Upgrade/replacement for Klipsch S4i-II

[kfm946]

TL;DR: Looking for a ~$100 USD IEM with a similar sound signature to the Klipsch S4i-II with more clarity and detail, and a hair less bass; I've narrowed it down to the SE215, MA750, 1More Triple, Momentum IEM, and AD01, but I'm open to all suggestions.

• Budget: $100, $120 maximum
• Source: Phone/PC
• Isolation: Must have average or above average isolation.
• Uses: Walking to class, at work, etc.
• Preferred sound signature: mildly V-shaped, punchy bass and sparkling treble, but still clear and detailed overall
• Music: Progressive/instrumental rock/metal (Satriani, Vai, Dream Theater, Rush, etc.)
• Additional Info: I always wear my IEMs over-ear. I don't want to use foam tips because I frequently pop them in and out during use.

I’m looking to replace my beloved Klipsch S4i-II set that died on me. The bass had a good punch to it and the treble sparkled and shimmered while usually avoiding harshness or sibilance. Guitars were very clear without burying any of the keyboards or vocals. It was energetic and fun while remaining clear and fairly detailed. That said, I found the bass to be a bit bloated on some occasions when I really looked for it, and there’s much room for improvement in terms of soundstage width and separation/layering. Other things I liked were the isolation, the cable, which never got tangled, and the oval tips and thin nozzle, which made them very comfortable. My current backup pair, the Brainwavz S1, are incredibly uncomfortable with any tips except maybe foam, which I imagine is a result of the nozzle being so wide and putting additional pressure on my ear canal. I also own the UE600, which is nice and detailed, but I find it rather dry and boring to listen to.

So I’m looking for something in the $100 range similar sounding to the S4 but improves on those aspects I just mentioned. Originally I was looking at the Shure SE215 for its popularity, removable cable, and isolation, but I’m concerned its warm signature won’t provide the sparkling treble that I love. I’m also considering the Sennheiser Momentum, which seems to better suite my taste in sound, but reviews are saying that cable breakage at the jack is common (which is the cause of death for 99% of my in-ears, including the S4s). The Alpha & Delta AD01 seems like a good compromise between the two (replacable cable, v-shaped without the treble rolloff of the SE215). I'm also eyeing the MA750 (though they're a tad pricy) and the 1More Triple Driver (though I'm still not quite sure what its sound signature is really like). What would you recommend for me, either from these or any other set in the same price bracket?

I'd really like to hear from anyone who has used the S4 and can give a direct comparison.

Thanks!

 

[serman005]

TL;DR: Looking for a ~$100 USD IEM with a similar sound signature to the Klipsch S4i-II with more clarity and detail, and a hair less bass; I've narrowed it down to the SE215, MA750, 1More Triple, Momentum IEM, and AD01, but I'm open to all suggestions.

1. Budget: $100, $120 maximum
2. Source: Phone/PC
3. Isolation: Must have average or above average isolation.
4. Uses: Walking to class, at work, etc.
5. Preferred sound signature: mildly V-shaped, punchy bass and sparkling treble, but still clear and detailed overall
6. Music: Progressive/instrumental rock/metal (Satriani, Vai, Dream Theater, Rush, etc.)
7. Additional Info: I always wear my IEMs over-ear. I don't want to use foam tips because I frequently pop them in and out during use.

I’m looking to replace my beloved Klipsch S4i-II set that died on me. The bass had a good punch to it and the treble sparkled and shimmered while usually avoiding harshness or sibilance. Guitars were very clear without burying any of the keyboards or vocals. It was energetic and fun while remaining clear and fairly detailed. That said, I found the bass to be a bit bloated on some occasions when I really looked for it, and there’s much room for improvement in terms of soundstage width and separation/layering. Other things I liked were the isolation, the cable, which never got tangled, and the oval tips and thin nozzle, which made them very comfortable. My current backup pair, the Brainwavz S1, are incredibly uncomfortable with any tips except maybe foam, which I imagine is a result of the nozzle being so wide and putting additional pressure on my ear canal. I also own the UE600, which is nice and detailed, but I find it rather dry and boring to listen to.

So I’m looking for something in the $100 range similar sounding to the S4 but improves on those aspects I just mentioned. Originally I was looking at the Shure SE215 for its popularity, removable cable, and isolation, but I’m concerned its warm signature won’t provide the sparkling treble that I love. I’m also considering the Sennheiser Momentum, which seems to better suite my taste in sound, but reviews are saying that cable breakage at the jack is common (which is the cause of death for 99% of my in-ears, including the S4s). The Alpha & Delta AD01 seems like a good compromise between the two (replacable cable, v-shaped without the treble rolloff of the SE215). I'm also eyeing the MA750 (though they're a tad pricy) and the 1More Triple Driver (though I'm still not quite sure what its sound signature is really like). What would you recommend for me, either from these or any other set in the same price bracket?

I'd really like to hear from anyone who has used the S4 and can give a direct comparison.

Thanks!

I would eschew the Shure. The treble rolloff is severe and will take away from the sparkle you seek. Personally, I like the 1More, which  has good treble extension and solid bass with excellent detail, IMO. I also like the MA750 a lot. Very well-made with an incredible warranty (36 months). You know if you order from amazon, you can just return them if you don't like them. Reduces the risk somewhat. You could even order two and return the one you don't like (or like less).  ---)

 

[kfm946]

I would eschew the Shure. The treble rolloff is severe and will take away from the sparkle you seek. Personally, I like the 1More, which  has good treble extension and solid bass with excellent detail, IMO. I also like the MA750 a lot. Very well-made with an incredible warranty (36 months). You know if you order from amazon, you can just return them if you don't like them. Reduces the risk somewhat. You could even order two and return the one you don't like (or like less).  ---)

How is the midrange of the 1More compared to the UE600/S4? Is it more recessed or more prominent?

 

[kfm946]

Also, which set has a closer sound to the S4? 1More or MA750? Is the AD01 a reasonable option or is it closer to a balanced signature?

 

[serman005]

How is the midrange of the 1More compared to the UE600/S4? Is it more recessed or more prominent?

I wouldn't characterize the midrange on the 1More as recessed. I've only heard the S4i briefly so it's hard for me to say which of the two it sounds most like from dim memory. I want to say the 1More, but don't quote me on that. Haven't heard the UE 600--sorry.

 

[kfm946]

So after talking to lJokerl, I've narrowed it down to the Momentum In-Ear and AD01. The Momentum definitely seems to be the better match in terms of sound signature, but reviews are full of complaints about the cable falling apart. If there were a cheap way to prevent the cable from splitting open so easily, I could give that a shot. I'm a bit tired of dealing with cables breaking and RMAs, which makes the removable cables of the AD01 a huge plus. But the AD01's sound is a bit warmer, and I'm not sure if it will have enough treble energy for my tastes. Any thoughts?

 

[serman005]

  So after talking to lJokerl, I've narrowed it down to the Momentum In-Ear and AD01. The Momentum definitely seems to be the better match in terms of sound signature, but reviews are full of complaints about the cable falling apart. If there were a cheap way to prevent the cable from splitting open so easily, I could give that a shot. I'm a bit tired of dealing with cables breaking and RMAs, which makes the removable cables of the AD01 a huge plus. But the AD01's sound is a bit warmer, and I'm not sure if it will have enough treble energy for my tastes. Any thoughts?

 

  So after talking to lJokerl, I've narrowed it down to the Momentum In-Ear and AD01. The Momentum definitely seems to be the better match in terms of sound signature, but reviews are full of complaints about the cable falling apart. If there were a cheap way to prevent the cable from splitting open so easily, I could give that a shot. I'm a bit tired of dealing with cables breaking and RMAs, which makes the removable cables of the AD01 a huge plus. But the AD01's sound is a bit warmer, and I'm not sure if it will have enough treble energy for my tastes. Any thoughts?

I guess it depends partly on how many years you reasonably expect to get out of the Momentum. The warranty is two years if purchased from an authorized dealer, so you're sort of guaranteed two years at the very least of properly functioning IEMs, even if they break, cuz they're under warranty. If you buy them for around $99, that's $50 per year, or roughly $4 per month. That seems fairly reasonable to me, so if they crash and burn at the beginning of year three and there's no more warranty, you've probably gotten your money's worth, you know? Time to buy a new pair. That is one way of looking at it, anyway.   ---)

 

[kfm946]

That's true. All the pairs of S4s I had lasted less than a year (along with almost every other pair of IEMs I've owned that I used daily). I'm 99.9% certain the Momentum would break within warranty given its especially fragile cable.
I was even thinking of buying another pair of S4s just to use during RMAs when my main IEMs inevitably die (I can't stand my current backup pair, Brainwavz S1). Maybe I'll do that at some point down the road.