Alternative to Vibes?

[vulc4n]

I've had some V.Moda Vibes for the past few months. I'm very happy with the sound, much happier than I was with the ER-4p's that I had for a little while.

Basically, I'm totaly fed up with their design. The useless metal cone plug, lack of strain releifs, etc...

Is there anything that can be made to sound about the same as the Vibes, at least with EQ? Comfort as well as easy insertion and removal is essential. Any ideas? I'd be willing to spend about 250.00 if it got me something that sounded better while still having a practical, comfortable, and easy to use design [unlike the ER-4p].

 

[electro house]

I was in a similar situation as you: I liked my Vibes a lot, but after a few weeks they started to fall apart! (Wires & connection became loose at miniplug, the sleeve at the "V" of the wires fell off, etc.).

I tried the JBL220s and was shocked to find I liked them much better than the Vibes after I gave them a chance. The SQ on the 220s is "better" across the board to my ears, especially in the mids and highs, and is equal if not better than the Vibes in bass. They are easy to insert in the ear, and easy to remove.

They are actually cheaper than the Vibes: I've seen them online and at Staples on sale for as low as ~$59. $79 at the Apple Store and other places.

They come with a nice carrying case and an adapter kit (including airplane adapter) that would run around $25 in stores.

I highly recommend anyone looking for a replacement/improvement to Vibes to check out the JBL220s -- your ears may like them much better...

 

[EvilNOD]

ever try CX300 MDR888 or UE super-fi pro?? those 3 seems pretty good.. they all bassy in different way.

 

[Killercrush]

For $250, I would seriously look into the Westone UM2.

 

[vulc4n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by electro house /img/forum/go_quote.gif I highly recommend anyone looking for a replacement/improvement to Vibes to check out the JBL220s -- your ears may like them much better...

The 220's look to have a more open design than the vibes. How are they as far as isolation and leakage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killercrush /img/forum/go_quote.gif For $250, I would seriously look into the Westone UM2.

If I could get them new at 250.00 I'd be all over them. I've never seen them deviate from 300.00. Even if I could get the new Westone 3's for like 300-340.00 I'd consider those... In the end I would much prefer to spend less if possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilNOD /img/forum/go_quote.gif ever try CX300 MDR888 or UE super-fi pro?? those 3 seems pretty good.. they all bassy in different way.

Closest I've gotten are some counterfeit CX300s that sound horrible. I'll see if I can find a good deal on the real things.

 

[nsjong]

250... That's a huge budget there.
Why don't you try one of the new SHURE's that came out?

 

[vulc4n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif 250... That's a huge budget there. Why don't you try one of the new SHURE's that came out?

The SE310?

Anyone tried them out yet? I think I'd just rather pay the extra 50.00 for the UM2, they have a better design.

 

[vulc4n]

I found a source for the UM2 @ 260.00. Should I go for it?

Worth it over the JBL 220?

 

[antonyfirst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulc4n /img/forum/go_quote.gif The SE310? Anyone tried them out yet? I think I'd just rather pay the extra 50.00 for the UM2, they have a better design.

No, the SE310 aren't bass heavy at all. You can either wait for the SE420, or buy the E500 or the SE530 (wich are the same, and have a lot of detailed bass, as most people say on the board).

Almost forgetting: you should try also the Super.fi 5 Pro, that offer lots of bass.

 

[M0T0XGUY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulc4n /img/forum/go_quote.gif I found a source for the UM2 @ 260.00. Should I go for it? Worth it over the JBL 220?

"Worth it" is an understatement, really. The UM2's are miles ahead of the 220's, and the price you found is great. Basically, there's no reason to pass them up.

 

[vulc4n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0T0XGUY /img/forum/go_quote.gif "Worth it" is an understatement, really. The UM2's are miles ahead of the 220's, and the price you found is great. Basically, there's no reason to pass them up.

Well, that was kinda what I remember being told when I was looking at the ER-4P. When I actually got it they were a total disappointment.

Am I just going to be disappointed wit the Performance to $ ratio all over again?

 

[atx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulc4n /img/forum/go_quote.gif Am I just going to be disappointed wit the Performance to $ ratio all over again?

Depends on why you were disappointed with the ER-4P. You need a good seal for the UM2 to sound good, otherwise they will sound thin and the bass will be very distant... oh but wait!, that's how etymotics sound to my ears... heh!

 

[vulc4n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by atx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Depends on why you were disappointed with the ER-4P. You need a good seal for the UM2 to sound good, otherwise they will sound thin and the bass will be very distant... oh but wait!, that's how etymotics sound to my ears... heh!

I just wasn't impressed with the eR-4P at all. They didn't seem to add enough detail to be worth the substantially higher cost over the HJE-50s I was using at the time. That said, I can't bear to listen to the HJE-50s now that I've been using the vibes for some time.

 

[vulc4n]

Atrio M5 looks really promising. I think I'm gonna give them a try.

 

[JMBrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulc4n /img/forum/go_quote.gif Atrio M5 looks really promising. I think I'm gonna give them a try.

x2. Also, I'd suggest looking in to the UM2s (used) or the SF5Pro.