johnb4467
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2007
- Posts
- 5
- Likes
- 10
Hey there all,
Well I'm new here, and am fairly new to the IEM scene. I tend to prefer full-sized speakers or full-sized cans when the situations can allow, but in a work environment obviously these types of conveniences are not afforded...
...currently I'm working in an environment where everyone pretty much goes about their own work at their desks, though we're in fairly tight quarters/rows. For a couple years now I've gone through a couple pairs of Sony IEM's (I can't tell the exact model...they're all faded away!)...one got stolen but was starting to break apart due to wear & tear, and my current pair are on their last days -- copper wires showing, wires cut, etc!
Anyway, I'm in the process of searching for replacements, and want to take a better route in sound quality this time around. I have things overall narrowed down to a few pairs, but I'll list what I'm looking for in particular, and hopefully you guys can guide me down the right path.
I've done a lot of reading, but am having a very tough time making a decision.
As general things, I'm looking to spend no more than ~$120 max. I have a pair of Grado SR-80's that were $99, and I think I'd feel guilty spending much more than the aforementioned price on tiny in-ear phones when my full-sized Grado's were less. But, then again...there are things about the Grado's I do not love, namely comfort (a biggie), and them being a little tame on the low-end (I suppose I like things a little heavy on the low-end, and tend to enjoy things in the highs a little bright as well...I'm not as concerned about the phones being 'absolutely neutral', and adjusting from there, as a lot of my listening will be, at least initally, through a 2nd gen ipod shuffle -- which has NO eq settings whatsoever...so it's pretty much TRULY plug-n-play with what the phones natively provide.
Also important to consider, is that the phones need to be easily driven, as I doubt the shuffle really belts out a lot of juice.....
It seems like my ideal choices (though I'm open to suggestions), are:
Shure e2c's
Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3's
and the Etymotic ER-6's (or 6i's)
Pretty much, this is what I'm looking for, in order of (for the most part) importance:
AA) Ok, so this isn't a number, since I thought of it later...but it's important! Whatever I get, like I think I mentioned briefly above, they need to be able to be driven by a portable player without problem. An ipod Shuffle (for now) -- no headphone amp or anything of that sort. Just thought I'd re-emphasize that.
1) DURABILITY. They need to be able to handle daily transport & use. Like I mentioned above, I've gone through two pairs of Sony IEM in the last 2-3 years (and I'm on my second pair of Grado SR-80's). Main use will mostly be in a computer/desk environment (so it's not overly hard on them)...BUT, I've always just stuffed my phones in my pocket, so they do get some wear-and-tear during transport, though I may be up for using a carrying case if they come with one (which it seems they usually do)...but durability is a big thing. It looks like the super.fi's are able to swap out cords, which may be a big plus for long-term durability...though I have no idea how much that costs, and if a particular pair seems like they're going to last anyway...then that doesn't really matter.
2) COMFORT AND ISOLATION. Phones can sound amazing...but if I can't handle wearing them, then that's no good! Also, if they're bothering my coworkers with leaked sound, that's also a no-go! I'm often wearing my phones all day long, and it sounds like some of the Shure models are a bit less-than-ideal in comfort. Crazy-ridiculous adjustments needed to get things setup is also less-than-ideal...I need to really just be able to get to work, and take them out without much hassle when I'm getting feedback or need to interact with coworkers. As far as confort, it sounds like the ER-6's tend to be favored in that arena. I think most IEM are pretty isolated...but then again, it's so important that it's definitely worth mentioning, as my current pair of Sony's, while in-ear and have a tight seal, do leak sound that co-workers have joked about before (but others may be annoyed by). The Shure's by nature sound like they're engineered to be really isolated.
As a sidenote, some of these phones look pretty funky. If one of the models look less from "another planet", that may be somewhat of a plus...though not a deal maker-or-breaker...just a "plus".
I may work in a geek-based industry (visual effects)...but that doesn't mean my phones need to emphasize that any more than absolutely necessary!
3) SOUND QUALITY. Obviously, I'd like the phones to sound good! Sound is definitely a personal preference, one that people seem to argue over "which is better" a lot, but objectively, hopefully you can steer me toward what model tends to veer towards better as far as what they naturally "specialize" in. Like I mentioned, I do like my bass, which the Ety's (at least from what I read), are a little lighter on. The Shure's may be better in this area, but then again, it sounds like the abovementioend Super.fi's are best in this area? But then again, I also don't want to sacrifice to heavily those beautiful highs. I guess I'm looking for the best all around, with bass a little more important than the super-highs. For reference (if you're familiar with them), my Grado SR-80's, while I LOVE their all-around performance, don't really satisfy my bass cravings...though wonderful cans overall!
Ok folks, I think that's the really important stuff. I may have forgotten some things, but it's after 1am in the morning & I'm feeling a little loopy.
I do very much appreciate you all taking the time to read all the way through this, and hope you will be able to help guide me in the right direction. I'd really love to order a pair soon, as my Sony's are looking so beat up that it's almost embarrassing! And, truth be told, I'm simply excited to have better sound in my daily work-life.
Talk to you all soon...thank you again!!
John
Well I'm new here, and am fairly new to the IEM scene. I tend to prefer full-sized speakers or full-sized cans when the situations can allow, but in a work environment obviously these types of conveniences are not afforded...
...currently I'm working in an environment where everyone pretty much goes about their own work at their desks, though we're in fairly tight quarters/rows. For a couple years now I've gone through a couple pairs of Sony IEM's (I can't tell the exact model...they're all faded away!)...one got stolen but was starting to break apart due to wear & tear, and my current pair are on their last days -- copper wires showing, wires cut, etc!
Anyway, I'm in the process of searching for replacements, and want to take a better route in sound quality this time around. I have things overall narrowed down to a few pairs, but I'll list what I'm looking for in particular, and hopefully you guys can guide me down the right path.
As general things, I'm looking to spend no more than ~$120 max. I have a pair of Grado SR-80's that were $99, and I think I'd feel guilty spending much more than the aforementioned price on tiny in-ear phones when my full-sized Grado's were less. But, then again...there are things about the Grado's I do not love, namely comfort (a biggie), and them being a little tame on the low-end (I suppose I like things a little heavy on the low-end, and tend to enjoy things in the highs a little bright as well...I'm not as concerned about the phones being 'absolutely neutral', and adjusting from there, as a lot of my listening will be, at least initally, through a 2nd gen ipod shuffle -- which has NO eq settings whatsoever...so it's pretty much TRULY plug-n-play with what the phones natively provide.
Also important to consider, is that the phones need to be easily driven, as I doubt the shuffle really belts out a lot of juice.....
It seems like my ideal choices (though I'm open to suggestions), are:
Shure e2c's
Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3's
and the Etymotic ER-6's (or 6i's)
Pretty much, this is what I'm looking for, in order of (for the most part) importance:
AA) Ok, so this isn't a number, since I thought of it later...but it's important! Whatever I get, like I think I mentioned briefly above, they need to be able to be driven by a portable player without problem. An ipod Shuffle (for now) -- no headphone amp or anything of that sort. Just thought I'd re-emphasize that.
1) DURABILITY. They need to be able to handle daily transport & use. Like I mentioned above, I've gone through two pairs of Sony IEM in the last 2-3 years (and I'm on my second pair of Grado SR-80's). Main use will mostly be in a computer/desk environment (so it's not overly hard on them)...BUT, I've always just stuffed my phones in my pocket, so they do get some wear-and-tear during transport, though I may be up for using a carrying case if they come with one (which it seems they usually do)...but durability is a big thing. It looks like the super.fi's are able to swap out cords, which may be a big plus for long-term durability...though I have no idea how much that costs, and if a particular pair seems like they're going to last anyway...then that doesn't really matter.
2) COMFORT AND ISOLATION. Phones can sound amazing...but if I can't handle wearing them, then that's no good! Also, if they're bothering my coworkers with leaked sound, that's also a no-go! I'm often wearing my phones all day long, and it sounds like some of the Shure models are a bit less-than-ideal in comfort. Crazy-ridiculous adjustments needed to get things setup is also less-than-ideal...I need to really just be able to get to work, and take them out without much hassle when I'm getting feedback or need to interact with coworkers. As far as confort, it sounds like the ER-6's tend to be favored in that arena. I think most IEM are pretty isolated...but then again, it's so important that it's definitely worth mentioning, as my current pair of Sony's, while in-ear and have a tight seal, do leak sound that co-workers have joked about before (but others may be annoyed by). The Shure's by nature sound like they're engineered to be really isolated.
As a sidenote, some of these phones look pretty funky. If one of the models look less from "another planet", that may be somewhat of a plus...though not a deal maker-or-breaker...just a "plus".
3) SOUND QUALITY. Obviously, I'd like the phones to sound good! Sound is definitely a personal preference, one that people seem to argue over "which is better" a lot, but objectively, hopefully you can steer me toward what model tends to veer towards better as far as what they naturally "specialize" in. Like I mentioned, I do like my bass, which the Ety's (at least from what I read), are a little lighter on. The Shure's may be better in this area, but then again, it sounds like the abovementioend Super.fi's are best in this area? But then again, I also don't want to sacrifice to heavily those beautiful highs. I guess I'm looking for the best all around, with bass a little more important than the super-highs. For reference (if you're familiar with them), my Grado SR-80's, while I LOVE their all-around performance, don't really satisfy my bass cravings...though wonderful cans overall!
Ok folks, I think that's the really important stuff. I may have forgotten some things, but it's after 1am in the morning & I'm feeling a little loopy.
I do very much appreciate you all taking the time to read all the way through this, and hope you will be able to help guide me in the right direction. I'd really love to order a pair soon, as my Sony's are looking so beat up that it's almost embarrassing! And, truth be told, I'm simply excited to have better sound in my daily work-life.
Talk to you all soon...thank you again!!
John
