Featured Sponsor Listings

Upgrade from Sony EX71 to Shure E5C ??

Jul 15, 2005 at 7:45 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 12
imz14u2nv

imz14u2nv

100+ Head-Fier
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Posts
171
Likes
57
I am in need of help from those who are serious about assisting others with un-biased information.

I recently upgraded my phone from the Kyocera 7135 to the Palm Treo 650 (with Pocket Tunes Deluxe 3.0.9). I use the phone to play my mp3 files on the train and have recently purchased the Sony EX71’s to use with the Treo, prior to this, when I used the Kyocera, I was using the Koss KC50 and Sennheiser PX200 (unfortunately I had those headphones modified for the Kyocera and they play mono on the Treo).

I am new to canalphones and the Sony EX71 sounds pretty good to me (I had to use the smallest rubber sleeves that come with them), so, I have been very intrigued by the fact that the Shure E5C and Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5Pro have been getting such glowing reviews (
confused.gif
??) and I have always enjoyed having the best sound quality possible (I am not sure if the Treo or an ipod is capable of that kind of top quality sound).

I have read everything that I could find on the web and just wanted to get an idea from others on weather or not it would be worthwhile to upgrade from the Sony EX71’s to the Shure E5C as they are pretty expensive and if the sound is not going to be like night and day differences, then it could turn out to be an unnecessary expensive lesson.

I also read up on the Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pro and Sensaphones ProPhonic 2X-S (Every review makes these sound like the best things to every produce sound) but started thinking that unless I am using these things with some real high quality stereo equipment, then they are probably overkill.

What do you all think??

I really value any good feedback that I receive.
 
Jul 15, 2005 at 8:32 PM Post #2 of 12
Don't jump straigt to E5Cs. If you do, and if you don't like them, you will seriously reget it, along with your wallet. I suggest you getting entry canalphones from Shure (E2C/E3s) or Etymonic (ER6i). If you like their sound, when you do upgrade to better canalphones, you will apprieciate the sound much more. Plus, your wallet won't be so mad at you.

Just my $0.02....

EDIT: Forgot to tell you: Welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet.
 
Jul 15, 2005 at 10:46 PM Post #3 of 12
If I were you I would go with the less expense UE pros. I don't think er6i or lower shure are going to do the night and day difference. The e5s and EU's pro's will. I would go with them.

Just my opinion.

-chris
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 2:34 PM Post #4 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by azncookiecutter
Don't jump straigt to E5Cs. If you do, and if you don't like them, you will seriously reget it, along with your wallet. I suggest you getting entry canalphones from Shure (E2C/E3s) or Etymonic (ER6i). If you like their sound, when you do upgrade to better canalphones, you will apprieciate the sound much more. Plus, your wallet won't be so mad at you.

Just my $0.02....

EDIT: Forgot to tell you: Welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet.


azncookiecutter,
I didn’t really want to consider the E2C or E3C because I have only read bad reviews on them and didn’t want to make a purchase and then have to go and shell out more money later.

I really didn’t have a problem with the sound of the EX71, I just want to move up to the next level (but I don’t want to increment, I want to do it all in one shot)
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 2:40 PM Post #5 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by imz14u2nv
azncookiecutter,
I didn’t really want to consider the E2C or E3C because I have only read bad reviews on them and didn’t want to make a purchase and then have to go and shell out more money later.


I find it odd that you only found bad reviews of the Shures because they get nothing but mostly great reviews here and everywhere else. Of course comparisons can be made but I question where youre looking at reviews. I used the e3s for over a year after stepping up from the sonys you are talking about. They were fantastic until I just upgraded to the E4's which are even more fantastic. Would the E5's be more fantastic? Probably but Ive never listened to them or wanted to shell out that much money for them.

FWIW you arent using high end players so its not worth jumping up that high in the headphone notch. You have nothing to lose if you get the E3's or ER6i both of which would be optimal(if not still overkill) for your listening source. Most places offer a 30 day return policy so you have time to decide.
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 2:51 PM Post #6 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisfromalbany
If I were you I would go with the less expense UE pros. I don't think er6i or lower shure are going to do the night and day difference. The e5s and EU's pro's will. I would go with them.

Just my opinion.

-chris


Chrisfromalbany,
I just want to make sure that I understand want you are saying.

Are you saying that you think I would be better off buying the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5Pro over the Shure E5C ??

If yes, Is that based on sound quality, price, or both, can you just elaborate a little on this.
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 2:53 PM Post #7 of 12
Well then I would go witht the E5s. I think from from the reviews on the UE Pros will show sights of weakness when turned up loud. The E5s, for a fact will not. They are the better of the two headphones in my opinion. The bass is more present and the high end is there as well.

After you get the e5s you can think about getting portible amp (supermacrov3) and that too will make a small but noticible difference in the sound characteristics (controlling bass.. increasing the punch of bass, and adding detail in the highs). Again this is at the higher end of things. Not night and day but after listen to music you know, you start to notice the difference with the amp. The headphone change, that is a night and day thing. With either the UE pros or the e5s.

As I have stated before. Once at this level, IMO you are at a mid/high end headphone. Improvements on this level are small in my eyes. No more night and day differences. I also believe adding an amp makes more of a difference on the e5c's.


Get the e5s. My advice. Unless the extra $100 is a deciding factor.

e5 going $350
UE pro's $250

edit..........

I do want to note that you need to have at least 192 v. bit rate LAME mp3 or 320 AAC to really take advance of the headphones.
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 3:50 PM Post #9 of 12
I went from the EX71 to the Shure E5c. It is an awesome and very worthwhile upgrade. Though don't be surprised if it takes you about 2 weeks to get used to the sound and practiced getting a good seal.

The only thing i have to add is that eventually I got the Sensaphonics 2X-S. If you're serious about having the best, I'd go straight to that, the Ultimate Ears UE-10 Pro or equivalent Westone product.

Best regards,

-Jason
 
Jul 18, 2005 at 4:02 PM Post #10 of 12
Quote:

Originally Posted by azncookiecutter
Don't jump straigt to E5Cs. If you do, and if you don't like them, you will seriously reget it, along with your wallet. I suggest you getting entry canalphones from Shure (E2C/E3s) or Etymonic (ER6i). If you like their sound, when you do upgrade to better canalphones, you will apprieciate the sound much more. Plus, your wallet won't be so mad at you.

Just my $0.02....

EDIT: Forgot to tell you: Welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet.


I agree.


From excellent to great:

Shure E2 (same as E2c) go for $65 total

Etymotic 6i for $80

Etymotic 4p for $200

Above are best prices I've seen at times. E-bay is a good source - be patient until a good deal appears.
 
Jul 19, 2005 at 2:16 AM Post #12 of 12
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top