[Shlonglor]

Hello.

I've been reading the forums over the last few days, trying to decide which IEMs I want to upgrade myself to. I currently have a cheap pair of in-ear Panasonic phones and HD280s for home listening (which I love).

I have come down to a decision between the Super.Fi 5 EB and the Pro. The price difference isn't that large...

The idea of extra bass for phones which usually don't supply a lot of the bass experience sounds good to me. I listen to all kinds of music - electronic, metal, trip-hop and other genres which have very little focus on bass - but in all (or most, at least) of them I like "feeling" the bass. As long as it's not distorted and as long as it doesn't cast a shadow and nullify the other frequencies, of course!

However, if I'm already buying something good, I might want to spend a little more and get the Pro version.

Can you tell me:
How's the bass in the Pro compared to the EB?
How much better the overall sound quality is in the Pro? Is it worth the price difference?
How's the audio quality output on the Creative Zen Micro(/photo) line of players? (I'm also looking for a portable player.. )

Thanks in advance and thanks for all the knowledge you've already imparted on me.

 

[BobbyGeneric]

Welcome to Headfi, sorry about your wallet,

There's another direct comparison thread if you do a search. Personally however, I have both and prefer the EB model for out on the street with noise around. If you're comparing both for critical listening at home connected to a decent amp however the Pro's are far better.

 

[Shlonglor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbyGeneric /img/forum/go_quote.gif Welcome to Headfi, sorry about your wallet, There's another direct comparison thread if you do a search. Personally however, I have both and prefer the EB model for out on the street with noise around. If you're comparing both for critical listening at home connected to a decent amp however the Pro's are far better.

I will use my HD280s at home for the most part.
These will accompany me when I'm out, using my laptop (normal onboard audio) and any portable music player I'll end up buying.

I understand that their low impedance means they'll do fine without an amp. Isn't that so?
(I have an M-Audio Revolution at home which has a good amp built in)

 

[Schalldampfer]

Most people here consider the Pro to have a little more than enough bass, and EB to have overwhelming bass.

 

[devilsadvocate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shlonglor /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello. I've been reading the forums over the last few days, trying to decide which IEMs I want to upgrade myself to. I currently have a cheap pair of in-ear Panasonic phones and HD280s for home listening (which I love). I have come down to a decision between the Super.Fi 5 EB and the Pro. The price difference isn't that large... The idea of extra bass for phones which usually don't supply a lot of the bass experience sounds good to me. I listen to all kinds of music - electronic, metal, trip-hop and other genres which have very little focus on bass - but in all (or most, at least) of them I like "feeling" the bass. As long as it's not distorted and as long as it doesn't cast a shadow and nullify the other frequencies, of course! However, if I'm already buying something good, I might want to spend a little more and get the Pro version. Can you tell me: How's the bass in the Pro compared to the EB? How much better the overall sound quality is in the Pro? Is it worth the price difference? How's the audio quality output on the Creative Zen Micro(/photo) line of players? (I'm also looking for a portable player.. ) Thanks in advance and thanks for all the knowledge you've already imparted on me.

The bass on the Pro is much weaker.

Honestly, I prefer the EBs. I'm actually starting to consider selling my Pros.

No idea. But generally Creative players tend to have good sound. I enjoyed my Vision: M before it got stolen. Cowon is better though, IMO.

My take is that if you get the Pro you will really feel that the bass is too weak, especially if you want to "feel" the bass or if you're comparing to speakers.

Final note: if you get the EBs, let the burn in. They will get much, much more refined after a week or so of use. And if you look at my sig you'll note that I own both.

 

[ph0rk]

I'd say the pro sounds not unlike a dt-770. What that says for the EB, I don't know.

Mine were sent in for warranty repair about a year or so ago and they sent me what looks like a new pair that has remained unopened since. Too much for portable use and not enough for sit down listening, imho.

 

[ph0rk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shlonglor /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will use my HD280s at home for the most part. These will accompany me when I'm out, using my laptop (normal onboard audio) and any portable music player I'll end up buying. I understand that their low impedance means they'll do fine without an amp. Isn't that so? (I have an M-Audio Revolution at home which has a good amp built in)

They will sound -nothing- like hd280's.

 

[devilsadvocate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph0rk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd say the pro sounds not unlike a dt-770.

I completely agree with this.

 

[Shlonglor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph0rk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mine were sent in for warranty repair about a year or so ago and they sent me what looks like a new pair that has remained unopened since. Too much for portable use and not enough for sit down listening, imho.

Why is that?

 

[ph0rk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shlonglor /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why is that?

I had a pair of e2c's which worked for walking about and were easier to manage (sturdier cord, easier to seat well, didn't stick out of ears/cause pain when something bumped them).

And, when I was at my office, I much preferred full sized cans for easy on/off (and sound).

IMHO, YMMV, etc.


Were it me, I would go:

big cans at home,
$50 e2c's or equivalent for mobile
big or medium cans at destination

Of course, I paid close to $100 for my e2c's a couple years ago and the pros can be had for close to that now. I will say they need to be babied a bit more than the e2c's though.

 

[sionghchan]

Not a big fan of huge bass. Also, the size of the sf5eb is crazy.

So, I'm voting for sf5pro.

 

[Shlonglor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph0rk /img/forum/go_quote.gif They will sound -nothing- like hd280's.

What do you mean? Just because of the inherit difference or anything else?

What do dt-770s sound like?

Also what do you mean baby them? Are they extra fragile?

 

[koike]

The Super.Fi 5 EB

 

[vesther]

Go with the Pro. No less. You shouldn't have to put up with the unusual combo of one balanced armature with one dynamic diaphragm.

 

[ph0rk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shlonglor /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you mean? Just because of the inherit difference or anything else? What do dt-770s sound like? Also what do you mean baby them? Are they extra fragile?

Mine broke in less than a month, treated essentially the same as my e2c's that have gone about 2 years without a fault now (though they did have one warranty repair which resulted in me buying the super.fi pros to begin with).

dt-770's sound like... oh man just do a search

DT-770 pros sound like.... \-
HD-280 pros sound like.... -/