Tams
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2009
- Posts
- 27
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- 13
I'm looking for a replacement for my Phonak Audéo PFE 121s ('Gold' version).
Firstly, what I like about the PFEs and thus what I would like:
What I don't like:
Anyway, I feel I have got rather sidetracked, so here's a quick summary of what I'm looking for:
I understand there is a second revision of the PFEs. Unless the build quality is better, then I'm not that interested and the filter issue will probably still be there. For how much they cost, the PFEs were brilliant, so I would be willing to get some slightly worse IEMs.
Firstly, what I like about the PFEs and thus what I would like:
- The sound. I'm not a basshead and I find the mids and treble of the PFE to be utterly wonderful. The neutral nature of the PFEs is great as I don't like my music to be coloured.
- The fit. The PFEs fit very well. They're not perfect (no laughing now), but they are very comfortable and the seal is good.
- The price.
What I don't like:
- The build quality. Generally it is very good, but without the silicon guides the wire cover came loose. This made them uncomfortable.
- The filters. I only use the neutral ones and prefer it that way, so that isn't a negative. The problem I have is that they get clogged up quickly, even after cleaning the tips after each session. Not only is replacing the filters annoying (though not difficult), they are also rather expensive. Having to carry the whole case around is an annoyance as well.
- The mic preventing the wire toggle from going all he way up. I think this might have contributed to the wire cover wearing.
Anyway, I feel I have got rather sidetracked, so here's a quick summary of what I'm looking for:
- Same sound. If there is an IEM which is more neutral (e.g. if the PFE has a lack of bass) then it would be preferably.
- No more expensive (the PFEs cost about £130). I might be willing to go £20 higher, but ideally I want something cheaper.
- Comfortable fit. It doesn't have to be as good.
- Better build quality, specifically the wires.
- Preferably no replaceable filters; though if there are better ones I would consider them (not that I know of any).
- Cable controls if available, but these aren't important. If there are some, they would need to be better than the PFE one.
I understand there is a second revision of the PFEs. Unless the build quality is better, then I'm not that interested and the filter issue will probably still be there. For how much they cost, the PFEs were brilliant, so I would be willing to get some slightly worse IEMs.