I almost wish I never came here. Now I'm looking to buy some IEMs anyway

[Evan326]

OK, my first post here was asking about some good headphones for jogging. I just ordered some of the koss ksc75s to try them out. After reading on here a little today, I'm looking at getting the shure es310s anyway. One question, how is the bass? From the way most of you seem to talk, I would guess I'm a bass head. I listen to a lot of rock, rap, and electronica, so bass is pretty important to me. If the 310s don't have really good bass is there a better iem to look at?
Don't take the thread title wrong btw, I was just being sarcastic. You people are just going to make me have to eat ramen noodels for a few months.

 

[krmathis]

Head-Fi have taken full control of your mind and wallet!
Curse you Head-Fi...

 

[LaBreaHead]

In considering IEMs, a person has to manage expectations. It's a generalization, but don't expect the sort of deep bass from IEMs that sub-woofers on wheels provide. Headphones, as well, tend to provide more bass than IEMs (whether it's "better" bass is a subjective thing ... I know that with IEMs, I adjust my expectations to concentrate on portability, stealth factor, and especially isolation when using IEMs).

Having said all that, there are some in-ear monitors (IEMs) and some canal phones (in-ear, but different drivers and less isolation) out there that do provide some bass. Each IEM has its trade-offs (size, bass, treble, sibilance, microphonics, price, etc.), but there are options.

For starters, theres's the Ultimate Ears Super-fi and the Futuresonics lines of IEMs ... I haven't heard them, but check threads (which will tell you you don't need to bother with the "EB" -- extra bass -- version of the UE's). There are some newer canal phones and IEMs out, too, that will provide a degree of bass that others don't.

Also, what kind of player are you using -- something that EQ's well, or an iPod? That can make a difference, as well.

 

[antonyfirst]

Hi Evan. Go immediately to the top: buy the Shure E500, while they are cheap. You will be grateful for them.

 

[mastercheif]

The Shure 310s have great bass! But if you want more bass, check out the Westone UM2.

 

[brokensound]

I've got the e4c, which has "sufficent" bass. If you're a basshead, I'll have to agree that you'll want to pick up the e500. They should be going cheaper since they are being replaced.

 

[antonyfirst]

It is not necessary to be a basshead to like the E500. I like the Etymotic ER4P, but I love even more the Shure E500.

 

[xinoxide]

one thing about bass in IEM's it is true that bass is 90% feeling, 10% sound, and eardrums wont feel the bass as your body and outer ear do. i am one of pronbably a handfull that consider this bass feeling as picked up by the body and outer ear to be heard. so all an IEM will affect is your eardrum and maybe the walls of the ear canal. with this said, going too heavy on bass could prove to be a very bad idea, and potentially damage hearing.

 

[Evan326]

I'm sorry I didn't give more information. I have a Creative Zen Micro Photo as my primary player, and a 2nd gen nano just for use with the nike + shoe adapter for running. The nano has no customizable eq, and the presets suck in my opinion. My zen has an eq that I can set to my liking. The e500s look really nice, but for $277 at the cheapest, I think thats out of my range. I was looking at the 310s for $138 and felt bad for considering spending that much on headphones.
Put it like this, right now the only other set I have that aren't ear buds (that fall out while jogging) are a set of sonys that I've had for like 8 years now that look like the MDR-J10. I'm not sure if they are or aren't, it doesn't list the model, but they look just like the j10s on best buys site except mine are blue. I basically want a set that can sound at least this good. These just don't feel very comfortable and they still fall out a little. If you guys know where I can get some of the e500s for any less, or know when they'll be getting cheaper then I'd love to grab them.
Also I'm seeing the es530s for $250, if they're the newer ones why should I get the e500s over the es530s for almost $30 more?

BTW I in no way consider myself and audiophile, I all I know is between total crap, and ok.

 

[Evan326]

Anyone?

 

[catscratch]

In my experience canalphones don't sound very good for the money until you drop massive amounts of money for them and get custom-molded IEMs. So, I'd say stick with the KSC-75's and see what you think of them when they arrive. You will be hard pressed to significantly better them in a cheapish IEM.

But, if you must have IEMs, then to get solid bass you'll need dual-driver models. The single-driver models can have decent audible bass but they won't give you the kind of bass kick that something like the UM2 will. I also wouldn't suggest the E500 for your kind of music since it's not impactful enough. It's a darkish, laid-back canalphone with lots of detail and instrument separation, nice for chillout and classic rock and the like, but if you want thump, then get the UM2. It's not as detailed, but it's a lot more dynamic. With the Zen Micro, you'll be able to raise treble (do this by lowering everything else into the negative, keep the treble at 0 and raise your volume, to avoid clipping the crappy onboard amp), and make the UM2 sound more balanced.

 

[spongezone]

I just got a pair of se310s. The bass is just fine for rock, though if you're looking for an IEM specifically intended to provide strong bass, you might not like it.

Anyway, I'm not sure I would feel safe jogging wearing IEMs. The isolation is overwhelming; you wouldn't be able to hear traffic, etc.

 

[ZARIM]

Super.Fi 5Pro, UM2, E500 and Triple-Fi 10Pro.........

 

[Evan326]

What about the difference between the e500 and the es530? The 530 is the newer of the two but is also cheaper.

 

[SONGsanmanwah]

They are the same phones. Some 530 comes without PTH device so, the price difference is probably because of that.