[lindrone]

Quote:

When IEM's are used are stage they are typically used with a wireless pack attached to the back of the performer. Wireless is far from perfect and adjustments sometimes have to be made by the sound engineer so the performer can hear properly. Bottom line is that all this stuff is so highly personal as is music itself. I don't think any one company has yet to produce the perfect IEM or any equipment for that matter. There is only the best as of today....tomorrow is another story.

As well said as any...

I've actually contemplated whether or not to get a wireless system for home use.. a little on the insane and crazy side. So I can walk around the house with my 2X-S (well, I've been thinkin' about it since I had the E5c.. hahah). Are professional wireless systems still very much suspect to interference?

There's rumors that Apple might have something up its sleeve with some bluetooth headphones or something. It would be cool to go wireless with the headphone unit... but to do it properly without losing quality due to the wireless connection, you would have to send the sound data digitally and have the DAC basically on the side of the headphone instead. Anyway, it's just a rumor.

 

[DJGeorgeT]

I found a good review of the Shure E5 and it is compared to the Ultimate Ears UE5. The 'sound' section describes the sound of the E5. It seems to me that the UE5 is a lot more neutral than the Shure E5, which leans forward in the mids. It is also cheaper than the Sensaphonics. HRA seems to prefer the sound of the UE5 over the Prophonics. Hummm....decisions decisions....I think that if I can save $200 and get same or better sound (and neutral) with the UE5 than the Prophonics 2X soft, I would be a fool if I did not check this first.

http://www.ultimateears.com/press_Mix_feb2000.htm

 

[lindrone]

Hard to make any sort of a real comparison/suggestion here. 2X-S is also more neutral than the E5c's, but I wouldn't say it's completely flat either.

The review had a pretty good illustration in sound spectrum differences between the UE5c and E5c.. but it doesn't sound like the reviewer made any comparison in if there's any additional detail and resolution. Sounds like the reviewer is most likely using monitoring equipment to do the comparison, and not high-end audiophile systems.

Given your preference for ER-4... I think additional detail and resolution is an even more deciding factor over a completely flat and neutral response, right?

 

[HRA]

Any type of wireless equipment is subject to interference. There are a lot of variables concerning the use of these devices. Type of construction in your home/apartment, walls, electrical wiring, appliances, audio/video equipment, mobile phones, and on and on. Your best bet would be to go over to a place like the guitar center, buy a Shure wireless pack/kit and bring it home to try out. I believe that Guitar Center will take it back if your not happy without a restocking fee....I think.

Anyway, I've got to get some sleep. See ya.

 

[ampgalore]

Anyone care to do a comparison between ER4S and the UE?

Anyone? I am hooked right now.

 

[Welly Wu]

Yeah. Give me some time. I'm in the pre-writing stage of my forthcoming review between the ER-4P/S and UE-10 PRO earphones. I am also going to graduate in a little over a month from now so my time is very critical to me. I am hoping to have a review published between now and early June 2004.

 

[gorman]

Argh! Welly Wu, I've been looking for your review for two hours yesterday, having to make do with the search function being disabled and all that...

I have a very small window of opportunity that could let me buy a custom mould canalphone during the second week of May, while I'll be in the States for work. But I will need to send my impressions soon, so that I'll then be able to have the finished product sent to my hotel in May...

Soooo... even if you don't want to spoil the review by writing it in a hurry... could you maybe PM me with some basic info on UE-10 detail vs. ER-4 detail? Please...

 

[DJGeorgeT]

Frequency response curves

Just to give you an idea. The Shure E5's mid freq hump and recessed highs are not imaginary. The methods used by Etymotics may vary from those of UE to generate the freq plots, but in general these plots provide a good idea of how each sound. I have never heard the UE products, so I can't verify the plots.

Ultimate Ears UE-5C versus Shure E5:

http://www.ultimateears.com/graphics...E5c_vs_E5c.jpg

Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pro

http://www.ultimateears.com/graphics..._PRO_chart.gif

Etymotic Research ER4 series

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/images/er4-graph.gif

 

[IZCool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJGeorgeT I will have to try the UE-5 in addition to the Sensa 2X then. I was not too impressed about the sound of the E5 even though I think it is not bad. I had a chance to listen to it again this weekend. The only thing I like is the fact that it is worn over the ear and so it can be concealed easily. I wish I could use my ER4 as an IEM. I am told the Prophonics IV sounds exactly like an ER4S...who knows.

According to Don Wilson of Etymotic, they sell the ER-4 driver to Sensaphonic and they put their own cable and moulding on it. So it should sound exactly the same as the ER-4S. Unfortunately they are very expensive. I think you're looking at about US$600 for a pair of the Prophonics IV.
Hope this helps

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJGeorgeT Frequency response curves Just to give you an idea. The Shure E5's mid freq hump and recessed highs are not imaginary. The methods used by Etymotics may vary from those of UE to generate the freq plots, but in general these plots provide a good idea of how each sound. I have never heard the UE products, so I can't verify the plots. Ultimate Ears UE-5C versus Shure E5: http://www.ultimateears.com/graphics...E5c_vs_E5c.jpg Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pro http://www.ultimateears.com/graphics..._PRO_chart.gif Etymotic Research ER4 series http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/images/er4-graph.gif

Wow, that's exactly how I thought the shure E5 sounds, too much mids and the highs drop off a little too soon. It looks like the UE5c has even more bass than the shure but since it has proper highs, it's should sound more balanced. With the shures, you have to try to over adjust the volume to get the highs and all you end up with is more bass.

I'm tight on money at the moment, but the UE5C looks like the best value for the money at the moment.