Etymotic & UE Superfi build quality?

[mickeyg]

Hi All,

I'm in the market for some IEMs. Based on your posts and my budget + prefernces the choice is between Ety 6i and UE 4....Whilst sound quality is of course key I'll be using them for travelling, and so they may get a bit of abuse.

On sound alone I'm sure I'd buy Etymotic...I'm really demanding for midrange detail and bright sparkly highs(actually I'd buy the er4, but they're more than I'm prepared to spend

) However, I've seen various posts here & on other sites where people say they've pulled the wire out of the phone

That said I've also seen some negative posts on UE quality.

One further complication is that I'm based in Korea so customer service is a bit of a challenge & most other brands aren't available.

One further brand which I can find is Shure...should I be considering them?

Thx for the advice

 

[monolith]

Build quality implies Westone to me.

 

[mickeyg]

Thanks...UM 1 are available at similar price in Korea to ER6i...any thoughts on how sound compares?

 

[SgtE]

Hi Mickeyg,

this has really nothing to do with your question - i am about to buy iem's myself so i dont know anything about the quality, yet...

But, i am going to Seoul a month from now and i was wondering if you know how these babies are priced in Korea?

Do you know the price of:

Shure se530?
Ultimate Ears tripple fi?

If they are cheaper in Korea than in Sweden i might aswell wait a month...

br
sgte

 

[royewest]

I've traveled a good deal with my ER4s. I've also carried them in my pack every day for the past few years. I've never experienced the least hint of fragility from them (though I'm relatively gentle on gear). The small case they come with protects them very well, too.

However, it is worth getting plenty of extra filters, your preferred shape of eartips, and taking along the filter-changing tool. The filters and tips need replacing without warning from time to time. That's by design, really -- just be prepared.

 

[mickeyg]

sgtE
UE3 no longer available..UE4 $150, but you'd need to buy them from a Korean internet site, probably not worth the hassle. Shure available in the Apple shop (COEX Mall)I can't remember, the price but generally Shure prices much higher than US

 

[nc8000]

ER4 has a well documented history of cracked/chipped tubes (has happened to me 3 times over 6 years) but every time Etymotics have replaced the phones just for the cost of postage.

 

[SgtE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyg /img/forum/go_quote.gif sgtE UE3 no longer available..UE4 $150, but you'd need to buy them from a Korean internet site, probably not worth the hassle. Shure available in the Apple shop (COEX Mall)I can't remember, the price but generally Shure prices much higher than US

Thanks Mickey,

I think you misunderstood me tho, i'm not looking for UE3, but the UE tripple.fi10..

But if i understood you correct, the stores dont acctually sell these earphones? You need to order them from the internet? What about COEX, surely they should have them (UE that is)?

thanks in advance
/sgte

 

[mickeyg]

sgtE
Realised my mistake last night & sent you a private message with the web link for triple fi. Have not seen them in any store here (doesn't mean that they're nowhere, but certainly not easy for a visitor to find)

Happy shopping

Monotlith & others: any opinion on Westone UM1 vs Ety/UE 4 for sound?

 

[exe163]

From what I heard Super.fi 4 is just SF3 with a different look, and they charge you a lot on it, not the cheapest if you looking for good SQ/price. ER6 is definitely better deal in this case, although I never heard ER6, but it is a highly praised IEM at the same price range as SF3, they will sound just as good as SF4 but cheaper.

SF series famous for it's base, Ety excel at mid - high. Build quality of SF3/5 is okay, cable exchangeable, abuse it as much as you want then replace it for 20ish bucks.

No comment on other IEMs mentioned.

 

[snowy08]

i preferred the er6i to um1 when i auditioned them before purchase.
The er6i is analytical and detailed, but i enjoy it for my music. The bass is just right IMO, but is definitely less present than most other headphones. The um1 sounds warmer, and may be more enjoyable for pop music. I'm sure there are many detailed reviews and comparisons if you search head-fi
However, two of my friends had their um1 drivers fail on them. One was within warranty and had it replaced easily. Don't know if other headfiers has experienced this -

 

[KUNFUCHOPSTICKS]

ER-4p is very robust. Even though they have history or cracked tubes, you have to know that if you becareful when replacing tips, it should not happen.

ER-4p is built tough, looks cheap AND tough. Sounds amazing!

 

[nc8000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUNFUCHOPSTICKS /img/forum/go_quote.gif ER-4p is very robust. Even though they have history or cracked tubes, you have to know that if you becareful when replacing tips, it should not happen. ER-4p is built tough, looks cheap AND tough. Sounds amazing!

I could be wrong but I think the main trouble is when replacing the filters. Jamming the changing toll down the tube it is very easy to twist it and thereby put enough pressure on the tube to crack it