[bilalc]

Hello all, please welcome this n00b to the Head Fi forums! I have been doing some reading here and it's amazing how much insight many of the users have!

So I am looking for some high-end IEM's. Let me start off by saying that i live in Oslo, Norway, and that as far as I know there are no retail stores anywhere nearby where I can actually test any of these earphones, which is kind of the problem and the reason for me writing in this forum.

I want some really good high-end earphones and I have mostly been looking at the Shure SE530's and the UE Triple.fi's. After reading reviews and comparisons of these two it seems I won't go wrong with either one. I suppose personal taste and preferance of sound signature is what it eventually comes down to. But since I can't test these I am trying to do the difficult right choice from the start, hopefully with some much needed help from you guys

I thought I'd list some music I listen to so that those of you who have tried both these earphones may guide me based on music preferance. I mostly listen to electronica/house/trance from the likes of Deep Dish, John Digweed, Sasha, Basement Jaxx, Prodigy, BT, Sander Kleinenberg, Armin Van Buuren, Ulrich Schnauss, basicly everything from the Global Underground series. I also enjoy rock/pop music like Muse, Coldplay, Jimmy Eat World, Sevendust etc.

Also some other factors are important to me: Comfort, fit, and looks. The only IEM's I have tried are the Sony MDR-EX71 which I personally feel have OK (not perfect) comfort and fit, the fit may perhaps be a little on the loose side. Judging from pictures both the 530's and the Triple.fi's look nice, although it is difficult to say anything about real size and how they look when worn.

So based on these thoughts what would you guys recommend? I am also open for input on other earphones. Some may perhaps want to mention Westones, but unfortunately there are no retailers in Norway, not even through webshops. I would have to import them from the USA or something and it becomes too expensive because of taxes and stuff. Maybe I even don't need the most expensive phones? Maybe the SE420 or the super.fi 5 pro's may be good enough? Though I find that you usually get what pay for with these kind of products, and I want the best....although with a price limit, which is about the cost of the 530's.

 

[ZARIM]

If you are using with ipod then SE530 are realy good and TF10Pro are good too but for your music preference i think SE530 are amazing. It's also matter of taste and user preference, to me one(SE530) emphesis on mids where most music plays and guitars sound excelent with deep heavy bass. Other(TF10Pro) emphesis on highs and mids, bass are not that strong but still very good. I think SE530 soundsignature are more forwared with heavy detailed bass. TF10Pro are more detailed in highs but bass and mids are not forward and strong(still very good and way more than Sony MDR-EX71).

 

[rbui]

To my ears I have found the difference between the E500/SE530s and the triple.fi 10 pros to be slightly different, in a few areas. the bass in both those earphones are somewhat different; the shure's bass is more energetic and powered, and in a way more fun to listen to, but the UE's bass is much more detailed and clear, not to an analytical extent but to the point where each and every bass note can be easily heard and distinguished. in the mid-range, i agree, the SE530s truly outshine the triple.fi; it has "more forward" mids, and the clarity is remarkable. In the highs, it all comes down to your personal tastes. the triple.fis are noticeable much brighter than the SE530s, so high notes in treble-heavy music won't be faded into the background by any means, but will be more prominent and in your face, although not to the point that it becomes overbearing. for your music tastes, house/trance/electronica, i would personally recommend the triple.fi's.
However, I still think you should consider the slightly lower-end IEMs from shure and UE, like the se430 and super.fi 5 pros. i haven't tested the SE430s yet, but the s.fi 5 pro's are my general use IEMs, and i have found them to be the best all-around IEMs (Westones aside) for the price. I'll probably borrow some trance/house CDs from a friend soon and see how they sound with 5 pros.

 

[mrdeadfolx]

Out of those 2 choices, Id take the SE530's...but wjat I would personally recommend is UE Super .fi 5 Pros. Youll save coin and get great sound for your tastes. THe forthcoming Westone 3 might be an option as well.

 

[tbonner1]

I get great sound from my UE SF 5 Pro and Iriver DAPs without the need for an external amp. They also sound good at low volume and have a hint of soundstage which is rare for an IEM.

On an absolute basis the Shure E500 are hard to beat if money is no object.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I've owned the 530s, E4C, and UM2. The 530s are my absolute favorite for reasons already mentioned above, though I must say that considering your musical tastes and the comfort factor, the UM2 might be your best bet. I realize you said you can't get them... but there's gotta be a way. Maybe you can pay a head-fier you trust to ship them to you. Of course, all this is considering that you think they sound like a good match for you. They really provide a fun and euphoric sound that makes electronica/house/rock engaging. Also, they have more bass (some would say too much) than the other choices. Not too great for classical music, which is why I switched to the 530s. Price wise, aren't the UM2s about the same as UESF 5 Pro? I've never tried the SF so I can't compare them with the 2s.

One thing I will mention that nobody else has is that the UE is known for being less comfortable more it sticks out of your ear obtrusively (think Frankenstein). The UM2s win for comfort hands down... and the 530s aren't far behind.

 

[bilalc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARIM /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you are using with ipod then SE530 are realy good and TF10Pro are good too but for your music preference i think SE530 are amazing. It's also matter of taste and user preference, to me one(SE530) emphesis on mids where most music plays and guitars sound excelent with deep heavy bass. Other(TF10Pro) emphesis on highs and mids, bass are not that strong but still very good. I think SE530 soundsignature are more forwared with heavy detailed bass. TF10Pro are more detailed in highs but bass and mids are not forward and strong(still very good and way more than Sony MDR-EX71).

Thanks for your thoughts. I am not using an iPod but I am considering buying a Samsung T9. I saw in your profile that you own this player right? So what can you say about the SE530 and TF10 when used with the T9? I will however also be using the earphones with my laptop and occasionally my home sound system.

 

[bilalc]

Thanks for all your answers guys! As expected there are some different personal opinions and recommendations...making this really not an easy choice

Every reply helps though, so more comments are more then welcome!

 

[Spyro]

Yes, E530's for that type of music and also for better comfort/easier fit.

 

[bilalc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, E530's for that type of music and also for better comfort/easier fit.

Now that's what I like to hear, a straightforward right to the point answer making my choice just a little bit easier

 

[rbui]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter Morgan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Price wise, aren't the UM2s about the same as UESF 5 Pro? I've never tried the SF so I can't compare them with the 2s. One thing I will mention that nobody else has is that the UE is known for being less comfortable more it sticks out of your ear obtrusively (think Frankenstein).

Retail prices on the 5 pros and the UM2s are similar, but the 5 pros can usually be found for much cheaper than the MSRP of $250. Unfortunately, I have also had no luck finding direct comparisons between the super.fi 5 pros and the UM2s. It seems like those who try Westones and are happy with them never test Ultimate Ears, and vice versa.

As for the obtrusiveness of UE universal IEMs, there is a modified way of wearing them that allows for much better comfort (for some people), and absolutely improves aesthetics, i.e. they don't stick out at all

 

[bilalc]

hmmm as of right now I'm leaning mostly towards the SE530's. The only thing that concerns me are the comments I have read about the rolled off highs with these earphones. It is of course difficult to say how big of a "problem" it really is, and to what degree it may or may not have been blown out of proportion...

 

[Wildcard30]

another recommendation for SE530

 

[sweetwilly]

I'd say go with the Shures. They do well with mid-tempo, textured rock. I may be putting mine up for sale soon, as I'm a die hard metal head and they don't cut it for me.

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilalc /img/forum/go_quote.gif hmmm as of right now I'm leaning mostly towards the SE530's. The only thing that concerns me are the comments I have read about the rolled off highs with these earphones. It is of course difficult to say how big of a "problem" it really is, and to what degree it may or may not have been blown out of proportion...

It's the real high end that is rolled off. The upper mids are VERY detailed to help offset that making the overall presentation still very detailed and non-fatiguing.