Jasper994
Organizer for Can Jam '09
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2003
- Posts
- 6,119
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- 22
I would have never thought when I sat down to write this I’d have such a hard time…. It seems to me that it’s a lot easier to write a review about something that has a bunch of flaws than it is to write about something that’s this incredibly good. Is it perfect then? No, of course the E500s aren’t perfect. Heck, even the UE-10 with it's $1k price tag and custom fit isn’t perfect, but the E500 has achieved a level of performance so high that only the nit pickiest of people could really find much wrong with them.
When I first listen to a piece of gear I generally run through a little checklist in the first few minutes, the E500 went something like this:
1) Is it offensive to listen to? – nope
2) Does it sound like mud? – nope
3) Alright then, it doesn’t completely suck, so how’s the bass? – Excellent, it’s tight, detailed with good texture, punchy, and deep. There’s plenty of it without getting excessive or masking the mids or highs.
4) Mids? – Liquid smooth with loads of detail. The upper mids have very good bite without getting harsh.
5) Treble? – refined, smooth, not peaky or harsh, very good detail
6) Attack – Excellent
7) Decay – Excellent
8) Overall tonal balance? – Fantastic!!!
9) Soundstage – Amazing for an IEM!
10) Imaging – Very, very good
11) Any complaints? Hmmm… Well, it’s not quite as good as the UE-10, but for ½ the cost it’s close enough!
12) Well then why isn’t it perfect? Well, the UE-10 is a little more detailed in the highs and if you have a really good fit the bass is a little more powerful (which I happen to like).
So after spending a few weeks with them, what do I think? Well, after hearing the E500, the Triple-Fi, and the Westone 3 I come away with this: I think the E500 is the most well-balanced, while the Westone 3 is the most euphoric with its lush warmth, and the Triple-Fi is well… um… the brightest.… Okay I love UE, and adore many of their products, but just can’t seem to make myself fall for the Triple-Fi, and trust me, I’ve tried. I think if you’re an Etymotic lover you may enjoy the Triples, but if you find Etys bright and harsh I think you’ll find the Triples to be bright and harsh as well. Between the E500 and Westone 3 though, it’s a tough call. If you put it in terms of lovers, the E500 for me might be the perfect wife, while the Westone 3 might be the perfect mistress. It could easily go the other way if euphony is more important to you than neutrality. I tend to have a slight preference for neutrality.
I think the biggest compliment that I can give the E500 is that despite owning the UE-10, I’m putting them on my short list for things to acquire. While the 10s are a bit more detailed, particularly in the highs, the E500s are more comfortable for sleeping, and go in and out quicker with less discomfort for when I’m out and about. Of course if the performance difference were huge I’d say screw the E500, I’m sticking with my 10s regardless, but that’s not the case. The performance is that close and there are plenty of situations where the E500 is a better fit. Not to mention you can sell them when Shure comes out with the SE7000 or something….
When I first listen to a piece of gear I generally run through a little checklist in the first few minutes, the E500 went something like this:
1) Is it offensive to listen to? – nope
2) Does it sound like mud? – nope
3) Alright then, it doesn’t completely suck, so how’s the bass? – Excellent, it’s tight, detailed with good texture, punchy, and deep. There’s plenty of it without getting excessive or masking the mids or highs.
4) Mids? – Liquid smooth with loads of detail. The upper mids have very good bite without getting harsh.
5) Treble? – refined, smooth, not peaky or harsh, very good detail
6) Attack – Excellent
7) Decay – Excellent
8) Overall tonal balance? – Fantastic!!!
9) Soundstage – Amazing for an IEM!
10) Imaging – Very, very good
11) Any complaints? Hmmm… Well, it’s not quite as good as the UE-10, but for ½ the cost it’s close enough!
12) Well then why isn’t it perfect? Well, the UE-10 is a little more detailed in the highs and if you have a really good fit the bass is a little more powerful (which I happen to like).
So after spending a few weeks with them, what do I think? Well, after hearing the E500, the Triple-Fi, and the Westone 3 I come away with this: I think the E500 is the most well-balanced, while the Westone 3 is the most euphoric with its lush warmth, and the Triple-Fi is well… um… the brightest.… Okay I love UE, and adore many of their products, but just can’t seem to make myself fall for the Triple-Fi, and trust me, I’ve tried. I think if you’re an Etymotic lover you may enjoy the Triples, but if you find Etys bright and harsh I think you’ll find the Triples to be bright and harsh as well. Between the E500 and Westone 3 though, it’s a tough call. If you put it in terms of lovers, the E500 for me might be the perfect wife, while the Westone 3 might be the perfect mistress. It could easily go the other way if euphony is more important to you than neutrality. I tend to have a slight preference for neutrality.
I think the biggest compliment that I can give the E500 is that despite owning the UE-10, I’m putting them on my short list for things to acquire. While the 10s are a bit more detailed, particularly in the highs, the E500s are more comfortable for sleeping, and go in and out quicker with less discomfort for when I’m out and about. Of course if the performance difference were huge I’d say screw the E500, I’m sticking with my 10s regardless, but that’s not the case. The performance is that close and there are plenty of situations where the E500 is a better fit. Not to mention you can sell them when Shure comes out with the SE7000 or something….
