[PomPWNius]

I have been wanting new earbuds. These will replace my crappy skullcandy titans I recieved as a gift. Those titans, although they suck, are the best quality I have ever heard. I have been looking around at many in ear buds, and I have narrowed it down to the etymotics I think. I mainly listen to hard rock/ metal. If you have other suggestions, do tell. But yeah, I just want something that sounds a lot better than my titans, where the sounds are all distinguished and clear, I want to be able to hear the emotions from the vocals in my songs. (Hopefully I can get that in under $100). So anyways, the HF5's are $90 on amazons, the mc5s are $57. I really would love to just spend the $57  and save $30 but I will definitely spend the $90 for the HF5's. Will the MC5's be enough to satisfy my needs? Is it really worth it to spend more on the HF5's? Are there any other earbuds under $100 that are better for rock music? Thank you. 
 

 

[HeadRush]

If you have narrowed it down to those two Etys, call Rick at one of these numbers.  He knows his product and he will not steer you wrong.  He will explain the different nuances of each of your choices.
 
See this thread for my experiences with Etymotic over the course of 10 years.  You will not go wrong buying a pair of Etys, IMHO.  YMMV.  

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/583846/etymotic-customer-service-appreciation-thread
 
 
 
 
 
[size=x-small]Rick Carlson
Product & Channel Marketing Specialist
Etymotic Research, Inc
847-228-0006
847-228-6836 fax
224-265-9347 direct
224-532-6816 mobile[/size]
[size=x-small]www.etymotic.com[/size]
 

 

[jaqueh]

HF5, they're basically the much more expensive e4s but tuned slightly differently and have far smaller impedance.
the MC5s i hear are extremely sibilant and not as accurate as the rest of Ety's lineup, they also use an inferior, imo, technology.

 

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Don't beat ur self up the Titans aren't that bad way better than all the Skullcandys that are cheaper. If ur set on Etymotic I would spend the extra money and get the HF series but both will have WAY less bass that your Titans but WAY better mids and highs.

 

[PomPWNius]

Quote:

Don't beat ur self up the Titans aren't that bad way better than all the Skullcandys that are cheaper. If ur set on Etymotic I would spend the extra money and get the HF series but both will have WAY less bass that your Titans but WAY better mids and highs.

Alright, I dont know why, but I really can't tell the difference between the titans and the ink'd ones I had before them (which lasted about a month). Will I be dissapointed if I spend the 90 on the HF5? I remember listening to some beats by dre earbuds in a staples store a while back and was amazed at the quality.
 

 

[Blue Boat]

Quote:

Alright, I dont know why, but I really can't tell the difference between the titans and the ink'd ones I had before them (which lasted about a month). Will I be dissapointed if I spend the 90 on the HF5? I remember listening to some beats by dre earbuds in a staples store a while back and was amazed at the quality.
 

If you can appreciate mids and highs, then I don't think so. Contrary to what people say, these HF5's are bassy enough for me (just enough so as to not mud up the rest of the frequencies). You just have to get a good seal by inserting them really far in. It's not going to sound anything like your Beats Tours, I'm afraid. 

 

[ZARIM]

The HF5 are highly recommended, they are very clean, crisp sounding IEMs(more detailed than dre buds) and mids are very detailed with extended highs and bass is deep and quick with good amount.

 

[Blue Boat]

Quote:

The HF5 are highly recommended, they are very clean, crisp sounding IEMs(more detailed than dre buds) and mids are very detailed with extended highs and bass is deep and quick with good amount.

Problem is, these IEMs aren't very fun sounding, being very neutral. So the OP might not find them suitable if he likes Dre buds. Isolation is crazy good though. 

 

[kmhaynes]

1+ HF5. 
 
I've had the MC5, the HF5 and now the ER4.  The difference between the HF5 and the MC5 is definitely worth the extra $$.  The MC5 is good for the price, but if you listen to any busy music (e.g. Radiohead's "National Anthem"), the MC5 gets overwhelmed and things get a little fuzzy with it.  The HF5 has a clarity that is close to the ER4, and it is a very slim body with near perfect build quality -- it will last you years if you don't stuff it into your jeans pocket.

 

[jaqueh]

Quote:

Alright, I dont know why, but I really can't tell the difference between the titans and the ink'd ones I had before them (which lasted about a month). Will I be dissapointed if I spend the 90 on the HF5? I remember listening to some beats by dre earbuds in a staples store a while back and was amazed at the quality.
 

you can't expect beats when you listen to the HF5s, but yes they are fantastic
 

 

[PomPWNius]

Well I really dont care about bass.  I know the bass will be fine.  What I meant when I mentioned the beats was the quality was really great. Will the HF5's be clearer than those beats? I really want to hear geat clarity when I listen to my favorite bands; rise against and breaking benjamin. I think ive decided I will be getting the HF5's over the MC5's. So will the clarity and quality be reslly good? Aldo, sre they dursble? I will be taking really good care of them, always going in the case. (Probably the hard case that came with my titans, it seems nicer than the etymotic case).

 

[jaqueh]

Yes, if you take good care of them i do believe they will be durable, but i didn't own mine for too long until i sold them.
The SQ is excellent, the best you can get for a sub-$100 IEM

 

[PomPWNius]

Quote:

Yes, if you take good care of them i do believe they will be durable, but i didn't own mine for too long until i sold them.
The SQ is excellent, the best you can get for a sub-$100 IEM

What is SQ?

 

[Poak]

Quote:

What is SQ?

Sound quality.

 

[PomPWNius]

Will they sound great with hard rock? EG Rise Against, Breaking Benjamin, UnderOATH, A day to remember. ?