Etymotic Mc5 vs. Etymotic Hf5​

 
[size=11pt]Both are are very ‘true to the ear’ as Etymotic would say... both have amazing tri-flange eartips for superb noise isolation, best in the business actually... and both led me to feel that clarity was an essential part of my music, perhaps even more so than dynamic bass and shiny treble... but in the end, well, lets just save it for the end, shall we?[/size]

[size=11pt]Mc5[/size]

[size=11pt]Fullness of vocals, more bass quantity, slightly recessed.[/size]
[size=11pt]Better construction of the housing[/size]
[size=11pt]Memory free cable is just that... Memory free[/size]
[size=11pt]More difficult to fit.[/size]

[size=11pt]Hf5[/size]

[size=11pt]Great bass extension.[/size]
[size=11pt]Bright treble, a pleasant shimmer on cymbal crashes[/size]
[size=11pt]Articulation of stringed instruments[/size]
[size=11pt]Smaller housing is comfortable in the ear[/size]

[size=11pt]Music:[/size]

[size=11pt]Owl City - Fireflies - BBE ViVA[/size]

[size=11pt]Listening to this song, the first thing I notices about the Hf5 was the tinkling intro, sparkly, and close, as the song progresses the verse is laid out nicely, even tonality, and not much peaknesss throughout... then comes the chorus, a clashing crescendo of noise as more instruments are suddenly added to the mix, not gracefully, but with a sudden crash that is overpowering for a moment. Not so with the Mc5. It has a tighter, more controlled transition from verse to chorus in this particular song, it can handle the ‘dynamics’ better... pun intended.[/size]

[size=11pt]Elton John - Can You Feel The Love Tonight - BBE ViVA 2[/size]

[size=11pt]Stunning rendition piano in this track was heard on both earphones, though slight differences began to be apparent in the bass department. The low thrum heard in the background of this song extends progressively deeper with each note i the beginning of this song... and this is where the Hf5 came through the best, in its extension of the bass notes, which where satisfying on the Mc5, though not as deep as I heard them on the Hf5.[/size]

[size=11pt]Beight - Invisible City - BBE ViVA[/size]

[size=11pt]I listened to this song purely for is simplicity, and the use of warm vocal tones throughout. The presentation of the vocals, was, however, different regarding each phone. The Hf5 for example is stunningly accurate, more technically detailed, and clear, presenting the human voice as you would hear it from another person in an open area, with no reverberation, and no echo. While it was pleasant to hear something sound so precise with so natural an instrument, it wasn’t as ‘real’ as it could have been. It did not sound electronic, nor coloured, or fake in any way, but it was not a real as the Mc5. The Mc5 that made me anticipate the feeling of breath on my cheek, so close, I could touch it.[/size]

[size=11pt]Overall, I think the Hf5 wins in the sound department, but by a minuscule amount because it’s not readily apparent that it sounds nicer in general, but after a while, I could see myself justifying spending $20 more... But not $40, and definitely not if it is going to break a few hours later from changing the eartips.[/size]

[size=11pt]I the end, the dynamic won, by a small, but logical amount in the overall value department, helped by its durability and superior cabling job. Happy Hearing![/size]

Value: Not cheap; Not expensive. Does the most basic function of a DAP... it plays music... Perfectly.
 
Audio Quality: Once you spend over $100 on a pair of headphones, your source suddenly becomes the limiting factor in the quality of sound, a distorting Ipod would not suffice, neither would a Zune. I bought the S9 and have yet to hear a legitimate competitor. Custom settings make anything sound as bass heavy as you like, can improve the sound on cheaper headphones, and really make nice ones shine. BBE is better than SRS, better than Creative CMSS3D, Sony CLEAR BASS, DOLBY HEADPHONE, and most any other audio enhancement you can think of.
 
Design: Buttons on the top of the unit are perfectly integrated, control all playback functions from your pocket, scratch proof screen, rubberized backing.
 
Battery Life: It is made by Cowon; Cowon, to say the least, does not skimp on battery life.
 
Interface: User Customizable Interface, made completely of modular .swf files, managed by a launcher set at 24fps, upgradable to 60fps. Store up three or more interfaces on the device at one time, each functions appearance can be modified down to the smallest detail. Faster scolling than an Itouch, Brighter screen than the Zune HD, more adaptable to the user. It's not an apple fed and windows barred prison, it's a palace.
 
Overall: Multi-Media playback quality is the best. If you want internet, get a phone that does flash; If you want fully functional software apps, get a laptop.

Overview:
 
Two dynamic speakers in a side firing/clip on hybrid. Aluminum earclips go over the ear like glasses, the bass element is hugged by your anti-helix, and the treble piece goes into your (hopefully large) ear canal. Hinge pivots and clips adjust the height.
 
 
Value 5/5
 
2 Dynamic Speakers
Lifetime Warranty
 
 
Audio Quality 4.5/5
 
Simply put, I have never heard a more heart-rendering representation of my music, ever. Two speakers, a tweeter and a woofer, provide timbre accurate sound. Treble can shine, vocals can sing, and bass, plenty and deep, accompanies them, all pristine and clear, separate, but complimentary. Turn it up and EQ the woofer till just before the point of distortion, and you hear more bass, clear and pounding, impacting, deep, conducted through the air,  but  where is the treble? Listening closely, the vocals are still there, exactly as they where left, pristine, and unaffected, as is the treble, shining and smooth. The sound is in no way neutral, balanced, or, in other words, sterile. If a drum plays, it plays, emphatically hard and crisp, if a strings plays, it is extremely full and nuanced. Each instrument shines through, not in a musical balancing act, but a talent show, each expressive, emphasized, emotional.
 
Design 4/5
 
Unique, and appealing to the eye, functionally takes the sound from two speakers, puts it into a relatively compact package, and ports all of it to you ear canal. Never have I seen a design so completely different in the headphone world, perpendicular speakers, bass porting and front firing treble.
 
 
Comfort 2.5/5
 
If your ear canal and anti-helix are large enough to accept these headphones, they will fit; if not they won't. Obviously an earphone that does not go into your ear correctly will sound terrible. (try taking an IEM and holding it 1/4 inch from your ear... It doesn't work) That said, they fit me, and are neither comfortable, nor uncomfortable, they are for playing music, not feeling nice.
 
 
Overall 4.5/5
 
I have yet to hear an earphone or headphone that sounds this good, at any price (I have gone up to $300, trying the Beats by Dre, Bose QC15's, ect.) They are not perfect, but the sound is as close to perfect as I have ever experienced.