Sony MDR-EX51LP vs. Shure E2G vs. Super.fi Pro 5 for Ipod Video 5G

[blaxican]

Okay, I know that I am going down the road that my wallet will never forgive for, but here is my first post. I first started out with an Ipod 4G with the Sony MDR-EX51LP and liked the bass and sound. After reading the reviews of the Shure E2G I decided to bite the bullet and purchase them. The Shures have good clarity and quality, but I found that the bass lacks with Ipod 4G and 5G Video. Ironically, when paired up with my Aiwa home system the sound is to my liking. Now to my question. If I purchase the Ultimate Ear Super.fi Pro 5 for my Ipod 5G what time of sound would I experience with them? My goal is finding an IEM that will combine the bass of the Sony's (a little clearer if possible) with the clarity of the Shure's. To throw another idea out I also looked into an amp but did not like the idea of carrying around a bundle of gadgets since I use my Ipod during commutes and in the office. Thank you for any assistance given.

 

[plywood99]

Try the kramer mod on the Shure E2. It really opens up the sound and helps the bass a good deal also. Mod takes all of five minutes to do...


Ply

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaxican Okay, I know that I am going down the road that my wallet will never forgive for, but here is my first post. I first started out with an Ipod 4G with the Sony MDR-EX51LP and liked the bass and sound. After reading the reviews of the Shure E2G I decided to bite the bullet and purchase them. The Shures have good clarity and quality, but I found that the bass lacks with Ipod 4G and 5G Video. Ironically, when paired up with my Aiwa home system the sound is to my liking. Now to my question. If I purchase the Ultimate Ear Super.fi Pro 5 for my Ipod 5G what time of sound would I experience with them? My goal is finding an IEM that will combine the bass of the Sony's (a little clearer if possible) with the clarity of the Shure's. To throw another idea out I also looked into an amp but did not like the idea of carrying around a bundle of gadgets since I use my Ipod during commutes and in the office. Thank you for any assistance given.

The Super.Fi 5 pro are amazing IEMs. That's why I am getting the Triple.Fi Pro. If you don't use your EQ on your iPod 5g, you will be fine, however the bass will lack a little for my taste, and it sounds like you like good bass as well. The way I rectified that was by altering my sound files by -2db so that the iPod's crappy amp wouldn't receive a peak signal and cause it to distort when I use my EQ settings [I commonly use Electronic, Rock, Bass Boost]. I find that makes them shine beautifully. Basically a -2db reduction reduces the volume from 100% to 80% but is still plenty loud if you turn the iPod's volume up. I find I don't get any extra noise by doing this from the iPod. If you have a headphone amp, you can probably just keep your EQ on OFF and they will sound great that way, too. But I don't have a headphone amp [yet] and until I get one, this solution works extremely well.

Perhaps if you don't want to do any of that at all, go with the Super.Fi 5 EB?
I haven't heard them myself but people seem to love them who like lots and lots of bass.

 

[blaxican]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ The Super.Fi 5 pro are amazing IEMs. That's why I am getting the Triple.Fi Pro. If you don't use your EQ on your iPod 5g, you will be fine, however the bass will lack a little for my taste, and it sounds like you like good bass as well. The way I rectified that was by altering my sound files by -2db so that the iPod's crappy amp wouldn't receive a peak signal and cause it to distort when I use my EQ settings [I commonly use Electronic, Rock, Bass Boost]. I find that makes them shine beautifully. Basically a -2db reduction reduces the volume from 100% to 80% but is still plenty loud if you turn the iPod's volume up. I find I don't get any extra noise by doing this from the iPod. If you have a headphone amp, you can probably just keep your EQ on OFF and they will sound great that way, too. But I don't have a headphone amp [yet] and until I get one, this solution works extremely well. Perhaps if you don't want to do any of that at all, go with the Super.Fi 5 EB? I haven't heard them myself but people seem to love them who like lots and lots of bass.

Thanks for that suggestion, I never thought about altering the files. I will try a couple of files to see how it works. I read some of the reviews regarding the super.fi 5 EB and they all differed. Unfourtunately there are no stores nearby to test them out. For those who have tried both, would you say that the super.fi 5 EB are the same as the super.fi 5 Pro with more bass or that they sacrifice some sound with the added bass?

 

[LaBreaHead]

For a fraction of the cost, you could get the Creative EP 630's -- basically an improvement on the Sony's (sturdier, louder and clearer) -- and spend the rest on more music, downloads for your iPod, or whatever. And if you want to upgrade down the road, you'll still have a useful "back-up" set of canal phones.

But as much as I like the Creatives for what they are, and as fun as they would sound, they're not high-end IEMs. Just don't expext too much out of any IEM just because you spent a lot more money on them.

 

[blaxican]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBreaHead For a fraction of the cost, you could get the Creative EP 630's -- basically an improvement on the Sony's (sturdier, louder and clearer) -- and spend the rest on more music, downloads for your iPod, or whatever. And if you want to upgrade down the road, you'll still have a useful "back-up" set of canal phones. But as much as I like the Creatives for what they are, and as fun as they would sound, they're not high-end IEMs. Just don't expext too much out of any IEM just because you spent a lot more money on them.

I will look into those as well. I recall reading something about fake Creatives being sold. Is that just on Ebay on are their some retailers I should stay away from?

 

[3X0]

Great bass and great clarity? Sounds like the Altec Lansing iM716 to me.

 

[devilsadvocate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaxican Okay, I know that I am going down the road that my wallet will never forgive for, but here is my first post. I first started out with an Ipod 4G with the Sony MDR-EX51LP and liked the bass and sound. After reading the reviews of the Shure E2G I decided to bite the bullet and purchase them. The Shures have good clarity and quality, but I found that the bass lacks with Ipod 4G and 5G Video. Ironically, when paired up with my Aiwa home system the sound is to my liking. Now to my question. If I purchase the Ultimate Ear Super.fi Pro 5 for my Ipod 5G what time of sound would I experience with them? My goal is finding an IEM that will combine the bass of the Sony's (a little clearer if possible) with the clarity of the Shure's. To throw another idea out I also looked into an amp but did not like the idea of carrying around a bundle of gadgets since I use my Ipod during commutes and in the office. Thank you for any assistance given.

I have the Sony DR-EX51LP, Sennheiser CX300, and the UE Super.Fi Pro (just came in today). I have no experience with Shure (but have heard enough negative that made me write them off). I'll give a short summary of each:

Sony - Good bass, muddy, but better than stock. I stopped using these after I got the Sennheiser CX 300. These were actually the first headphones that made me appreciate good headphones.

Sennheiser - The CX 300s are better than the Sonys, but have unbearable microphonics, and can be harsh in the higher regions. Stopped using these after I got the PX 100s and Beyer DT770s, except for my PSP. But they were lacking enough that I ordered the Super.Fi 5 Pros.

UE - Better than the CX 300, and much, much better than the Sonys. Much clearer, much better quality bass, highs are not harsh. They sound like high end headphones to my ears. The question is - how much are you willing to spend on it?

If you're really tight on money I would recommend the Sennheiser PX 100. However, they have changed the drivers and I question if the change is a good one.

One disclaimer: I have the Creative Vision M instead of the iPod.

 

[germanium]

The EX51's are not overly strong on the bass at least not as much as the EX71's. They use a different paper filter that bleeds off more of the bass on the EX51's. This is the filter that is behind the six slotted holes that surround the output tube.

There is anouther waxpaper filter with a hole in it that covers the output tube hole. This filter should be removed & a small tub put in it's place. This improves the sound of either of these phones radically. The EX71's will still sound fuller & warmer than the EX51's though but both gain alot in clarity & lower distortion.

With these mods either of these phones discussed here will walk all over the Shure E2's & in my opinion even the SF5pros. I haven't heard the Kramer modded E2's but the cord on the E2's are thier achilles heal. People complain about the EX serier cords but the E2's cord suck even worse the the EX series do. I had nothing but problems with the E2 cords shorting out or breaking inside. Not worth the 100 dollars even with the kramer mod in my book. Bare in mind you mod them & you lose the warrantee!

I have absolutely no problems with the EX series cords in spite of them receiving considerably more abuse the the Shure cords ever received under my care.

 

[devilsadvocate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by germanium The EX51's are not overly strong on the bass at least not as much as the EX71's. They use a different paper filter that bleeds off more of the bass on the EX51's. This is the filter that is behind the six slotted holes that surround the output tube. There is anouther waxpaper filter with a hole in it that covers the output tube hole. This filter should be removed & a small tub put in it's place. This improves the sound of either of these phones radically. The EX71's will still sound fuller & warmer than the EX51's though but both gain alot in clarity & lower distortion. With these mods either of these phones discussed here will walk all over the Shure E2's & in my opinion even the SF5pros. I haven't heard the Kramer modded E2's but the cord on the E2's are thier achilles heal. People complain about the EX serier cords but the E2's cord suck even worse the the EX series do. I had nothing but problems with the E2 cords shorting out or breaking inside. Not worth the 100 dollars even with the kramer mod in my book. Bare in mind you mod them & you lose the warrantee! I have absolutely no problems with the EX series cords in spite of them receiving considerably more abuse the the Shure cords ever received under my care.

A) The 71s and the 51s have exactly the same drivers, which suck, IMO. Yes, I own both. They sound the same. The difference is in the cord.

B) Better than the Super.Fi 5 Pro? Surely you jest. Bad Sony driver v. Good UE driver means no contest. No mod is ever going to fix that.

 

[8lias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate I have the Sony DR-EX51LP, Sennheiser CX300, and the UE Super.Fi Pro (just came in today). I have no experience with Shure (but have heard enough negative that made me write them off). I'll give a short summary of each: Sony - Good bass, muddy, but better than stock. I stopped using these after I got the Sennheiser CX 300. These were actually the first headphones that made me appreciate good headphones. Sennheiser - The CX 300s are better than the Sonys, but have unbearable microphonics, and can be harsh in the higher regions. Stopped using these after I got the PX 100s and Beyer DT770s, except for my PSP. But they were lacking enough that I ordered the Super.Fi 5 Pros. UE - Better than the CX 300, and much, much better than the Sonys. Much clearer, much better quality bass, highs are not harsh. They sound like high end headphones to my ears. The question is - how much are you willing to spend on it? If you're really tight on money I would recommend the Sennheiser PX 100. However, they have changed the drivers and I question if the change is a good one. One disclaimer: I have the Creative Vision M instead of the iPod.

Kinko that...

 

[blaxican]

I think that I will go ahead and order the Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro 5. Has anyone compared them with the EBs? Would you say that the super.fi 5 EB are the same as the super.fi 5 Pro with more bass or that they sacrifice some sound quality with the added bass?

 

[devilsadvocate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaxican I think that I will go ahead and order the Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro 5. Has anyone compared them with the EBs? Would you say that the super.fi 5 EB are the same as the super.fi 5 Pro with more bass or that they sacrifice some sound quality with the added bass?

While I have not, I'll note that the Super.fi 5 Pros are really responsive to EQing. I suggest significantly raising just the lowest bass and the highest treble and leaving everything else flat. The results are great, IMO, and I doubt you'll find the bass lacking (also fixes the rolled off highs). For the record, I own the Beyer DT770s.

My piece of worthless hearsay: I have heard that the Super.fi 5 EB are less clear. If you do a search for the Super.fi EBs you'll see a few comparison reviews of the Super.fi 5 EB.

 

[captainbrendo]

hi there,

if you are looking at the super.fi 5s, i like them alot. I just posted a review of them with my thoughts on them. Give it a read if you'd like!

good luck