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TwinQY,
after trying the UE900's for a while I decided to return them. I liked everything about it, (after the pinhole has filled) the soundstage (above average width but the depth is where it truly shines), treble extension is amazing (one of the biggest strength of these phones), airy vocals, lively, neutral/linear/tight bass - very accurate, the amount of bass is just perfect, very involving acoustic guitars and piano's sound magical. Isolation, comfort and build is also good.
However, i find the vocals lack some emotion since it isn't forward enough for my tastes. I don't know what iem's to look at now, the only ones i can think of is the W4 and 4ai. Since the EX1000 wouldn't have the isolation i want and the treble will be too harsh for me so it's out. Also, i have tried the SM3 but i thought that the lower mids are too thick for my liking. I don't know if i should just stick with the UE's or if i'm being too picky since i like everything else about them but vocals are one of the most important things i look for in an iem and it is really expensive so i just want something that i would really like.
Well the 4.Ai won't be doing any better vocal-wise, not to mention the stage is a bit less coherent, overall a bit more warmed-over. They'd probably be even less forward than the UEs. And the W4s, whilst being extremely proficient vocal-wise, are pretty much the anti-thesis to tight bass (it's nice but relative to the UEs...) and airiness. This is all without added impedance of course, otherwise the signature would likely get around to what you're looking for, but the power-siphoning and general inconvenience would be a rather significant deterrent for portable use.
At this point, you're pretty much at the end of your ropes. Personally I might go back to the UEs and experiment with EQing if you haven't already, since they had pretty much satisfied everything else you were looking for. Otherwise, the only other things left would be the Stax IEMs, which are a real hassle for RL usage, although the sound should be airy enough (don't quote me on this, I've only heard a friends briefly), or perhaps the F111 (if rumors about them being similar to the ER4P has substance) but can't give any direct experience on that front as, well, my DAP battery died as I was trying it
Some more unconventional ways to go would be to just bite the bullet and aim for customs, as the amount of time and money you're using experimenting on UIEMs could possibly be completely remedied by spending good money on something like the UM Miracles (demos have a lot of the attributes you're enjoying on the UEs from memory, not to mention significantly more upper-mids/female vocal registers).
And of course, if the RE-400s I have here are any indication of how the RE-600s will turn out, might just wait for that. Something else you might be interested in as well could be the Tralucents. I might have access to a pair later on to demo, and the general impressions seem to lean towards naturalness, large immersive stage, a slight U-shape. Will let you know how that goes.
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I posted a similar question over in the full sized thread, forgetting that this forum is not just for IEMs! I'll ask here too.
I recently bought a pair of Audio Technica's ATH A900x. I love 'em. And as I use them more, I love them more. However, I've encountered a wee problem. They aren't exactly travel friendly. They're rather large! I've been nosing around the forums and Amazon for a decent set of over or on ear 'phones that don't have such a large footprint. The thing is, of course, they need to sound good. I like fairly neutral headphones. My favorites are the ATH A900x and Klipsch x10i's (but I need to stay away from IEMs for the time being). I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. Also, I always use my Fiio E7 (because my macbook pro hisses more than I can stand). Now, the problem is that I need to keep the cost down. Absolutely, under $100, but preferably lower. I've been looking at and considering Audio-Technica ATH-ES5SV and Klipsch Image One (although I really hate the 3 button control). But I'm sure someone here knows of something better!
They need to be closed as I often work in public spaces!
I thought I might also mention that I own (but am about to put up on ebay) a set of AKG K81DJ's. I'm not overly keen on them. I find them uncomfortable and a little too bass heavy.
Looking forward to responses!
"Neutrality", something A900X and X10-like, all-rounder, closed - while not as warm or large in stage size, the airiness and technicalities on the A900X is reminiscent of the S500. Also some WS99 or ES700 owners might want to pipe in here (looking at Wayne here).
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Hello! I'm looking for a new, cheap pair of IEMs for everyday use. Budget: 50$ (price+shipping to Latvia). I've previously had Meelectronics M9 and Vsonic GR02 BE and for the moment I have Xears XPA2PRO with detachables. I mainly listen to hardcore music genres like metalcore, deathcore, black metal, death metal and other metal genres (Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Metallica etc). XPA2PRO are really nice for their price (43 euro's with shipping), but for me they are not really suited for metal, but perfect for electronic and pop music. They have really huge bass amount (similar to M9) what I like, but lacks wideness, crispiness and clarity in reproducing higly distorted guitars and other instruments. Highs and treble also don't intregate so well with lows. I really liked M9 because of their wide soundstage, crispy and even aggressive sound. GR02 in overall have way better sound quality than M9, but I found them sounding too boring and tight for me with a noticable lack of bass. It would be perfect if IEM's would combine the wide soundstage (wider=better) of M9, spacious and powerful sound with strong, fast and controlled bass, clear reproduction of every instrument and vocals that are found in hardcore and other metal music and nothing too extended. And also isolation and comfort is pretty important as I have tight ear canals. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Proficient at metal, crisp and clear, wide stage (M9-like, though never found them to be particularly wide), fast and controlled bass, isolation, comfort - it really does seem like how people are describing the VC02 at the moment. Since I have not heard them, at all, will strongly refrain from commenting. But just suggesting that you might want to look at them/do some research yourself. Just suggesting. Sorry again for the lack of experience
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Yeah, they do look like Uptowns. I can't find reviews on the web though. How about Sony XB500's or Sennheiser PX100-II's? Both go around $70 brand new here, and they seem to turn up decent reviews. I forgot to look up the Audio Technica models available here, but they're somewhat available so stuff from them would be welcome suggestions. Thanks!
XB-500s - very textured, aggressive, bassy (well of course
), crisp.
PX100-II - warm, coherent, layered but smooth sound.
ATs...sorry not too familiar with lower-budget portable AT cans. Again, maybe Wayne can step in here.
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Hi all,
I just bought a pair of Klipsch Reference S4. I am burning them in right now but have been trying them on and off to sample the initial quality. One thing I am noticing is that the eartips do not fit securely in my ear. In the instructions you are asked to make sure the little line on the tips lines up with the gold line on the IEM, and I did that. I have tried this with all the supplied ear tip sizes; in all cases, the tips fall out easily. Others on the Internet have suggested flipping the left and right earbuds (since they angle in a little) and this doesn't work for me either.
Conversely, the tips on my cheapo Sony EX earbuds which I got at Fry's sit securely in my ear, and it's a little troubling that those fit perfectly and the ones on the S4 which cost almost double do not fit properly.
Is there something I am doing wrong or are these earbuds naturally 'slippery'?
Thanks!
The gel tips? They are natural slippery, but an added consequence could have been that the gel did leak somewhat. Happened to me once as well. But you did try all of the tips so it's most likely not the case.
Would go for alternative eartips in this case, as the gels aren't for everyone.
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Looking for a good pair of IEMs with microphone for use with my cell phone. Have been using the buds that came with my iPhone and have received too many complaints about sound quality at the other end. In addition to microphone and sound quality, I need durability -- they will get shoved in a jacket or pants pocket quite often. Those factors (and comfortable fit of course) are far more important than looks. Budget is flexible but looking for good bang for the buck -- could go as high as $40-60, let's say. Are there any that you can recommend? Edit: current phone is iPhone 4S.
Durable, microphone - and of course sound/signature preferences would be extremely helpful as well, but one to look at would be the E10M. Perhaps the MH1C if you can stand flat cables and J-cords. Again, not very well-versed in budget microphone IEMs, so sorry.
