ATH-M50 Owner Moving Up in IEM

[joefig44]

Owned ATH-M50s for years and sound has been ok, but lately been demoing SE846 and IE800.

But now I'm thinking why not just get the Noble Encore UIEM since virtually everyone ranks it well above either of these.

However the Encore would cost me $1250 more than the SE846 (I'm in Canada, so exchange rate is crazy on Nobles).

Would you say it's still worth it?
I have the money, but it needs to be an astounding step up in audio quality over the SE846.

I'd be using these 80% commuting (train/subway) and 20% at home/walks.

I listen mainly to rock (classic/progressive/alternative) with some top pop.

I'd be driving them directly from an iPhone X with no external DAC/AMP.

 

[onevstheworld]

Have you considered Campfire Audio Andromeda or Vega? If you're coming from a M50, you may like Vega more.

 

[joefig44]

Have you considered Campfire Audio Andromeda or Vega? If you're coming from a M50, you may like Vega more.

Ironically I have a pair of Andromeda's on order arriving this week to demo.

The M50's sound signature is pretty good, but I can definitely see where for example the SE846 is far clearer and detailed, and the bass is much more articulate, but there is much more bass on the M50s (alas, they are full sized cans).

I was just thinking why not go for the best (Encore) and be done with it.

 

[serman005]

JH Audio Layla, if you really want to go for it.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Well, I have had the M50s for years, moved up to a K10 Encore universal this year.

I’ve had so many headphones over the years but never a TOTL IEM. It seems IEMs are things I have started to get interested in, but never thought about reaching for the top.

I also have the Sony flagship Z5 IEM as a complement to the Encore. It’s suggested to have a dynamic driver as it also helps with the learning curve understanding what BAs do and what they don’t.

The Encore is built really well. You will find they have cables which stay firmly attached if commuting. After burn-in of 70 hours they will smooth out a little and warm up a little. They are super sensitive and maybe the most sensitive monitor I’ve ever come across. I listen to them from an Apple IPod 6th generation and an iPhone 4. They do OK with those as sources but reach a whole new level out of a better DAC.


At Head-Fi there are basically two camps. One, the reference camp and the other camp, Two, the warm dark camp. I’m actually in the warm/darker camp but have always enjoyed at least having a reference mid-centric headphone to spend time with and explore. I personally love the AKG K701s which are mid-centric...and far from perfect. I actually thought the Encore would be the IEM of the k701 sound. It is, but it is not.

Part of being happy is to know which camp your in. The Encore IEM is truly incredible but it’s still not as meaty and warm as some other choices. If you read the reviews they explain this. For about 75% of the music I listen to the Encore is perfect. Still if EDM or Hip-Hop is your priority I would look elsewhere.

Not familiar with the SE846, so I can’t help you there. It seems the higher up you go the differences start to get smaller and smaller even after price jumps. But regardless of the diminishing returns you have to gell with the signature and have the IEM complement your music genres.

That said I’m pretty happy with the Encore IEM, but if you read a bunch it’s also about fit. I love the fit, and have been able to get a great placement with Sony Hybrid tips.

But in reference to the M50s, you’ll be completely amazed, I’ve now lost any interest in what the M50s are about. Yes, the Encore is 10X more money, but there’s no comparison between the two. I woundn’t know where to start to compare.