About to buy earphones would like opinions please.

[Vektor]

I have almost taken the plunge numerous times but I'm very new to this topic. I'm currently looking at UE Super Fi5 pro's , Shure E4g or C,
Shure SE310. I'm willing to spend around 170.00 (naturally would like to spend less but...) I know any of these would be a vast improvement over what I currently own, but if I'm going to spend this much money I don't want to regret my decision, like my fiasco with the Sansa...it sounded terrible but I got tunnel vision about battery life. I'm leaning towards the Super fi's as they are the only two driver solution within this price range but from the pictures they stick out of the ear quite a bit. I should also say that I have trouble with getting a decent seal with the sony's I think my ear canal is rather small as even the smallest silicon tip doesn't fit well. The reason I'm even looking at the new shure line is that I have a good feeling about the new foam tips the "olive's" I don't think they will fit on the e4c or the e3c's. I also really like the idea of the modular cable design. The music I listen to varies widely. I like Jazz , funk, hard rock,some not much but some hip hop, indie and am currently on a folk and bluegrass kick. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely , Vektor

 

[nfsu]

Quote:

stick out of the ear quite a bit

FS mod will do the trick
Quote:

I think my ear canal is rather small

In this case don't buy SF5s: you won't get tight seal, a friend of mine have small ear canals and he can't get a seal with SF3s
Quote:

I don't think they will fit on the e4c or the e3c's

They WILL fit on E series actually.
Quote:

I also really like the idea of the modular cable design.

I don't, it isn't comfy.
Go for E4gs

 

[LaBreaHead]

Welcome to Head-Fi ... sorry about your wallet!!!

I hope you get good advice -- the Shure E4's are supposed to be good all-rounders.

 

[Icarium]

I currently own Etymotics er6is... but I think when the Westone 3's come out I will switch brands. The westones over all seem to be the sweet spot (For me) in IEMs at the moment. I'd recommend you check out this brand and their offerings if you haven't yet.

 

[mladis]

I own the UE SuperFi 3's, they were less expensive then other IEM's and they sound great. They do take some getting used to though. They come with three sizes of silicone ear tips and a foam pair, the cable is replaceable and they have a 2 yr warranty. The noise isolation is good and lets me listen at low volumes with good sound. They are not as bassy as the SuperFi 5's but they are good for rock music. I was looking at the 5's pro but got the 3's due to the price and I am extermely happy with them.

 

[Vektor]

Thank you all very much for the responses. I'll have to look into the FS mod, and I have yet to investigate Westone's, I have almost pulled the trigger on E4g's a few times and it's great to know that the new foams fit the E series. I'm very happy I found this forum seems like a great place to learn.
I really need to investigate this thoroughly, I tend to make impulsive decisions when I get a bug as I have now and my tastes make that quite dangerous as my errors are usually quite costly (champagne taste on a miller budget). So the E4g's would satisfy the dual driver requirement I think I've set for myself, I've just read about some lack of low end in the E4c and it seems as if the G series is just that earphone but in black with a different length cord I think. I'm not a real bass head and don't thump at all but would like to get the most well rounded option available and really just want something I'll be happy with for a long time to come. The new Se420's sound sweet but aren't out quite yet and deals on those probably won't be happening for awhile yet, while e4g's are to be had for around 150.00 right now. I'll have to look into Westone and read a few hundred more reviews lol. Thanks again I'll keep researching, and any more tips are more than appreciated. I'm very new to the world of IEM's.