Which high-end IEM should I get if I have a wide taste in music?

[kdawgg83]

Quote:

Shouldn’t all music sound like it was when it was mixed in the studio?

Same in, same out.  Theoretically if the monitor works correctly, shouldn’t it translate any vibrations without changing them at all? 

 

What difference should it make if you listen to Rock, Country, or three hundred year old European sound patterns?

 

Shouldn’t all sounds be transparent?

 

Yes! I agree.. That's exactly what I'm looking for.
 

 

[kdawgg83]

 
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Ideally, audition. Tough to arrange, perhaps, but an hour of critical listening answers nearly all questions.

Barring that, gather your nickels, you're going a-spending. Plan to eventually buy them ALL, and sell the ones you won't miss. For that, the FS forums are a blessing, all your choices will hold value at resale.

Take reviews with a grain of salt; good phones are strongly source-dependent. The TF10s I'm wearing now sound way different on my Fuze than they do from my desktop.

Also, every phone is a compromise, a blend of excellence and mediocrity. Even the ones you love the most will do something to annoy you. A good source and system helps, but you'll be happier if you aim for strong phones you can live with, rather than The Perfect Pair.

Ah, if only I could afford as many IEMs as you my friend 

. I really just want to buy 1 pair for now (at least for next 6-12 mo.)
 
I've heard talk that 1 good driver could be better than 3, however, I am skeptical that a single driver system could be better than the 3 driver, three-way crossover configuration of the UM3Xs or the SM3s. Thoughts on this?
 
I will be using an iPhone 3GS to drive these puppies, so I don't know if it matters which set I get or how it will be affected by the output (I'm not looking to buy an amp). Are any of these better/worse with a 3GS?

 

[lucozade]

 
Quote:

Hi All,
 
I've been lurking here a while and have narrowed down my list of IEMs to:
 

• Sennheiser IE8
• Shure SE530
• Westone 3
• Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro
• Monster Turbine Pro Copper
• EarSonics SM3
• Hifiman RE0
• Hifiman RE 252
• JVC  HA-FX700
• Westone UM3x

 
I have a wide range of music that I listen to including Classical Guitar, Blues, Funk, Hip Hop, Classic Rock, Ambient, Electronic, Experimental, etc. All of this also includes vocal music. Basically, I want the most well-rounded IEMs without having to significantly compromise in any area.
 
From what I've read, some of the models mentioned above have "softer" highs or "flatter" lows, but I haven't heard any of them and so I don't know what would work well for someone who will be listening to pretty much everything. I'm currently leaning towards the Sennheiser IE8's, but I'd like to hear your opinions on the others and how they compare. Will the softer highs make me feel like something is lacking? Will the heavier bass get in the way of enjoying Classical Guitar or other genres of music?
 
I'm also not planning on buying an amplifier anytime soon and will be driving my IEMs with an iPhone 3GS.
 
I appreciate the responses in advance!!
 
Thanks!
 
[Edit: Added IEMs 5 through 10 above to the list]

If you get the ie8 you will back here sooner rather than later looking for something better, id say get the SM3 or if that's not an option go for the coppers or TF10

 

 

[Big Kev]

Since I've had the SM3's for a couple of weeks now, I can confirm that they sound better than all of the other IEM's in my list and I listen to everything from Sade, Fun Lovin Criminals, Human League, U2, Joe Satriani, Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica to Slayer and more besides.
 
They really do adapt to all sorts of music, bringing out the best in everything you listen to.  Then again, I'm not a true audiophile, so others may be able to explain it better, like Pianist for example.

 

[Kirosia]

I listen to various genres as well and my purely subjective opinion is that the Triple.fi 10s don't suck to any notable extent. (Iphone 3G, Iaudio U2, ampless)

 

[koonhua90]

 
Quote:

 

Ah, if only I could afford as many IEMs as you my friend 

. I really just want to buy 1 pair for now (at least for next 6-12 mo.)
 
I've heard talk that 1 good driver could be better than 3, however, I am skeptical that a single driver system could be better than the 3 driver, three-way crossover configuration of the UM3Xs or the SM3s. Thoughts on this?
 
I will be using an iPhone 3GS to drive these puppies, so I don't know if it matters which set I get or how it will be affected by the output (I'm not looking to buy an amp). Are any of these better/worse with a 3GS?

Your skepticism will change when you have heard those good single driver earphones 

 

[rawrster]

^
I think that depends on what kind of technology we are talking about. If it is BA than I would say that multi drivers have more potential to being better however they do have the crossover. Dynamics are a different story however.

 

[koonhua90]

Quote:

^
I think that depends on what kind of technology we are talking about. If it is BA than I would say that multi drivers have more potential to being better however they do have the crossover. Dynamics are a different story however.

Nowadays the technology is going fast. In a few years' time I am pretty sure there will be some sort of triple driver dynamic phones. For one, there's an excellent sounding dual dynamic Radius. Balanced armature can have more headroom, with its multiple drivers to share the load. A good crossover is not easy to design though. And the same with dynamic, it's not that easy to tune them to sound really good. But on the issue of dynamic vs BA, I wouldn't really say that a Monster Copper is bad compared to UM3X, and I wouldn't say FX-700 is bad compared to the SM3 either.

 

[tjumper78]

havent read all the recommendations posted here but i saw some recommendations for monster turbine pro copper, and i absolutely agree with it.
my taste in music only varied in a very few genres when i was using er4p.  when i got my MTPC, i was listening to many other genres like jazz, trance, hiphop, etc. 

 

[Hentai11]

Feh, who said I could afford this? Take a look at my fridge, then say that.

Seriously, if you buy high-end phones that you straightforwardly dislike, keep swapping until you can settle with one. None of the phones you mention are *bad*, but some will suit you better than others. I prefer the single-driver dynamic to the BA sound, but that's utterly a matter of taste; I write this wearing the BA TF10, and I'm just fine.

I expect one good driver beats a triple-driver mediocrity, but I've never heard such a thing; manufacturers who bother with a triple-driver model tend to do it right.

As far as driving them, all your phones should run on any portable, though the RE0 will prefer an amp.

 

[rawrster]

I would suggest to the OP that you do some searching here on head-fi and proper research on them. That means reading reviews, comparisons, etc. There is also this top tier chart thread in the first page of this subforum. On that list you have none of those phones suck. Some may be better than others in certain areas and not as good in other areas. Make a list of what is important to you such as what kind of sound you want from them (bassy, analytical, etc.) and things that do not include sound such as isolation, microphonics, cost, etc. Your preference will play a very important role in what you want and if you like it. If you buy something you do not like then I would follow the advice above. Buy used and sell until you find something you like. This is why there's a FS subforum as well.

 

[kdawgg83]

 
Quote:

I would suggest to the OP that you do some searching here on head-fi and proper research on them. That means reading reviews, comparisons, etc. There is also this top tier chart thread in the first page of this subforum. On that list you have none of those phones suck. Some may be better than others in certain areas and not as good in other areas. Make a list of what is important to you such as what kind of sound you want from them (bassy, analytical, etc.) and things that do not include sound such as isolation, microphonics, cost, etc. Your preference will play a very important role in what you want and if you like it. If you buy something you do not like then I would follow the advice above. Buy used and sell until you find something you like. This is why there's a FS subforum as well.

The top-tier chart makes everything out there inferior to the Earsonics SM3 and it is really hard to figure out which would suit me best if I didn't go with the SM3. That said, my original budget was around $250, which is where I've found the MTPCs. I'd be willing to venture up to $300 for the Westones, but still not sure which ones I want (W3 or UM3X). Going up to $400+ for the SM3s is a bit of a stretch, but if it blows everything out of the water, then I may just do it.
 
A few more questions to you guys:
 
1) How does the soundstage on the UM3X compare to the W3 compare to the MTPC compare to the SM3 ?
 
On the top tier comparison thread (and elsewhere) people say it has a "smallish" soundstage, yet others on the appreciation thread say it is roomy. This is an important factor for me as I really want a mind opening experience from my phones. For those of you that have listened to these vs others, how would you rate the UM3Xs?
 
2) What are the flaws, if any, of the SM3s? I saw one up for sale and it got snatched up pretty quick and the guy didnt provide any details as to why he was selling them (PMed him w/no response). How is the soundstage on these?
 
Keep rockin', thanks everyone!
 

 

 

[Sumflow]

Buy the best and leave the rest!!

You already know which ones you want.

Quote:

kdawgg83   I've heard talk that 1 good driver could be better than 3, however, I am skeptical that a single driver system could be better than the 3 driver, three-way crossover configuration of the UM3Xs or the SM3s.

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

Barring that, gather your nickels, you're going a-spending. Plan to eventually buy them ALL, and sell the ones you won't miss. For that, the FS forums are a blessing, all your choices will hold value at resale.

Take reviews with a grain of salt; good phones are strongly source-dependent. The TF10s I'm wearing now sound way different on my Fuze than they do from my desktop.

Also, every phone is a compromise, a blend of excellence and mediocrity. Even the ones you love the most will do something to annoy you. A good source and system helps, but you'll be happier if you aim for strong phones you can live with, rather than The Perfect Pair.

I agree with you somewhat, but not to everything you posted, of course YMMV. 
 
The part where you stated to take reviews with a grain of salt as phones are strongly source-dependent, is true on some points but not always the case. I completely agree that phones are source dependent however; having a good source is a make or break for most top tier phones out there; especially the very revealing, detail oriented ones. 
When I had the Triples I could listen with either the T51 or the computer but I preferred the DAP. With my UM3Xs and K702s, the computer is not even considered. 
 
"Even the ones you love the most will do something to annoy you." I would have to disagree. Although there are NO prerfect phones, there are phones that do a plethora of things right and in some cases you will love everything about them. I would use my UM3Xs or K702s as an example. I love everything about them. Amazing bass, mid, and treble response on both phones that makes anything I throw at them sound great. 
 
Of course this largely comes down to the genres of music that I listen to; mainly classical and acoustic, these phones excel in those regions and fill every demand those genres call for with room left over. 

 

[kdawgg83]

Can my new HP DV7t and new Dell E6400 laptops properly serve as a source for the SM3 or UM3X? Or will I absolutely need to drive the earphones with my iPhone?