Recently returned to the hi-fi market, I need some guidance.

[Raven9891]

Hello Head-Fi,

I've been away from the head-fi world for some time now and it seems like I've missed a lot. I come before you today humbly seeking advice. In my absence the world of high end headphones seems to have grown quite a bit. This growth, coupled with an expanded budget are leaving me spoiled for choice; I simply don't have the requisite knowledge to narrow my selections down without outside help. So please, grant me your wisdom (or at least some opinions).

Background:
~4.5 years ago I was in the market for some portable daily-wear earbuds. My main requirements at the time were, in order: Value, isolation, portability. I ended up with a pair of Gr07 mkII and a fiio e17. I have used that combo for near daily use since then. At this point the plating has nearly entirely worn off the 3.5mm connector and that's causing signal strength issues for the right channel. It's easy enough to fix, but it's as good an excuse as any to start hunting for new equipment. I like to say they've more than delivered on their value at this point. So, I've been shopping around for a new pair of near-daily-wear headphones. This time though I have very different priorities.

Requirements:
-Isolation - Now, rather than need to block out the banshee's wail of BART tracks, my isolation needs are near non-existent. At most I need to not bother my co-workers in neighboring cubes.
-Portability - still important since I'm not comfortable leaving my audio equipment at work. I'm not against carrying a small hard-case back and forth. Plus it would be nice to have something that performed serviceability off my phone.
-Price - this time around the budget has nearly tripled. For the whole package, headphones + amp, I think 700-800 is reasonable.
-Durability - simply put if I'm paying 500+ for some equipment I want to have confidence I'll get 5+ years of use out of them.

Decisions, decisions:
After perusing the holiday gift guide I found myself ogling many pairs of IEMs and full size headphones. They are in no particular order.
1. Audeze iSine20: Early impressions are saying the cipher cable is great, but anything passed through the standard 3.5mm cable is underwhelming. Good for portability and they come in under the budget. Plus they're kinda unique which wins some point with me.
2. UE 900:Throwing 4 BAs at the challenge of audio quality sounds like a decent enough answer. I trust the UE name, I assume these represent a safe bet.
3. Shure SE535: I don't know if these or the UEs are the better bet. Again, I assume this is a safe route.
4. Koss ESP950: probably too cumbersome to be a real contender. No portability due to the necessity of the "energizer". The value proposition of entry level summit-fi for less than $1000 is very attractive though.

I'm sure there are a hundred other pairs out there that meet my requirements. I also have no knowledge of who's making good amps right now. I'd greatly appreciate suggestions for either or both.

At the end of the day I will probably weigh my decision heavily on overall value.

Please help me find my headphones for the next 1/2 decade!

 

[buke9]

Hello Head-Fi,

I've been away from the head-fi world for some time now and it seems like I've missed a lot. I come before you today humbly seeking advice. In my absence the world of high end headphones seems to have grown quite a bit. This growth, coupled with an expanded budget are leaving me spoiled for choice; I simply don't have the requisite knowledge to narrow my selections down without outside help. So please, grant me your wisdom (or at least some opinions).

Background:
~4.5 years ago I was in the market for some portable daily-wear earbuds. My main requirements at the time were, in order: Value, isolation, portability. I ended up with a pair of Gr07 mkII and a fiio e17. I have used that combo for near daily use since then. At this point the plating has nearly entirely worn off the 3.5mm connector and that's causing signal strength issues for the right channel. It's easy enough to fix, but it's as good an excuse as any to start hunting for new equipment. I like to say they've more than delivered on their value at this point. So, I've been shopping around for a new pair of near-daily-wear headphones. This time though I have very different priorities.

Requirements:
-Isolation - Now, rather than need to block out the banshee's wail of BART tracks, my isolation needs are near non-existent. At most I need to not bother my co-workers in neighboring cubes.
-Portability - still important since I'm not comfortable leaving my audio equipment at work. I'm not against carrying a small hard-case back and forth. Plus it would be nice to have something that performed serviceability off my phone.
-Price - this time around the budget has nearly tripled. For the whole package, headphones + amp, I think 700-800 is reasonable.
-Durability - simply put if I'm paying 500+ for some equipment I want to have confidence I'll get 5+ years of use out of them.

Decisions, decisions:
After perusing the holiday gift guide I found myself ogling many pairs of IEMs and full size headphones. They are in no particular order.
1. Audeze iSine20: Early impressions are saying the cipher cable is great, but anything passed through the standard 3.5mm cable is underwhelming. Good for portability and they come in under the budget. Plus they're kinda unique which wins some point with me.
2. UE 900:Throwing 4 BAs at the challenge of audio quality sounds like a decent enough answer. I trust the UE name, I assume these represent a safe bet.
3. Shure SE535: I don't know if these or the UEs are the better bet. Again, I assume this is a safe route.
4. Koss ESP950: probably too cumbersome to be a real contender. No portability due to the necessity of the "energizer". The value proposition of entry level summit-fi for less than $1000 is very attractive though.

I'm sure there are a hundred other pairs out there that meet my requirements. I also have no knowledge of who's making good amps right now. I'd greatly appreciate suggestions for either or both.

At the end of the day I will probably weigh my decision heavily on overall value.

Please help me find my headphones for the next 1/2 decade!

Wow your pics are all over the place. I haven't heard some of them so take this with a grain of whatever. Listened to the Sines and EL8's from lightning cable and would pic the 8's myself if I had to choose. Haven't heard either iems but the UE Zeus was the best IEM and closing in on most headphones I've ever heard. The ESP 950 I own and love. They are so different from the others I own but great none the less. Not soundstage or detail monsters but a whole lot of fun.

 

[Frozen Rat]

I've been using my Audeze Sines with cyber cable for portable situations where sound leakage is frowned upon. At first I had to adjust to how different they sound from Grados but after a few hours now I'm settling in with them and I'm very happy. These are replacing Grado GR10s. The GR10s are excellent but IEMs never fit my ears right, the cords tangle, they aren't as sturdy, etc. and the Sines, so far, have addressed those issues. I like just putting them on my head and never having to fiddle with them again. They sound really nice. They won't rival a nice home right but for those out-and-about situations, I can tell you from my experience (as short as it is so far) that I think they work well for these situations.

 

[buke9]

My big problem with the Sines is they are on ear headphones. I can't stand that myself.

 

[Raven9891]

First of all, Thank you both for the quick replies.

Regarding the sines: on ears are kind of a deal breaker for me. I wear glasses and typically I get bothered when the earpiece is pinched between my ear and skull.

I'll take a look at the EL8s.

For a little more background info. I typically listen to heavier music, metal and the like. I seem to be enjoying jazzier things as well lately, possibly caused by early onset old age. In either case, bass detail is a very important thing to me.
I typically listen at softer volumes, that's one reason I still prefer some isolation and typically lean towards IEMs.

 

[voxie]

First of all, Thank you both for the quick replies.

Regarding the sines: on ears are kind of a deal breaker for me. I wear glasses and typically I get bothered when the earpiece is pinched between my ear and skull.

I'll take a look at the EL8s.

For a little more background info. I typically listen to heavier music, metal and the like. I seem to be enjoying jazzier things as well lately, possibly caused by early onset old age. In either case, bass detail is a very important thing to me.
I typically listen at softer volumes, that's one reason I still prefer some isolation and typically lean towards IEMs.

Hi "possibly caused by early onset old age" that gave me a laugh!! Maybe check out a company ... RHA. the newest model the  CL1 Ceramic iem has just got a very good review here. I have the ma750 by same company and can vouch for the build and sq. They come with a 3 year warranty that from personal experience uphold to the letter. Maybe the fact that they are worn over ear maybe a draw back since you wear glasses, Well, hope this is of help.

 

[Raven9891]

Hi Voxie,

That style of over the ear IEM doesn't bother me. I actually prefer it when the cable is designed to loop over my ear.
I may have to root around in the CL1 review thread and see if anyone can compare them to the Gr07s.

Buke9,
In your experience with the EL-8s, were they worth the asking price when compared to other $700-800 cans?
Also did you get a chance to listen to them from the 3.5mm cable through a dedicated amp?

 

[voxie]

Hi Voxie,

That style of over the ear IEM doesn't bother me. I actually prefer it when the cable is designed to loop over my ear.
I may have to root around in the CL1 review thread and see if anyone can compare them to the Gr07s.

Buke9,
In your experience with the EL-8s, were they worth the asking price when compared to other $700-800 cans?
Also did you get a chance to listen to them from the 3.5mm cable through a dedicated amp?

Hi Raven9891 here is a link to RHA..... https://www.rha-audio.com