Scott549
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 30, 2008
- Posts
- 436
- Likes
- 11
Background -- like many posters here, I really like the Grado SR60 sound. I've had a set of Senn CX300s for a couple years and decided to try something better. The CX300 is not well balanced. Boomy bass, can't handle highs well, and doesn't sound natural. But they are light and reasonably comfortable.
I tried the Q-Jays. The sound quality is good. The detail is very good, maybe a little too good, because I found them very analytical and not punchy. I like a little punch to the sound, listening mostly to rock. They also weren't particularly comfortable. I think it's because you have to insert them deep into the canal.
So I tried the UE Super.fis. Soundwise, I liked them a little better than the Q-Jays, but they are different in character and I think people will differ on this. The SF's do not have the high end detail. The bass might not be as deep as the Q-Jays either, but they are much better in the punchy department. The problem I had, though, was that when I turned up the volume it actually hurt my ears. I think there is some emphasis in the lower midrange that causes this. Also, comfort is borderline. I tried all the different methods, and I could get a decent seal, but the over-the-ear cord method is a bit of a hassle, and they never felt really good. So I decided not to keep the Super.fis either.
In the meantime, I bought a pair of Yuin PK2's, and they are great. The sound is better than the SF5's, in my opinion. A bigger, more open sound. And they are more comfortable. The Yuins are a no-brainer if you want something portable and you are not in a noisy environment.
So I would still like to have a pair of IEMs for the times I am traveling and need some isolation. I got a pair of Head-Direct RE2's from another board member. Good deal, and I now have something decent without totally emptying my wallet. The RE2's are not the holy grail. People say the PK2's lack bass. But they have significantly more bass than the RE2's. That would be my main issue with the RE2's. They are really not punchy at all -- somewhat thin sounding. What I do like about them is they are very light and reasonably comfortable. (As with most IEM's I've tried, I use the large single flange.)
That's the end of my IEM saga, at least for the time being.
I tried the Q-Jays. The sound quality is good. The detail is very good, maybe a little too good, because I found them very analytical and not punchy. I like a little punch to the sound, listening mostly to rock. They also weren't particularly comfortable. I think it's because you have to insert them deep into the canal.
So I tried the UE Super.fis. Soundwise, I liked them a little better than the Q-Jays, but they are different in character and I think people will differ on this. The SF's do not have the high end detail. The bass might not be as deep as the Q-Jays either, but they are much better in the punchy department. The problem I had, though, was that when I turned up the volume it actually hurt my ears. I think there is some emphasis in the lower midrange that causes this. Also, comfort is borderline. I tried all the different methods, and I could get a decent seal, but the over-the-ear cord method is a bit of a hassle, and they never felt really good. So I decided not to keep the Super.fis either.
In the meantime, I bought a pair of Yuin PK2's, and they are great. The sound is better than the SF5's, in my opinion. A bigger, more open sound. And they are more comfortable. The Yuins are a no-brainer if you want something portable and you are not in a noisy environment.
So I would still like to have a pair of IEMs for the times I am traveling and need some isolation. I got a pair of Head-Direct RE2's from another board member. Good deal, and I now have something decent without totally emptying my wallet. The RE2's are not the holy grail. People say the PK2's lack bass. But they have significantly more bass than the RE2's. That would be my main issue with the RE2's. They are really not punchy at all -- somewhat thin sounding. What I do like about them is they are very light and reasonably comfortable. (As with most IEM's I've tried, I use the large single flange.)
That's the end of my IEM saga, at least for the time being.
