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Need advice - Searching for the right gears

Feb 16, 2016 at 2:46 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13
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pcgk33

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Hi all, i'm new here and a beginner in Hi-Fi. Currently I'm trying to improve the sound quality of the music that i listen to and i'm overwhelmed by all the information available online. So i'm looking for advice from the more experienced music/Hi-Fi lover like you to get started!
 
the following are some information related to my questions:
I am looking to improve the music quality on phone/music player
-using Google Music and have the full access for the songs
-unsure if i should get a portable amp or HD music player like Cowell, A&K or Sony zx
-prefer the music player that operate on Android (Google Music)
-using Shure 425 and 840
-listen to jazz, post-rock and shoesgazing 
 
I have no idea how important the amp is, but I did some research and found that the Creative E5 is affordable and has very good features. 
Preferably, I would like to stay with Google Music, so the Sony zx2 is the only one (Astell&Kern AK120ii and above is too expensive) of the three that can use Google Music. I know i'm listening to mp3, but is it not worth all the push for a better listening? 
 
Any advice would be appreciated as I continue to learn more about Hi-Fi.
 
Thanks in advance!
 
Feb 17, 2016 at 10:07 AM Post #4 of 13
Hi, have no experience with the creative but maybe check out the Fiio Dac / Amp KUNLUN. Works great when paired with my phone. Improves the general SQ of Google Play. Also the Fiio KILLMAJARO portable amp is a great add on. Hope this is of help. Best of luck.
 
Feb 18, 2016 at 3:29 PM Post #7 of 13
Hi, had the Shures until my son stepped on them and broke the nozzle!! But, in what I can recall they sound really good when amped. In general if you are using the Shures plunged into a portable Dac / Amp they will improve the SQ overall. Will improve the bass on the Shures which in my opinion are a bit lacking. Of course everybody has their own preference.
 
Feb 18, 2016 at 4:43 PM Post #8 of 13
Hi guys. I'm just new here, but I've been reading a lot of very useful reviews in here. So, I decided to join.

So, my name is Smith(my first name), 25, from Philippines.

I just would like ask some opinions or suggestions. I've been hunting for these 'Giant Killers'(as they call it), which basically affordable IEMs with decent build and SQ which could somehow compete with more IEMs several times more expensive, mostly from big names. My recent purchase was Xiaomi Mi Piston 3, and I gotta say they'e awesome and I'm loving them. These buds' build quality is just way up above they're price range. I got these for around $20, brand new. There's that 'premium' feeling when I opened the box. I totally forgot they're $20 IEMs. And the sound quality is very good as well. Not too V-shaped, just enough for my liking. Highs ang mids are crisp and clear. I specially like the bass, it's punchy and not overpowering.

Anyway, I consider on getting my next GK. I'm eyeing on Xiaomi Mi Piston 2, Xiaomi Piston 4 Hybrid and the more affordable Awei ES900i(with few, but positive reviews). If you own or have used even one of these, please tell me your views about these IEMs. Thank a lot.
 
Feb 18, 2016 at 4:50 PM Post #9 of 13
Hi guys. I'm just new here, but I've been reading a lot of very useful reviews in here. So, I've decided to join.

So, my name is Smith(my first name), 25, from Philippines.

I just would like to ask some opinions or suggestions. I've been hunting for these 'Giant Killers'(as they call it), which basically affordable IEMs with decent build and SQ which could somehow compete with IEMs several times more expensive, mostly from big names. My recent purchase was Xiaomi Mi Piston 3, and I got to say they'e awesome and I'm loving them. These buds' build quality is just way up above they're price range. I got these for around $20, brand new. There's that 'premium' feeling when I opened the box. I totally forgot they're $20 IEMs. And the sound quality is very good as well. Not too V-shaped, just enough for my liking. Highs ang mids are crisp and clear. I specially like the bass, it's punchy and not overpowering.

Anyway, I consider on getting my next GK. I'm eyeing on Xiaomi Mi Piston 2, Xiaomi Piston 4 Hybrid and the more affordable Awei ES900i(with few, but positive reviews). If you own or have used even one of these, please tell me your views about these IEMs. Thanks a lot.
 
Feb 18, 2016 at 5:27 PM Post #10 of 13
18smith19 said:
Hi guys. I'm just new here, but I've been reading a lot of very useful reviews in here. So, I've decided to join.

So, my name is Smith(my first name), 25, from Philippines.

I just would like to ask some opinions or suggestions. I've been hunting for these 'Giant Killers'(as they call it), which basically affordable IEMs with decent build and SQ which could somehow compete with IEMs several times more expensive, mostly from big names. My recent purchase was Xiaomi Mi Piston 3, and I got to say they'e awesome and I'm loving them. These buds' build quality is just way up above they're price range. I got these for around $20, brand new. There's that 'premium' feeling when I opened the box. I totally forgot they're $20 IEMs. And the sound quality is very good as well. Not too V-shaped, just enough for my liking. Highs ang mids are crisp and clear. I specially like the bass, it's punchy and not overpowering.

Anyway, I consider on getting my next GK. I'm eyeing on Xiaomi Mi Piston 2, Xiaomi Piston 4 Hybrid and the more affordable Awei ES900i(with few, but positive reviews). If you own or have used even one of these, please tell me your views about these IEMs. Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

You might want to check out this thread.
 
Feb 18, 2016 at 5:38 PM Post #11 of 13
To the original poster, what type of phone do you have? Many phone DACs these days are outstanding. Do you have any issues with volume not being loud enough? That is the primary function of an amp unless you're looking for features like bass boost. If you have a decent phone and it gets loud enough, you might want different headphones. Or you might be all set and don't need anything :) New headphones will be the biggest noticeable change if everything else is at least decent.
 
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