[Typhoon859]

UPDATED: Please read posts 9 & 12 for the main bulk.  The "What I think I'm going for here" section of this post is probably also relevant.  Thanks!
 
Klipsch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826779006&Tpk=klipsch%20s4
SENNHEISER: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106247&Tpk=Sennheiser%20CX300%20II
-I also found the S4's new on ebay for $64 and the CX 300-II's for $44 on Amazon but lets assume they're both of the same value...

I hear good things about both, honestly more hype on the Klipsch, but I never actually heard of Klipsch and I trust SENNHEISER much more. What do you guys think? Maybe there are important technical differences which make it evident. I'm confused about them but the CX 400's might be in the same range: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000WOIG8C/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1273657053&sr=1-3&condition=new. Maybe there's some better canal headphones altogether in that price range. Whichever the case, there is often a clear winner in whatever the price range, like the Logitech Z-5500's are for 5.1 HTiB's in its range. I'd really appreciate input. Thanks!

-Some reviewers on Amazon who have tried both hands down like the SENNHEISER better while others just say they have heard better in the $50-$80 price range. Some say the opposite and the Klipsch definitely have more attention. "S" and "T" sounds are apparently harsh though but that's probably picky at this price range and likely true for all sets. It's a very annoying thing though. Anyway, I figured this might be the place to go and get this all sorted out

**I understand a lot is opinion but I will try and ask for unbiased views and any given info to be of certainty through careful testing. For instance, comparing headphones on an iPod vs. on a Cowon player is a big difference; the Cowon would give much more accurate results, everything considered. That would be enough so it doesn't necessarily have to be very technical. I'm hoping that there may be some very evident detail though that will make this an easy choice, regardless what headphones it will actually end up being. Again, there very well may be some other set well competing against any mentioned here. A lot go unnoticed. I've always liked Sony headphones so far (ones I've tried always in the $30 region) but apart from them, I don't really know. I'm assuming both mentioned items are better than my current headphones now though, these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826159152&cm_re=Sony_canal-_-26-159-152-_-Product. Maybe the following are worth an investment: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-EX500LP-Vertical-Style-Headphones/dp/B001RB24QO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273654215&sr=8-3? Found them for a really good deal elsewhere for $64. Sony hasn't failed me so far when it comes to this, in-ear canal models anyway.. Sincerely though, thank you! When it comes to headphones, it's hard without the personal experience really.

EDIT: For the originally mentioned headphones, both seem to have equal and consistent opposition, going through the reviews. I can't figure it out whatsoever, lol
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What I think I'm going for here-
1) First off, I listen to a large variety of music. The main genres directly conflict with each other so I don't think it would be much help. Still though, just to mention them, Rock (including Metal), Techno, Dance, Classical, and Opera (of sorts) I guess are the highlights. I could be more specific but I don't think that'd be of any use.
2) I assume the Cowon J3 has enough EQ options so that it could more then compensate for simple things that people don't buy headphones for not specifically doing. Rather, I'm looking for an all around balanced sound. Harshness in areas (maybe for Techno or something) can more easily be created purposely vs. a balance; I want something where beauty can break through loud and clear, like this for instance: http://www.mediafire.com/?jwz2twmhoyo. <-- Just a little sample.. If it's any trouble, I'll take it down.

 

[KLS]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/450407/multiple-iem-shootout-v-3
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-63-iems-compared-yuin-ok1-added-05-03/0

 

[aconteceu]

Balanced all-rounders: Thinksound Rain, UE SuperFi 4

 

[Confispect]

I had a short review written and then my computer decided it didn't want to stay on anymore. Anyhow this is a quick sum up of what I had written (S4)
 
-Highs-:There, nothing to complain about not sibilant, not over done there's just nothing special to state.
 
Moving on, next best thing, save the worst for last.
 
-Lows-This is definitly something you don't have to look to far for, it's present, and prominent and slightly boomy don't know if that's a good or bad thing I considered it somewhat....weird it's like you wanna spend time analyzing if your receiving quality or quantity or vice versa. Awkward, try listening to it.
 
And now here comes the good news with a bad twist.
 
-Mids- Now the mids are on par with the rest of sprectrum in quality which equals a slightly above average listening experience, the mids are their, detailed to a certain extent not on par with the Phonak's, Shure530's, but detailed.......voices are nothing to get happy about, nethier is instrument separation this is a mid/entry level phone one that can denfinley benefit from a amp. That's the good part but in the good you find the bad, the mids while being there, not saying they take a backdrop would be nice, saying there slightly recessed would be right. This is not a super complaint but it shows up slightly clarity wise, maybe because I had another phone in it's price range to compare it with...............which leads me to discuss something esle.
 
 
(Introducing more competition)
 
 
So you have the S4's in the 60, thru 70 price range but floating around right along side it, as well as on the same shelf! is the UE metro 220's, long name right? Anyhow I have the Metro's and a friend has the S4's doing comparisions, you notice that the overall sound of the Metro's is clearer, the clarity of the S4 is about 2 steps behind. Not bad just something you tend to notice. Bass wise it seems as if the S4 is 1 step more noticeable in the, 'thumping' region there's a tiny bit more impact, not necessarily more depth just impact also it might be my ears but I think it extends about a inch lower. A point for the S4's, another point for the S4 resides on Cnet where for some odd reason it wins editors choice and is place above the Shure530's. Seeing this I thought it was funny slash odd but no need to think to much into because it's 'Cnet'
 
Conclusion
 
After it was all said and done I personally picked the Metro's, clarity being the main issue.
 A different product alltogether making this three, comes at a even lower price range and higher quality, while not blowing these out of the park the other two look at this new competition thru a very small microscope trying not to appear envious. This new phone brings something to the table that the other can't....bass which will be explained. Now don't go thinking the S4 is a bass king because it's not, when being compared to the Metro it's just there more. When being compared to the rest of the headphones out there it's bass-light. Anyhow, the other phone bring something along with it that the other two lack, which is a timbre and presence. The headphones I speak is a Koss, and allthough not being a fan of Koss by a long run it packs more value then the other two at a cheaper price, why well it's almost like those two on steriods the reason for this resides in the low. It seems to have not only because but bigger beffier, subwoofer bass, witout a midbass hump.If you need any other impressions...... let me know as for a the Sennheiser's I have no clue. Hope to have helped...
 
 
)Koss(
 (http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^np^KE29I) 30$ what are the odds? and comes with life-time warranty, and can be found at your local walmart.......hmmmm
 
-

 

[dfrost]

Frequently recommended around head-fi.org in the $50-80 price range:
 
ViSang R03/Brainwavz M2 (described somewhere around here as "Klipsch S4 done right")
Head Direct RE0 (very detailed but light on bass to some tastes)
Maximo iM-590/iM-595/HS-5 (more neutral, balanced, high energy; latter two are variations for iPhones, etc.)
Soundmagic PL50 (quite comfortable; very balanced sound with an excellent soundstage)
Hippo VB (excellent, adjustable bass - too much for my tastes - with good clarity and soundstage)
Fischer Eterna (Another bassy, fun over-ear; new version coming soon)
 
I like my NuForce NE-7M (somewhat bassy but quite musical; NE-6 is the same thing without a mic)
 
Reviews for all of the above and many more are summarized by Joker and ClieOS in their monster comparison threads.

 

[Confispect]

The Hippo........now that's something despite my new toy I would like to check out.

 

[Br777]

simple solution... if youre torn between 2, order both on amazon, open carefully, return the one you dont like
 
amazon's got a great return policy and quite often will simply give you a full refund on an open item
 

 

[ZARIM]

If need more bass then Brainwavz M2, CKS70, S4, Sony EX500, Hippo VB, Denon C551 are clear winners and for better overall clarity RE0, NE8, Phiaton S210 are great buy. 

 

[Typhoon859]

Wow.  Thanks to everyone for all these great replies.  I usually thank individually but you guys are really on top of things here.  Before these suggestions though, I have already narrowed it down to two - possibly three.  Now it has grown to 4 - possibly 6, lol. Let's break those down...
 
I'm hoping that by listing these and asking/mentioning a few things in regards to specific pairs, it can be narrowed down a bit further.  At this point, I think it's best just to stick with looking at only the following..
 
-Sony MDR-EX500LP: http://www.eardio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=144
Nobody seems to mention Sony's even here.  But with my experience, Sony IEMs have never let me down so far, no matter the step relative to price.  I'm hoping somebody can let me in on how they stand/sound compared to the other pairs, more so I'd like to hear than how they are individually. 
-Head-Direct RE0: http://www.amazon.com/HeadDirect-RE0-earphones-HEAD-DIRECT-Headphones/dp/B001MQ8BL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273704834&sr=8-1
These seem to be consistently mentioned throughout everywhere and by everybody that knows what's up.  I'm only slightly worried about bass with these but considering I will soon have the Cowon J3, EQ should be able to handle that nicely if anything.  What can't be done is adding clarity that simply isn't there which is why I'm thinking that it's more important (mid-ranges mostly I guess).  The others seem worth comparing though, with possible signs of me liking them better, not to mention that these are the more expensive of the bunch.
-Sennheiser CX95: http://bestofferbuy.com/Sennheiser-CX95-Noise-Isolation-In-Ear-Earphone-%283.5mm-Jack/65cm-Cable%29-p-51942.html?currency=USD&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase
These don't seem to be very popular but from what I've heard, they're suggested to be better than the CX-400's. Not sure how they compare to 500's but those "x00's" all seem to be similar. The CX95's supposedly have better mids and just a better overall balance vs. simply louder, and sometimes even muddy, lows. Anyone know anything about them?
-Thinksound Rain: http://www.amazon.com/Thinksound-Wooden-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B002VKHT6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273792545&sr=8-1
The design of these seems to be beneficial to sound.  The wood is what gives me that impression but perhaps that conception holds no water and the insides might even possibly be in a way that keeps the sound from benefit.  Also, these have the most consistent 5-star reviews.  They look to have promise.  (It would be amazing if someone has experienced all six of these, lol.)  Of course a lot has to do with opinion though detailed opinion can point me in the direction that I'm looking for.  I'm usually good with determining what's a biased view and what isn't, so any input I would therefore find helpful.  Either way, that's not the case here
-Maximo iM-590: http://www.amazon.com/iM-590-Enhanced-Definition-Isolation-Earphones/dp/B002HI3VMW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273792842&sr=8-1
Their design looks to be rightfully detailed for sound isolation and furthermore, comfort.  They also have enough positive feedback and more than usual saying that they're the best for under $100.  Some negative things about them suggest to me that they're not the best choice though.  I'm not entirely sure. 
-Soundmagic PL50: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002K7FZBA/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1273840512&sr=8-1&condition=new
I don't know much about these but they were recommended here, I looked them up, and it appears to be possible that they're good XD.  Unrelated to sound (which is most important), I think the design is good with the plastic around the ears, but then again, the bent inward buds might limit the sound.  Either way, just from a first impression standpoint, they seem good.
 
-(The Etymotic headphones seem to only start being worth it over $100.  And plus, even with good reviews for what they offer, the ER6i's have bad specs regardless...)
 
EDIT: Damn, the list just seems to grow.  The Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220's (http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-MetroFi-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B001NTBVPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274707079&sr=8-1) look like possible competition.  I'm sure a few above are clear takers of them though.  I hope so anyway...
 
Answered - I mentioned what I'm looking for at the start and I don't think there's much else I can really say on that.  One additional thing I would like to ask though is, would the Comply T-400's help regardless of which headphones - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400111745206&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=f1458b031240a04378349354ffffef7a&itemid=400111745206&ff4=263602_263622?  Not necessarily?  Thanks again!

 

[dfrost]

Comply T-400 tips are very comfortable and provide excellent isolation. BUT -- they typically muffle the highs compared to other tips, they wear out (expect 1-3 weeks, then clean, then another 1-3 weeks, then they're shot), and they require a two-handed insertion to roll them smaller, then one hand to pull back on the ear.
 
There are several sources of alternate tips, depending on the nozzle of the your "final" IEM. So far, all of my current and previous IEMs have 5.5m nozzles (T-400 size, pretty common for dynamics), and after Comply, I've tried tips from MEElec (M9 or M11 sets), Head Direct and Shure E2c silicone. My current faves are the large Head Direct biflanges.

 

[Typhoon859]

Quote:

Comply T-400 tips are very comfortable and provide excellent isolation. BUT -- they typically muffle the highs compared to other tips, they wear out (expect 1-3 weeks, then clean, then another 1-3 weeks, then they're shot), and they require a two-handed insertion to roll them smaller, then one hand to pull back on the ear.
 
There are several sources of alternate tips, depending on the nozzle of the your "final" IEM. So far, all of my current and previous IEMs have 5.5m nozzles (T-400 size, pretty common for dynamics), and after Comply, I've tried tips from MEElec (M9 or M11 sets), Head Direct and Shure E2c silicone. My current faves are the large Head Direct biflanges.

I see..  Well in that case, different/extra tips would be on the last of my priorities.  I'd think about it when the originals would simply start to wear out.  For now I gotta figure out the headphones first

 
But yeah, I've heard about the T-400's muffling highs.  Thought it might've been a small issue.  Thanks for the input.
 

 

[Typhoon859]

So I've had the Cowon J3 for a while now and it has changed my priorities a little bit.  It has a fairly cold and dead sound.  The clarity and added detail is great but anywhere in the range, the sound simply sounds restricted.  This is using my mentioned current headphones which aren't like that with any other PMP/computer/receiver.  This player certainly requires high quality headphones for it to have an advantage.  It's possible that the sound is TOO natural and it reveals the true sound of the headphones, without any gimmicks (at the very least, that's what I hope and it's what the little bit of my testing with other headphones led me to conclude). Before now, I was thinking to go with the RE0's simply because they're known best of all as being the highest quality in this price range, as gathered so far from multiple places.
 
This being the case, which of the above mentioned (in bold a few posts up) headphones have the best mixture of high quality, balanced, and warm sound?  I'm really relying on you guys
 
-Thanks

 

[ljokerl]

The ViSang R03, though it didn't make your shortlist for some reason.

 

[Typhoon859]

Quote:

The ViSang R03, though it didn't make your shortlist for some reason.

You're the first to mention it I think and I can't even find a trace of it anywhere...  Like seriously, what is it?  I've never heard of it nor can I find it searching Amazon or Google Shopping. 
 
Either way, yeah, it's not on my list.  Lol, it's getting too long >.<

 

[Sennheiser]

 
Quote:

-Sennheiser CX95: http://bestofferbuy.com/Sennheiser-CX95-Noise-Isolation-In-Ear-Earphone-%283.5mm-Jack/65cm-Cable%29-p-51942.html?currency=USD&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase
These don't seem to be very popular but from what I've heard, they're suggested to be better than the CX-400's. Not sure how they compare to 500's but those "x00's" all seem to be similar. The CX95's supposedly have better mids and just a better overall balance vs. simply louder, and sometimes even muddy, lows. Anyone know anything about them?

I'm currently using the CX 95 myself. Yes, IMO, they have a better overall balance and their bass is cleaner than the CX 400 and CX 500. Do note that these products have undergone a name change - CX 95 is now known CX 550 II.