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Vibes better than UM2s!?

Sep 23, 2008 at 4:48 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15
32ndnote

32ndnote

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So... I recently read a review of the v-moda vibes on earphone solutions. It seems like a great place to buy high quality earphones for reasonable prices, but I was quite set back when I read that the vibes were a "more entertaining listen" than even the UM2s!!!
I'm in the market for something around the $100 range and was trying to decide whether I would go for the warmth and comfort of UM1s or the precision of the UE super.fi 3s when I stumbled accross this little piece. I'm having trouble understanding how the vibes can compare considering they only have a standard single driver.
I currently just use some cheap Sony Fontopias because they're good for running and only cost me $20 on amazon, shipped, but I would really like something with a more accurate response. I listen to dance like the Klaxons, folk-ish like Beirut, piano and orchestral classical music, and rock like Muse or Mute Math. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do you think any IEMs can be used for running? If not, I still have my Sonys.
There is also the issue of riding the bus every morning to and from work and flying in a plane 2-6 times a year. Also, walking to and from class every day for the next few years. Help me out if you would!
 
Sep 23, 2008 at 7:02 PM Post #3 of 15
"more entertaining listen" usually doesn't mean accurate to me. When I see that, I think bass boost and maybe boosted treble as well.

The V-Moda claim to isolate 18dB. The UM1 claims 25dB. Both claims are probably exaggerated. The V-Moda might be fine for running, since you probably shouldn't be completely isolated, unless you run on a track. The UM1 is just adequate for me on my daily mass transit commute and when I fly. I don't think the V-Moda will isolate enough in noisy environments.
 
Sep 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM Post #4 of 15
I have the Vibes and like them very, very much. The bass is very tight and powerful and they do have a brighter sound but they aren't better than the UM2. They have a bit of muddiness in the mids and a lack of soundstage that is shallow and can't be compared to the UM2.

They are worth the money payed for them, though, and I'm glad I have mine because I enjoy listening to them from time to time.
 
Sep 23, 2008 at 7:40 PM Post #7 of 15
Well... they are a slight step up from skullcandys
wink.gif
 
Sep 24, 2008 at 2:31 AM Post #8 of 15
Quote:

Originally Posted by deviationer /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Since I have finally seen the light...on how bad vibes really are, I can safely say vibes should be avoided like all skullcandys


I don't think anyone's saying that. I said they don't isolate well, so they should be avoided. Others said that they're decent buy not as good as the UM2, which shouldn't surprise anyone considering the difference in price. I haven't heard them, but have no interest in them because when I use in ears, I want isolation.

I have heard the Bass Freqs. Avoid them. They have booming, bloated bass. I got them for my wife who can't hear above 100Hz so she needs booming, bloated bass, overwhelming everything else, which she can't hear. Avoid them unless your hearing is like hers, in which case you probably wouldn't be on head-fi anyway.
 
Sep 24, 2008 at 9:50 AM Post #10 of 15
More "fun" doesn't mean better, but the reviewer must still be a bit daft making such a ridiculous comparison.

I bought the Vibes a coule of years ago, purely because I thought they looked cool. They were my first either IEM/canalphone and my initial impression was "what's all the fuss about, they don't sound that good" and that's taking into account that at that point I'd never heard anything much beyond stock earbuds. Within a couple of months of careful use the cable broke next to the 3.5mm jack (a problem that is VERY common, but has been addressed with newer versions) but I wasn't too bothered at the time ... it just gave me a decent excuse to chuck them in the bin and try something else.

I've been through a fair few IEM/canalphones in the past two years, and though I've had some okay pairs I never fely 100% satisfied. I've never found a pair of earphones where I was happy with the sound signatures and the comfort, or that didn't then go faulty within a few months ... until now (I hope).

I received a pair of UM2s from earphone solutions a couple of days ago, and I've been blown away ... this is what I've been looking for this past couple of years. The sound is amazing, and I can barely even tell I'm wearing anything they are so comfortable. I just hope they last and don't go faulty, but they are covered by a 2 year warranty in any case.

Comparision between the UM2 and Vibes are a bit ridiculous, as they are completely different price points, but the Vibes disapointed me and the UM2s exceeded my expectations.
 
Sep 24, 2008 at 9:55 AM Post #11 of 15
The Vibes reminded me of the super.fi 5 Pro; absolutely massacred the percussion section. Hollow and out of phase, it just bugged the bugs outta me.
 
Sep 24, 2008 at 11:20 AM Post #12 of 15
The problem with the Vibes is that they are designed to sound "fun", but that everyone has a different view of what fun is, so some love them and some hate them.

Also they are not really high end (compared to most IEMs / canalphones), so the comparison is a bit weird.

Personally I like them with dance music, but I am not sure how they would fare well with Jazz or Classical and that's the main problem with the Vibes: the only way to know if you like their sound would be to try them, preferably with the same kind of music you usually listen to. these are not headphones that are meant to please everyone.
 
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