[gknix]

Dear Head-fi & all of its wonderful members,

Ever since I started joining this wonderful community, I have to say I am an true addict. I've been reading and logging on this forum everyday for several hours each day...and it is in a way ..dominating my life (sadly).

I am down to more decision making, and after doing hours and hours of reading upon portable players (which I"ve decided between Cowon s9 and S:flo2), I am now needing serious opinions on IEMs to go with the above media players.

I have a budget of sub $200, and my music selection is generally towards folk(damien rice & lisa hannigan) / Jazz / a little bit of classical / Rock (bloc party, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc.) and some R&B.


I was down to these IEMs that I need comparisons/opinion if you have owned/tested more than one of these (since you can then compare more fairly)
1) Audio Technica ATH-CK10
2) Head-Direct (HiFiMan) RE0
3) Audeo Phonak PFE 122
4) Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 (through amazon it is 190)

I am looking to mainly use them on the go (travelling on buses/cars/planes/home (if its better SQ than my macbook pro)
The priorities are as follows:
1/ Isolation / SQ
2/ Comfort
3/ Price
4/ Durability
5/ Aesthetics


I really appreciate any, and all the help and thanks in advance.

 

[ljokerl]

I don't know if you've read my multi-review thread but I reviewed three of those (PFE, RE0, and CK10). I do also have the TF10 though I've been putting it off for a while.

My personal impressions:

Isolation (very tip dependent): Ck10 >= TF10 > RE0 >= PFE
SQ (very preference-dependent): CK10 > RE0 >= TF10 >= PFE
Comfort (also tip-dependent): CK10 > PFE > RE0 > TF10
Durability: CK10 >> RE0 = TF10 > PFE
Aesthetics (subjective): CK10 > PFE > RE0 > TF10

 

[gknix]

Yes I actually did! that was one of the most helpful ones that I read, and thats also how I slimmed down my huge laundry list of IEMs to the ones above , really.

I found many contradictions everywhere, so I just wanted to know some more specifics about these particular ones I listed for those people who have used one or more of them.

Again, thank you for your amazing review!

 

[rawrster]

Of those 4 that you mentioned I have/had all but the PFE. Also I find my opinions on the RE0 and the CK10 pretty similar to the ones in joker's review thread.

In terms of isolation I've found that the TF10 and CK10 are pretty similar with the CK10 a little better in isolation but it's not that different and depends on the tips you use.

For sound quality, it really comes down to your personal preference. They all have good SQ. The only thing I've found is that the CK10 is a clear upgrade over the RE0 (IMO of course) but they are also more expensive. The CK10 goes for around $200 which RE0 is $79+shipping.

For comfort, I find them all very comfortable but I didn't use the stock tips for any of them. With the RE0 and CK10 I used shure olives and with the TF10 I used sony hybrids. Some people find TF10 to be quite uncomfortable due to its much larger size so how comfortable it is will depend on you.

Durability easily goes to CK10. The only shortcoming I see is the straight plug instead of a right angle plug. RE0 and TF10 are clearly behind in this area. The cable on the RE0 is thin and the cable slider might be a little bit too tight. The cable on the TF10 isn't that great and it's microphonic but unlike the others the cable is user replaceable and you are also able to buy much better cables than the stock ones but they are more expensive.

I don't really care for aesthetics but it will be up to you. Outside of the earphones the only thing outside of that I use that came with the packages is the case that UE provided which IMO is the best case I've ever had.

Lastly price will depend on you. The RE0 is 79+shipping, CK10 is around 200 and TF10 is around 175 or so. IMO of course the best value is RE0 but that does not mean it is the best of the three. Once again its down to your preference.

IMO I like the CK10 the best. I find it a clear upgrade over the RE0. Also once I got the CK10 I already had the TF10 but I haven't found as much use for the TF10 since most days I pick up the CK10 instead.