[GGXtreme]

 
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I've browsed this forum for a while now, but I've finally found more reason to become a member and get posting. So to start off...

I'm looking for a new pair of sub-$100 IEM's, and I've looked through quite a lot of reviews. I've previously owned Sony MDR-EX85LP's, Klipsch Image S4's and Bose IEM's (first gen, got them for free), as well as multiple generic Samsung IEM headsets that come with the Samsung Captivate phone. Surprising, but I found the generic Samsung's to have great clarity, great bass and a fairly linear response (very unexpected for free, generic IEM's, albeit some harshness and sibilance, and cheap build quality...which is why I no longer own them >_<) as well as a decently wide soundstage (I found the Klipsch's too narrow and the bass too punchy and mid-oriented for my tastes). I'm not looking for a pure, flat analytical sound, but I am looking for clarity, soundstage (width, depth, positioning) and good, deep bass. I listen to all kinds of music, but most often extreme metal/death metal/metalcore, rock/alternative, instrumental/orchestral, dubstep, trance, techno, etc. (relatively complex songs with driving lows and immersing ambience and highs) /tl;dr

Getting to the point now, the two headphones I'm leaning the most toward are the ECCI PR401 and the MEElectronics CC-51. It's a bit of a tough choice for me: from what I've heard, the PR401's have better soundstage and bass, as well as clarity in the upper ranges (very much what I'm looking for), but the CC-51's are rated at a similar level for overall quality, as well as being very smooth and lacking in harshness. Also affecting my decision is the fact that the PR401's are difficult to obtain outside of Singapore without going through Paypal/eBay, which might make returns or exchanges tricky, and that the CC-51P model has an inline mic+button for $12 more.

I might be more willing to just take the plunge on the CC-51P's, but I've literally only been able to find one review/comparison for it (in that large 140 IEM reviews thread). Any input to help me make my final decision is welcome.

As a sort of side note, I've also considered the Brainwavz M3 and the Hippo VB. From what I read, the PR401 seems to edge out the M3 in a few ways (and M3's are almost impossible to get in the U.S anyway), and the Hippo VB's sound signature may not be to my liking. A month ago, I was leaning toward the Panasonic RP-HJE900 (which I've read are similar to the CC-51's), but they were discontinued =/
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[Inks]

Haven't heard the PR401s but the CC51s are a GREAT in-ear. It's only been a couple of minutes of audition but so far so good, these are very good for the price. 

 

[GGXtreme]

Call me impatient, but I went and ordered the CC51P's 

. I figured from what I've read about both of them, I'm unlikely to be disappointed either way (also considering that the CC51's sound closer to the timbre of the RP-HJE900's I previously wanted), and I figured it was worth the inline mic+button since I like to change tracks without taking my phone out of my pocket. I can't wait to give them a good test run on my Samsung Captivate (which has a very nice Wolfson WM8987 DAC, and a custom ROM+kernel that gives me direct access to the hardware gain/levels as well as some hardware eq/effects).

 

[Inks]

nice, plan using voice control to switch tracks? 
 
all the button does is pause. 

 

[klear]

Quote:

Call me impatient, but I went and ordered the CC51P's 

. I figured from what I've read about both of them, I'm unlikely to be disappointed either way (also considering that the CC51's sound closer to the timbre of the RP-HJ3900's I previously wanted), and I figured it was worth the inline mic+button since I like to change tracks without taking my phone out of my pocket. I can't wait to give them a good test run on my Samsung Captivate (which has a very nice Wolfson WM8987 DAC, and a custom ROM+kernel that gives me direct access to the hardware gain/levels as well as some hardware eq/effects).

I would check on the MEE site to confirm but I am unsure  the Captivate's  (which I also have have) 3.5mm jack is not supported by MEE. I just checked on the MEE site and it is unclear:
 
https://www.meelec.com/Articles.asp?ID=155
 
The list mentions the Fascinate which is similar but not the Captivate.
 

 

[GGXtreme]

Quote:

nice, plan using voice control to switch tracks? 
 
all the button does is pause. 

I have a software implementation for switching tracks with the button with PowerAMP, so any headset with a button should be able to switch tracks by either long pressing or double-pressing.

 
Quote:

Quote:

Call me impatient, but I went and ordered the CC51P's 

. I figured from what I've read about both of them, I'm unlikely to be disappointed either way (also considering that the CC51's sound closer to the timbre of the RP-HJ3900's I previously wanted), and I figured it was worth the inline mic+button since I like to change tracks without taking my phone out of my pocket. I can't wait to give them a good test run on my Samsung Captivate (which has a very nice Wolfson WM8987 DAC, and a custom ROM+kernel that gives me direct access to the hardware gain/levels as well as some hardware eq/effects).

I would check on the MEE site to confirm but I am unsure  the Captivate's  (which I also have have) 3.5mm jack is not supported by MEE. I just checked on the MEE site and it is unclear:
 
https://www.meelec.com/Articles.asp?ID=155
 
The list mentions the Fascinate which is similar but not the Captivate.
 

The ground and mic contacts on the plug are switched for the Captivate. MEElectronics is shipping me an adapter to make the CC-51P work with the Captivate for $1.99 extra. So everything should be fine.

 

[RBNHIFI]

 
Quote:

nice, plan using voice control to switch tracks? 
 
all the button does is pause. 

according to meelec website, it does more than just pause.
 
https://www.meelec.com/Articles.asp?ID=155
 
 

 

[Inks]

Looks Like you're all set. had no idea about those mic functions thanks

 

[GGXtreme]

I just ran into someone who had Etymotic ER-4P's at my school, and he let me try them out. I have to say, I was quite impressed: clarity and soundstage were right where they needed to be. I myself would prefer a slightly warmer sound signature and a bit more laid back treble, but almost anything is better than these Bose IEM's I'm currently stuck with >_<

Actually, he let me borrow them long enough to make some very compensating equalizer and tone presets for the Bose (no more mid-bass hump the size of Mt. Everest, better treble, less muddy 

).

 

[Inks]

Well the CC51s are warmer and much more laid back in the treble, so that's good news. 

 

[GGXtreme]

These responses are getting me worked up. These things need to ship already 

 

[GGXtreme]

Well, I just received these yesterday, and they easily live up to all of my expectations. I plan to write a review after I finish burning them in, but they already sound great out of the box. Also, the adapter to make the mic/button work with my phone was completely unnecessary, they work just fine as they are. They're already the best IEM's I've owned, surpassing the Samsung Captivate headphones in smoothness, timbre and bass tightness. Overall, I'm very pleased