[apnk]

Yeah like the title says. I am really interested in these iems but I need to get rid of my DT990's to get it. I live in a semi-noisy apartment by a semi busy road so there is always some type of noise so sometimes I can't listen to my 990's or any open headphone for that matter. So I was thinking of going to the just iem route, is it worth it? Or will I miss the full size cans?

 

[omedon]

If you can't listen to your dt990's then how can you miss them? I think you have answered your own question.

 

[Edwood]

He'll miss them when he eventually moves to a more quiet place.

IEM's can replace full sized cans as well as full sized cans can replace speakers.

It comes down to personal preference/lifestyle choice.

Change your cans to match your environment.
or

Change your environment to match your cans.

-Ed

 

[Amplitude]

You will miss the full sized cans. IEMs and full sized headphones are very different experiences. While I love my E500s, their "in your head" presentation becomes extremely grating after any extended listening period.

 

[IPodPJ]

I used to be into full-sized cans, but haven't been for many years now. If you do go the IEM route, which many of us know and love, make sure you get one with a good soundstage. As much as I love the sf5pro, it is very 2 dimensional and in your head compared with these new Triple.Fi 10 pro. The TFs are wide open, sound staging is great (vocals are upfront and in the center where they should be, and instrumentation and background vocals are placed widely throughout the sonic landscape), and very non-fatiguing. You could listen to these at a low volume for hours on end without worry. It's initial dark veil is beginning to lift, and should only get better with time. From what I've read, it seems like the TFs beat the e500's sound quality. I haven't heard the e500s myself so I can't say if they are better or worse than the TFs, but the initial impressions would lean towards the TFs being better (from head-fi and other websites). The drivers in these are the same as the UE-10 so you really can't go wrong, as the UE-10's are hailed as the holy grail of IEMs. I'm not sure yet if I like the added 60Hz bass boost on these yet -- only time will tell. What I can tell you is that when paired up with my Go-Vibe V5, I have to keep the EQ set to off. Any EQ will cause the TFs to distort & buzz (except for "bass reducer", which actually works well on a lot of tracks where the bass is a little too much). This may be because of the Triple.Fi's 32 ohm Impedance and input sensitivity of 117dB/mw. The Sf5pro are rated at 21 ohm with an input sensitivity of 119dB/mw and they dont exhibit those same problems. I don't know too much about impedance, so maybe someone could fill me in on this.

 

[JMCIII]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apnk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah like the title says. I am really interested in these iems but I need to get rid of my DT990's to get it. I live in a semi-noisy apartment by a semi busy road so there is always some type of noise so sometimes I can't listen to my 990's or any open headphone for that matter. So I was thinking of going to the just iem route, is it worth it? Or will I miss the full size cans?

My initial reaction was maybe, but probably not. Horses for courses after all.

BUT, in your situation I'd have to say a resounding yes. IN YOUR CURRENT SITUATION! Since you're not getting any use out of your headphone's now, going the E500 route will allow you to listen as often, and for as long as you choose. (And personally, I love the E500's.) Should your current living situation change, them you might decide to revisit this question. But in the here-and-now, go for it.

 

[Trogdor]

The official HeadFi answer is no of course not. You need at least 4-5 headphones anyway:

1. A cheap IEM - Gym, running, to let your friends borrow while you listen to the expensive IEM (see below)
2. An expensive IEM - I mean you bought an amp before even getting these anyhow right based on pornographic pictures posted on Headfi?
3. A bassy full-sized headphone - During periods of anger or general stress, these babies go on
4. Your pride and joy expensive full-sized headphone - These are what you bring out during holidays, meets, and special occassions (like when you want to ignore your significant other or when the sun comes up...stuff like that)

So the way I see it....your way behind...given your Headphone Supremus status I'm surprised you even asked? Hmmmm...

On a more serious note, yeah the E500's can definitely be your main pair of headphones/IEMs. They are a top pair and better than 99% of what folks listen to with their DAP.

 

[KrooLism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apnk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah like the title says. I am really interested in these iems but I need to get rid of my DT990's to get it. I live in a semi-noisy apartment by a semi busy road so there is always some type of noise so sometimes I can't listen to my 990's or any open headphone for that matter. So I was thinking of going to the just iem route, is it worth it? Or will I miss the full size cans?

Yea man.

Believe it or not... my Etymotic ER4S' sounds as good as my HD 650's or K-1000's when driven out of the Grace Design M902. Perhaps even better for analytical listening.

So the answer to your question is YES, a single IEM headphone can sound as good or better than headphones whether it be for home, or portable.

...but there are 1001 reasons why open circumaural is better for home use.

 

[ChickenGod]

Well, when you get the e500 can you compare it to the UM2 for me? =]

Thanks!

 

[fredman22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplitude /img/forum/go_quote.gif You will miss the full sized cans. IEMs and full sized headphones are very different experiences. While I love my E500s, their "in your head" presentation becomes extremely grating after any extended listening period.

I second this. An apartment dweller, I listen to ~95% of my music via headphones - most of the time that's thru a portable via UM2s, but every now and then I just have to sample my full set - if nothing else for reference. The over-ear design changes soundstage dramatically and is a refreshing change from IEMs all the time. I also live in a (relatively) semi-noisy environment and I'd suggest a pair of closed cans to help block out ambient sound.

 

[apnk]

I think I just might keep what I have and just buy an amp. I can listen to my 990's durring the weekends when I go home but I dunno. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChickenGod /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, when you get the e500 can you compare it to the UM2 for me? =] Thanks!

Sure, but they might be gone before then.

I don't really like the UM2 sound, seems so hollow or something in the sound seems missing.

Or should I get the ER4 and a amp and keep the dt990 as my 'home' can and the ER4 can be my apartment can?

choices choices.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredman22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also live in a (relatively) semi-noisy environment and I'd suggest a pair of closed cans to help block out ambient sound.

yeah, I was thinking about the '05 dt770 since I love the Beyer sound.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The E500's are pretty great, but even then they're not the same as "real" headphones. That's not to say you might not get the same amount of enjoyment from the E500's, as they are about as much fun as I've heard from IEM's.

To me it would depend on how much time you have where you can't use your 990's. If it's a vast majority of the time, you might be better off with the E500, esp if you will use them portably as well. You could always get back into full-sized cans when your life situation changes. Alternatively, you could get a less expensive pair of IEM's like the SF5pro if you'd be splitting time pretty equally with the 990.

 

[ChickenGod]

Yeah, keep your UM2 like what I said in the last thread and go buy a Tomahawk! Then run away from Head-Fi forever. I'm starting to get sucked into this thing. Noo!