ER6i vs. CX300

[lim(x->0)]

Which to get as my first intro to higher level audio listening? I mostly listen to Indie/Rock/Alt. type stuff with some lounge/ambient thrown into the mix on occasion on my 20gig 4th gen iPod.

 

[lim(x->0)]

So nobody can offer input?

 

[Sean.Perrin]

I've never heard either... but judging from what people have to say about those sennheisers, and the quality of my recent Ety purchase, I would say go with the ety's.

 

[bazmonkey]

Going by experience with the CX300 and common opinion on head-fi with Etymotic, you're gonna get detailed sound, superior isolation, but unbassy, possibly anemic response. The CX300's are warmer, very bassy, but bloated at times and definitely missing the detail of the Etys.

...I'm basically regurgitating what a very simple search on head-fi would have yielded.

It's up to you; do you want warm, bassy, fun sound, or detailed, isolating sound? Alternatively, what do you care about less: overly analytical sound or bassy bloat?

 

[LaBreaHead]

I have the ER6i's (and several different canal phones, including the Creative EP630's ... you might consider those, as well -- they're cheaper), and it's pretty much as bazmonkey helpfully "regurgitated."

The isolation (and detail) with the Etymotics is very impressive, but you won't get the boomy bass that some listeners equate with high-quality audio. The Etys are tiny and fit pretty far within the ear -- I've used flanges, Ety foams and Comply foams, and prefer the Comply's ... but everyone's ears and preferences are different.

When, how and in what environments do you listen to music? A lot would depend on that, and your expectations.

The Sennheisers would no doubt be a "fun" everyday canal phone that doesn't offer the sort of isolation the Etys do, but that would be simple to insert and take out repeatedly. I use canal phones in the office, when I'm supposed to be available and responsive; I use the Etys to "tune out" on airplanes and would use them on public transportation if I didn't drive to work. IEMs really shine in noisy environments ... not that they're not good in quiet settings.

Both the IEMs and canal phones (not earbuds such as those that come bundled with players) would prevent sound from leaking outward, a good thing to have if you're wearing them in a library or quiet environment, for example.

 

[ClieOS]

I won't put CX300 and ER6i on the same level for comparison. CX300 is more of a entry level IEM, ER6i, on the other hand, is a much better IEM than CX300 IMO. Let me put it this way: You might want to buy CX300 first than upgrade to ER6i, but I doubt anyone will get a ER6i than 'upgrade' to CX300

 

[Superbaldguy]

Just to clarify, the CX300's are not IEM's as are the ER-6i's, better described as canal (or closed earbud) phones. I have had both and the Etys offer more detail/isolation but are not as "fun" sounding - they are quite good for classical and vocals, but the CX300's are more punchy and much better for rock.

The Senn buds offer good isolation and outperform every other canal-type phone in its price range. Too bad there wasn't a short-cord version for remotes, as they are close at being the ideal earbud-type phone.

 

[lim(x->0)]

These will be mostly used for walking to class or while eating lunch. I will insert/takeout the ear phone a lot over a very short amount of time (ie: walks to class only take 10 minutes). I guess I'll go with the cx300's. I can see myself trying to fool around and get a good seal everytime with the er6i's just for a short walk.

 

[Superbaldguy]

Good point - IEM's are meant to be kept in your ear canals for a spell.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lim(x->0) /img/forum/go_quote.gif These will be mostly used for walking to class or while eating lunch. I will insert/takeout the ear phone a lot over a very short amount of time (ie: walks to class only take 10 minutes). I guess I'll go with the cx300's. I can see myself trying to fool around and get a good seal everytime with the er6i's just for a short walk.

You also do not want to eat with Etys on

Otherwise I can just add to the chime. Etys are detailed but will never have the same "pop" as phones designed to be bassy, even though they have very defined and extended bass (I have the ER-4S). I also own the CX300, and they are fine & fun & easy to toss around. Nothing really high end though, but fine. The only serious complaint I have is that they can tangle up like mad.

 

[ChaseD13]

i have the ep630s which are supposedly almost identical to the cx300, just much cheaper.

to me they arent really a higher end sound. they have alot of bass. can be bloated, but i find myself listening to rap whenever i wear them, and im not a really a rap person.

the mids are not really present. the highs are O.K. but nothing special.

they do provide alot of bass (pretty deep too) for an iem (these do seal, so im gonna say iem, and not bud). they seem like a novelty to me, not a headphone id wanna listen for a while. i prefer the ksc75 to them for overall sound.

havent tried the etys