[goldfilm]

Hi all,

I'm new in this forum. I'm not an audio specialist; I'm a filmmaker. I started posting in this forum a week ago because I'm looking for the best SOUND-ISOLATOR IEM. I travel a lot and I meditate in noisy envorinments, but also I'm a demanding music lover from Metallica to Pink Floyd to Radiohead to Chopin to Piazzolla to Quincy Jones, etc, etc (so I can't answer "which kind of music are you gonna listen to in your new IEMs.") That's the reason sound isolation by itself isn't enough.

After reading most of your amazing posts I learned A LOT in a few days, so first of all, thanks all of you for your patient answers. Also I'm becoming an IEM fan/addict, but it's so difficult to decide what to get as my FIRST IEM... At least I filtered most of the brands to finally arrive to a triple-giant-fight: ETY vs. UE vs. SHURE.

So, I've sorted my final contenders in two categories: Below $150, Below $200 (shipping included.) I need to pick up one of each category, then choose one according to budget. I've already discarded Westone, Atrio, SA6, qJays, HD, Sennheiser, Denon, and customs (for my budget, the entry level Control freQ) but if you have great reasons to mandatory put them on the lists let me know.

PLEASE, help me decide! Pick one of each category. Many, many thanks in advanced.


CATEGORY A (below $150)

- UE Super.fi 3 (eBay $67.49, Amazon $92.58)
- Ety ER6i (eBay $78.95, Amazon $80.48)
- Shure SE210 (eBay $109.98, Amazon $149.99)

CATEGORY B (below $200)

- Ety ER4P (eBay $151.00, Amazon $169.99)
- Shure SE310 (eBay $158.87, Amazon $194.16)
- UE Super.fi 5 Pro (eBay $189.95, Amazon $194.99)

NOTE: Is it worthy to include Shure SE420 (eBay $204.98, Amazon $335.99) or I'm covered with the SE310 saving $50?

 

[majurglery]

Well, Etys isolate the best out of all, but the ER6i is the best in Category A, IMO

 

[goldfilm]

Thanks Majur, according to Head Room graphics, Shure isolates better, but users' opinions are mixed. What about Category B?

 

[gp_hebert]

I don't know about HeadRoom graphics, but to my ears, well inserted ER4P/S isolate way more than the Shure models I've tried (E4c, E500) and as a bonus, they sound way better too.

 

[Arjisme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majurglery /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, Etys isolate the best out of all [...]

Why would that be? Isn't isolation primarily about the tips? If so, are you saying the Ety tips do the best job (and couldn't be used with other IEMs)?

 

[goldfilm]

That's a great question. What happen if you get a cheap IEM with the best foamy tips?

 

[gp_hebert]

The tips aren't everything, the isolation is also dependent of the angle and the depth of the IEMs in the ears.

 

[Arjisme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp_hebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif The tips aren't everything, the isolation is also dependent of the angle and the depth of the IEMs in the ears.

I don't see how that is much of a factor, unless you are talking about an extreme case of some kind. I'll speak to Shure SE530/E500s, since that is what I am familiar with. The angle of the IEM nozzle is such that it inserts fully while the body rests nearly flush against your outer ear. I can't see how it's angle could impact isolation other than to facilitate using tips that actually accomplish that isolation.

As to the depth of insertion, different tips do extend more deeply than others. I've recently been using the tri-flange tips with my E500s and when I fully insert those, it starts to invoke the coughing reflex. That's pretty deep (though still not risking contact with the eardrum).

However, I think the primary thing impacting isolation is how well the tips will seal with your ear canal. Everyone's ears are different so there really isn't one answer for this. That includes customs. I've seen people here posting about custom tips that still don't seal very well. I've personally gotten great seals with black olive tips, tri-flanges, and (with E2Cs) the soft, grey tips. Oh, and the yellow foamies. All of those provided excellent isolation.

 

[goldfilm]

Thanks Arjis, that helps a lot. So, would you choose the Shure's in both categories A & B? Is it worthy to jump to the 420? I was reading the reviews in Head Room... they are in love with the SE310 regarding price/performance.

This forum is turning me crazy! Now I want to add to the list the SA6 and Atrio M5 that I already discarded! Should I create a poll? I know there's another poll going around, but it doesn't have the models I'm looking for...

 

[Arjisme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldfilm /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Arjis, that helps a lot. So, would you choose the Shure's in both categories A & B? Is it worthy to jump to the 420? I was reading the reviews in Head Room... they are in love with the SE310 regarding price/performance.

I can't give you a fair assessment of the UEs or Etys as I have not tried either. In fact, I haven't tried any of the IEMs you named in your OP (nor the SE420s). You were asking about isolation and that was something I felt I could contribute toward.

I will say I have been extremely happy with my E500s. They just sound awesome. I never get tired of them.

 

[steviebee]

This thread seems to have derailed purely into terms of isolation. What about SQ presentation? What kind if sound do you prefer? Music tastes? Sources?

Ety and Shure do things very differently. A simplification would be something like:

Ety: 'cool', good treble presentation, clean bass. Typically described as good w/ jazz, orchestral, chamber.

Shure: 'warm', mids-biased, less clean bass but more of it, treble not so clear/detailed. Typically described as good for rock/vocals.

Edit\ just re-read yr post! Oops! Silly me...for your wideranging tastes I'd go Etymotic ER-4P. They'll really make Chopin & Quincy Jones fly! And bring out the rasp of Metallica. If they have 'rasp', lol - not a band I listen to....And they do isolate better than Shure or UE, honest!

 

[eruditass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp_hebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif The tips aren't everything, the isolation is also dependent of the angle and the depth of the IEMs in the ears.

as well as the material of the IEM housing.

 

[oak3x]

I have owned approx 9 IEM over the past year, and one of my favorites are the SE310.

Wonderful, balanced sound. Comfortable and great isolation.

 

[goldfilm]

Does everybody agree that the Super.fi's are worse isolators than Ety's & Shure's? It's a pity, because I like the replaceable cables...

So let's narrow down:

Spending around $100 --> Shure SE210 vs. Ety ER6i
Spending around $150 --> Shure SE310 vs. Ety ER4P
Spending around $200 --> Shure SE420 vs. SA6

Any thoughts on this? Are the Super.fi's out of combat regarding isolation?

 

[Ross]

I have Ety ER4P and S, Shure SE530 and have recently sold Triple.Fi 10 Pros.

In your position I would not hesitate to get the ER4Ps. The Etys provide significantly more isolation than the Shures and TFPs, especially when used with foam tips (and I recommend the Comply tips). The Etys also have the most balanced sound quality, although I also have a soft spot for the warm-sounding SE530s. The UEs just did not impress me as much as the Etys or Shures in terms of sound quality, as well as being less comfortable and having significantly less isolation than the Etys.

The Etys also have replaceable cables - Apuresound makes a replacement cable that is a significant upgrade.