IEM Suggestions, requirements listed.

[Mher6]

I've read atleast 25 threads already on IEMs, but I still can't decide. I'm hoping for a thread with lots of opinions concentrated in one place.

Mostly I've been looking at the iM716, e3c, e4c, and SF5P. How do these compare? (Max $200) My portable rig (that the IEMs will be used on) is below. I listen to rock (from progressive to heavy rock like Dream Theater), alternative, acousital (bob dylan), and a limited amount of orchestrated classical. These IEMs will be used mostly on a NOISY schoolbus and while mowing the lawn, so isolation is a must.

 

[Jam_Master_J]

One quick thing, E4 and E4c are the same thing.

 

[Mher6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jam_Master_J One quick thing, E4 and E4c are the same thing.

Oh? Thanks for clearing that up, I'll edit my post then.

 

[LaBreaHead]

Mostly I've been looking at the iM716, e3c, e4, e4c, and SF5P. How do these compare? (Max $200) My portable rig (that the IEMs will be used on) is below. I listen to rock (from progressive to heavy rock like Dream Theater), alternative, acousital (bob dylan), and a limited amount of orchestrated classical. These IEMs will be used mostly on a NOISY schoolbus and while mowing the lawn, so isolation is a must.
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Home: X-Fi Xtrememusic --> Zhaolu D2.5C --> Corda Headfive #199 --> Sennheiser HD650 w/ Moon Audio Silver Dragon v2

Portable: iAudio X5 30GB --> PA2V2 --> Sennheiser PMX100


Since you have two Sennheisers, maybe you'll want to consider the Westone UM1's or the Altec Lansings -- I'm personally very happy with the Etymotics ER6i's, which you might want to also consider (and which isolate very, very well with various tips), but the Westones or Altecs might be for you (bus, mowing, etc.).

I have the E3's and don't recommend them for the price (at least you have an X5, though, so presumably you could tweak the sound to where the E3's sound better). The E4's are supposed to be quite a bit better.

Some posters say the Super.fi's don't isolate as well as some others ... you'll have to get opinions from their owners about that.

 

[yume]

Just my own experience, the isolation of Shure e3c seems to be a lot better than SF5P. I returned the SF5P because the isolation is not good enough.

But I don't like the Shure e3c either. The sound of SF5P seems a lot better than Shure e3c. Maybe I returned the e3c before it was burnt in, but the bass seemed to be almost non-existent.

Some other people could think otherwise, but it is just my two cents. =)

So..I'm still looking for an earphone! Pretty much the same requirements as yours. Thinking about the ER-6i...or wait and see how the v-moda vibe goes?

 

[Mher6]

Well it looks like the SF5P and e3c have been ruled out. I'll look into the e4/im716.

 

[JLai]

I think the e4c's would be what you need, just cause they sit deeper in your ear thus offering a better sound isolation. But if you like bass at all...I'd go with the SF5P.

e3c sucks for bass. No low end at all.

I really don't know about the iM716 as I've never heard it.

 

[The Monkey]

I've heard good things about the synergy between the E4 and the X5.

 

[nfusion770]

I have not heard either, but I just went through the same-e4 vs im716- comparison for a backup to my e500's (need to be serviced and I don't want to go without). I wanted to spend as close to $100 as possible. The e4s were very tempting (I have owned e3s, e5s and the afore mentioned e500s and liked them all) but after reading probably a lot of the same threads that you have, I went with the im716s. I bought them off ebay today for about $120 shipped (e4s are $170 and up). I guess in my case, price was a main factor, but it seems the im716 is a great value even at at $120. Would have been a no brainer a month ago when the 716s were $70, but I wasnt in the market then- what can I do?

Anyway, not sure thats any help to you, but the im716 is a much better deal and by many accounts, in the same class- so from a value standpoint it doesn't seem like you could go wrong trying the im716s and selling if you didnt like them. Someone also has a new service replacement pair of e4s (this means basically brand new with perhaps a shorter warranty term) in the fs section for $150 or so- thats also a decent deal, with little risk of loss.