First Serious IEM, TM10 Concern

[cvt]

Okay, I have never purchased any real high end audio gear, but I have heard a few higher end Sennheiser and Audio Technica closed headphones before. Not knowing/remembering there models, I will try to explain the sound I am after.

Sound Isolation is a must, I spend a lot of time flying, and unfortunately, a lot of flights are on smaller twin prop planes (like the SAAB 340).

I listen primarily to Electronic (Progressive, Glitch, Dance), the other genre that clarity is important in is Classical/Soft Rock.

Of all the equipment I have, the closest to what I believe I want to hear, is what the Sennheiser PC350's produce. I have added extra venting, and added some damping inside the cans to improve the bottom end. Although nowhere near as much as other had on these forums, as more holes increased the "flapping", and caused (or sounded to me like) a loss of fidelity in the 100-300hz range.

I was basically decided on the UE TF10 (Still am) but the amount the protude out the ear is a major concern. I have long hair, and do large movements, and have concern of the being dislodges, or noise from abrasion against hair. I will be wearing the cord over ear.

The next ones getting looked at were (and my reasons for the TF10 being placed above them). If any of the points I've hears are wrong, please correct me.
TF10: Small Soundstage (this is wrong) (AU$450)
IE8: Low Sound Isolation, Single Driver, Non-Flat Response (AU$420)
SE530: Exaggerated Mids (AU$500)
CKM100: Lack of Information and Enthusiasm (AU$680)
W3: Mostly referred to as between the IE8 and TF10, seems priced quite unreasonably in that case (AU$680)
ER4B/P/S: Lack of Information and Enthusiasm, but the Isolation Claimed does sound very tempting (AU$450)

Am I on the right track?

 

[A_Dying_Wren]

Customs i believe are what you'd be looking for. They have great/the best isolation and pretty decent clarity.

The Sleek customs, UE4, JH5, Livewires, etc etc are what you'd be looking at in that price range (and a bit higher). It's hard to get any recommendations because few people have had enough customs to make a good judgment. On reputation alone, the JH5 should be very good and the Sleeks are the most customizable in terms of sound (you can add stuff etc)

Or consider buying the earphones second-hand. You can always sell them off later at roughly the same price and not lose much. The Etys are highly emphasized towards the mids and highs so i wouldn't recommend them (others would). The most neutral and best isolation combo of that lot are the W3s. Also consider the much cheaper Phonak Audeo PFEs.

 

[midget]

TF10s are not known for having a small soundstage, but if you're going to dip your feet in that deep, customs maybe the way to go.

 

[3X0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvt /img/forum/go_quote.gif TF10: Small Soundstage ($450) IE8: Low Sound Isolation, Single Driver, Non-Flat Response ($420) SE530: Exaggerated Mids ($500) CKM100: Lack of Information and Enthusiasm (AU$680) W3: Mostly referred to as between the IE8 and TF10, seems priced quite unreasonably in that case (AU$680) ER4B/P/S: Lack of Information and Enthusiasm, but the Isolation Claimed does sound very tempting ($450)

TF10pro doesn't have a small soundstage. It's on the upper end of IEMs, but not as expansive as the IE 8's.

The IE 8 having a single-driver is not a con. Dynamic operates totally differently from balanced armatures. You might also like its coloration, especially for your music genres. A non-flat response is rarely a bad thing since only the ER-4 is close to being neutral.

There are a few members enthused about the CK100 and would recommend it given the right criteria.

You're getting price-gouged on the W3.

The ER-4 series has been around for eighteen years and has a sterling reputation. It's damned good, but also damned old. The following is huge but quieted down since these offerings have been around for so long. The ER-4 is a serious, no-messing-around IEM -- people have balanced these, performed expensive recabling comparable to the original cost of them, and added custom molds and whatnot. There is a wealth of information available with long, hard searching. But.. you're getting gouged on that price, even with conversion rates taken into account.

 

[boomana]

For price of the TF10s, why not consider customs? There are models from UE and JHA that you might want to consider.

 

[3X0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomana /img/forum/go_quote.gif For price of the TF10s, why not consider customs? There are models from UE and JHA that you might want to consider.

Aren't those prices in AUD?

 

[GTL]

Or the um3x? Though if its anywhere near the price of the w3 in ur area it certainly is a ripoff. The IE8s isolate really poorly so i doubt u can enjoy them on the plane.

 

[cvt]

From what I understood, the primary use of customs is sound isolation, I have a custom for 2-way (motorsport). I would consider this overkill (about 30db attenuation).
Unless I am also getting prices very wrong on them as well (direct from manufacturer), they come in at almost twice the price for a piece with equivalent drivers, in which case, I would be just as good getting universals, and if I like them and wish for more isolation, get them re-cased into customs?

And yes, all prices are AUD available locally, from a company that will accept returns and has stock, (21 days).
UM3X is not available.

 

[cvt]

3X0, going by your comments on the ER4 I will look further into them. What should they be worth?

At this stage, my only concern still is the protruding of the TF10. Is it likely to be an annoyance?

 

[3X0]

They should be no more than $300AU. In my experience they are easily on the same technical level as the SE530, TF10pro, and IE 8. I haven't heard the CK100 or the triple-driver Westones (though I thought they were technically superior to the UM2).

Yes, the protruding of the TF10pro will be annoying. The ergonomics are horrible, though they are actually extremely comfortable with the right tips. I find the Frankenstein nature of them does make me a bit conscious.

 

[dragoonf144]

cvt, i'm from aus and i purchased my etys a month or 2 ago for $260AUS on ebay new from the US.

You might wanna check that out.

 

[cvt]

Okay, due to the purpose of them being for portable use, the TF10pro got pushed to the side due to their protruding design (for now).

The ER4P sounds too good for the price... The IE8 is just so well spoke about.
I decided I'll get both. Compare and make my own decision.

IE8's I'll have tomorrow. Getting foam tips to go with them to hopefully increase isolation to a greater degree. Will grab the Etymotics from eBay over the coming days... unless I am completely satisfied by the IE8's .

Thanks for the advice.

 

[3X0]

I've had both the IE 8 and ER-4P. In the end, I chose to keep the ER-4P though I can easily see how some might choose to keep the former instead.

 

[HONEYBOY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3X0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've had both the IE 8 and ER-4P. In the end, I chose to keep the ER-4P though I can easily see how some might choose to keep the former instead.

Considering your positive remarks with regards to the IE8 am now tempted to try the ER-4P. I've always stranded away from them because of this overwhelming consensus that they have an 'unspeaking' bass but...... we both know the majority aint always right haha

 

[3X0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONEYBOY /img/forum/go_quote.gif Considering your positive remarks with regards to the IE8 am now tempted to try the ER-4P. I've always stranded away from them because of this overwhelming consensus that they have an 'unspeaking' bass but...... we both know the majority aint always right haha

The ER-4P is much different, but I find it quite favorable. The bass is just fine if you get a great seal with the tri-flanges (I have also read good things about the glider eartips), but the things I miss the most are the authority, body, and slam of the bass, the spacious soundstage, and the paradigm comfort of the IE 8 (which feels so "full-size" that they disappear; truly nothing like other IEMs). Besides that, I honestly believe the ER-4 is sonically superior. It just has a level of resolution and involvement that the IE 8 couldn't reach. It's funny because the IE 8 is more of a "WOW" earphone, but you can focus on other things while listening to the music because of its laid-back nature. The ER-4P pulls you into the music such that you can't concentrate on anything else, and I found that to be special. If I could keep both of them, I would.