[oak3x]

I owned the Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro...and ended up returning them.

The Triple.fi 10's are really great sounding IEMS...amazing sound reproduction throughout the entire musical spectrum (lows, mids and highs). Also owning the Etymotic ER-4P, I was impressed with the Triple.Fi 10's.

The two reasons I returned them were:

1. They didn't provide the sound isolation I needed from an IEM. My most frequent use of IEM's is on cross-county airplane commutes to California.

2. Vocal representation - I felt on some songs, the vocals were "slightly" recessed (a common signature trait of UE's)

Both of these issues were really minor, but the more important of the two was the sound isolation.

So...I decided to try some of the Shure IEM's. To get the best feel, I purchased all three (SE530, SE420 and SE310). After listening to all three extensively, I surprisingly choose the SE310 as the keeper.

The SE310 provided the best balanced presentation, something which was important to me. If I desire a slightly warmer sound, I simply tweek the Equalizer on my iAudio 7.

For me the SE530 and SE420 were a bit too over pronounced in the low frequencies...for my taste. All three IEM's from Shure are excellent.

The biggest difference in the Shures (compared the the Triple.Fi's) is that the Shure's provide outstanding Sound Isolation...

 

[honda]

Triple.fi 10pro is the only IEM that is able to get me to put my Etymotics away for over a month. I don't like the way they fit either, and I do not like the way the vocals are recessed. I am fairly happy with the highs although they still don't quite sound as good up there as the ER-4 to me.

What I like most about the Triple.fi 10pro is the low end. It's the only armature driver universal IEM that has a real low end. They've even ruined my SE530s for me. They extend deep (for armature drivers that is)! SE530s are pretty tight and punchy in the low end but only the triple.fis go DEEP. Whether you hear it or not depends whether they fit you or not though, and that's the most annoying thing about them. They only fit me sometimes, so I do have a use for my SE530s afterall.

 

[manaox2]

I have had to deal with most of the complaints about the triple.fi listed here and found what I think are the best solutions right here on this board.

Firstly, for the recessed midrange (vocals) and those wanting tighter, more detailed bass, I used a westone ES1 cable that is definitely a permanent mod now. The midrange seems to come forward, but still not near the midrange of the SE 530, but I prefer it this way. The bass is definitely tighter to my ears without a doubt in my mind as I quickly did several AB tests on different songs with noticeable difference compared to the stock.

Second, I dealt with the comfort and isolation issue. Anyone who is a fan of Shure should be able to tell you that their black foam sleeves are probably the most comfortable tip out there for any IEM, hence, the many mods using them. I was successful in getting them stretched onto my triple.fi with some trouble. The result is a much more comfortable and increased isolation. I haven't made up my mind as to what I think about the change in sound. The bass punches harder, but you will have to ask me later if it is a negative or positive impact. Isolation changes a lot in what you hear.

I hope this can help those who judge these things when making their decision. The triple.fi can make you want to scream in discomfort with the rubber tips from time to time and it is a bother to spend more on something that seems so overpriced as IEM accessories.

 

[mrdeadfolx]

Yes, in my opinion, its a huge step up.

 

[Spyro]

I don't think they sounded anything like ER-4. TFP's are open and airy with long decay. Etys...the exact opposite. I still think the TFP's are more pleasing to the ear and I would consider it an upgrade.

I can't stress enough that Etys MUST have proper amplification and EQ to compete with the big boys (that don't require amping).

 

[antonyfirst]

It's not completely true. Ety ER4P don't need to be amplified. They just need a good source with a decent EQ.

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Triple.fi 10pro is the only IEM that is able to get me to put my Etymotics away for over a month. I don't like the way they fit either, and I do not like the way the vocals are recessed. I am fairly happy with the highs although they still don't quite sound as good up there as the ER-4 to me. What I like most about the Triple.fi 10pro is the low end. It's the only armature driver universal IEM that has a real low end. They've even ruined my SE530s for me. They extend deep (for armature drivers that is)! SE530s are pretty tight and punchy in the low end but only the triple.fis go DEEP. Whether you hear it or not depends whether they fit you or not though, and that's the most annoying thing about them. They only fit me sometimes, so I do have a use for my SE530s afterall.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. The SE530 goes deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeper.

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's not completely true. Ety ER4P don't need to be amplified. They just need a good source with a decent EQ.

but thing is. Im willing o bet over 90 percent of the people that buy IEMs buy them for portable us. There is not a single truly portable source that is a really good source. The etys do smoothen a lil with an amp, but out of a portable source, even if amped with a portable amp, they remain lacking. What Im saying then is... out of a portable, they are not to be compared with the other big boys. I used to own them for a short while, while i had the E3cs, and even then I prefered the E3c. I dont care for IEMs when not in a portable situation. The only IEMs I would use in a home rig are probably the triple drivers that can give me that full size headphone feel, but with the better imaging. I do think IEMs have better imaging than full size headphones.

 

[jinx20001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Iriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. The SE530 goes deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeper.

x2 strange how the frequency responses dont mirror the realities, the se530 go deeper and hit harder than the triple fi but the triple fi sparkle abit more in high end. id take mids and bass over sparkle anytime personally,especially mids and those are near unrivalled on the se530

 

[antonyfirst]

Sorry, double post

 

[antonyfirst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Iriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif but thing is. Im willing o bet over 90 percent of the people that buy IEMs buy them for portable us. There is not a single truly portable source that is a really good source. The etys do smoothen a lil with an amp, but out of a portable source, even if amped with a portable amp, they remain lacking. What Im saying then is... out of a portable, they are not to be compared with the other big boys.

This is your opinion, denied by facts. If you have tried only iRivers, I can understand why you believe so. ER4P used to be a terrific IEM with my Kenwood and JVC players.

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is your opinion, denied by facts. If you have tried only iRivers, I can understand why you believe so. ER4P used to be a terrific IEM with my Kenwood and JVC players.

Man I got the kenwood mp3 player. Yes THE kenwood player. Its the best source, but it still does not help the ER4. THe ER4 only start to sound smooth on my denon source.. I love the kenwood though. I dont know about the JVC players though. I also have an archos, and an ipod. My username is Mr iriver but I cant change it, so give me a break. I am a big fan of iRiver but their latest line up of HDD players is horrible. THe iRiver clix 2 is a really good source. Up there with the best portable mp3s as far as sound, but still not a good source.
The imod is actually a good source, but its not very portable. So my statement stands. The ER4 is not a very good portable IEM. Unamped in a portable source it gets raped by a bunch of IEMs. SO how is my opinion denied by the facts. I have the kenwood player you mentioned. It cost me a lot of money and sounds good, but is still a portable source. And why is using iRiver bad. If you look back in the polls, the iRiver players were rated as some of the best sounding portable items. So why are you making inaccurate assumptions.

 

[jinx20001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Iriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man I got the kenwood mp3 player. Yes THE kenwood player. Its the best source, but it still does not help the ER4. THe ER4 only start to sound smooth on my denon source.. I love the kenwood though. I dont know about the JVC players though. I also have an archos, and an ipod. My username is Mr iriver but I cant change it, so give me a break. I am a big fan of iRiver but their latest line up of HDD players is horrible. THe iRiver clix 2 is a really good source. Up there with the best portable mp3s as far as sound, but still not a good source. The imod is actually a good source, but its not very portable. So my statement stands. The ER4 is not a very good portable IEM. Unamped in a portable source it gets raped by a bunch of IEMs. SO how is my opinion denied by the facts. I have the kenwood player you mentioned. It cost me a lot of money and sounds good, but is still a portable source. And why is using iRiver bad. If you look back in the polls, the iRiver players were rated as some of the best sounding portable items. So why are you making inaccurate assumptions.

i must agree really

the er4p are amazing but lack so much other high ends (se530 or triple fi etc.) have, in other words music is much more than great highs its also about powerful lows with super mids and mid lows are very important

 

[antonyfirst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Iriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man I got the kenwood mp3 player. Yes THE kenwood player. Its the best source, but it still does not help the ER4. THe ER4 only start to sound smooth on my denon source.. I love the kenwood though. I dont know about the JVC players though. I also have an archos, and an ipod. My username is Mr iriver but I cant change it, so give me a break.

Honestly, I was looking more at your signature than your nickname.

Quote:

I am a big fan of iRiver but their latest line up of HDD players is horrible. THe iRiver clix 2 is a really good source. Up there with the best portable mp3s as far as sound, but still not a good source. The imod is actually a good source, but its not very portable. So my statement stands. The ER4 is not a very good portable IEM. Unamped in a portable source it gets raped by a bunch of IEMs. SO how is my opinion denied by the facts. I have the kenwood player you mentioned. It cost me a lot of money and sounds good, but is still a portable source. And why is using iRiver bad. If you look back in the polls, the iRiver players were rated as some of the best sounding portable items. So why are you making inaccurate assumptions.

As I told you, and as I wrote countless times, the Etys need a good Equalizer to sound good. The Rock preset on the Kenwood HD10GB7 and HD30GB9 does make the difference, and shapes the sound signature of the Etymotic in a terrific way. I've had a bunch of IEMs, and I find that Etys beat them all. Obviously, as that funny acronym says, YMMV.

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif Honestly, I was looking more at your signature than your nickname.

Well my sig does say they USED to rule. Which means they dont anymore. THats why I use a kenwood instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif As I told you, and as I wrote countless times, the Etys need a good Equalizer to sound good. The Rock preset on the Kenwood HD10GB7 and HD30GB9 does make the difference, and shapes the sound signature of the Etymotic in a terrific way. I've had a bunch of IEMs, and I find that Etys beat them all. Obviously, as that funny acronym says, YMMV.

I have tried all that. I still can say I find a lot of IEMs better than the ER4 when it comes to portables. And amped, these many IEMs I find better, disappear, leaving only the triplefi, SE530, (E4c for some music), and UE 10 pro.