IEM/cans with good midrange

[Navyblue]

What are the IEMs that are known for good, detailed, realistic midrange? And with decent highs and lows? I want to be able to hear acoustic instruments realistically and vocal that conveys emotion.

So far the closest I have heard seems to be the Sleek Audio SA6. It has a prominent and upfront midrange. It seems that most I have heard are either bass prominent or treble prominent. I need some balanced sounding IEM.

Just checking out if I am missing any options or else I'll be going for the SA6.

And how about full sized cans options? Does the DT880 has more prominent midrange or high?

Thanks.

 

[DKaz]

You seem to have the same preferences as me. From what I have read the SA6 is a great IEM. I have been on the fence about buying them. Right now I am using the Denon C700. They are a canalphone, but I love the forward midrange. It also has great bass and sparkling highs. If price is no object, then It hink the SA6 would be a great choice.

Denon AH-C751 (newer and cheaper)

Denon also have a great closed cans. The D2000 is phenomenla IMHO. It's only $209 shipped (usually $326)

Denon D2000

 

[Navyblue]

Btw, I use a Sony NWZ-A816, I hope it's great minds thinks a like.

I looked into the D2000 but unfortunately Amazon doesn't ship good deal overseas.

The Denon C751 looks pretty. I guess it's a worthy candidate too. Actually I am somewhat reserved towards the SA6, I'm not sure why, may be its the build, or may be its the sound. But it's the closest to the sound in my mind among those that I've heard (UEs, Etys, Westones, Mylars, Grado).

 

[jinx20001]

all shure phones have a nice midrange, warm, forward and detailed

 

[Navyblue]

Funny that with Shure being the big guy in the IEM world I've never tried a pair of Shure as I've got the feeling that they are overpriced. May be I should try it some day.

Is there a particular model that has the best midrange? Or are you saying that I should get the most expensive one that I can afford?

From what I've read, is it true that they have rolled off high end that give them the warm signature?

 

[jinx20001]

yes its fair to say rolled off, but its also fair to say a little EQ can polish those up nicely if you like a bit of tingle in your sound.

erm, yes the se range above the se110 has nice mids, you will be hard pressed to get nice bass below the se420 tho.

i would say look into the ultimate ears range but its fair to say shure has them beat on midrange alone

 

[Golden Monkey]

Closed, the Denon D2000 is great. Warm, nice mids with a slightly forward presentation. IEM-wise, a neutral phone with great mids, clean highs, and deep (but not brain-bashing) lows would be the Etymotic ER-4p. They are excellent, isolate outside noise really well, and are very flat. Not the most comfortable thing I've ever worn, but if you want a "reference" sound full of detail, these are the way to go.

 

[Navyblue]

I've tried the UE 3, 5 and 10. The 3 is a bit harsh at the top, the 5 is fine and easy on the ear. The 10 is also laid back and very smooth sounding. However none of them seems to shine on the mids, vocal and acoustic instrument sound uninvolving, not quite what I am looking for.

I hope I won't like the SE530 for the cost reason.

And the SE420 is barely cheap enough for me, worth looking into I guess, though I worry that I'd keep wondering about it's triple driver big brother out there.

 

[natural_nut]

You're good with the C700 or C751s then. They're an excellent match with Sony DAPs

 

[Navyblue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif Closed, the Denon D2000 is great. Warm, nice mids with a slightly forward presentation. IEM-wise, a neutral phone with great mids, clean highs, and deep (but not brain-bashing) lows would be the Etymotic ER-4p. They are excellent, isolate outside noise really well, and are very flat. Not the most comfortable thing I've ever worn, but if you want a "reference" sound full of detail, these are the way to go.

I wish that Amazon would ship the Denon deal overseas.

I've tried the ER4P. Frankly I didn't like the sound signature, IMO they aren't neutral sounding, they are metalic sounding and way too much highs.

But bringing down the high with EQ make them a very neutral sounding phone. Bass is a tad lean but nothing a tad of bass boost wouldn't do. After EQing they do sound very reference like, smooth and even sounding.

The downside is the midrange doesn't seem to leave me an impression like the SA6, and the sound stage is nothing like the SA6 either. The APS cable that cost as much as the phone reportedly correct these flaws, but that would double the cost. And reportedly amping it helps these flaws too, and again would multiply the cost. But an interesting alternative nevertheless.

In fact despite the fact that I didn't like it's sound I couldn't decide between it and the SA6. Sort of my mind likes the SA6 but my heart goes to the ER4P, I can't really explain.

 

[Navyblue]

Ok guys,

- Denon C700/C751
- Sleek Audio SA6
- Shures

Any more?

 

[dura]

Quote:

I want to be able to hear acoustic instruments realistically and vocal that conveys emotion.

My Shure E4s together with my Sony A808 do that, and better then my Denon C700s. However, the Denons are better at bass, giving rock and trance much more speed and depth.

 

[int_architect]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navyblue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok guys, - Denon C700/C751 - Sleek Audio SA6 - Shures Any more?

Would definitely recommend the C700/751. I have the 751's and I love them!

 

[toxicsweet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navyblue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok guys, - Denon C700/C751 - Sleek Audio SA6 - Shures Any more?

Ety ER4P/S.

 

[Navyblue]

I think ER4P is a phone that has a lot of potential and very dependent on the source or amp. It seems that they do best with an amp. But I intend it to be an ultra portable set up thus I don't want to lug around an amp. Or at most, the iBasso P2 since they are so small (if they are any good). When powered by DAP, IMO they are ultra bright and not pleasing at all. Fortunately on my Sony DAP it can be made to sound right with the EQ.

The down side is that with an amp, and the APS recabling (the report that it warms the sound tempts me very much), it could multiply the cost by many times.

But I think I sort of made up my mind.