Revisiting the Super.Fi 5 Pro

[Jasper994]

Well since school started, I've been re-exploring my various IEM's... I really don't care for the E4's with the silicone tips, and foam isn't really practical for portable (running around) uses, so they generally stay home. The E5 is nice, but tends to be a little shrill with some of my music when using my Zen Xtra (really more of a conflict with the player than a flaw in the E5's). Combine that with the long and annoying cord of the E5, and I find myself using the Super.Fi 5 Pro a bit more than the E5 lately. The 5 Pro does have one flaw portably though. I find that when wearing sunglasses (90% of the time in SoCal) the memory wire will rub against the arm of the sunglass at times, creating some rather annoying noises. The E4 is also guilty of this, the E5 is not.

Anyway, more to the point, I have found myself really enjoying the 5 Pro. I'm still trying to put my finger down on what it is exactly that I enjoy so much. So far all I've got is that they are smooth and very musical. I still think both the E4 and E5 are more detailed and technically superior in many aspects, but I can't help but enjoy the hell out of the 5 Pro. This is especially true with hard rock, rap and pop music (generally what I listen to while I'm on the go). I've even been using them at home quite a bit lately. They are also great for movies and decent for gaming (I still prefer a full sized can like HD555s for gaming).

The E4 is still king in my opinion, but the UE Super.Fi 5 Pro deserves some love.

 

[ripfrankwhite]

I already have the UE-5c, but I'm thinking of getting the superfi 5Pro. Maybe even the black Namo this week. Hmm.. Thanks for the post! I hope they sound good. Do you use the foam tips or silicone?

 

[donunus]

you have the ue5c and youre getting a super fi 5? Isn't the superfi going to sound about the same?

 

[ripfrankwhite]

It shouldn't sound as good as the UE-5c. But the feeling should be different. I like the foam tips. I always wonder what they sound like. And I miss the soft foam tips. Sometimes the hard acrylic can hurt my ears with the 5cs. I will eventually get the e4 too.

 

[Jasper994]

I generally use the small silicone tips, but sometimes I'll use the foam or medium silicone tips.

 

[Edwood]

The Super.Fi 5 Pro's small silicones have a phenominal seal with my ears. So good the seal doens't break when opening my mouth.

The Super.Fi 5 Pro's greatest weakness is actually it's biggest strength when it comes to portables like the iPod and Sony PSP. They are so thin and bright sounding, the Super.Fi's are really "tuned" for them.

I really wish there was less of a veil with the Super.Fi's. They are decidedly a bit more mid-fi level when compared to other headphones clarity and detail level.

BTW, my favorite gaming headphones is my K1000's.

-Ed

 

[Aural Fixation]

Sometimes the hard acrylic can hurt my ears with the 5cs. /QUOTE]

I currently have the Ety 4P/S and am very comfortable for long periods of time using the foamies (LA to NY flights, falling asleep and not having any discomfort in the morning.) I'm considering the UE-10...Anyone else able to share their experience with the hard acrylic and comfort level during long listening sessions?

Thanks.

 

[Jasper994]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood The Super.Fi 5 Pro's small silicones have a phenominal seal with my ears. So good the seal doens't break when opening my mouth. The Super.Fi 5 Pro's greatest weakness is actually it's biggest strength when it comes to portables like the iPod and Sony PSP. They are so thin and bright sounding, the Super.Fi's are really "tuned" for them. I really wish there was less of a veil with the Super.Fi's. They are decidedly a bit more mid-fi level when compared to other headphones clarity and detail level. BTW, my favorite gaming headphones is my K1000's. -Ed

I don't think they were ever intended to be THAT resolving. From what I've heard, talking to Jerry and Mike, their goal was to make an enjoyable piece. In that, I think they've really succeeded. It's detailed enough, but the focus is more on musicality. They are very enjoyable for mainstream music genres (rock/pop/hip hop). They also work quite well for blues and jazz.

As I mentioned earlier, I still like the E4 better. It's a good deal more resolving and has very natural timbre. Still, the Super.Fi 5 Pro is a great IEM in its own right, and deserves some love.

 

[BRBJackson]

Aaron, glad to hear you're feeling some 5 Pro luvin' again

My on-the-go rig gets used mainly:
- On the patio with a cigar
- On the plane
- In hotels on the road

All applications where I want a fun, involving, musical phone, and the 5 Pro's deliver. Agreed, there are other more detailed IEM's on the market, and for critical listening they would be more appropriate. But that's what my home rig is for.

 

[Mr Iriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper994 I don't think they were ever intended to be THAT resolving. From what I've heard, talking to Jerry and Mike, their goal was to make an enjoyable piece. In that, I think they've really succeeded. It's detailed enough, but the focus is more on musicality. They are very enjoyable for mainstream music genres (rock/pop/hip hop). They also work quite well for blues and jazz. As I mentioned earlier, I still like the E4 better. It's a good deal more resolving and has very natural timbre. Still, the Super.Fi 5 Pro is a great IEM in its own right, and deserves some love.

Are these (superfi's) better than the E5c for bands like iron maiden, metallica, System of a down, pearl jam, led zeppelin, pink floyd, interpol, radiohead....?

Which has a more 3d like soundstage? I know the 5pro has a bigger soundstage, but I think a 3d image requires both a big soundstage, combined with good instrument separation.

Is the 5 pros soundstage that much, much bigger, or is the difference only small?

THank you.

 

[Jasper994]

Hmmm let's see...

I've listened to:

Pearl Jam - Rats
Pink Floyd - Time (MFSL version)
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
System of a Down - Chop Suey!
Metallica - Wherever I May Roam

On my home system...

For this kind of music it's a toss up. I think the E5 has a little more detail, is slightly more balanced, and has a bit better instrument seperation. The Super.Fi 5 Pro on the other hand is a bit more musical (pulls you in a bit more), with a bigger sound. I think if this were all I listened to and I had to choose between them I'd give the nod to the 5 Pro just because it's a bit more involving. This isn't the only genre I listen to, however... There are some genres where the E5 kicks the snot out of the 5 Pro (classical) so I'm glad I don't have to choose between them except when listening to whatever it is I'm in the mood for.

I should mention that the SF5P does seem slightly veiled at lower volume.

Regarding soundstage, the 5 Pro's soundstage is noticably but not vastly bigger.

 

[The Monkey]

I think it's the sf5pro's soundstage that keeps me coming back for more.