The same old question: which earphones should i get?

[PhusioN]

I'm sorry, I know you've heard this same question a thousand times (perhaps more), but i had to do it. I've been researching this past 2 weeks on earphones on a budget of 120$ but i don't know which one should i buy!
I own a pair of EX71's and i like their bass, but they have virtually no mids! I'm looking for something with a more balanced sound yet with a good bass response.
I've been reading a lot of reviews, reviews about the Shure's e2c/e3c, super.fi 3, Audio-Technica CK7, Ety's ER-6i and all of those were acused of having poor bass. The only pair that are in that price range and all the reviews that i read said good about them were the Panasonic RP-HJE70! Boomy bass, great construction quality and great sound! I even read that those could be compared with the Shure e4c's in terms of sound quality, but i doubt it seriously.

So my question is: Will i be well served with the RP-HJE70's or should i wait until i have a larger budget and get, for example, a pair of super.fi 5EB?

By the way, i listen mostly rock/metal music, if that helps.

 

[pageman99]

Well, the best buy I've seen by far is Sennheiser HD580's for $108.95 plus $8 shipping from

http://digitallyunique.resultspage.c...+580&x=30&y=19

Whether these are satisfying for you for rock/metal only you can tell, but I'd run to the local sound shop and test 'em then run and buy 'em before they're gone.

Whoops missed the ear phone part on quick scan. But I'll leave the post because it's still a good buy. (edit)

 

[jagorev]

I love it. He's looking for earphones and gets recommended HD 580s.

The e2c is not lacking in bass AT ALL, and isolates plenty. It might be the best choice for you at this price point - I find the etymotics severely lacking, and the e2c should sound better than the hje50.

However, I would really suggest saving up for the super.fi5pro or shure e4c - it's worth it.

Some accuse the e2c of being too bassy and bloated - the e3c might be a good compromise choice (affordability vs. sound quality).

 

[PhusioN]

Thanks jogarev and i loved your sugestion, pageman99

.

So i have 2 things to ask:

1º - Could anyone get a picture of someone wearing the UE super.fi series (any model)? just to see how it looks like, 'cause i didn't find any on the net.

and 2º - Anyone knows online stores that ship internationally and can label the orders as a "Gift", like Audiocubes? I'm asking this because i live in Portugal and this country it's what i like to call a '3th world country' compared to US. There are praticaly no music stores with this equipment, and the ones that have it, have it overpriced. And that 'Gift' thing is to avoid import taxes that are very expensive here (a few months back i ordered a PSP from Hong-Kong and I end up paying 120$ just on taxes.

)

Thanks.

 

[Transient]

Take a look at the WestOne UM-1s, which you can get at about $100. I'm upgrading from the same set of Sonys that you have now and everything that I read directed me there for a similar taste in sound. Etys generally are sharper on top, which tires me out quickly. UEs all looked way too big to me. I looked at Shures and ran into the UM-1s that way.

They'll be here tomorrow, so I can't say that I know for fact that they're the best choice. Long as they have better cables, I'll be a far more satisfied than I am with the Sonys. I don't ask much.

 

[PhusioN]

The thing is i cant find the UM1's on european online stores (I'm excluding the ebay and amazon. Don't know why but those sites doesnt inspire me confidence), and i can only order from european sites or from sites that can label orders as 'Gift', because of the import taxes, as i explained on my previous reply. :\