[ecosse_011172]

My old ER4s have seen better days but I barely use them anyway as I find them so uncomfortable for more than 15 minutes.
In the office I use AKG K550 headphones which I'm very happy with, I bought Sennheisser HD-25 II for portable use but they're also uncomfortable after some time as I have quite a big head.
 
I've looked for portable headphones which will be comfortable enough but all of them (with low leakage/ high isolation) seem to clamp tightly, I recently tried B&W P5's but the bass was horrible, boomy and distorted, so bad that I suspect they have a fault.
 
Anyway, I've came to the conclusion that I should probably try a more comfortable set of IEMs, I will use my iPhone without an amp for the moment but I am interested in buying one, I listen mostly to guitar based indie music and rock/pop, minimal leakage and high isolation is essential and my budget is around the equivalent of $300
I've been doing some investigation and the Westone 2 IEMs sound very appealing due to comfort, build quality and sound.
What else should I consider?
 
Thanks in advance for your help.
This forum seems to be one of the most helpful on the web, I hope that I can contribute more in the future.

 

[ecosse_011172]

Bump.

 

[ecosse_011172]

I went for Phonak Audéo PFE 111 in the end. 
Hpefully the right choice...

 

[robm321]

Congrats. You came to a good conclusion. The Phonaks are like Etys without so much ear torture.

 

[AstroTurf]

Congrats. You came to a good conclusion. The Phonaks are like Etys without so much ear torture.

How so?

Just curious.

Jim

 

[robm321]

Jim, they have a similar sound, but the Phonaks are much less painful on the ears.

 

[tinyman392]

Quote:

Congrats. You came to a good conclusion. The Phonaks are like Etys without so much ear torture.

 
Quality of the Etys are higher than the Phonaks though XD I would've gone toward the T15 as there is a single flange tip and the ear torture still isn't as bad.  The Phonaks aren't a bad IEM though at all; definitely a step up from the HF5, but I wouldn't think it'd be a step up from the ER4s (wouldn't know for sure as I haven't heard them ).  The ER4 is probably a bit of a step up from the T15, but has single flange tips that are much more comfortable while still being able to seal the ear

 

[robm321]

The ER4S is a step up from just about everything except the uber expensive customs IMHO (for those that "get" or like their sound). The Phonaks have a similar sound but are not as good IMHO.
 
That being said, I know ear torture can be rough. I currently have my right ear plugged because I've been listening to my ER4S for an hour this morning. I think I jammed them in too far. But I'm willing to suffer for its sound.

 

[jasonb]

Why no recommendation of a TWFK based IEM? Like the dba02, gr01, r50? Is the ER4 better than the TWFK IEM's?

 

[soundstige]

Yes.
Quote:

Why no recommendation of a TWFK based IEM? Like the dba02, gr01, r50? Is the ER4 better than the TWFK IEM's?

 

[AstroTurf]

That being said, I know ear torture can be rough. I currently have my right ear plugged because I've been listening to my ER4S for an hour this morning. I think I jammed them in too far. But I'm willing to suffer for its sound.

What kind of tips are you using?

I use the Comply Foam P-Series and can go well over 8 hours.

Jim

 

[robm321]

^ Been using the Shure Olive tips (small size). It's not brutal but it does hurt if I shove them into my ears deep enough. I should try the comply foam or just get customs and call it a day.

 

[AstroTurf]

^ Been using the Shure Olive tips (small size). It's not brutal but it does hurt if I shove them into my ears deep enough. I should try the comply foam or just get customs and call it a day.

The small olives were the first foamies I tried too.

I found they were not soft enough.

Tried the Comply, and my oh my, what a difference.

Give em a shot. They will make you renew your vows to your Etys.

Jim

 

[robm321]

My vows are all good with Etys. I'm willing to take the pain

 
But I appreciate the advice! I'm going to try the complys. I think I might have some around from my various IEMs I've had over the years.

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

The ER4S is a step up from just about everything except the uber expensive customs IMHO (for those that "get" or like their sound). The Phonaks have a similar sound but are not as good IMHO.
 
That being said, I know ear torture can be rough. I currently have my right ear plugged because I've been listening to my ER4S for an hour this morning. I think I jammed them in too far. But I'm willing to suffer for its sound.

 
Quote:

^ Been using the Shure Olive tips (small size). It's not brutal but it does hurt if I shove them into my ears deep enough. I should try the comply foam or just get customs and call it a day.

 
Or you may consider the Fitear F111