[PeterCheng]

I am looking for a full upgrade of the pfe112 iem that i am using right now. It sounded quite nice to me at first but now I want more.

Pfe112 to my ears:

Bass: bass light, i definitely want more bass in my music. Tight bass and not bloated bass will be nice.

Mids: sounded great at first but later found out that it is slightly recessed and i want a more forward vocal.

Highs: really great, but more extension would be nice.

Sound Signature: I want warmer and fuller sounding. BUT clarity is always in the first priority.

Music Preference: pop, country, r&b

source: all alac + iPod touch 4 gen + Fiio e5(with L10 lod)



Im now considering Westone 4r, se535 and the ue900. Can anyone suggest me some iem based on my requirements? (~$400) Thanks

 

[PeterCheng]

Bump.

 

[PeterCheng]

Anyone?

 

[Meddle]

I havent heard any of the IEM's you've listed, but i own the Heir 4.ai's and at bang on $400 i think they're pretty damn competitive with the westones and shures. There's a fair few comparison's between IEM's at this price, this would propbably be the next logical step, http://www.head-fi.org/t/646829/westone-4r-or-heir-audio-4ai
 
The 4.ai isnt particularly bass heavy, so for r&b they possibly arnt the best option, but for the limited country and pop i listen to they sound good. Having not heard any of the others though and having no comparison to base impressions of the Heir's off, i cant help too much, though somebody who has might find this thread eventually.
Good luck

 

[PeterCheng]

I havent heard any of the IEM's you've listed, but i own the Heir 4.ai's and at bang on $400 i think they're pretty damn competitive with the westones and shures. There's a fair few comparison's between IEM's at this price, this would propbably be the next logical step, http://www.head-fi.org/t/646829/westone-4r-or-heir-audio-4ai

The 4.ai isnt particularly bass heavy, so for r&b they possibly arnt the best option, but for the limited country and pop i listen to they sound good. Having not heard any of the others though and having no comparison to base impressions of the Heir's off, i cant help too much, though somebody who has might find this thread eventually.

Good luck

Wow, thank you for your prompt reply ^_^ Ive seen this iem from the post "pics of your portable gear" sth like that, ive seen reviewers said them bass light, i do really want a non-bass light iem, got more suggestions for universal iems? I appreciate your work, thanks =]

 

[ryanjsoo]

From the earphones I have heard, I would recommend westone 4`s or audio technica ck100`s (if you can get a good price). The Westone 4`s are dark, relatively smooth, and fairly neutral, the bass has much more presence than etymotic er4`s, the mids are great but not as lush as they could be and the highs extend well without excessive rolloff, the audio technica`s have very forward, detailed mids and thus great vocals, the highs are sparkly and carry a great amount of energy, the bass is not as present as the westone 4`s but is a tad quicker with less decay, soundstage on both are great but the audio tehcnica`s seem to have better seperation perhaps due to their airy highs. Both are great earphones, but based on you preferences, the audio technica`s seem preferable.

 

[PeterCheng]

From the earphones I have heard, I would recommend westone 4`s or audio technica ck100`s (if you can get a good price). The Westone 4`s are dark, relatively smooth, and fairly neutral, the bass has much more presence than etymotic er4`s, the mids are great but not as lush as they could be and the highs extend well without excessive rolloff, the audio technica`s have very forward, detailed mids and thus great vocals, the highs are sparkly and carry a great amount of energy, the bass is not as present as the westone 4`s but is a tad quicker with less decay, soundstage on both are great but the audio tehcnica`s seem to have better seperation perhaps due to their airy highs. Both are great earphones, but based on you preferences, the audio technica`s seem preferable.

Thank you, the ck100 seems great I will add this to my list when considering. Hope that I can give them a listen

 

[peareye]

have you considered Final Audio Design ...either the Heaven V or VI...
 
very smooth high end and spacious sound that does include bass ....
 
sound very good through my Sony A864 too!

 

[Schokolade bar]

The 4R's should be great, but I've only used the 4 but they should be identical save the detachable cable. I did find the UM3X to be more to my liking. They are in the same price range typically, and I prefer the UM3x's mids, the bass is also a bit heavier than the 4 but it's quite enjoyable. I do think the W4s are more versatile, as the UM3x isn't a jack of all trades but is excellent with rock, acoustic, and some electronic. 
 
Also, the UM3x are incredibly efficient and can sound fantastic even off of a mediocre source like android phone, iphone etc... 

 

[PeterCheng]

have you considered Final Audio Design ...either the Heaven V or VI...

very smooth high end and spacious sound that does include bass ....

sound very good through my Sony A864 too!

I've heard that they have amazing mids too! However I knew they are single driver iems that may sound thin, is that true? Anyway, thanks for you reply

 

[spriest]

I've heard that they have amazing mids too! However I knew they are single driver iems that may sound thin, is that true? Anyway, thanks for you reply

Driver stacking doesn't guarantee sound improvement.

 

[PeterCheng]

The 4R's should be great, but I've only used the 4 but they should be identical save the detachable cable. I did find the UM3X to be more to my liking. They are in the same price range typically, and I prefer the UM3x's mids, the bass is also a bit heavier than the 4 but it's quite enjoyable. I do think the W4s are more versatile, as the UM3x isn't a jack of all trades but is excellent with rock, acoustic, and some electronic. 

Also, the UM3x are incredibly efficient and can sound fantastic even off of a mediocre source like android phone, iphone etc... 

Is the um3x sounding muffled to you? Ive heard um1 and it sounded muffled to me and i dont have great impressions with them. Im not sure whether that sound signature will be the similar with the same product line. If it is not, I will consider it for sure Sorry for being bias and thanks

 

[Schokolade bar]

UMx series typically has a signature for stage monitors, whereas the w series leans towards a more home listening experience. I don't think the UM1 is a good place to base assumptions on the UMx series considering it's a single BA compared to the three way crossover of the UM3x, but either of the westones are great, and I prefer them over the others mentioned in this thread. I also find westone as a company to be extremely satisfying with prompt responses to requests, and an excellent RMA process, but you shouldn't have to use it since their products are made to last.

 

[peareye]

i wouldn't say they are thin sounding...i find vocals are rich and clear with the sony dap...
 
if i compare them to my denon d5000s (which are thick and of course, bassy)...they might be thought of as thin but not by a large margin....
 
the heaven V are quite a bit more spacious sounding though...it does make me curious about their other iems going up the food chain...
 
for the most part, there seems to be quite a loyalty for most owners

 

[Mooses9]

westone w4r