[Audioguy94]

Hey Headfi
 
I am a proud owner of both these wonderful IEM's and I was wondering to those who own both or have heard both, which do you prefer? I have asked this question on the IE 800 thread and it seems most prefer the SE846. For me, I don't know what I prefer. The IE 800 is the king of detail, treble and soundstage. However, the SE846 is the king of bass and midrange (due to the forward nature of the midrange and the subwoofer like bass).
 
For me what it comes down to is the IE800 is more accurate and detailed but the SE846 is more 'fun', I'd say the Ie800 is the better IEM as it does more things excellently, but the SE846 is the most musical so it is the better IEM in that respect
 
Which do you prefer and why?

 

[cellarbro]

I own both and although its a close race, at the end, I prefer the SE846 for its fun sound signature.

 

[Audioguy94]

  I own both and although its a close race, at the end, I prefer the SE846 for its fun sound signature.

I definitely agree that the Shures sound more fun do to their forward midrange and bass. The Sennheiser has neutral bass and mids IMO. Both are great pieces of kit though... And the fact the Sennheisers are more detailed, have better separation and are more neutral makes them better in their own right. It is for that reason that I cannot say which I prefer

 

[yukeshi]

soundstage - ie800
 
anything else - shure se846

 

[Audioguy94]

soundstage - ie800

anything else - shure se846

I do disagree as personally i think the IE800 wins with detail and separation as well as soundstage