate Ears Super fi 3 or Etymotic Er6i's. Shure Se110, Klipsch custom-1 . All in your price range, just see which one will be more comfortable and give you the sound signature you want.

The Shure SCL4 white at $80 will be far superior to the SE110 or the UE SF.3.

 

[oarnura]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for all the suggestions - sorry for the delay in doing research but I finished looking at everything. Here is a list of what I liked and did not like (based on reading reviews from sites like headroom and Trustedreviews that produce 3-5 page reviews considering value, design, SQ, and isolation). THE GOOD: Head Direct RE2 Etymotic ER6i M-Audio IE - 10 Shure E2C Westone UM1 After loads of reading, those are the IEMs I liked. If you couldn't infer from my avatar, I listen to a lot of rock, ranging from Foo Fighters to Killswitch Engage. I do, however, listen to some hip hop/rap (DJ Format, Jurassic 5), and electronica (the Prodigy) so I would like as balanced, diverse, an IEM as possible. Feel free to challenge any of my decisions I'm still very open minded to suggestions. Please keep the suggestions under or around $100 ($5-$10 over is okay) though - a lot of the "bad" list was ruled out because of price (although I still did read reviews just to get an idea of what prices offer what).

At $80 the Shure SCL4 from guitarcenter.com would be a good bet over the E2C. The usually run $180-$249.

 

[choobincanada]

i have the IE-10's i like them a lot for electronica, rock.
for example basshunters/ma.bra sounds awesome with my headphones. as well, indie (indie playlists) and senses fail sound very nice.

the headphones take time getting used to in terms of comfort, but once you become adept at putting them on, its as if they weren't there. the only downside is that you need two in at once, to maintain a balance (in terms of gravitation force) between them. hopes this helps.

 

[JMT391]

so guitar center is having a sale on the SCL4s for like $80 when they normally go for about $200? Im pretty sure theyd beat out anything at that price then

 

[JMT391]

sorry for the double post, but I have a question: where is a good store to buy headphones at?
Best buy and Radioshack had hardly any selection and didnt carry any of the ones i wanted - I went there today

 

[jung]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechungster /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would actually like to know the answer to this. Which is the best file format, that isn't lossless. At the moment I am using a mix of AAC, and MP3, both at rates of 200+kbps. Does it really matter that much?

Variable Bit Rate, like OGG, WMA, etc. VBR 200kbps is entry level good quality. VBR 400kbps is practically the same as lossless.

 

[Genjuros]

Try the Audio Technica CK7, cost about $80 USD, just bought a pair myself and loving it.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT391 /img/forum/go_quote.gif sorry for the double post, but I have a question: where is a good store to buy headphones at? Best buy and Radioshack had hardly any selection and didnt carry any of the ones i wanted - I went there today

To get good performance to value phones, you are going to have to buy online for the most part. Not gonna find the best phones on the varied lists in stores. Places like Amazon, earphonesolutions, Head-Direct.com, soundearphones.com, etc. I see your "good" list includes the UM1s. I have owned a ton of mid-priced IEMs, and the UM1, while comfortable, was shipped back within a week. Way too dark/muddy, detail not there (IMO).

ER4P is bad, but er6i is good? Is that just because of cost?

Also, are the Yuins on the bad list because they are ear buds? If so, fine. If not, consider the Yuin PK3s because they are a great value.

 

[numba1]

I suggest you try Sennheiser CX300 - dirty cheap these days, may that would be just enough. Plus you can always spend money left in titties-bar*)