[mcmulrt]

Which is better and why?

 

[steviebee]

Well, that was to the point!

Welcome to..ohhhh you know...

 

[mcmulrt]

I currently have a pair of e-5c's that I have yet to open. However, if the UE E-5 is a significant step up ($300 of step up to be precise) than I may sell the Shures on eBay and get the Ultimate Ears. Additionally, can anyone comment on the sound quality when using the ambient sound add-on. I know when the filter is plugged it sounds almost identical to the normal model, but I work in a pretty collaborative work environment so I'd like to hear what's going on around me, but still have amazing sound quality (especially mids and highs).

 

[mcmulrt]

Other details:
I'm also interested in which would sound better unamped in an iPod nano. I've read the Shure's are difficult to drive. Can anyone comment on this?

 

[mrdeadfolx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmulrt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Other details: I'm also interested in which would sound better unamped in an iPod nano. I've read the Shure's are difficult to drive. Can anyone comment on this?

The Shures definitely benefit from an amp. They are 110 ohm, so they are of significantly higher impedence than most (actually, all) IEM's. They still sound great unamped though. Question: Are you referring to Super .fi 5 Pro's or the custom UE-5C for comparison?

 

[mcmulrt]

I'm asking about the custom UE-5c.

 

[rapier84]

No contest then, the custom (probably) wins

BUT...... whether is it $300 better? It depends. The E5s are honestly fantastic IEMs by themselves and they deserve a listen. The 5Cs on the other hand are supposedly optimised for the lower output of DAPs like the iPod.

 

[mcmulrt]

I have used the shure e-5c's for over a year, but they broke and they sent me a brand new pair sealed in all new packaging, leaving me with this dilemma. I know for certain the Shures sound muddy using the iPod. They sounds worlds better plugged into my iMac. Of course that may be due to equalizer settings, etc.

 

[mcmulrt]

Has anyone bought custom UE's with the ambient sound feature?

 

[rx7_fan]

I have the UE5c and loves them. after getting it, I never bought anything else.

 

[Mr Pink57]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmulrt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Has anyone bought custom UE's with the ambient sound feature?

I think someone in the UE11 thread contacted UE about it and was told that you'd need to remove the IEM's to pull the plug out. By that I'd say hardly worth the effort.

pink

 

[521ztz]

never listened to custom earphone.
but E5C is my favorite in all the non-custom earphones.

 

[mcmulrt]

Yeah, I definitely understand that the ambient sound feature is not like the push-to-hear feature offered in some of the newer Shure headphones, but that is not what im looking for. I'm looking to be able to hear what is around me to a certain extent constantly. I'd like to know how the sound quality is when the plugs are out of the filters.