E5 vs E3c: Part 2

[Shurenuff]

Well, the customer service rep sent me an email teling me that the packaging doesn't include the tri-flange tips or the grey flex sleeves, so I went ahead and ordered them just to be safe. They don't have any in stock at the momment and they won't ship until next week so I'm assuming they are going to be "new stock" E5's. I'm hoping they come with all the sleeves you mentioned of, even though I ordered the tri-flanges seperately. I'll let you guys know when I get them next week.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI:
I just ordered the tri flex sleeves last night from shure. They cost 10.60 plus shipping and tax that came to 14.55 fore one pair of them.

 

[lindrone]

Quote:

Originally posted by scottder Join me in a class action suit against Lindrone for making us spend this kind of money on 'earbuds'

Oh boy...

 

[RunsWithScissors]

interesting info posted on Shure's FAQs:

Frequency response of E-series earphones

Question
I am extremely interested in your new in-ear headphones/monitors, however, the frequency responses are not posted.

Answer
The frequency response of ANY earpiece that seals in the ear is a direct function of the ear's internal shape and the acoustic seal in the ear. This varies from person to person, and the variation in considerable.

As we cannot guarantee a frequency response because of these variables, we choose not to publish a frequency response. It would not reflect the real world application of this type of earphone.

Our advice: find a Shure dealer with units to audition.

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally posted by lindrone Oh boy...

Yes, you! You are to blame for this!

Scott

 

[Shurenuff]

Well, the E5's came in late today. I've been listening to them for about an hour, and I'm pretty impressed. First off, they're much more difficult to insert and get a good seal with than the E3's IMO. I'm probably going to take a little time to get better at putting them on. Secondly, and most importantly, they sound like what I hoped my E3c's would sound like. The sound signature is very similar, but it sounds more full than the E3c. I originally tested it out of my iPod. I could tell a slight difference between the E5 and the E3c, but not as drastic as I was hoping. Realizing that this wasn't the best situation for a comparison, since my iPod is only loaded with APS MP3's, I tried it out on my old PCDP. Wow, what a difference! This is the first phone I've ever used that could easily expose the MP3 format for what it is. I noticed a drastic change in frequency response with the E5's through a CD player. Everything, and especially the lower range, seemed to extend much better. The MP3's were lifeless and much less exciting in comparison. As for bass response, I find it to be much improved over the E3c's (especially through the CD player). Well, those are my very early impressions. So far, so good.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

Shurenuff
HI: Congrats on your new E5s. I hope you get much joy with them.

 

[lindrone]

Quote:

Originally posted by Shurenuff I noticed a drastic change in frequency response with the E5's through a CD player. Everything, and especially the lower range, seemed to extend much better. The MP3's were lifeless and much less exciting in comparison. As for bass response, I find it to be much improved over the E3c's (especially through the CD player). Well, those are my very early impressions. So far, so good.

This is exactly the reason why my iPod is loaded with nothing but uncompressed WAV now.. It improves a lot over MP3's, although probably still not as dramatic as your PCDP.. Give it a shot.

BTW, what type of fittings are you using with the E5's right now?

 

[gorman]

Quote:

Originally posted by Shurenuff I originally tested it out of my iPod. I could tell a slight difference between the E5 and the E3c, but not as drastic as I was hoping. Realizing that this wasn't the best situation for a comparison, since my iPod is only loaded with APS MP3's, I tried it out on my old PCDP. Wow, what a difference! This is the first phone I've ever used that could easily expose the MP3 format for what it is. I noticed a drastic change in frequency response with the E5's through a CD player. Everything, and especially the lower range, seemed to extend much better. The MP3's were lifeless and much less exciting in comparison.

Are you sure it has nothing to do with the iPod itself? APS mp3s shouldn't be so easily distinguishable from uncompressed music...

 

[Shurenuff]

Quote:

Originally posted by lindrone This is exactly the reason why my iPod is loaded with nothing but uncompressed WAV now.. It improves a lot over MP3's, although probably still not as dramatic as your PCDP.. Give it a shot. BTW, what type of fittings are you using with the E5's right now?

I'll consider it, but that's alot of work!

Plus, I'm kind of concerned about the reduced battery life with WAV files. Convienience over quality might win here. Also, I'm using the tri-flange tips (I love them). I cut the stem so that it's even with the bottom of the last flange. I'm very happy with both the sound and comfort. Everything is still very detailed but it's smoother up top now and the bass response seems to be right up my alley. It's a very full and enjoyable sound IMHO.

 

[Shurenuff]

Quote:

Originally posted by gorman Are you sure it has nothing to do with the iPod itself? APS mp3s shouldn't be so easily distinguishable from uncompressed music...

I, like you, was very skeptical of people who mentioned of these big differences between MP3's (even LAME encoded ones) and CD's or WAV files. Well, I'm officially a believer now. Unlike any other headphone I've tried, the E5 exposes the MP3 as the lossy format that it is. I've never really been able to tell a significant difference until now. While my APS MP3's sound decent, they lack the depth, fullness, and liveliness of the CD. Using different headphones, I've tried to do this test in the past with my iPod and PCDP with very uncertain results, so I know it's not the iPod, it's the format. Hearing MP3's through the E5's is believing my friend.

 

[Shurenuff]

Quote:

Originally posted by LTUCCI1924 Shurenuff HI: Congrats on your new E5s. I hope you get much joy with them.

Thanks LTUCCI1924, I appreciate it! :E5smile:

 

[gorman]

Quote:

Originally posted by Shurenuff I, like you, was very skeptical of people who mentioned of these big differences between MP3's (even LAME encoded ones) and CD's or WAV files. Well, I'm officially a believer now. Unlike any other headphone I've tried, the E5 exposes the MP3 as the lossy format that it is. I've never really been able to tell a significant difference until now. While my APS MP3's sound decent, they lack the depth, fullness, and liveliness of the CD. Using different headphones, I've tried to do this test in the past with my iPod and PCDP with very uncertain results, so I know it's not the iPod, it's the format. Hearing with the E5's is believing my friend.

I'm a happy owner of E3, btw.

Have you tried ABXing? What I'm saying is that you are comparing mp3s played on the iPod to music CDs played on your PCDP. All things are not equal in this comparison, E5 might be exposing iPod limitations, not necessarily APS mp3's ones.

Then again, you might be one of the few ones endowed with superior hearing (I'm not being ironic here) and able to perceive APS as not transparent.

 

[lindrone]

Meanwhile it might be hard to pin down exactly what is different between MP3 and WAV files playback on the iPod when A/Bing them, the E5 does expose the difference between lossy compression and original file pretty well. A general sense of lifelessness and lack of certain range response from the MP3 files are pretty easily noticeable, although you do have to be familiar with the music to do so.

E5's are *that* sensitive, really...

I don't know if it really takes a "golden ear" to be able to tell the difference with the E5.. before the E5, I swear I never thought I'd be able to tell the difference.

I used to be a faithful LAME user as well, then I just gave up on trying to get better quality from any lossy compressions.

 

[bangraman]

Given the choice of the ER-4S, E3 and E5 when doing that sort of listening at home, I will choose the 4S, excellent. However people who class the E3 'not in the same general class' as the Etys (especially the 4S) maybe need to get past thinking of cymbal tizz as the be-all of detail

Given the choice of the E3 or the E5, I would pick the E3. The less powerful lows allows me to concentrate after some acclimatisation time. But I feel the two don't differ that much in technical capability.


The E5 is my very very last choice for doing any degree of critical listening... Which is respectable and certainly enough to tell the difference between APS and uncompressed, but not exceptional by any means when compared to the E3 and the ER-4P/S. That's why the E5 is my first choice for portable listening... waft along on a wave of quality music, yet not tempting me to pick it apart.


I'm very interested to see if my impressions change with the XP-7 instead of the META / PIMETA. This will be addressed shortly.