Ortofon e-Q5 Impressions Thread

[matt_sid]

Quote:

You can get the e-Q5 from Musica Acoustics and I think they ship to S. Korea.  Even though I sold mine they're still one of my all time favorite IEM's and they work well with every type of music, at least everything I through at them.

Thanks for the reply, here in Korea the EQ5s are less than a 150 bucks. I guess it's because we are right next to Japan where they are made.

 

[Techno Kid]

Well that's a fantastic deal I'd be jumping all over it.

 

[matt_sid]

Quote:

Well that's a fantastic deal I'd be jumping all over it.

Yep! After scrolling through about 20 pages of this thread my mind was made up and I couldn't wait any longer, so just ordered from the local online dealer. I was planning to take up a trip to the shop to try them in person, but as I said, I couldn't wait. If I hate them, I'll blame everyone on this thread! Just kidding.

 

[Techno Kid]

Cool, they are a great little IEM and have traits of both a BA and a dynamic driver.

 

[matt_sid]

So, I took delivery of my EQ5s a couple of days ago and am very happy about them, but I'm unable to decide which tips give me the best seal. I've tried all, and I think the best sound comes from the larger white silicon tips, but they are a little uncomfortable, the medium are ok, but they have to be inserted pretty deep, and as a sufferer of eardrum problems all my life my ears get pretty damn waxy (sorry for the 'too much information'!). The foam tips are great, possibly the best, difficult to be sure, because it takes me ages to swap tips around to try and truly compare, also they don't half make the barrels stick out a mile from your ears!
 
Anyhow, I'm waffling. My question is what other non supplied tips have people tried, I'm thinking of buying some of the smaller Shure Olives, or maybe Comply (although was always embarrassed how dirty they got on my old UM1s).
 
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[james444]

Quote:

Anyhow, I'm waffling. My question is what other non supplied tips have people tried, I'm thinking of buying some of the smaller Shure Olives, or maybe Comply (although was always embarrassed how dirty they got on my old UM1s).  
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 
My favorite tips with these are (genuine) Sony hybrids. Not only are they very comfortable, but they can also be used to adjust the sound signature, as decribed here and in the subsequent posts.

 

[matt_sid]

Thanks for the advice. I think I might hedge my bets and get some Shure Olives and the Sony Hybrids.

 

[Lifted Andreas]

You can get the e-Q5 from Musica Acoustics and I think they ship to S. Korea.  Even though I sold mine they're still one of my all time favorite IEM's and they work well with every type of music, at least everything I through at them.

+1

Mine still sound lovely to my ears.

I've been switching between e-Q5s and Yamaha EPH-100s lately, the latter sounds a bit crisper. However the e-Q5s are so well rounded I can't ignore them.

 

[matt_sid]

Now, that they've burned in a bit, these earphones are just simply incredible. The amount of times I've laughed out loud tonight in sheer enjoyment at songs I thought I knew, but obviously didn't. I don't have much knowledge of earphones (previous IEMs owned Klipsch S4 and Westone UM1s), but if you are on the fence about these, take the plunge, you won't regret it.

 

[dogears]

Finally, I might be able have these for a very good price

 

[Exci]

So it turns out that through Amazon JP/Tenso these can actually be ordered for ~110 EUR, which seems like an incredible deal (considering that they retail for 229 EUR here). Although I was leaning towards a warm/lush sound signature, the E-Q5's have somehow sparked my interest at this price point. I own a pair of Sennheiser IE7's and RE0's. The IE7 I love for their lush and warm sound and incredible soundstage, but I would prefer an IEM that is less veiled. The RE0's I find too lacking in the bass/mids, particularly in warmth and soundstage. The treble on them, on the other hand, is great, especially compared to the somewhat veiled Sennheiser sound. 
 
Basically I'm looking for something with more detail and more energy than the IE7's, yet retain a fair amount of bass detail, impact and soundstage. I understand that the e-Q5 will not deliver the IE7-like quantity, but do they sound as anemic as the RE0's? Going from the IE7 to the RE0 feels like the life is being sucked out of the recordings, if you get what I mean. 

 I've read contrasting things here on the two, but is anyone able to comment on the general warmth of the e-Q5 compared to the RE0? How "fun" are they compared to the RE0 and is there a better sense of bass impact with the e-Q5?
 
FWIW I listen to a lot of (hard) rock (Alter Bridge, In Flames, Tool, Three Days Grace, Porcupine Tree, etc.), but also a fair amount of other genres (i.e. Death Cab for Cutie, John Mayer, Radiohead, Andy Mckee), which is why the BA-like influence would be highly appreciated in terms of speed/clarity.

 

[psygeist]

Sub bass is pretty good. Balanced, silky mids. Thicker sounding compared to RE-0.

 

[Techno Kid]

The e-Q5 isn't as warm as a lot of IEM's like the BA200, SM3 or the RE262.  The e-Q5's high have a good amount of sparkle and treble detail.  The mids have a smooth sound to them and they're a bit forward but more balanced than the e-Q7.  Now the bass is unique in that it has dynamics like a analytical dynamic driver and the speed of a BA yet it can hit pretty good and have good depth when you have bass boost on an amp on or EQ'ed.  One of the best parts is the soundstage and presentation as the e-Q5 is spacious with very good imaging and separation.
 
I've never heard the RE0 but I have to believe the e-Q5 is warmer but it has the same level of detail with a better over all presentation.  I'm actually looking to get another pair because I sold mine to fund other purchases but I'd really like to have a pair again, its a very good IEM especially for $199.

 

[Exci]

Quote:

Sub bass is pretty good. Balanced, silky mids. Thicker sounding compared to RE-0.

 
Thank you, that helps. Would you say the e-Q5 is more "fun" than the RE-0 or is it basically doing a lot of things better, but ends up being a tad boring as well?
 
Quote:

The e-Q5 isn't as warm as a lot of IEM's like the BA200, SM3 or the RE262.  The e-Q5's high have a good amount of sparkle and treble detail.  The mids have a smooth sound to them and they're a bit forward but more balanced than the e-Q7.  Now the bass is unique in that it has dynamics like a analytical dynamic driver and the speed of a BA yet it can hit pretty good and have good depth when you have bass boost on an amp on or EQ'ed.  One of the best parts is the soundstage and presentation as the e-Q5 is spacious with very good imaging and separation.
 
I've never heard the RE0 but I have to believe the e-Q5 is warmer but it has the same level of detail with a better over all presentation.  I'm actually looking to get another pair because I sold mine to fund other purchases but I'd really like to have a pair again, its a very good IEM especially for $199.

 
Interesting comment. The RE262 is out for the simple reason that I don't want to walk around with an amp, the SM3 is well out of my price range. As for the BA200: I considered these, but for some reason I got the impression that they would be less suited for the more aggressive music I listen to (perhaps a matter of soundstage and presentation?). I would pair them with a Cowon D2+, so there are ample possibilities for EQ'ing. The RE0 still sounds a little dull (i.e. "dry") to me though, even when EQ'ing the low frequencies. Tough call; it's so much easier to figure out what I don't want instead of what I do want. Does the e-Q5 add a certain weight to the notes or is it overall a rather thin sounding IEM? My gripe with neutral or "sparkly" IEMs is that they often come across as rather thin sounding to me, even after EQ'ing, but that may just be my experience. 

 

[Techno Kid]

I can tell you the e-Q5 is a fun IEM and they work well with all types of music.  Its not a thin sounding IEM at all, it has very good dynamics and it does add some weight to the music.