[elektrobank]

Ever since trying my first pair of in-ear headphones, I'm hooked. The combination of sound quality, comfort and convience just can't be beat. I have tried a few different brands but I'm always looking for more to try. I started with a pair of Ety 4S but was never happy with these so I returned them. I went on to buy a pair of Sony EX51LP, I really liked these, very pratical, very good sound, strong bass and very comfortable but the highs and lows were lacking some detail and they don't stay in very well.
I have just bought a pair of Shure E2 but I'm not happy with these. They are very clear but have no bass at all and the sound is very flat and lifeless. They actually sound worse than the ear buds that came with my iPod. Even after a solid week of burning them in they didn't sound any better, I'm really surprised because I have read so many reviews that state the opposite.
So currently I am most happy with the Sonys but from what I hear from others here about these being the worst headphones they have used, I'm thinking there must be something better out there for me. I think if I could find something similar to my Sonys with better highs and clearer bass I would be perfectly happy with those. Any other in-ear headphones I should try?

 

[MusicLover]

The Shure E5 may be worth trying. Also, if you can afford it, try the ProPhonic 2x. I don't know of anybody here who tried them before, but they may be what you're looking for. I think they cost around $800.

 

[MadDog]

Sugarfried and I have Prophonics 2X-s. We both agree that it's definitely in different league as others. It's a dream phone.

 

[swalker]

there are also 'phones from a company called "Ulitimate Ears" (produced by Westone it says) and I read somebody claiming these blow E5 out of water. I heard they cost over $1000. They have information(including frequency response graph!) at http://www.ultimateears.com/ However I must say from what they say on the site, most of the cost seems to be spent on non-audiophile features.

 

[KellDammit]

no bass at all out of e2's??? that's pretty suprising.
what tips are you using?...from the sounds of it, i'd suspect you aren't getting a good seal. what source? are you using any eq?

i have the e5 as well, and primarily use those.

kell

 

[Sugarfried]

Quote:

Originally posted by elektrobank Ever since trying my first pair of in-ear headphones, I'm hooked. The combination of sound quality, comfort and convience just can't be beat. I have tried a few different brands but I'm always looking for more to try. I started with a pair of Ety 4S but was never happy with these so I returned them. I went on to buy a pair of Sony EX51LP, I really liked these, very pratical, very good sound, strong bass and very comfortable but the highs and lows were lacking some detail and they don't stay in very well. I have just bought a pair of Shure E2 but I'm not happy with these. They are very clear but have no bass at all and the sound is very flat and lifeless. They actually sound worse than the ear buds that came with my iPod. Even after a solid week of burning them in they didn't sound any better, I'm really surprised because I have read so many reviews that state the opposite. So currently I am most happy with the Sonys but from what I hear from others here about these being the worst headphones they have used, I'm thinking there must be something better out there for me. I think if I could find something similar to my Sonys with better highs and clearer bass I would be perfectly happy with those. Any other in-ear headphones I should try?

If your E2 has no bass, you might want to try a different sleeve option. From your description of the sound, it appears as though you're not getting a "coupling" to your ear. The E2 isolates considerably more than the EX51 or the iPod earbuds. If you aren't experiencing high isolation, they are not on properly.
Again, try a different sleeve option, and maybe browse through the user guide.

 

[skagen]

There are way too many different issues to consider with in-ear phones, so you will never be able to definitively say that any ONE is clearly the best. Its pretty much all a variety of tradeoffs with portability, microphonics, bass response, treble/high end definition, price, comfort, ease of sealing, need for amplification, etc.

For my personal usage patter, the Ety ER-6 has been perfect. But that's just based on my specific needs.

 

[swalker]

I agree with Skagen. Also elektrobank liked the sound of EX51 very much including its bass, so not too many earphones will satisfy his taste as far as the bass goes. (To be honest, I hate Sony EX series(70, 71, 51) because of the bloated mid-bass but I know many like them) I think it'd be worthwhile to stop using EX51 for a bit and exclusively using E2 to see if you brain can get used to the "flat" sound of E2. (Then again, pretty much any earphones would sound "flat" against the EX series earphones)

Or maybe you can just try EX71 or EX70 to see if they are better than EX51 to your ears.

 

[Hiker]

Quote:

Originally posted by swalker I agree with Skagen. Also elektrobank liked the sound of EX51 very much including its bass, so not too many earphones will satisfy his taste as far as the bass goes. (To be honest, I hate Sony EX series(70, 71, 51) because of the bloated mid-bass but I know many like them) I think it'd be worthwhile to stop using EX51 for a bit and exclusively using E2 to see if you brain can get used to the "flat" sound of E2. (Then again, pretty much any earphones would sound "flat" against the EX series earphones) Or maybe you can just try EX71 or EX70 to see if they are better than EX51 to your ears.

This is a good idea to use the E2 exclusively to get used to a relatively neutral sound. Personally, I've never heard the EX51s, but I think the rest of the EX series sounds pretty bad. Shrill, fatiguing highs coupled with no midrange and bloated, flabby bass with no hint of detail throughout the entire range makes for crappy cans if you ask me . . .

If I had to recommend some good in ear headphones, I would recommend the ER-4Ps because of their immense detail and neutrality. However, since you don't seem to like the ER-4S I would imagine you will reach the same conclusion. E5 or 2X-s might fit the bill . . . if your wallet can.

 

[kwkarth]

I don't often do this, but based solely upon the published specs at the Ultimate Ears web site, I wouldn't dream of trading in my Ety ER-4s for any of the UE models.