[Spyro]

SE846 is maybe the most unnatural sounding high end IEM I have ever heard.  It's bell shaped frequency response is beyond weird.  Total fatigue after 15-20 minutes of listening.  The "SHOUTING"  (aggressive forward midrange) presentation is annoying.

 

[magagne]

Kind of true, if you want something that would sound super smooth and pleasant to listening to, then there's nothing better than the W60 (especially in balanced mode), they will even make low resolution MP3 files sound smooth and listenable. If you want something more aggressive and punchy, definitely the SE846. Otherwise the Noble Kaiser 10 is another good alternative, smoother than the SE846 but more aggressive than the W60, one of the most accurate sounding IEMs around. For some reason, I cannot stand the Pro 50, they just sound totally wrong and unappealing to me, can't listening to them for more than a few minutes, the bass is just too boomy and muddy for my taste.

Interesting comment about the bass on the Pro50. Can I ask you what kind of music you listen to conclude to that ? [not judging here, even if it sound this way...just curious] 

 

[blazer78]

  SE846 is maybe the most unnatural sounding high end IEM I have ever heard.  It's bell shaped frequency response is beyond weird.  Total fatigue after 15-20 minutes of listening.  The "SHOUTING"  (aggressive forward midrange) presentation is annoying.

 
Isn't that part of the Shure IEM house sound?

 

[MacedonianHero]

  SE846 is maybe the most unnatural sounding high end IEM I have ever heard.  It's bell shaped frequency response is beyond weird.  Total fatigue after 15-20 minutes of listening.  The "SHOUTING"  (aggressive forward midrange) presentation is annoying.

 
 

   
Isn't that part of the Shure IEM house sound?

 
Actually I think the SE535s were a better representation of that. 

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

I found se846 Shure house sound too forward and w60 Westone house sound too laid back!

 

[MacedonianHero]

  I found se846 Shure house sound too forward and w60 Westone house sound too laid back!

 
If you think the Shure house sound is too forward, stay far, far away from Etymotic IEMs.

 

[Danz03]

I always use the same few pieces of music to demo headphones and IEMs, a selection of dance, hip hop, rock, acoustics and classical music and some of my own recordings. I really wanted to like the Pro 50 as UM3x and Pro 30 are my default IEMs I demoed a few different pairs in different shops just to make sure I wasn't demoing a defected pair using the UM3x as reference. To me, the Pro 50 has far too much bass but not enough extension nor punch. But that's just me, I know a lot of ppl who love the Pro 50 too.

Interesting comment about the bass on the Pro50. Can I ask you what kind of music you listen to conclude to that ? [not judging here, even if it sound this way...just curious] 

 

[proedros]

Good, I don't look for deep bass, I'm looking for precise bass. Balance sound. Jazz hate too much bass, that can ruin a trio.

 
K3003 is a good option and you can get them used here for 550-600$

i see many people who had both 846 and k3, and most say the K3 is definitely a better.more enjoyable iem

that is if you are not a basshead loony and want the bass BIG (like in 846)

 
great iem imo

 

[twister6]

 

Good, I don't look for deep bass, I'm looking for precise bass. Balance sound. Jazz hate too much bass, that can ruin a trio.

 
K3003 is a good option and you can get them used here for 550-600$

i see many people who had both 846 and k3, and most say the K3 is definitely a better.more enjoyable iem

that is if you are not a basshead loony and want the bass BIG (like in 846)

 
great iem imo

 
and at the same time, a lot of people suggest that latest hybrid DUNU DN-2000J gives K3 a run for its money at a fraction of a price

 

[macbug]

Hey twister, I'm curious if you could listen to this bass test and tell me how you hear the um50 and w50/60 once it gets down to 50hz, thanks

 

[twister6]

Hey twister, I'm curious if you could listen to this bass test and tell me how you hear the um50 and w50/60 once it gets down to 50hz, thanks

Which bass test?

 

[Paulus XII]

Which bass test?

 

 

[macbug]

Oops sorry that's what happens when I post at 3 am

http://youtu.be/M8gjsefNYpE

 

[Gurashieruro]

I just bought the W60 from Live Soundwave. They said they were an authorized dealer so I shot the gun and bought it. I can't wait to hear what it sounds.

To be honest, I do like the Pro 50s. I have Ted Allen's silver litz wires. While I wish they were a little more open and brighter, they sound awesome to me. Since I use them to monitor my singing when I am recording, I love them.

 

[blazer78]

I'm joining the w60 club too!