UE-10 PRO ~(RIP)~ Shure E4 (Born 6-4-05)

[gorman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by viator122 Exactly, he's entitled to his opinion. There are plenty of people at Head-Fi who dislike very expensive gear that other people love.

I wrote specifically that I'm not disputing anybody's right to his own opinion. I'm doubtful about the usefulness of statements like "Klipsch computer speakers can be more fun to listen to than UE-10". At least without a more thorough definition of what fun is intended to mean in this context.

Otherwise... I mean, I could write that I find Koss' The Plug more fun to listen to than UE-10, Sensaphonics 2X-S, HD-650, DT 880 and RS-1. Would I be entitled to my opinion? I don't doubt it. Would it be taken seriously around here? I have some doubts.

That's the situation, for me, IMHO, when I read about comparisons between UE-10 and Klipsch computer speakers.

 

[Jahn]

well the pics he put up certainly look like a UE10 - the 2nd pic shows that it is truly smashed up. Yikes. Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you're happy with what you have now!

 

[yaufei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablor aWanderlust, interesting post. I've been considering custom IEMs, but also thinking about trying out the E4C before taking that plunge. I wonder if you could explain the soft tip modification you did in more detail? Or post a link to where you read about it. I'll try that if get the Shures. With thanks, Pablor

Ya i am also keen to find out more about the modification.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahamaman I know that I'm likely to be stoned for offering such heresy. But, and god it pains me to admit it, I haven't even put my UEs in for months. They've just lost their luster for me. If your particular experience has been different, that's great. I am jealous. But for me, they just sit there, staring at me, gathering dust.

Everybody should remember that these are just tools that allow you to listen to your music in different situations. I'm convinced (like iamdone) that my Grado 225's (RS-1's for him) are a better listening experience than my UE's.

However, the UE's allow me to listen to music with reasonably high quality while I mow the lawn, chainsaw, whatever.

I wouldn't want to give them up, but I do believe they tend to get overhyped around here.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 Everybody should remember that these are just tools that allow you to listen to your music in different situations. I'm convinced (like iamdone) that my Grado 225's (RS-1's for him) are a better listening experience than my UE's. However, the UE's allow me to listen to music with reasonably high quality while I mow the lawn, chainsaw, whatever. I wouldn't want to give them up, but I do believe they tend to get overhyped around here.

I've also realized that the ue10 are the best phones for my portable needs. The lower end Grados would just look funny on the bus, let too much noise in and out and give the appearance that I'm not concentrating on my work. The ue10 give me great sound quality without looking like it. When I come home, I put on the RS-1.

As far as the sensas, I gave them another shot yesterday for the whole day. While the sensas did sound very good, today when I went back to the ue10 listening to the same music, it was very refreshing. It just sounded better and more alive. I can't wait to get my amp back (having the gain lowered).

 

[seankonnery]

I agree with you and wolfen68. I now have the best portable set up I ever had. It took a while, sort of an evolution.

Do I really need the gain my sr-71 adjusted? So I listen at 7-8 o'clock on the dial, who cares? What difference does it really make?

 

[chrisfromalbany]

off the subject.. abit..

But has there ever been a SMv3 vs. SR - 71 amp comparison with UE-10s. SMv3 is smaller and more the portible choice but am I giving up sound quality?

I looked at both and went with the Xin model. Wondering if any of you have an thoughts. Being we are kind of on the subject.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seankonnery I agree with you and wolfen68. I now have the best portable set up I ever had. It took a while, sort of an evolution. Do I really need the gain my sr-71 adjusted? So I listen at 7-8 o'clock on the dial, who cares? What difference does it really make?

I'll let you know about the gain when I get it back next week.. I also had it at 7-8 on the dial with the default gain. I was fine with that but I would like to be able to fine tune it without the worry of making it too loud with just one position on the dial. I think after the adjustment, you can turn it up almost to 12. Much better use of the volume. Ray offers the adjustment free of charge, so I figured it was worth it. I wouldn't make the adjustment if you plan to use high impedence headphones with it though.

 

[seankonnery]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdone I wouldn't make the adjustment if you plan to use high impedence headphones with it though.

Like what, for example?

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfromalbany off the subject.. abit.. But has there ever been a SMv3 vs. SR - 71 amp comparison with UE-10s. SMv3 is smaller and more the portible choice but am I giving up sound quality? I looked at both and went with the Xin model. Wondering if any of you have an thoughts. Being we are kind of on the subject.

This has been discussed in the amp section a number of times. Depending on who does the test, it's a tie, or either one wins based on preference. Looks like the new Headroom Micro amp is getting the same results.

I went with the SR-71 for build quality (military grade parts), simplicity, and no worry about upgrades. If I would have got the SM at the time I would now have a version 1 and would have to pay to upgrade.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seankonnery Like what, for example?

If you use hd650, Ety ER-S, or anything with 100 ohms or more, don't lower the gain. Grados, sensaphonics, ultimate ears, Sonys, should all work fine with the lower gain.

Edit: The only reason to have the gain changed from the default is for something like the ue10 or sensas where the volume is really low. The SR-71 was already designed to work with either low or high impedence phones. I don't want everyone sending them back to Ray just because they use Grados or Sonys with the amp.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seankonnery Like what, for example?

I think he meant some examples of high impedence headphones

K1000

 

[bahamaman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 Everybody should remember that these are just tools that allow you to listen to your music in different situations. I'm convinced (like iamdone) that my Grado 225's (RS-1's for him) are a better listening experience than my UE's. However, the UE's allow me to listen to music with reasonably high quality while I mow the lawn, chainsaw, whatever. I wouldn't want to give them up, but I do believe they tend to get overhyped around here.

This ought to be required reading for anyone who is considering the move to an IEM. When I was first researching IEMs, I mistook statements of their overall utility (nice sound + listen anywhere convenience) as indicating that they could rival the best of the traditional dynamic headphones. I now realize that that isn't correct, at least imo and given my tastes.

Add to that fact that their isolation, while at one level a strength, is also a minus, given that it takes time to take them out and reinsert them. I've been on plane flights with my family where I just had to give up on them (perhaps the result of flying with a talkative three year old who needs pretty constant attention

).

So, while it isn't at all my intent to criticize UE or its products, I do think that wolfen68's post does bring some much-needed balance to the discussion of IEMs.