Opinions on the Etymotic MC5 earphones?

[rt310]

So.. i know basically nothing about earphones, and i was wondering if the mc5 ones from etymotic were good? i know that they have the best isolation, but what are its good and bad points? any help would be appreciated - and if they aren't good, what earphones would you suggest that are around $100

 

[291079]

i would strongly advise you to try it. the deep ear insertion thing is not to everyone's liking, inc me.
 
for that price, prob gonna get a lot of ppl saying  se215, ue600, re0.

 

[dziendobry]

It really depends what type of music you are listening to.  I love my MC5 for classical, they are very accurate.  The SE215 by shure have excellent bass resolution and a great midrange, the highs are lacking for classical, they sound great with rock, EDM, etc  UE600 are an excellent BA IEM that have a very accurate sound but better bottom end, that is another favorite for classical of mine.  I have not heard the RE0.  There is quite a large following of various Audio Technica varities, large long threads with good comparisons by quite a few people.
 
Happy Listening,
 
Paul

 

[soundstige]

MC5 are okay, but not for around $100. MC5 sounds a bit like RE0, but the MC5 has poorer instrument separation and bass. They are clinical and detailed with nice mids.
 
For $100, I would recommend RE0 or Etymotic HF2/3/5 if you want a balanced/detailed/clinical sound.
 

 

[Xinn3r]

Isolation, as with other Etymotic earphones, are top notch.. although if you're not a fan of analytical signatures, the MC5 can sound thin... lifeless...

 

[jarrett]

Didn't like the MC5, returned it to Amazon. Cold, lifeless; couldn't get excited by anything I played

 

[kmhaynes]

The MC5 is not a great representation of the Ety sound.  It is not a balanced amriture driver, like all other Ety earphones (except for the kids earphone).  As has been said the HF5 is a better step up from the MC5 -- the MC5 just can't quite keep up with busy or complicated music -- the HF5 sounds much better, faster, more accurate.  It is worth the extra $$ over the MC5.

 

[291079]

 
Quote:

The MC5 is not a great representation of the Ety sound.  It is not a balanced amriture driver, like all other Ety earphones (except for the kids earphone).  As has been said the HF5 is a better step up from the MC5 -- the MC5 just can't quite keep up with busy or complicated music -- the HF5 sounds much better, faster, more accurate.  It is worth the extra $$ over the MC5.

 

i agree. after testing the mc5, hf5 and er4p, mc5 were definitely different to the hf5 and er4p

 

[captjag]

I like them for the isolation and like others said it's incredibly detailed and true. That being said I'll be the first to admit they don't blow me away and I feel like the se215s would have been better suited for my musical tastes.

Isolation can't be beat though.