If you have UE5c AND UE10Pro,,,,

[jyk]

I am Ety user and enjoying it. But this forum is getting hot about UEs. I can't help thinking to have UE5c or UE10Pro. If someone who has UE5c and 10Pro and compare the difference of them, it would be a huge help to have a final decision.

 

[Welly Wu]

Jyc:

Hi. Welcome to Head-Fi. I need to know some more information before I can give you a recommendation.

What kind of music do you listen to most frequently?

What other audio equipment do you own?

Do you listen to your music mostly at home or on the go?

I owned the ER-4P/S. It was a great entry audiophile canalphone. It still is. However, the UE-10 PRO is really taking the same basic philosophy but to the max. The design, engineering, comfort, and sound quality are superior to the ER-4P/S. The cost is easily more than 4X too. I would only recommend the UE-10 PRO to two types of people:

1. The audiophile who needs earphones or canalphones out of pure necessity (such as high sound isolation) or sheer madness (like me).

2. Someone who has great ancilliary equipment to boot...or is willing to make future investments to acquire such great components as a part of a balanced and complete reference system (like me). This may make you poor...fast.

The UE-10 PRO combines the best for recorded music and live performances. It was created to give you the best of both worlds. It sounds better than any full sized headphone I have owned except the HD600 in terms of wide soundstage.

Please feel free to send me private messages. That is how I usually help out fellow Head-Fi members who are on the fence in terms of actually making the investment to get the UE-10 PRO. I am friendly, helpful, and always respectful and polite. I'll be talking to you soon!

 

[utdeep]

I'm in the same boat. I used to have Ety 4ps and loved them, but now I'm going for the UEs. As they are ridiculously expensive and have absolutely no resale value, they WILL be my last headphone upgrade.
I'm not interested in Ety to UE10 comparisons, but a real UE5c to UE10 comparison. I've sent my impressions for UE5cs based on the fact that my source will be an iPod mini only and I love bass.
Has anyone tried both the UE5c and UE10?

 

[Welly Wu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by utdeep I'm in the same boat. I used to have Ety 4ps and loved them, but now I'm going for the UEs. As they are ridiculously expensive and have absolutely no resale value, they WILL be my last headphone upgrade. I'm not interested in Ety to UE10 comparisons, but a real UE5c to UE10 comparison. I've sent my impressions for UE5cs based on the fact that my source will be an iPod mini only and I love bass. Has anyone tried both the UE5c and UE10?

UTdeep:

Did you place an order for the Ultimate Ears UE-5c? Do you remember whether you ordered the hard acrylic or full-soft version? Please let us know if you have ordered a UE product. Thanks.

 

[ampgalore]

Last headphone upgrade? If reality were only so merciful.


Quote:

Originally Posted by utdeep As they are ridiculously expensive and have absolutely no resale value, they WILL be my last headphone upgrade.

 

[utdeep]

They will be my LAST upgrade. Because right after I get them, I will delete this website from my favorites and never again return. I will walk away knowing that I made the best choice for me and no one will be able to tell me otherwise. That is a true solution to upgraditis. In 10 days, I will say goodbye and good riddance to head-fi.com!

Welly,
I don't think you get the full-soft choice with the U5c. It's ok as even hard acryllic is more comfy than the ety silicon tips (which i grew to like). I ordered black ue-5c with a black cord.

 

[plainsong]

I'm in a similar boat. Once I get the Senn 650s and UE's, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course I won't be leaving this fine community.. but it will be some years before I do source/amp upgrade again.

Having said all that, the thing that drives me to the UE5c is that I want it to match well with something like an ipod, since that's where they will (mostly) live.

The thing driving me to the UE10pro is the fact that there's the soft option, and that it will be able to take advantage of my home setup perhaps better than the UE5c?

I can't think of anything else I'd need. HD650=Hi-fi, Dt531=Groove-fi, Philips 890s=Tv-fi, UE5c or 10pro=Closed-fi & Porta-fi

 

[Big D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainsong I'm in a similar boat. Once I get the Senn 650s and UE's, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course I won't be leaving this fine community.. but it will be some years before I do source/amp upgrade again. Having said all that, the thing that drives me to the UE5c is that I want it to match well with something like an ipod, since that's where they will (mostly) live. The thing driving me to the UE10pro is the fact that there's the soft option, and that it will be able to take advantage of my home setup perhaps better than the UE5c? I can't think of anything else I'd need. HD650=Hi-fi, Dt531=Groove-fi, Philips 890s=Tv-fi, UE5c or 10pro=Closed-fi & Porta-fi

I've had exactly the same dilema. While my impressions having been travelling across the Atlantic I've changed my order 3 times. Having seen the posts and PMed a couple of the UE users I simply will not get full usage out of the UE-10 Pro in the foreseeable future. These phones will mostly powered straight out of my iHP. With the issue of comfort Mindy at Ultimate Ears has been quite clear that the comfort of the UE-5c is excellent.

I am currently planning on how I will spend the £280 price difference. The difference will probably go toward a DAP upgrade once the 4G iPod and Karma 2 have been released. Better get designing those LCD remotes lads!!

Maybe I just realised that I'd be better spreading the money on several things for a better sound rather than lumping it into one overkill purchase.

 

[DJGeorgeT]

The UE-5C only comes in acryllic, no soft option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu UTdeep: Did you place an order for the Ultimate Ears UE-5c? Do you remember whether you ordered the hard acrylic or full-soft version? Please let us know if you have ordered a UE product. Thanks.

 

[jyk]

Hi Welly Wu:
Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu What kind of music do you listen to most frequently?

A:80% Jazz(1950-1990), 20% others.(No classic).
Quote:

What other audio equipment do you own?

A: At my home, JBL4343+ML-1L+MB88(KT-88pp).
Quote:

Do you listen to your music mostly at home or on the go?

A: UE shall be used only on the go with iPod.(without AMP)
Quote:

I owned the ER-4P/S. It was a great entry audiophile canalphone. It still is. However, the UE-10 PRO is really taking the same basic philosophy but to the max. The design, engineering, comfort, and sound quality are superior to the ER-4P/S.

Q: My concern is, UE10Pro looks big and heavy. If someone describe differnce between UE5c and 10Pro as far as sound signature and comfortableness, it would be a great hint.
Quote:

The cost is easily more than 4X too. I would only recommend the UE-10 PRO to two types of people: 1. The audiophile who needs earphones or canalphones out of pure necessity (such as high sound isolation) or sheer madness (like me).

A: I do not need high isolation.
sheer madness? may be yes ? !.
Quote:

2. Someone who has great ancilliary equipment to boot...or is willing to make future investments to acquire such great components as a part of a balanced and complete reference system (like me). This may make you poor...fast.

A: I am not plannnig to use an amp for UE. I am encoding with LAME aps. But once to listen better sound, I can not get back. Easy handling is also important factor. Frankly speaking, I am thinking UE5c but if there is drastic difference, I shall go to 10Pro.

 

[DJGeorgeT]

Another thing you want to consider with custom ear molds is the shape of the inner ear changes with weight change and age. The molds can be touched up when that happens, but in the worst case condition, you may have to get a new pair. You can't resell the drivers. They are portable, but still much larger to carry around compared to the Etys. For your music style and ipoding, I say that the etys will suit you more.

 

[iamdone]

Well after reading this I think I might be back to ue5c. It is cheaper and I am really looking for the best headphone to plug directly into the ipod. It seems like the slight bass boost at the very bottom end might be good for this setup. Plus I already have a great home setup (hd650/zu and e-mu 1212) so I'm not really looking for a dual headphone.

The other thing that surprises me about the reviews, are a lot of people are buying these highend phones but still using lossy files. I'd recommend switching to that first with your current headphones. I had the etys and was using 256k mp3s and did everything I could to get it to sound better (several amp upgrades) but the cheapest upgrade is re-encoding your files again. It's the most time consuming but it's worthwhile improvement when using canalphones. Then at least when you amp the signal you'll see an even bigger improvement.

I believe HRA ? is the only one on head-fi that says he has both the ue5c and the ue10. He did say the ue10 was better but didn't go into details. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[Welly Wu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyk Hi Welly Wu: A:80% Jazz(1950-1990), 20% others.(No classic). A: At my home, JBL4343+ML-1L+MB88(KT-88pp). A: UE shall be used only on the go with iPod.(without AMP) Q: My concern is, UE10Pro looks big and heavy. If someone describe differnce between UE5c and 10Pro as far as sound signature and comfortableness, it would be a great hint. A: I do not need high isolation. sheer madness? may be yes ? !. A: I am not plannnig to use an amp for UE. I am encoding with LAME aps. But once to listen better sound, I can not get back. Easy handling is also important factor. Frankly speaking, I am thinking UE5c but if there is drastic difference, I shall go to 10Pro.

Jyk:

Hi. It looks like you will need to call the toll free phone number to Ultimate Ears. Please go to their website: http://www.ultimateears.com . To me, it seems like you will get the best bang for you buck with the UE-5c. The only compelling reason for the UE-10 PRO is basically going to come down to how much you anticipate you will purchase more audio equipment down the road. That depends on how long you stay onboard on Head-Fi. If you have the slightest reservation about buying more audio equipment, then get the UE-5c. If you enjoy the Head-Fi scene and are contemplating future purchases, then get the UE-10 PRO. I wish I had the UE-5c to compare against but you will have to talk with others. Get the UE-10 PRO only if you are absolutely committed to getting one of the best earphones on the market period.

 

[penbat]

UE-5C has my vote.

 

[iamdone]

UE5C for me as well, maybe.

One question. How long does it take to get out of your ears. I'd like to were them at work but I need to remove them quickly and several times a day. My etys can come out in 2 seconds. They also sounded amazing today with the PPA amp on the bus.

Also, can you hear people speaking with them in but the music off?