IEM's - Where to go after ER6's & UM1's

[LemonCurry]

Heyhey, Long time listener, first time caller...

I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm stuck on choice. I've had ER6i's in the past (long lost now, somewhere in an Air Canada 767...). Currently got a pair of UM1's now (with cheapazoid custom eartips I got made while in India)

The detail on the ER6's were great, but they were never the most 'relaxing' to listen to (tea, no milk). While the UM1's are great fun, they're a bit thick (coffee'n'cream) and the missing detail is starting to annoy me.

So, what miracle IEM blends fun and detail, and is an all-rounder for jazz, electronica, classical and rock? Ideally $200US or under. While I'm asking for miracles, can it also make me irresistible to women...

Source, for the most part, will be the ubiquitous ipod nano, though I'm not above adding a line-out and amp to it.

I've been combing the reviews and the Q-jays look promising, though they're said to be uber-analytical too, and I fret about the bottom end, as though I'm not a bass freak, a little warmth isn't bad. I've also looked at the Super.fi 5 pro's, but I don't think they look all that comfortable.

Any thoughts much appreciated,
Cheers.

 

[Navyblue]

I've never heard the q-Jays, it's been dubbed the ER-4P with bass. I've heard the ER-6i, I doubt anything would have less bass than it.

Between ER-6i and UM1, I'd say it would be one of the UEs (3, 5 or 10). There are also Sleek Audio SA6 in this category. You can get the Comply tips for the UE or modify a black Shure foam tip to fit it.

On the analytical side would be Etymotic ER-4P which also sounds fuller and smoother than than ER-6i to me.

On the fun side, there is the Shure SE530 and the UM2 which you might find it closer to the UM1.

 

[monolith]

Actually, I went through the ER6 which I didn't like much, then the UM1s which I liked. My next upgrade after them was the UE Super.fi 5 Pros, which was a solid step up in sound quality, and worked well for most kinds of music once you get the fit right.

After that, I went to the UM2s, which were amazing. Now I'm on the ER-4Ps which dominate them all, especially when the bass is EQed up a little. I'd say either go SF5P or ER-4P, the latter of which I find noticeably superior. They both have their place though.

 

[-=Germania=-]

I would say that the Ety4 and modded im716's are the best universal IEM's for classical and do the other genres very well.

Other people are partial to the super-fi 5 pro with westone cable, but I have no experience with the westone cable.

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

If you got a budget of $200 you could go for the Sleek-Audio SA6s. Or perhaps get a pair of Head-Direct RE1s, but they require a amp.

The real problem for you is that you want a pair of in-ears that are great all around. That makes it tricky. The ER4s have way too little bass for rock and electronica, the RE1s are great all around but require an amp (not within your budget as a amp + earphone combo), the Super.fi 5 Pros are really good for rock / electronica kinda mediocre for classical, Sleek-Audios are good for pretty much everything but cost accordingly.

And oh yeah "Sorry about the wallet" and welcome to Head-Fi I hope you find a good pair of in-ears

 

[monolith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrederikS|TPU /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you got a budget of $200 you could go for the Sleek-Audio SA6s. Or perhaps get a pair of Head-Direct RE1s, but they require a amp. The real problem for you is that you want a pair of in-ears that are great all around. That makes it tricky. The ER4s have way too little bass for rock and electronica, the RE1s are great all around but require an amp (not within your budget as a amp + earphone combo), the Super.fi 5 Pros are really good for rock / electronica kinda mediocre for classical, Sleek-Audios are good for pretty much everything but cost accordingly. And oh yeah "Sorry about the wallet" and welcome to Head-Fi I hope you find a good pair of in-ears

The ER-4Ps are very satisfactory basswise when you apply a little EQ.

 

[Jelle Schrijver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonCurry /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heyhey, Long time listener, first time caller... I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm stuck on choice. I've had ER6i's in the past (long lost now, somewhere in an Air Canada 767...). Currently got a pair of UM1's now (with cheapazoid custom eartips I got made while in India) The detail on the ER6's were great, but they were never the most 'relaxing' to listen to (tea, no milk). While the UM1's are great fun, they're a bit thick (coffee'n'cream) and the missing detail is starting to annoy me. So, what miracle IEM blends fun and detail, and is an all-rounder for jazz, electronica, classical and rock? Ideally $200US or under. While I'm asking for miracles, can it also make me irresistible to women... Source, for the most part, will be the ubiquitous ipod nano, though I'm not above adding a line-out and amp to it. I've been combing the reviews and the Q-jays look promising, though they're said to be uber-analytical too, and I fret about the bottom end, as though I'm not a bass freak, a little warmth isn't bad. I've also looked at the Super.fi 5 pro's, but I don't think they look all that comfortable. Any thoughts much appreciated, Cheers.

On a headfi meat i had the change to compare the UE SF5, Ety 4 and q-Jays. UE SF5, can't call it fun, it's very sterile in it's sound signature and are very bulky in the ear. q-JAYS offer more bass then the Ety4, but are much less airy and detailed. But q-JAYS with a iBasso T2, very engaging but not the latest in ubber detail, i got me head-bopping. A friend of mine got a pair of q-JAYS and a iQube and listened to it a lot, so gotten very familiar with it's sound. But how about a superFreq?

 

[Jelle Schrijver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonCurry /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heyhey, Long time listener, first time caller... I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm stuck on choice. I've had ER6i's in the past (long lost now, somewhere in an Air Canada 767...). Currently got a pair of UM1's now (with cheapazoid custom eartips I got made while in India) The detail on the ER6's were great, but they were never the most 'relaxing' to listen to (tea, no milk). While the UM1's are great fun, they're a bit thick (coffee'n'cream) and the missing detail is starting to annoy me. So, what miracle IEM blends fun and detail, and is an all-rounder for jazz, electronica, classical and rock? Ideally $200US or under. While I'm asking for miracles, can it also make me irresistible to women... Source, for the most part, will be the ubiquitous ipod nano, though I'm not above adding a line-out and amp to it. I've been combing the reviews and the Q-jays look promising, though they're said to be uber-analytical too, and I fret about the bottom end, as though I'm not a bass freak, a little warmth isn't bad. I've also looked at the Super.fi 5 pro's, but I don't think they look all that comfortable. Any thoughts much appreciated, Cheers.

On a headfi meet i had the change to compare the UE SF5, Ety 4 and q-Jays. UE SF5, can't call it fun, it's very sterile in it's sound signature and are very bulky in the ear. q-JAYS offer more bass then the Ety4, but are much less airy and detailed. But q-JAYS with a iBasso T2, very engaging but not the latest in ubber detail, i got me head-bopping. A friend of mine got a pair of q-JAYS and a iQube and listened to it a lot, so gotten very familiar with it's sound. But how about a superFreq?

 

[-=Germania=-]

+1 on the freq!

make sure to get music makers crossovers!

 

[Navyblue]

I listen to Jazz on my ER-4P. I leave the EQ flat and Clear Bass +2 on my Sony DAP. What I get with double bass sound is accurate, tight, textured and the amount is very right for me. It does well with all genre I listen, jazz, acoustic, vocal, pop and rock. It made me very satisfied with my portable setup.

 

[Jelle Schrijver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Germania=- /img/forum/go_quote.gif +1 on the freq! make sure to get music makers crossovers!

Why those crossovers, what is the difference?

 

[tstarn06]

I've owned the ER4P (with the S cable), currently own the 716s modded (thanks Germania) and also own the Sleeks, and for your purposes, my advice is to save up the extra $$$ and spring for the Sleeks. The first two, which do deliver fantastic SQ and the legendary Ety sound, really need an amp to be their best (yes, even the modded 716). The Sleeks don't. Simple to me. Spend an extra $70-$80 over the ER4P price and get the Sleeks. And the modular options are great, an added reason to buy.