Eterna Vs Audio Technica M-50 : Upgrade from Hippo VB

[1235sam]

this is my first post after long time !
I want to upgrade from my Hippo VB.I have used Creative EP630, Nuforce NE6. I am not an adiophile.Honestly I cant between 3 ! Strange but true ! I enjoyed all 3 and can say that Hippo VB sounded best due to great clarity and open feeling but cant describe using words like clear highs, warm mids , sound stage ets

I cannot find minute differences. For me there is no great difference between NE6 and Hippo VB. The later sounded a bit better but difference is very subtle. So I dont think I have golden ears

  I certainly enjoy Hippo's , trance music sounds very good with it. I just feel a bit lack of bass- maybe mid bass boom. I am looking for more impact without loosing bass depth and clarity of Hippo's .I want something more enjoyable - more quality bass impact, more spacious open sound with reasonable clarity.But do not want boomy bass.I am have think 3 options
1)keep Hippo VB or buy 2)Fischer Eterna 3)Audio Technica M-50
 
My listening setup : Iphone 3gs and only Trance music - 320 kbps MP3
 
Eterna : After doing some research Eterna looks like made for me - they seem to have great bass impact.My question is how they stand for trance music? Is is an downgrade from Hippo VB from overall sound point of view - will I miss the clarity and bass depth by gaining bass impact? How much is really a difference is in bass quantity between eterna and VB? Is bass muffled like EP 630 - I prefer clear bass like VB. Comfort also seems to be an issue, I wear earphones in nromal manner. Eterna seems to be wear in different manner , over the ear than Hippo VB, NE 6. I prefer normal fit.
 
Audio Technica M50: I know this is not an IEM ,it regular headphone.And I prer IEM even for daily use.But if it is really a huge upgrade from Hippo's in terms of quality , thundering bass , I might get it.The real question is for me there was not much difference between NE6 and Hippo VB ,how much difference is there in sound quality between Hippo and M50
 
what do think is right for me - keep the Hippo's or go for either Eterna or M50

 

[Pianist]

ATH-M50 won't pump out good bass, unless you amp it and amp it properly. The iPhone won't cut it. Unamped, M50 sounds mediocre - the bass is deep, but bloated/lacking definition.

 

[1235sam]

Quote:

ATH-M50 won't pump out good bass, unless you amp it and amp it properly. The iPhone won't cut it. Unamped, M50 sounds mediocre - the bass is deep, but bloated/lacking definition.

is it mediocre compared to unamped Hippo's or Eterna ?

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

is it mediocre compared to unamped Hippo's or Eterna ?

Sorry, I haven't heard neither of those two IEMs, but yes, I think so. M50 will put out a better soundstage/sense of space though and the mids and highs are actually very good on the M50. It's the bass that really let's unamped M50 down. If it was nice and tight, it would've been a fantastic headphone for portable use.

 

[1235sam]

Quote
so looks like M50 is not for me

as I am not going to amp it .

Sorry, I haven't heard neither of those two IEMs, but yes, I think so. M50 will put out a better soundstage/sense of space though and the mids and highs are actually very good on the M50. It's the bass that really let's unamped M50 down. If it was nice and tight, it would've been a fantastic headphone for portable use.
 

 

[1235sam]

more inputs needed ! should I got for Eterna ?

 

[boredpig]

How bout trying the futursonic atrios? Their bass hits rather hard!

 

[1235sam]

Quote:

How bout trying the futursonic atrios? Their bass hits rather hard!

In my country ( India ) they are not available . Plus my budget is 100 dollars max

 

[dirkpitt45]

Quote:

ATH-M50 won't pump out good bass, unless you amp it and amp it properly. The iPhone won't cut it. Unamped, M50 sounds mediocre - the bass is deep, but bloated/lacking definition.

I haven't heard many headphones but I don't think the m50 needs to be amped. It has far more bass and control then my ms1s Every other thread on the m50 had people reaching the conclusion that amping does help the m50, but not greatly. I don't have an amp right now, but I looked into them after I bought the m50s and it seemed no one felt carrying an amp around was worth it with the m50. 
 
The m50s sound great with DnB, trance, electronic music (what I mostly listen too), and rock sounds good too. Although some instruments (like pianos) sound a bit different, metallic almost. They also aren't too portable, if you spend a lot of time in one spot working or studying or whatever then they're fine, but for walking or bus/subway travel I wouldn't recommend them, they're just too big. 

 

[Pianist]

@ 1235sam: You know what, I think the M50 will actually be your best bet. The bass is not the tightest, but it is very deep and suits trance music very well. And especially considering that your budget is limited to $100, the M50 sounds even more appealing for your needs. They are really a great deal at the $100 pricepoint. If you can afford to save up $40-$50 extra and can find it it in your country, I recommend Shure SRH750 DJ - it sounds better than M50 in every way IMO and has the bass you need. Otherwise, just get the M50 - they are great. Just ignore my previous posts - I am a pretty picky listener (though I wouldn't call myself an audiophile). I find flaws with every headphone out there and I think I often tend to exaggerate these flaws, confusing new members on the forum whose expectations are much lower than mine. I think M50 will be plenty good enough for your needs.