[TSi]

Guys and gals, I need help! My customs broke (FreQs)
 
I want a pair of IEM that is pretty neutral, great in all departments (bass, mid, highs)... not looking for customs, cause they are too expensive right now... but IEM price range is anything under 300 - 400$? (unless there are customs that are about the same/better than IEM for 400$)
 
Had the TF10s, way too bright in the highs.
I want something that has similar sound to the AKG K701 (with more bass) and Denon D5000. I know I won't get soundstage as big as the K701 and the bass as strong as the D5000.
 
So here are my "list"
Shures 535
Ultimate Ears TF10
Westone 2? UM2? 3? UM3?
Sennheiser IE8

anything else? maybe a cheaper pair of customs?
 
please recommend!!!

 

[sari0n]

I would add the Westone UM3x to your list as well as the SM3.
The UM3x is supposed to be very neutral.
 
I've never heard the K701 or the D5000, but this is the general opinion of the headphones on your list:
Shure 535 - very forward mids and strong bass
TF10's have a V-shaped signature, so strong bass and highs but slightly recessed mids
Westone 3 is supposed to be bassy, I don't know much else
IE8 is also very warm

 

[TSi]

Well for sure I'm not getting another pair of TF10, and probably not a pair of UE customs because they probably have the same sound signature.
 
so now it's down to the rest so many choices

 

[Eric_C]

You can't audition them locally?
 
Cross IE8 for neutrality.

 

[MR.X]

JH 5 and 1964-T both are customs for about 350-400$, both of which should perform as good or better than the earphones on your list.
 
Reviews of 1964-T
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530185/review-1964ears-1964-t
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530335/review-1964-t-triple-driver-customs-from-1964-ears

 

[mark2410]

535,um3x, RE-252 or 262

 

[TSi]

Quote:

You can't audition them locally?
 
Cross IE8 for neutrality.

Don't know of any place that would have them, other than Bay Bloor Radio, but their selection is pretty limited.
 
 
Quote:

JH 5 and 1964-T both are customs for about 350-400$, both of which should perform as good or better than the earphones on your list.
 
Reviews of 1964-T
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530185/review-1964ears-1964-t
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/530335/review-1964-t-triple-driver-customs-from-1964-ears

 
Thanks, will look into it! Looks like the 1964-T is pretty new so I'll have to wait a bit for more reviews to pour in. The JH5 is from the guy who made UE, so I'm afraid they will have the same highs/ recessed mids like the UE TF10

 

[Gastronomic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSi /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I want a pair of IEM that is pretty neutral, great in all departments (bass, mid, highs)... not looking for customs,

 
I would say um3x, although is a little tiny dark.

 

[TSi]

Quote:

535,um3x, RE-252 or 262

one thing about the 252/262, i heard the quality isnt great and breaks pretty easily, so that's a nono.
 
Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSi /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I want a pair of IEM that is pretty neutral, great in all departments (bass, mid, highs)... not looking for customs,

 
I would say um3x, although is a little tiny dark.

so now that's 2 for the um3x

 

[yifu]

Earsonics SM3 are very close to being perfect for an universal.

 

[Gastronomic]

Perfection is a strange concept.

 

[lucozade]

Sm3 is a very neutral and fantastic sounding iem , bass is as good or better than tf10 and treble is as extended and detailed but a lot softer and lighter sounding than on the tf10, it does not cause any sibilance of harshness or fatigue like the tf10 can with the wrong tips of fit.

 

[mark2410]

 
Quote:

Quote:

535,um3x, RE-252 or 262

one thing about the 252/262, i heard the quality isnt great and breaks pretty easily, so that's a nono.
 

 
do you mean build quality?  if so id dissagre, they may not be the most substantial things but id hardly call them fragile

 

[Bennyboy71]

RE262.  End of story.

 

[TSi]

too many to choose from and not enough money to buy them all