[MaxRabbit]

Hey guys-I'm really happy with my JVC Marshmallows, only I'm looking for better cancellation of noise and possibly less microphonics. Good sound is also a plus

I'm running a <$120 budget

I've done my research for the most part-I've looked through the forums for great headphones on a budget and looked through reviews on Amazon. The best I seem to find is the super.fi 3 IEMs. However, some people greatly complain about microphonics-although I'm sure they couldn't get much worse than my cheap Marshmallows!

So I'm just open to suggestions or people saying that the super.fi 3s are good-so... thanks!

 

[chi2]

I'd go for used Etymotic ER4S or new ones (USD 170) - except if you're a basshead. Then I'd go for Etymotic ER4S and use them on a rockboxed iPod

(They sound great and have *excellent* isolation. The best phones to use in airplanes.)

 

[Chickenman]

If you want less microphonics with the Marshmallows and more isolation, instead of buy another IEM, try inserting the marshmallows upside down so you can loop the wire around your ear. if you insert it upside down, you can get it considerably further in your ears and putting the wire over your ears cuts down the microphonics significantly

 

[MaxRabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickenman /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want less microphonics with the Marshmallows and more isolation, instead of buy another IEM, try inserting the marshmallows upside down so you can loop the wire around your ear. if you insert it upside down, you can get it considerably further in your ears and putting the wire over your ears cuts down the microphonics significantly

I've noticed this-thanks for the suggestion. However, microphonics is only a sub-issue for me; my main issue is the isolation.

I've done some more research, and the ER-6i IEMs also look very decent...

So-suggestions, ER-6is, or super.fi 3?

Appreciated!

 

[MaxRabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chi2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd go for used Etymotic ER4S or new ones (USD 170) - except if you're a basshead. Then I'd go for Etymotic ER4S and use them on a rockboxed iPod (They sound great and have *excellent* isolation. The best phones to use in airplanes.)

Thanks for your suggestion! I really appreciate new suggestions, but I'll tell you what confuses me-people might say a $180 pair is terrific while others say the same about a $70 pair. What gets me: are the $180 much better, and justifying the $90 more? Are they even better at all-how would you know?

 

[JwY]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxRabbit /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've noticed this-thanks for the suggestion. However, microphonics is only a sub-issue for me; my main issue is the isolation. I've done some more research, and the ER-6i IEMs also look very decent... So-suggestions, ER-6is, or super.fi 3? Appreciated!

The ER-6 isolate better. What kind of music do you listen to?

 

[DKaz]

If you are coming from the Marshmallows then the Ety's probably will not have enough bass for you. I would suggest the Atrio M5 if you like bass. Check out road-dog-on-line on Ebay. He'll take an offer of $130.

 

[MaxRabbit]

I listen to rock music-so bass it slightly important. However, I've read reviews that original bass-lovers realize that they were missing the good parts of the music because their bass was drowning it out...l

The Atrio M5s are good in isolation? Also, what about sound quality compared to any of the other suggestions?

 

[KUNFUCHOPSTICKS]

ER-6i kick UE super fi3 butt anyday in terms of Sound Quality. And i hope the reason you are spending $120 on earphones is because of SQ.

 

[MaxRabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUNFUCHOPSTICKS /img/forum/go_quote.gif ER-6i kick UE super fi3 butt anyday in terms of Sound Quality. And i hope the reason you are spending $120 on earphones is because of SQ.

And isolation!!!

So between all of the choices, which ones have what strong points?

 

[MaxRabbit]

I'm still reluctant to purchase anything-I don't want to plunk down $70+ when I'm not sure what's the best!

Anybody able to help me out with more than just suggestions?

 

[MaxRabbit]

I'm reluctant to buy anything still. I don't want to spend $70+ on something that won't be really good!

Can someone give me more information than just recommendations. Right now, I'm leaning for the ER-6i... But still not sure.

 

[parrot5]

Since you like the Marshmallows (which gave me headaches because of the boomy bass and drowning out the other fequencies, so I returned them), the Etymotic line probably doesn't suit you... Try UE's line. Your budget of $120 should guy you a brand new Super.fi 3, or second-hand Super.Fi 5 if you stretch it a bit???

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

Try a pair of RE2s, they actually have bass compared to the ER-6is and Super.fi 3s...

 

[Joeshmo39]

I think what needs to be said here is that IEMs isolate pretty similarly model to model and also the IEM does not matter, it's more the tip. I had/have super.fi 3s (no idea where I put them when I moved back from college) and they sound quality is good,the bass is fine too a little lean but after you use them say 30 hours they sound warmer, I really like mine. Also, you could get Super.fi 3 pretty cheap at buy.com with google checkout rebate, then maybe get some shure black foam tips and the tips would isolate better than the stock UE tips, though I never had trouble with isolation. Good luck, UE is a good brand from what I know and alot of people champion etymotic so I think they are both good options.