Recommendation needed: In-ear phones

[kloan]

I'm coming from Sony EX71. I like the bass it provides, but they're too damn fragile. The cord ripped after a few days, no idea how.. so now there's an ugly black shrink tube on it, with glue.. time to replace them.

So can someone recommend to me a nice pair of in-ear phones that will have LOTS of bass? I absolutely HATE any headphones that don't have bass. Most of the music I listen to has sub frequencies, and the one thing I like about the EX71 is that they can actually pick that up.

Btw, these will be paired with an iPod Nano.

Thanks

 

[chungsoi]

What is your price range?

Shure e2c (<$100)
UE super.fi 5 EB ($199)
UE super.fi 5 Pro ($249)
Westone UM2 ($299)
Shure e5 ($350)

 

[nomdeguerre]

Shure E4 on some dealers for $179. Great deal, IMO, but try calling in first (ex. headphonesolutions)

 

[chungsoi]

I wouldn't say the e4's have LOTS of bass...

 

[solvexyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chungsoi I wouldn't say the e4's have LOTS of bass...

Not if you use with iPod Nano. Shure e4c is much better on iPod nano. However, still not as good as UM2.

 

[chungsoi]

We're talking about IEM's which has "LOTS of bass". Maybe the nano has more bass than previous ipods but at the end of the day, the e4's have nice, tight bass, not in huge amounts.

 

[kloan]

Honestly, my price range is most likely going to be <$100.. until things pick up for me anyway.

So keeping that in mind, the Shure e2c would be the best? I've seen quite a few new cheaper in-ears hit the market, but no idea if they're good or not.

I like the comfort of the EX71, so easy to put in and get a seal, and I never get that suction, which I absolutely hate. One tug on the cord and OUCH!!

 

[kero1017]

it has been 2 years since i haven't heard ex71sl..
i've come from ex71 to e2c, e2c to er6i,... and so on
and now i own lots of them.. lol
anywhoo, to be honest w/ you, i really thought e2c sucked
when i got them, especially the looks and annoying cord. and most i hated was the bass !! ( I got so used to that exaggerated bass of the sony earphone) However, you'll notice evantually that e2c is wayy better than 71sl...
Clearer sound ( even though it's still lil muddy)
more isolation
good low+mid sound
not exaggerated bass, just good enough..

well in my opinion, you should give it a try !

 

[Flagger]

wow, im in the middle of migrating from my ex51's (had them for 18months now) to the e2c's. will be getting them monday. i also have a ipod nano (using mp3gain/electronic eq). so if you want to wait, and see what my opinion is....

 

[Jasper994]

For less than $100 with bass, the E2's are going to be your best bet. They'll have a pretty sturdy cord too.

If you've got a Guitar Center nearby and have decent negotiation skills you should be able to get them for $55 + tax.

 

[kloan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagger wow, im in the middle of migrating from my ex51's (had them for 18months now) to the e2c's. will be getting them monday. i also have a ipod nano (using mp3gain/electronic eq). so if you want to wait, and see what my opinion is....

this sounds like a good plan.. post the results

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper994 For less than $100 with bass, the E2's are going to be your best bet. They'll have a pretty sturdy cord too. If you've got a Guitar Center nearby and have decent negotiation skills you should be able to get them for $55 + tax.

hmm, i'll check that out.. i've been seeing them for $100 cdn

 

[Flagger]

ok, just got them and have been playing around with them for a few hours now. 1st thing, it really took a while to figure out how to fit these in my ears properly, but once in were fairly comfortable, but not as good as the ex51. however, isolation was higher than the ex51 with the hard silicon tips.

1st sound impression, WHOA! after 18 months of using my ex51's, it was a super shock to have a very strong midrange, i could 'feel' the singers again. however to get good bass out of these, a good seal is needed. the bass isnt as loud as the ex51, but is much more defined. though i spose the ex51 bass is 'boomy'. a analogous example is listening to a dance track at a nightclub, u know how that sounds, really boomy, single toned, but it feels really good. then u go home and listen to your tower speakers out of your hi fi setup, the bass is more defined, but the feel isnt as strong.

anyway back to the headphones, i found the hard silicon tips irritating after a while and put the foamies on. bass increased and so did comfort.

now for the next part ive been playing with jpop and eurobeat. on my ipod mini, with the ex51's i was using the electronic eq setting, and the treble wasvery scratchy, but any other setting made it sound quite flat in the treble range. with the e2c, ive gone with the dance setting, it pumps the bass and treble up a bit. on that note, ive noticed the treble on the e2c isnt asharsh as the ex51, in fact its rather enjoyable. thats something ive noticed other headfi'rs disagree with.

one more thing, the e2c is easier to drive than the ex51, i dont have to turn it up as loud. this should lead to longer battery life

anyway, my verdict is the e2c is a level above the ex51. i recommend getting the e2c over the ex51 if u get the chance.

(ps. i still think the ex51 is ok, and has its place in the market, when at reduced pricing)