[bba1973]

Hey guys,

I finally got some more money today, and I'm working out my budget. I've got an audio fund, and right now, it's got $180 in it. From what I'm reading and hearing, the next upgrade I should consider would be some new IEMs (see my sig for current setup). Please keep in mind that this is an upgrade I want to save up for and ponder throughly. It would really help me out to know what to reach for instead of just putting money in the bucket every now and then and hoping I'll end up with something better. This will be upgrading just one step at a time, and I'd like to concentrate on IEMs since I think it will be the biggest improvement over my current setup. My Zune seems like a good source, and an RSA amp probably isn't going to make as much of a difference as new IEMs will. I'd like to keep it under $300 if possible, and I don't want to get a set of cans since I prefer the portability of IEMs.

Right now, I really like my current setup, but every once in a while, it just feels like it's lacking something. Of course IEMs with more bass would be nice, but it's still a decent setup and much better than what it was a few months ago. I'm still getting the UHP336's and my amp broken in, but I think my ears are getting better too. It's not upgrading just to have something more expensive, but upgrading to fill a SQ gap. By the end of this year (but after July), I'd like to say "I'm getting a set of X's this week," or "Man, that set of X's really improved my setup."

As far as I know, there's no audiophile audio gear dealers in Mobile, Alabama. We've got car stereo dealers and maybe one or two home theater specialist dealers, but no quality headphone dealers. The closest thing I can think of that we have down here is a Best Buy.

Now for what I need some help with: deciding which IEMs to get. I don't think I can justify spending much more than $300, $350 tops (in US $), and I'm thinking about the Shure SE530's with push to hear. What do you guys think? Could I do much better for the price? And the big one, how much better would my current setup be with the SE530's replacing the UHP336's?


Thanks for reading.

 

[decay]

Don't get the push to hear if you go for the SE530, you really don't "need" it, taking one
IEM out of your ear is better than carrying a costly, bulky and heavy unit that serves no
other purpose.

Right now since you gave no preference, you have the entire spectrum of flagship IEMs to
explore, maybe spend a few days reading appreciation and vs threads can help you focus
your search.

I'd recommend IE8 to anyone who don't need isolation though

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

Originally Posted by decay /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't get the push to hear if you go for the SE530, you really don't "need" it, taking one IEM out of your ear is better than carrying a costly, bulky and heavy unit that serves no other purpose.

People often annoy me while I'm listening to music, so it wouldn't be totally unnecessary. Is it integrated to where I have to carry it around, or could I just detatch a cable and leave it behind when I don't need it? If it's integrated, I could do without it, but it would be helpful in some cases.

Quote:

Right now since you gave no preference, you have the entire spectrum of flagship IEMs to explore, maybe spend a few days reading appreciation and vs threads can help you focus your search.

I've been reading up on which ones to get, and the SE530's look pretty appealing right now. Since I don't have anywhere to try out IEMs, I'm asking around here. I'll definitely read more stuff that's on here, and my questions have probably been asked before. Stuff changes, so that's another reason why I started this thread. I can't ask any of my friends because none of them are audiophiles and they can't even tell the difference between my setup and 128 AAC with iBuds.

Quote:

I'd recommend IE8 to anyone who don't need isolation though

Isolation would be nice. It's awesome being able to tune out all the loud rich kids when I'm at college. Not being able to hear their conversations makes my listening experience much more enjoyable.

Thanks, decay.

 

[DeusEx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been reading up on which ones to get, and the SE530's look pretty appealing right now. Since I don't have anywhere to try out IEMs, I'm asking around here. I'll definitely read more stuff that's on here, and my questions have probably been asked before. Stuff changes, so that's another reason why I started this thread. I can't ask any of my friends because none of them are audiophiles and they can't even tell the difference between my setup and 128 AAC with iBuds.

I'll check this thread....looking to upgrade to SE530 here too....but also considering Phonak PFE

 

[Pepito]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 /img/forum/go_quote.gif People often annoy me while I'm listening to music, so it wouldn't be totally unnecessary. Is it integrated to where I have to carry it around, or could I just detatch a cable and leave it behind when I don't need it? If it's integrated, I could do without it, but it would be helpful in some cases.

The PTH isn't integrated, you can take it off when you don't want to use it. It's bulky, it's something I wouldn't want to carry around with me all day. Save some money and get just the 530's.

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepito /img/forum/go_quote.gif The PTH isn't integrated, you can take it off when you don't want to use it. It's bulky, it's something I wouldn't want to carry around with me all day. Save some money and get just the 530's.

Is the PTH available separately?

 

[Pepito]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bba1973 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the PTH available separately?

You can get either the 530 by itself or with both the 530 and the PTH together. Of course, the 530 itself will be cheaper.

 

[bba1973]

Are there alot of fake IEMs on ebay? I've seen some that are the same model, but the boxes look quite a bit different, and I'm wondering if that's a concern. Since I'm in the US, if I did buy some IEMs off ebay, I'd definitely make sure it was from a US seller.

 

[gameboy115]

For $350, you are pretty much up to whole flagship IEM,except Ck 100.

If you wan to get SE 530 on ebay/amazon, try some big seller and ask shure to see if it is authorized dealer first.

What do you prefer? Warm /Cold, High, Mid, High, bass, soundstage....? You know no much universal flagship IEM is all rounder, it is about giving up something to get the other, trade off exactly. What is your music preference?

 

[MaxMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepito /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can get either the 530 by itself or with both the 530 and the PTH together. Of course, the 530 itself will be cheaper.

Entirely true, but bba1973 asked if the PTH unit is available separately. The answer is yes.

 

[bba1973]

For sound, I'd like something that would give a true representation of the source music, but with more bass than the UHP336's, and maybe a wider soundstage. Nothing that will rattle my head every time I listen to the intro of Crazy Train, but just more than what I have now. Maybe something on the warm side, but still a true representation of the source music. As for the source, I'm keeping my Zune with WMA lossless (and my cmoy until I get even more money).

The music I listen to ranges from 10cc to ZZ Top with just about everything in between. I've been hanging out at the Steve Hoffman forums for a while, and I listen to alot of stuff they reccomend. There's mostly 70's rock (classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock), but some jazz fusion (John McLaughlin), heavy metal, old skool rap (this is where the UHP336's lack bass most noticeably, but it's still very listenable), and I think that's most of the genres. Deep Purple and Black Sabbath get the most rotation.

Oh yeah, I'm not going to be paying any Bose tax. I'd rather not get Denons because I have a pair of 351's, and I can't stand their "acoustic optimizer."

 

[decay]

IE8 would fit you nicely given the description, you can always try modded tips for better
isolation (you won't notice those who annoy you until they tap your shoulder), but for best
SQ you'll have to sacrifice isolation and appearance (or maybe you are the fashionable type
who don't mind having braids coming out of his ear to fit a new style).

 

[Bilavideo]

I have the Shure SE530PTH. I bought it a month ago to review, along with some other IEMs. I'm thinking of selling it because I already have the UM3X and can't listen to two IEMs simultaneously.

 

[gameboy115]

I could only give me opinion of IEM owned

IE8, very great soundsatge , very warm and bassy, how it can reveal detail is not earthshaking, but it is very smooth , do a great job in low end, and pretty good job in high end, sometimes the mid seems laid back. Shame I don't listen to rock music, I can't give you any opinion of this

UM3X, small soundstage comparing to IE8, natural, not very bassy, I think it can be more, but for record I am not basshead. Good at revealing detailing, more transparency, do fairly good job in high end.

I would say IE8 do a better job to present inspiring vocal than UM3X, as I mainly listen to man vocal, pop and R&B. Very smooth, but less detailed for sure. It is pretty much because of IE8 is warmer than UM3X. that is how people always say about analytical and emotional sound. Warmer sound leans to emotional vocal.

 

[decay]

Just to chime in, IE8 sound very different depending on the tip. If you go for them be sure
to play with tips a lot.