[Redmist]

I currently own Denon AH-C551K IEMs, and I'm a big fan of them, but I've been thinking about upgrading eventually. I've been eying up some of the Etymotic Research models, do you guys think it would be worth upgrading to something by them? I haven't decided on a specific model yet, as I'm unsure of how high-end my Denons are considered to be in the IEM world, so I'm not sure which of Etymotic's models I would have to buy to get better sound than my current Denons, which I got for around $60 on Amazon a few years ago.
 
What do you guys think?

 

[ArrigoShred]

I would say IEMS aren't really worth it until your going over 350 dollars...
And really Customs outright rape universals so yeah.

 

[Tronz]

And how do you know this?

 
Quote:

I would say IEMS aren't really worth it until your going over 350 dollars...
And really Customs outright rape universals so yeah.

 

 

[mattwardfh]

Quote:

I currently own Denon AH-C551K IEMs, and I'm a big fan of them, but I've been thinking about upgrading eventually. I've been eying up some of the Etymotic Research models, do you guys think it would be worth upgrading to something by them? I haven't decided on a specific model yet, as I'm unsure of how high-end my Denons are considered to be in the IEM world, so I'm not sure which of Etymotic's models I would have to buy to get better sound than my current Denons, which I got for around $60 on Amazon a few years ago.
 
What do you guys think?

I haven't heard the 551, so I'm guessing a bit based on my experience with the 560. 
 
Overall, I think the Ety mc5 is a solid improvement in sound quality over what you have (in particular, in clarity and detail). The hf5 and ER4 should be even bigger jumps. But the mc5 (and, I presume, the other Etys) will have far less bass than you're used to with the 551. So if you like the balance of the 551, I'd say look elsewhere for an upgrade. 

 

[mastershake2393]

Quote:

I would say IEMS aren't really worth it until your going over 350 dollars...
And really Customs outright rape universals so yeah.

^^ I laughed.
 
Anyways, in regards to the OPs question, I would say spend your money on a different brand. Not to say Etymotic is bad, I'm just saying that you should be accustomed to the AH-C551 sound signature, which, correct me if I'm wrong, is warm (?)
 
I would recommend getting some more expensive IEM if you are looking to upgrade. If you are looking in the $200 range, there is the Vsonic GR07, MTPC (just a little over $200 on Amazon I do believe), Atrio M5 (w/MG7 driver), and a vast amount of others IEM.
 
You should probably look into |joker|'s thread. http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-172-iems-compared-xears-xr120pro-ii-kozee-e100-added-06-01
 

 

[Omnirai]

Quote:

I would say IEMS aren't really worth it until your going over 350 dollars...
And really Customs outright rape universals so yeah.

What a terrible post.
 
I agree with mastershake's post, you should be looking at something minimally in the mid-tier (around 200 range) for a serious upgrade to be able to immediately feel that you are actually getting an upgraded product. The mentioned GR07 and MTPCs are some great entries at this price point, along with the DBA-02, TF10 on amazon etc. I'm sure we can give more specific recommendations if you had a specific budget in mind, along with the kind of sound you like (dependent on the genres you listen to).
 

 

[Redmist]

Quote:

What a terrible post.
 
I agree with mastershake's post, you should be looking at something minimally in the mid-tier (around 200 range) for a serious upgrade to be able to immediately feel that you are actually getting an upgraded product. The mentioned GR07 and MTPCs are some great entries at this price point, along with the DBA-02, TF10 on amazon etc. I'm sure we can give more specific recommendations if you had a specific budget in mind, along with the kind of sound you like (dependent on the genres you listen to).
 

Yeah, I would say something around $200 is what I was expecting in order for it to be an upgrade from what I have now. As for the music I listen to, I'm kind of all over the place, but instrumental/post-rock stuff is my favorite.
 
Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJVvnwj_WvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuZZzfMvhNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7pF6_PeamU
 
 
 

 

[mastershake2393]

Quote:

Yeah, I would say something around $200 is what I was expecting in order for it to be an upgrade from what I have now. As for the music I listen to, I'm kind of all over the place, but instrumental/post-rock stuff is my favorite.
 
Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJVvnwj_WvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuZZzfMvhNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7pF6_PeamU
 
 
 

You would do good to get the MTPCs then. I think they would suit those genres perfectly. Plus, you really can't beat their lifetime warranty 

.
 
If you would like more info regarding the MTPC, please shoot me a PM; I can give you impressions of the IEMs I have in my sig. 

 

 

[Redmist]

Quote:

You would do good to get the MTPCs then. I think they would suit those genres perfectly. Plus, you really can't beat their lifetime warranty 

.
 
If you would like more info regarding the MTPC, please shoot me a PM; I can give you impressions of the IEMs I have in my sig. 

 

Is there anything else out there good for me? Honestly, I think they look repulsive.

 
 

 

[mastershake2393]

Lol I really like the looks of them...

You should check out the Atrio M5 (with MG7 driver) out. I personally haven't heard them, but from what I have found is the general consensus is they are very good. If you could find them for $150, I think those would make for a nice IEM purchase. Otherwise, I would say look into the Vsonic GR07 if you want a really nice "balanced" IEM.