Skoj
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2010
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This is my attempt to give an impression of three different IEM's through the ears of someone who frequently listens to music while walking, running and going to the gym.
Three IEM's and their prices
I would like to thank Bose for giving me the opportunity to try out their Bose MIE2. Bose is often pushed away - "Because it's Bose" - when newcomers ask about their products, like in this thread. My intention is to open the minds of head-fi members with ingrained prejudices about Bose by comparing its new IEM with two respected IEMs in more or less the same price range.
Since my native language is Dutch, some sentences could screw you up really bad, but please, don't hesitate to pm me for corrections or remarks!
How do they look like on a cupboard shelf with too much light exposure?
Comparison table of not-sound characteristics
Sound
Sound was tested using an iPod Classic (120GB version). I made a song mix of different genres to review, however, the line up could change a bit. I burned them in for at least 20 hours.
* Unfortunately I couldn't complete the review because of my exams. After listening to them day after day, I can say they all sound pretty good. My ears are most attracted by the sound of the SW-Xcape, however you will miss a full bass when listening to hard music like hardcore. Nevertheless, the bass is perfect for tuba's etc. in classical music. If you are a more bassy person, I would go for the RP HJE-900 or the IE2 if you don't need good isolation.
Three IEM's and their prices
- Sunrise SW-Xcape (product link) - $ 90 on eBay
- Panasonic RP HJE-900 (product link) - $ 210 on eBay
- Bose MIE2 (product link) - $ 130 on Amazon (or $ 99 without microphone: Bose IE2)
I would like to thank Bose for giving me the opportunity to try out their Bose MIE2. Bose is often pushed away - "Because it's Bose" - when newcomers ask about their products, like in this thread. My intention is to open the minds of head-fi members with ingrained prejudices about Bose by comparing its new IEM with two respected IEMs in more or less the same price range.
Since my native language is Dutch, some sentences could screw you up really bad, but please, don't hesitate to pm me for corrections or remarks!
How do they look like on a cupboard shelf with too much light exposure?
Sunrise SW-Xcape, Panasonic RP HJE-900 and Bose MIE2
Comparison table of not-sound characteristics
Sunrise SW-Xcape | Panasonic RP HJE-900 | Bose MIE2 (with inline mic) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accessories |
|
|
| ||
Microphonics | Very good | Better than Xcape | Slightly better than HJE-900 | ||
Comfort | Very good | Average | Very good | ||
| Of course everyone's ear is different, but the original S tip easily slips in my ear canal and doesn't move a muscle. Since the delivered tips are small in height, it is intended for deep insertion. Unfortunately, because of this small height, I notice a blockage by earwax of the filter inside when I wear them for a long time. This can be solved by kindly rubbing the filter with a piece of paper. | I gave the M tip a week to get a proper fit, but it seemed just too big. The S tip is too small since it falls out immediately. Like I said for the Xcape, everyone's ear is different, so this is rather personal. I will state in this review when I use the tips of the HJE-900 or the Xcape, which also fits on the HJE-900. | While other eartips of IEM's gently rub your ear canal, fighting with your earwax, these tips are really comfortable. It's like they are just 'hanging' somewhere next to your ear, you hardly notice them. | ||
| Can be worn over-the-ear. | It is possibly to wear over-the-ear, but since the tips and the tale of the IEM are longer, it looks kind of strange. For the same reason, sleeping on your side while listening with the HJE-900 could be inconvenient. | Straight down. | ||
| Very light and flexible, doesn't fall off while running (worn over-the-ear). | It is slightly heavier than the Xcape which improves falling out. | Like the HJE-900, they are slightly heavier than the Xcape. When running, you feel the cable pulling at the IEM's along with your footsteps, but it stays in your ear because of the stable auricle tips. This could also be caused by the rougher cable rubbing my shirt. Of course this is not a problem when you don't feel like running with these IEM's. The added clothing clip helps a little bit. | ||
Build Quality | Average | Very good | Good | ||
| Smooth, thin cable which makes it more flexible, but also less solid. | Smooth and relative to the other two, an overall very thick cable. | Rough, and just like the Xcape, a thin cable, but the two cords from the Y-split to the IEM's are thicker. | ||
| The housing is made of solid aluminium and you can see it's glued together. I see a weakness at the connection point because of the tiny, very flexible cable and the stiff connection casing. Fabric-mesh filters in the nozzle, could attract dust. | Very solid Zirconia (zirconium powder at high pressure and intense heat) housing, which would reduce the resonance in the chamber. Metal-mesh filters in the nozzle. | Polished plastic housing which seems solid. Metal-mesh filters in the nozzle. | ||
| Well relieved I-plug, but very flexible. | I-plug, seems to be the most solid of the three. | Well relieved angled (120°) plug, but very flexible. | ||
Isolation | Very good Very good isolation when inserted deeply (see comfort: eartips). | Slightly less than Xcape The noise reduction of the HJE900 is slightly less than the Sunrise Xcape. I used both the original M tips of the HJE900 and the S tips of the Xcape. | Bad As stated on the packing box, the Bose MIE2 isn't designed for noise reduction. However, the noise reduction is good enough for a careful person whom wants to hear his environment while listening to music. Even when you turn up Vivaldi at his loudest, you will still hear the sound of cars trying to hit you or the closing doors of the subway in Brussels. |
Sound
Sound was tested using an iPod Classic (120GB version). I made a song mix of different genres to review, however, the line up could change a bit. I burned them in for at least 20 hours.
* Unfortunately I couldn't complete the review because of my exams. After listening to them day after day, I can say they all sound pretty good. My ears are most attracted by the sound of the SW-Xcape, however you will miss a full bass when listening to hard music like hardcore. Nevertheless, the bass is perfect for tuba's etc. in classical music. If you are a more bassy person, I would go for the RP HJE-900 or the IE2 if you don't need good isolation.
Sunrise SW-Xcape | Panasonic RP HJE-900 | Bose MIE2 (with inline mic) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sky and Sand Paul Kalkbrenner | * | * | * | ||
First Day of My Life Bright Eyes | * | * | * | ||
Love Me or Leave MeNina Simone | * | * | * | ||
House by The Sea Iron & Wine | * | * | * | ||
Too Much Surfjan Stevens | * | * | * | ||
The Fast Lane Angerfist | * | * | * | ||
The Rip Portishead | * | * | * | ||
Satisfaction Cat Power | * | * | * | ||
Take Over Control Afrojack ft. Eva Simons | * | * | * | ||
Part II C Keith Jarret | * | * | * |