Pick your brain-feed some ?'s on Sensa 2x and Shure E5S experience

[joanna danna]

Nice to be on board with such a knowledgeable group of people.

I have a few simple question that need to be answered PDQ.

I am seriously thinking about purchasing either a pair of Sensaphonics 2x or Shure's E5c <gulp> for my Rio Carbon portable player and my PC .

After reading crowded threads on each of these devices I have concluded from a distance that the 2x is a significant step up. Nevertheless, would a novice's ears <albeit a generalized question> know the difference and would the limited portable output realize further differences between either device?

My primitive background with canalphones has been with an Ety 4P. I found them to be sterile and analytical and one of the most unique audible experiences I have had in a long while. In fact, without the aide of any drug inducers I had an epiphany while listening to them <Ennio Morricone> and came to realize that music can take on mathematical properties. Moreover while listening I swear there were so many layers to comprehend that the music took on the form of a mental maze. Weird trip! On the down note the Etys did not allow me to belly up and just enjoy the music.

Ramble aside, my interest is in finding a superb balance of incorporeal intimacy with one that can just as easily allow the mind to view the music in an analytical format. Would either device afford such experiences ?

I should further make note that my intentions are to use the device during light activity or convenient relaxation.

Last out of the gate, will the sound from either device be muddied without an amp?

All input welcome.
annaoj

 

[Oink1]

First off - Welcome to Head-Fi - your particular mode of ca$h carrying now belongs to us

Abandon hope of ever having that thing called 'spare cash' again...

As for your question - I've only ever spent an evening with the E5c's and wasn't too impressed with them,(guess i'm just an Ety guy at heart!

) They don't seem to have the overall clarity and seperation of the Ety's - Of course this is MY impression and YMMV...

As for the Sensa's they get a glowing report around here - come to think of it i've never read a negative comment.I would also venture to say they'll sound amazing ampless - but an amp can only make them better right?!(see 1st line!

)

I'm sure more members with more experience of these IEM's will join in with more valid comments than mine so i'll leave it at that.

 

[doctorjuggles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joanna danna After reading crowded threads on each of these devices I have concluded from a distance that the 2x is a significant step up. Nevertheless, would a novice's ears <albeit a generalized question> know the difference and would the limited portable output realize further differences between either device?

Not that it specifically answers your question, because I haven't heard the Sensas, but the general idea remains the same, and my evidence will pertain to you in all likelihood.

When I first went from cheap earbuds and started making my way up the audio ladder, I had the exact same fears and questions regarding whether or not my ears would be as good as the equipment. I'd always bought a specific pair of earbuds again and again because I liked their 'in-ear' style, a set by Sony called the MD-RED21LP. Anyway, I bought an iPod and read loads about the EX71s, so I shelled out for them and thought they were okay. Really muddy bass, but at the time they were better than stock, so I figured they were pretty good.

After reading many threads in this bloody place though, I started to itch for something better. Everyone in here was talking about tight bass, extended mids, resolution and what-not. I really wanted a piece of this weird-speaking action, but I was highly apprehensive. Anyway, one day I just bit the bullet and ordered a set of Shure E3s. The whole week that I was waiting for them to ship from the US, I was wondering if I'd just blown a bunch of money on something that I'd only notice a tiny little difference on.

I needn't have worried. The difference is, quite literally, night and day. The only way I can personally explain the difference is in the following way, because it's what I thought when I first heard the E3s:
If you've ever been to a proper nightclub, like fabric or The End or something like that, and compare that sound to a crappy club that just plays Top 40 hits, you'll understand the sound difference. One of them has bass that moves you and treble that brings out every detail of the song, whereas the other just makes enough noise for you to dance around and get drunk to.
In more simplified terms, the difference between a £40 cheapo Goodmans stereo, and a good but not fantastic mini hi-fi system is another reasonable analogy.

After the E3s, I had similar fears about upgrading from them to the E5s. Again, the difference was pointed out as being large here on head-fi. And once again, although I'm a complete novice, the difference stuck out like a sore thumb for me.

So I'll be ordering a pair of Sensaphonics this year, probably sooner than later, and I have confidence this time around that I'll be able to hear the step up.

Of course, all this evidence is only relevant to me, and as always, YMMV. But that's more a disclaimer than a reality when we're talking about stuff of this quality.

Again, as I say, this isn't directly addressing your question, but the idea remains the same, so hopefully this is of some use to you, and if you liked I can link you to my review of the E3/E5 where I actually menioned this exact fear.

Good luck, and whichever way you choose, enjoy your phones.

 

[pingles]

My first purchase after coming here was a pair of Etymotic ER4P earphones, and absolutely loved them. They got killed by my cat, and so whilst waiting to get them repaired I figured I'd try the Shure E5s in an attempt to get some more of the low-end that the Etymotics seemed to be missing. I too came to really love the E5s, but my gut reaction from moving immediately after using the Etys was that the sound was cluttered, and the top-end was significant in its absense. In short, they gave excitement, but didn't really do a particularly great job elsewhere.

I've since upgraded to the Sensa 2X (again after my E5s became damaged), and absolutely love them. They're far more comfortable than tri-flange tips that I had to wear with the Shures (the others didn't provide either the isolation or sound I wanted) and they combine the best aspects of both (to an extent).

As I've mentioned in other threads, they provide far great clarity, detail, separation (and hence airiness) than the E5s. My main pair of headphones is a pair of HD650s, and they do sound good in comparison. The main place I find the HD650s preferable is their general feeling of spaciousness -- the Sensas sound a little less natural, like they're trying harder to please

It really is quite a small difference.

Overall I would definitely recommend the Sensas over the E5s, and I would definitely say you'd notice the difference. The E5s sound muddy in comparison. Of course, you probably wouldn't notice unless you got the E5s too, but I would highly recommend the 2Xs over the E5s.

 

[vbmechanic]

I cannot offer any meaningful comparisons between canalphones as the Westone UM-2s were my first major headphone/in-ear purchase, but they are fantastic. I wouldn't look past them as a possibility when shopping in this price range. They are the first phones I've owned that come close to giving me the satisfaction of my home gear (system ~$5000 USD total). They have lots of upper end detail and a decent low end. Slightly thick in the lower midrange, but my head is adjusting. They are very comfortable and the whole package is excellent with an industrial carrying case and unobtrusive foam plugs.

 

[iamdone]

Another yes for the sensas over the E5. I didn't like the E5 and returned them after two weeks. The highs roll off too soon, too much bass for me, and not enough detail. The sensas are noticeably better even straight out of a portable.

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pingles I've since upgraded to the Sensa 2X (again after my E5s became damaged)......

If your cat did that again, it's time to consider a different pet

I have to agree with iamdone. The E5's are "good" in their own right, but I also returned them when I had the chance. Their muddiness was their killing blow, I just couldn't live with it. I would still pick them over the E3's (which I like) unless I had to pay for them....then I'd just keep the E3's.

I have not heard the sensas, but I am confident from reviews here that they are a big upgrade from the E5's. I went the UE route, another decent alternative.

 

[lindrone]

Believe it or not, I did have concerns about the sound quality of the Sensas when I threw my cash down on it. The reports on them were very incomplete at the time; I think there were one or two head-fier that had them before I got them, but they all but disappeared from the forum (which could be a good indication, or a horrifyingly bad one).

From the very moment I tried them on in my audiologist's office, and plugged them into my iPod, I knew I was dealing with a completely different class of sound. It doesn't take any long listening test or analysis to note the difference, the performance improvement is simply just *that* great.