Should I upgrade my ER-6i's (come vote)

[Stangs55]

Okay...

First of all -- DAMN U ALL, You will be the reason that I mortgage my house to pay for headphones!

Second of all -- I love you all, thanks for enlightening me in the world of headphones.

Thirdly -- So I bought some ER-6i's a couple of weeks ago and I'm rather amazed by them. I'm currently in medical school, so I spend hours upon hours studying at the local Starbucks or B&N. I bought the ER-6i's to cancel outside noise and to provide an acoustic upgrade to the wired white turds apple shipped w/my mini. I find the sound pretty incredible; however, I do feel like they lack punch in the lower end. Bass seems to be lacking on some of my favorite tunes.

So I guess my question is this: Are there some other canal phones out there that would sound considerably better than my ER-6i's in the sub-$300 range? Here's the rub though--No, I don't have, nor will I get a portable amp...that just wouldn't fit the portability I am looking for. So I would need the phones to be able to be driven by only the iPod Mini. I listen to a rather wide range while studying (Loreena McKennitt, Lounge music, ambient, etc) and harder stuff while working out (Linkin Park, Third Eye Blind, etc).

I included the major sub$300 canal phones in the poll (at least what I consider the major ones). Lemme know if you guys think an upgrade could be justified, or if it's just a waste of money.

EDIT: Oops, let me add that I have a buddy who is eager to by these ER6i's from me if I do decide to get a different pair. And he's willing to pay just under what I did.

 

[Neverender]

the um2s for rizzle

 

[elephantman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangs55 And he's willing to pay just under what I did.

Good for you. I'd recommend any of the dual drivers headphones.

 

[Stangs55]

.

 

[spinneresque]

Have you tried the ety's with well-sealed foamies? The foam as opposed to the tri-flanges can really give a boost to the low end.

That said, I just got a pair of Sennheiser HD595's, and they don't sound as full or even as clear as my futuresonic em3's with the small foamies. $100.

 

[Old Dave]

If you want more bass punch, get the UE Super Fi's. I have the Ety ER4P and the UE's and like to switch back and forth. Please don't wear while doing surgery, OK? What kind of doc do you want to be?

 

[Teerawit]

Go ahead and invest in the UE-10 pro. You will end up doing so anyway, might as well save the intermediate steps

Otherwise, UM2.

 

[Spiritboxer]

I just upgraded to UM2's for $275 shipped from EarphoneSolutions. They should be here early next week and boy am *I* excited!

 

[Stangs55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dave If you want more bass punch, get the UE Super Fi's. I have the Ety ER4P and the UE's and like to switch back and forth. Please don't wear while doing surgery, OK? What kind of doc do you want to be?

hehe, okay.

Well I'm only in my 2nd year now, so I've got about another year before I have to decide anything concrete about a specialty. Right now I'm leaning towards pediatric oncology or othropedics. Dunno though.

 

[Stangs55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiritboxer I just upgraded to UM2's for $275 shipped from EarphoneSolutions. They should be here early next week and boy am *I* excited!

Yea I saw your thread...congrads

I'm curious though...Do the UM2's isolate sound as well as the ER's? I ask b/c sound isolation is kinda important for me in a public study setting. Can you use the triple flang style earbud on the UM2's like the ER's have?

 

[Spiritboxer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangs55 Yea I saw your thread...congrads I'm curious though...Do the UM2's isolate sound as well as the ER's? I ask b/c sound isolation is kinda important for me in a public study setting. Can you use the triple flang style earbud on the UM2's like the ER's have?

Someone else will have to answer the first part but they *do* come with a free pair of triple flanges.

 

[Stangs55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiritboxer Someone else will have to answer the first part but they *do* come with a free pair of triple flanges.

True, but the triple flanges ONLY come when you order from EarphoneSolutions. If you go to the Westone site, they don't even list the triple flanges as an option to replace the stock foam....which worries me.

Has ANYONE tried the UM2's with the triple flanges? How do they sound? Isolation?

 

[solvexyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangs55 True, but the triple flanges ONLY come when you order from EarphoneSolutions. If you go to the Westone site, they don't even list the triple flanges as an option to replace the stock foam....which worries me. Has ANYONE tried the UM2's with the triple flanges? How do they sound? Isolation?

I am currently using UM2 with triple flanges. I really like the sound of it because it removes a lot of treble harshness, moves the mid range forward, and just makes the UM2 so much more enjoyable.

By the way, good luck on your medical study. Just hope you won't be using IEM when you are doing any surgery in the future.

 

[Stangs55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by solvexyz I am currently using UM2 with triple flanges. I really like the sound of it because it removes a lot of treble harshness, moves the mid range forward, and just makes the UM2 so much more enjoyable. By the way, good luck on your medical study. Just hope you won't be using IEM when you are doing any surgery in the future.

Thanks

I see that you have both the E4c and the UM2. How would you compare the sound and comfort of the 2? If you could only have one, which would it be? Thanks alot

 

[solvexyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stangs55 Thanks I see that you have both the E4c and the UM2. How would you compare the sound and comfort of the 2? If you could only have one, which would it be? Thanks alot

Comfort wise is UM2. However, e4c is very comfortable as well. If I can only have one, then it will be the UM2. It offer very satisfying bass even from iPod and headphone like soundstage. Although shure e4c is more detailed, UM2 is not that far behind, IMO. And if you really want to show off, UM2 will have the WOW effect you are looking for.