earphones that sound like Grado SR-80's?

[gurp13]

I have a pair of Shure E2c's. I got a pair of SR-80's for Christmas and love them. The detail and the overall sound, especially the treble, to me, is wonderful. I would listen to them more but my wife says, due to their open nature, that they drive her crazy since she can hear my music. So, at night, I wear the E2c's because she can't hear them at all. They are silent! So, I'd like another pair similar to them but that sound like the SR-80's. I know it won't be exact, but I was hoping that either the E3c's or E4c's would be comparable. Any suggestions? The earphones have to operate silently when installed in the ear.

Am I being stupid for asking this? Maybe I should just screw off?

 

[gurp13]

How is it that I don't get one reply to this question? I'm not as pissy as that question sounds, really. I'm actually kinda stunned because I know a lot of people on this forum like the SR80's and also use IEM and canalphones and this sounds, to me, like a reasonable question.

So, am I totally dumb for asking this question? Is it unansweable? I can't believe 40 people looked at my post and had no input at all. Is my subject line wrong? Can someone help me because I'd surely like some ideas.

Right now my best idea is to get the UE super.fi 5 pro. I don't know if they sound like Grados. Maybe nothing does. But, they seem to have given a lot of people some good listening. I'd like a pair of IEM's that are silent to the outside world and give good detail with a nice balance of highs and lows. They don't have to be bass-heavy, but I'd like to hear the bass. I used to think that my E2c's were great until I heard the SR80's. Now, well, I'm ruined. Can't someone help?

Please?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Okay, I'll try to take this one on; I have a hunch why people aren't talking to you and replying.

First off, I acknowledge ur a new member here, but this community is of a high standard...the whole time I was here, I never saw a true (censored) swear word. We're a civilized community; we don't do that stuff.

Second, it would help to use the Search button first thing off before you make a topic. 5 Pro and Grado are at least a galaxy apart. The 5 Pro has tons of (boomy/muddy) bass with recessed vocals, mids, and highs. But it has a decent soundstage which is unheard of in IEMs atm. Grados are known for their high, airy sound sig, which I'm sure you found by now with the SR80.

From what I've gathered, the Shure E4 or perhaps an Ety 4 will serve you well. Sweet mids, high treble, and punchy bass.

Take it easy, and good luck with your searching!

 

[joi-ful]

Not trying to spoil your day here, but as far as universal fit IEMs go, I haven't heard one which even come close to the Grado SR80 at least in terms of sound signature. Higher ends IEMs may be able to give you sweet sounding mids, highs and a decent bass but none has the crisp, sparkling highs of a Grado's

 

[holeinmywallet]

I am not sure if my input will be useful as my experience is limited to E2c, E4c, ER4P, and UM2. I had sr80 for a long period. As far as I know, I find that none of those iem have that unique grado characteristic, from high to low. ER4P kind of shares the sr80 treble emphasis, but lacks impact and other gradosque qualities. One I am sure is that super fi 5 pro(which has less treble than um2) will be noticeably less brighter than Grado, and it might throw you off if you are coming from the sr80 sparkle and edge.

Personally, I find E4c to be all around good iem, that has balance and clarity. Hope this helps.

 

[gurp13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtheisticFreedom Okay, I'll try to take this one on; I have a hunch why people aren't talking to you and replying. First off, I acknowledge ur a new member here, but this community is of a high standard...the whole time I was here, I never saw a true (censored) swear word. We're a civilized community; we don't do that stuff. Second, it would help to use the Search button first thing off before you make a topic. 5 Pro and Grado are at least a galaxy apart. The 5 Pro has tons of (boomy/muddy) bass with recessed vocals, mids, and highs. But it has a decent soundstage which is unheard of in IEMs atm. Grados are known for their high, airy sound sig, which I'm sure you found by now with the SR80. From what I've gathered, the Shure E4 or perhaps an Ety 4 will serve you well. Sweet mids, high treble, and punchy bass. Take it easy, and good luck with your searching!

Cool, I can totally appreciate that re: the swearing. Honestly, I "censored" it because I was trying to be funny. Usually, I don't swear in a forum unless others are doing it too. In another forum I frequent, we often use that phrase, "Or maybe I should just #### off" to indicate that we realize that we could be talking out of our donkeys and that people may want to simply acknowledge that and move on. You've no idea how many flame wars have been avoided by that simple phrase.

I'm surprised about what you say about the super.fi. I had read many positive reviews on other sites. I know about searching and didn't think that my question comparing the Grado sound to IEM was very common. I don't have a lot of posts, but I read here a lot and don't remember seeing that comparison. I didn't want to post a simple, "Hey, what IEM should I get?"

I'm completely enamoured of my Grados. So many times I am simply overwhelmed with how beautiful they make my music sound. I know it sounds goofy, but the cymbals and other highs simply have a golden hue to them, as if made of shimmering spun gold. I'd love a pair of IEMs that can somewhat compare. I was looking at they Ety 4's but I somehow think I'd be paying for new filters all the time and that sounds like a weird design to me (or I could just blank off). I had considered the E4c's, too. Maybe I'll look again at them.

I appreciate the response. Thanks!

 

[TheMarchingMule]

To me, the KSC75 is more enjoyable and accurate than the 5 Pro.

 

[jonnywolfet]

if you want the shimmering highs of the grado, then the er4 is the way to go, each other iem will have a different sound signature.
i am a grado fan and i very much enjoy the e4c, and the um2. just for reference. they are both completely different beasts though, i wouldn't say thats a bad thing, its nice to have different flavours...

 

[kramer5150]

I cant think of any closed cans that sound like Grados. Part of the reason Grados sound the way they do is because they are open. close them or drop the drivers into a large closed earcup and you have a completely different headphone.

 

[bubsdaddy]

Do the Kramer mod on your E2's. It won't cost anything, takes less than a minute using a paperclip or tiny screwdriver, and you might be suprised at the highs you have been missing.

 

[gurp13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtheisticFreedom To me, the KSC75 is more enjoyable and accurate than the 5 Pro.

They may be all that, but they are totally not IEMs and look pretty open to me.

 

[gurp13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubsdaddy Do the Kramer mod on your E2's. It won't cost anything, takes less than a minute using a paperclip or tiny screwdriver, and you might be suprised at the highs you have been missing.

I saw something about that somewhere. I'll search for it and see what's up. I'm not terribly mechanically inclined which is part of the reason I didn't look to closely into it the last time. Any tips for a successful mod? Pictures and details are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JJEQ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnywolfet if you want the shimmering highs of the grado, then the er4 is the way to go, each other iem will have a different sound signature. i am a grado fan and i very much enjoy the e4c, and the um2. just for reference. they are both completely different beasts though, i wouldn't say thats a bad thing, its nice to have different flavours...

I'm very happy with my E4s but they're not the most comfortable. The isolation with the foam tips is great but there's no sound stage at all and they're a pain to put in and position. I've been amazed at the quality of sound I've been getting lately with my Philips SHS3200 "Ear-hook" phones (photo below) that I got after my work earbuds busted. There's a tiny port that allows good, clean bass and an open sound that I haven't heard before with earbuds, though I don't think you could really make a comparison to Grados. The bad news is that there's some sound leakage (not terrible) and the hooks don't fit small ears well. The good news is that they're easy to put on and take off, very compact, they come in black or light blue and the sound is amazing for the price. Oh yeah, they cost about $10 at Rite-Aid!

I may be inviting ridicule from the rest of the head-fiers but if anyone else has experience with these, you know the value of these little-known gems.

 

[bubsdaddy]

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=133131

Look at the last few pages. I used a really small screwdriver and popped the wax filter gaurds out. It was really easy. No cutting or dremeling. I also began using the soft tips and I really like the E2's now. Also, I recommend the Creative EP-630's for a bright canal phone with great bass.

 

[nsjong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJEQ I'm very happy with my E4s but they're not the most comfortable. The isolation with the foam tips is great but there's no sound stage at all and they're a pain to put in and position. I've been amazed at the quality of sound I've been getting lately with my Philips SHS3200 "Ear-hook" phones (photo below) that I got after my work earbuds busted. There's a tiny port that allows good, clean bass and an open sound that I haven't heard before with earbuds, though I don't think you could really make a comparison to Grados. The bad news is that there's some sound leakage (not terrible) and the hooks don't fit small ears well. The good news is that they're easy to put on and take off, very compact, they come in black or light blue and the sound is amazing for the price. Oh yeah, they cost about $10 at Rite-Aid! I may be inviting ridicule from the rest of the head-fiers but if anyone else has experience with these, you know the value of these little-known gems.

This is why Philips is one of those companies that have cheapo headphones that sound AMAZING for the price; they are on par with KOSS, I swear.