snowsurfer
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2016
- Posts
- 14
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Aloha from Spain everyone, long time lurker, first time poster!
So, I find myself at the following predicament:
I will bypass all my regular hi-fi equipment description and such since it is irrelevant for this question and thread. Regarding cans, what I use is the following:
At my computer (and sometimes while watching movies on the couch in front of the big TV) I use AKG 550s connected to a FiiO Alpen E17. I love this combo. Neutral sound, clear treble, defined, taut but potent bass. Obviously the 550s are not very portable and hardly ever leave my home.
On the other hand and until now I've been using AKG 451s on the move to the office and when travelling. Usually directly connected to my Motorola Moto-X Play but sometimes I'll take the FiiO along for the ride, connected with an OTG cable. All my music is in FLAC format.
I travel a lot for work (planes mostly, but also high-speed train), and I've been dabbling with the idea to get some noise cancelling cans. I've been wary of the QC15s since I found their sound quite bland for the price, but I've been impressed by the noise cancelling. I consider my 451s to sound better than the QC15s (and at a fifth of the cost)...I won't even mention the comparison to the 550s...but what good is this if I hear the constant hum of an airplane in the background?
On the other hand, I also don't take heat very well, and I live in Madrid, which gets quite warm in the summer.
So, even though I've thought about the QC25s, which, in my opinion, have a far better sound than the 15s, that would only solve half of my problem - the noise cancellation, but I would still be able to use them only during the late autumn / winter / early spring, lest I get cooked ears!
Thus, I think that my options are rather limited. The QC20s are on the shortlist...but they cost a pretty penny and I am still on the fence. I know this is a difficult question to answer...but are they worth it? I've had mixed experiences with IEMs...got some AKGs for about 90€ on Amazon, these were highly rated (can't remember model, gave them to my girlfriend after a month), but kept falling out of my ears, whichever tips I used. On the other hand I used to have some Sennheisers (silicone model of about 50€ on Amazon, also don't remember model), and these were a decent fit but the silicone would itch quite a bit, and I've destroyed them by using them in bed / asleep anyway.
So what I need is...comfortable fit, decent sound, exceptional noise cancellation in IEMs. Are there even any proper alternatives to the QC20s?
Also, is it safe to buy them on Ebay or are counterfeits known to be in circulation? I've seen some there for about 30% less than on Amazon.
I suppose is is more than one question in the end...but thanks for taking the time to read and reply!
Z.
So, I find myself at the following predicament:
I will bypass all my regular hi-fi equipment description and such since it is irrelevant for this question and thread. Regarding cans, what I use is the following:
At my computer (and sometimes while watching movies on the couch in front of the big TV) I use AKG 550s connected to a FiiO Alpen E17. I love this combo. Neutral sound, clear treble, defined, taut but potent bass. Obviously the 550s are not very portable and hardly ever leave my home.
On the other hand and until now I've been using AKG 451s on the move to the office and when travelling. Usually directly connected to my Motorola Moto-X Play but sometimes I'll take the FiiO along for the ride, connected with an OTG cable. All my music is in FLAC format.
I travel a lot for work (planes mostly, but also high-speed train), and I've been dabbling with the idea to get some noise cancelling cans. I've been wary of the QC15s since I found their sound quite bland for the price, but I've been impressed by the noise cancelling. I consider my 451s to sound better than the QC15s (and at a fifth of the cost)...I won't even mention the comparison to the 550s...but what good is this if I hear the constant hum of an airplane in the background?
On the other hand, I also don't take heat very well, and I live in Madrid, which gets quite warm in the summer.
So, even though I've thought about the QC25s, which, in my opinion, have a far better sound than the 15s, that would only solve half of my problem - the noise cancellation, but I would still be able to use them only during the late autumn / winter / early spring, lest I get cooked ears!
Thus, I think that my options are rather limited. The QC20s are on the shortlist...but they cost a pretty penny and I am still on the fence. I know this is a difficult question to answer...but are they worth it? I've had mixed experiences with IEMs...got some AKGs for about 90€ on Amazon, these were highly rated (can't remember model, gave them to my girlfriend after a month), but kept falling out of my ears, whichever tips I used. On the other hand I used to have some Sennheisers (silicone model of about 50€ on Amazon, also don't remember model), and these were a decent fit but the silicone would itch quite a bit, and I've destroyed them by using them in bed / asleep anyway.
So what I need is...comfortable fit, decent sound, exceptional noise cancellation in IEMs. Are there even any proper alternatives to the QC20s?
Also, is it safe to buy them on Ebay or are counterfeits known to be in circulation? I've seen some there for about 30% less than on Amazon.
I suppose is is more than one question in the end...but thanks for taking the time to read and reply!
Z.
