[Covenant]

Hail all ye head-fi'ers! I've been lurking about here for a while now, as frankly speaking, better headphone reviews just can't be found. Anywhere. At all.

I've been looking for the "ultimate" solution to my portable needs for weeks now, researching up on just about every damn headphone on the market, and nohing really struck me as ideal. I need a set of 'phones that are portable, at least moderately stylish (I do have an image to maintain, after all), relatively easily powered, and have top-notch sound quality. Previously i was sorta settled on a set of Alessandro MS-2's, since while they're not quite as visually appealing as i could want, and they're not *exactly* portable, they are easily powered, and just judging from the reviews i've read their sound quality seems to be just what i'm after.

Then i stumbled across the ATH-EW9. Mmmm, RS-1 looks with the portability of a clip-on! But how do they sound? I read my way through pretty much every user oppinion/review i could find, and common consensus seemed to be that it's mid-high biassed with slightly recessed bass and slight harshness on the top range, until amped, when it becomes much more balanced and sounds really good. This i liked, since i was planning on getting a simple MINT pocket amp to complement my selection anyway, until i read this from the headphone store i was planning on buying it from (Headphonics, probably the only headphone specialists in Australia):

"the EW9 has nothing on the MS-2, there's just no comparison. The EW9 looks very nice... and that's about all we can really say about it that's purely positive. Sound quality is reasonable, bass response is close to 0 - you can get a very nice sounding portable for $64, the only downside is they won't look as flash...

...The EW9 doesn't benefit from amplification, they're designed to be driven straight from portables and are very efficient."

Now, this is totally different from what i've been reading on here (and elsewhere online). So i need a clarification, from someone with definite, first-hand knowledge: Are these headphones at least somewhere up there with the MS-2, or does this guy from Headphonics know what he's talking about?

Thanks all

~Covenant

 

[catscratch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant I've been lurking about here for a while now, as frankly speaking, better headphone reviews just can't be found. Anywhere. At all.

Ditto. Can't vouch for myself, but there are a lot of folks here with an unbelievable passion for the hobby, and know more about headphones than anybody else.

I haven't heard the EW9, but I would just like to say that you shouldn't become fixated on a single possible option. There are a lot of portables that you might like. If you're going to be getting an amp, you can kill two birds with one stone and get the Stax SR-001 Mk II from audiocubes, which includes the amp in the price. The system sounds really wonderful, though it can get a bit uncomfortable.

I've been looking for the "ultimate" portable solution for a year now, and I still have yet to find one. Maybe custom-molded IEM's are it, but I don't want to commit a grand on something that only I can use. The 001 is ideal in terms of sound and pretty bad in terms of everything else. If there was something with the 001's sound and a canalphone's practicality to be found - I'd be willing to pay >$1k for that. Alas, there's nothing. Maybe the UE10 Pro. Maybe.

In any case, the point of the rant is that I don't think there simply is an ideal solution, so I would advise you to take a look at as many less-than-ideal solutions as possible. Look at the Westone UM2, Shure E5c or the new E4c, Etymotic ER-4P (if you like classical), or maybe the new UE's, though you should wait until reviews start tricking in. And if portability isn't an issue at all, then go ahead and order MS-2's or whatever you had in mind. You'll look like a retro alien from a 40's comic book, but you'll be in audio heaven - guaranteed.

My .02

P.S. Welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet

 

[joncirca57]

Welcome! Head-Fi has helped me spend a lot of money too . . .

I use my EW9s at work a lot. I like the sound, easy-on/easy-off, and the fact that I can hear the phone. Your summary of posts fits my experience with only one exception--I do not notice the harshness that has been reported. One aspect I really l like is the soundstage--it really surprised me how solid the images of voices and instruments are. Bass depends completely on how closely they fit your ears and where they fit on your ears. For me they are fine--they also seemed to improve as the pad starts to conform to your ear.

Tried these for travel, but not enough isolation. UEs are the way to go here!

Personally I would love to hear the 001s that catscratch likes so much, but have not had the chance [in other words, have not ordered them yet].

 

[Covenant]

Cheers for the response catscratch and joncirca57

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch I haven't heard the EW9, but I would just like to say that you shouldn't become fixated on a single possible option. There are a lot of portables that you might like.

That's the thing, i feel i *have* looked at practically every solution i could find, lol. I've read reviews of the Shure's, Etymotic's, Sensa's, Sennheiser's portables, AKG's portables, Beyer's portables, assorted high-end earbuds, etc. They all have some problem with em that dissuades me from buying them. In most cases, its either availability or sound quality. Headphonic, as mentioned, is practically the only specialist headphone dealer in Australia, and their range isn't all that terrific (not to slander the lads at Headphonic, who do a great job of what is essentially a "niche" industry here). I suppose i could order from Audiocubes, but then i'd have to mess around with international money orders, since i don't have a credit card.

One name that hasn't come up yet though, is Stax SR-001. I'd previously associated "Stax" with "Electrostatic, and thus unattainable. Look elsewhere". But the price on these seem rather reasonable. Now, Murphey's Law dictates that Headphonic will tell me they're unable to order em in

So far, the EW9's look to be the best solution available, though exorbitantly priced for the reviewed sound quality. I don't really mind shelling out up to about $600 AUD for a really good set of portables+amp, but i want to make sure for that i get the best solution possible, with my particular needs in mind - aka, portability, comfort, style, sound quality.

And can someone tell me how, exactly, something like headphones can become such an obsession so quickly? I'm being pulled under fast, and drowning is so much fun

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant I read my way through pretty much every user oppinion/review i could find, and common consensus seemed to be that it's mid-high biassed with slightly recessed bass and slight harshness on the top range, until amped, when it becomes much more balanced and sounds really good.

I think I once said that these were the worst headphones I've owned. People have managed to find things to appreciate about them, and I can see appreciating them in a hotel room or at work, but they're no good on-the-go. I imagine the MS-2 is far better. Personally, unless you've listened to them and determined that they work for the application you want them for, I'd avoid them. Get a Sennheiser PX200 instead.

Best regards,

-Jason

 

[dj_mocok]

I haven't heard the EW9.
But what I know is, if you're asking whether "those guys" from headphonic knows what they are talking about, I can assure you, they know what they're talking about. That you don't have to worry.

Just put it this way, I think if we talk about ATH-EW9 and MS2,
It will be much easier for Headphonic to sell MS2 than EW9, since MS2 basically is much more popular headphones (= command more demand) compared to EW9. But yet, they still acknowledged MS2 is much better sounding and not trying to push the EW9 to you.
I give them my credit for not trying to sugarcoat their opinion just in order to sell the EW9 to you.

Although, I don't really think MS2 for portable use is a good idea though.

Reading from your post, somehow I sense that your preference is looks first, sound second ?
ATH Pro 700 looks real good to me, but I don't know how they sound like. Maybe you can ask them about the sound.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok Just put it this way, I think if we talk about ATH-EW9 and MS2, It will be much easier for Headphonic to sell MS2 than EW9, since MS2 basically is much more popular headphones (= command more demand) compared to EW9. But yet, they still acknowledged MS2 is much better sounding and not trying to push the EW9 to you. I give them my credit for not trying to sugarcoat their opinion just in order to sell the EW9 to you.

This is true, they've been very forthcoming in all my correspondance with them about what are the best buys and what aren't, i suppose i just really didn't want to hear a negative review of the EW9's at this point, i'm kind of at that hair-pulling stage


Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok Reading from your post, somehow I sense that your preference is looks first, sound second ? ATH Pro 700 looks real good to me, but I don't know how they sound like. Maybe you can ask them about the sound.

Well, no, sound does come first. I'm just not particularly keen on the "omg what the ****** does that guy have on his head?!" stares i'd likely get if i walked around with a set of Beyerdynamic AD1000's strapped to my cranium (which, if such were not the case, would probably be my top choice atm). So i guess its more unobtrusiveness than looks i'm going for in that dept., but as always, sound quality comes first. I've invested in the $500 mp3 player, spent the time ripping everything to quality-10 .ogg, now i want something seriously audiophile pumping said audial bliss into my ears

I think the Headphonic team's getting a tad tired of my emails, so i'll give their eyes a rest for the time being, lol. I guess i'll likely end up getting canalphones, even though i dislike the notion of sticking anything that far into my brain matter, and some of the reviews i've read have had less-than-rave remarks about the Ety-ER4P/S sound. Sensa's 2x soft would be a no-brainer, if i didn't have the whole international-ordering-without-a-credit-card barrier in my way there. Atm the most attractive option seems to me to be the Stax catscratch mentioned, though finding a dealer in Aus is going to be a headache

 

[dj_mocok]

Hehe...

I know what do you mean by not wanting to look stupid.
Anyway, I think if your priority is sound first, I sense that you might end up with those canal phones (provided if you feel comfortable with them).

I've never tried high end canal phones and not really planning to.
I'm not really fussy when it comes to portable; as long as there is decent music, then its fine for me. At the moment I'm only using my Sony DCJ01 mp3/cd player, connected to MX500. Most of my mp3s are not more than 192kbps anyway, so I don't see any point in getting those high end earphones.

About Stax, I'm afraid you have to get it from overseas since the local price here is just absolutely crazy. Your best options will be either audiocubes or EIFL. I think audiocubes use paypal, for EIFL, if you don't have a credit card, you can wire the money to their account from your bank. I think it might cost you something like 30 bucks, I can't really remember.

By the way, you're not interested at Koss clip ons ? I know they don't look flashy but they sure not butt ugly either. And most (if not all) members here seem to agree that they sound very nice.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok About Stax, I'm afraid you have to get it from overseas since the local price here is just absolutely crazy. Your best options will be either audiocubes or EIFL. I think audiocubes use paypal, for EIFL, if you don't have a credit card, you can wire the money to their account from your bank. I think it might cost you something like 30 bucks, I can't really remember.

Wonderful, the Grado dillemma strikes again

I just emailed Audio Marketing Pty. Ltd. about them too (authorised aus reseller).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok By the way, you're not interested at Koss clip ons ? I know they don't look flashy but they sure not butt ugly either. And most (if not all) members here seem to agree that they sound very nice.

Koss clipons? Like the KSC-50/75? *dubious look* I have a difficult time believing that anything that cheap could sound anything like my ego demands at this point

 

[dj_mocok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant Wonderful, the Grado dillemma strikes again I just emailed Audio Marketing Pty. Ltd. about them too (authorised aus reseller).

There is no such thing as cheap Stax in Australia. Trust me on this.

Quote:

Koss clipons? Like the KSC-50/75? *dubious look* I have a difficult time believing that anything that cheap could sound anything like my ego demands at this point

** Cough.... COugh... Grado SR60...Coughhh...**

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok ** Cough.... COugh... Grado SR60...Coughhh...**

See, were i going for the Grados, i'd skip straight to the SR325i

What can i say, i live at home, work full time, and have an audio obsession. Even if it'll take me the next 5 years to acquire the trained ears needed to tell the difference between an SR225 and 325i, or SR60 and SR80 for that matter, i'd rather get the best possible *now*

 

[dj_mocok]

But the fact that you wanna use them portably cuts you off from many many good headphones...

Or maybe you wanna join my path of spending money only at home rig?

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok But the fact that you wanna use them portably cuts you off from many many good headphones... Or maybe you wanna join my path of spending money only at home rig?

Not for a long time to come i'm afraid. The main thing holding me back from home-headphone spending is my lack of a source. All i really have is my comp's Audigy 2 ZS, not really the most fantastic source to build a system around. When i'm at home i'm usually doing things, as well - since i work a 40hr week, most of my home-time's spent catching up on chores, eating, and sleeping. And of course reading headphone reviews

That leaves little time for serious listening, as opposed to when i'm on the go, during which i need to have some music going (public transport and all, you know).

If i had more free time and a decent home source, i'd be investing in either an MS-2 or AD1000 now. But the fact of the matter is i do about 70% of all my music listening while travelling, so something portable's the better investment for now. Plus i want something to complement my 20gb iRiver

 

[joelongwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant That leaves little time for serious listening, as opposed to when i'm on the go, during which i need to have some music going (public transport and all, you know). .....the fact of the matter is i do about 70% of all my music listening while travelling, so something portable's the better investment for now.

I have the EW-9, and while they do sound rather good (to my ears) when amped (they actually do have some bass), I attempted to use them on public transportation..........once! They just allow too much sound in, and as a result, the sound is just a muddled mess. Of course, you can always turn the volume up to ear-bleeding levels to block the noise out, but I'd rather have my hearing intact after a train ride.
Even walking is not good with the ATs, as they flop around too much because they are hung by a thin wire loop over the ear.
For stationary use in a quiet office, hooked up to an amp, they would probably be fine. But for on the go, despite the fact that they do make a fashion statement of some sort, they are not a good choice. This, of course, is just my opinion.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelongwood For stationary use in a quiet office, hooked up to an amp, they would probably be fine. But for on the go, despite the fact that they do make a fashion statement of some sort, they are not a good choice. This, of course, is just my opinion.

Thanks for that joelongwood, i think i've amassed enough evidence to scratch the EW9's off my list now

Now the question remains, what to replace them with?