Headphone/Earphone Reviews
Discussion
NDA said:
Finlandia said:
Kiitoksia, thanks guys 
Sorry, I haven't heard the B&W, but they look interesting.
They are nice.... I suffer from tinnitus these days, so my hearing is not ideal unfortunately. However they sounded very good to me, very rich and detailed.Sorry, I haven't heard the B&W, but they look interesting.
Excellent thread
I'm after a replacment for my trust CX400s (I think, they were £40 in Dixons about 4 years ago), I'm fairly happy with there performance but they have a rather annoying habit of distorting, especially in the low mid-range.
I generally use my headphones when travelling or working out in the gym and listen to electronic/rock music with my iPod as source, I've never bothered to ensure that my files are encoded losslessly or at a high bit rate so I would assume that my music is not of the highest quality.
I like my audio to have high quality controlled bass and a warm, clear mid-range, I don't really like an overly bright, artifical sounding high-end.
So far I've been looking at Klipsh S4, Klipsh X5, Denon Ah-C751 and Shure 115s. Etymotic are a brand which I've also just read about but can't find any reviews on them.
As the source will solely be iPod touch and iPhone they really have to perform with them.
I'm after a replacment for my trust CX400s (I think, they were £40 in Dixons about 4 years ago), I'm fairly happy with there performance but they have a rather annoying habit of distorting, especially in the low mid-range.
I generally use my headphones when travelling or working out in the gym and listen to electronic/rock music with my iPod as source, I've never bothered to ensure that my files are encoded losslessly or at a high bit rate so I would assume that my music is not of the highest quality.
I like my audio to have high quality controlled bass and a warm, clear mid-range, I don't really like an overly bright, artifical sounding high-end.
So far I've been looking at Klipsh S4, Klipsh X5, Denon Ah-C751 and Shure 115s. Etymotic are a brand which I've also just read about but can't find any reviews on them.
As the source will solely be iPod touch and iPhone they really have to perform with them.
Replacing a cx400, I would advice you to look for a bassy, or at least a warm/neutral IEM, or else the lack-off-bass-shock will be too severe
Etymotic can be taken off the list at once, they are the most detailed IEM's on the market, some would even say they are anemic or very bright. They are great, no doubt, but they're just not what you're looking for.
Klipsch S4 is a warm IEM with a nice detailed mid/high and musical presentation. I haven't heard the X5, but they are supposed to be quite warm, Denon has slipped by me as well, but they are very bassy and powerful, as I've understood. Haven't heard the Shure SE115's either, but from what I've heard from those who have, they are quite alright even if there are better ones for the asking price.
If you are considering the Klipsch X5 around £140-150 give or take a little, I recommend you to have a look at the Westone UM2 for a tad more, they are excellent!
At a cheaper price tag, Hippo VB is a great all-rounder, Zagg Z.buds can be used as a headset for the iphone and they sound very good as well, Klipsch S4 can be had as a headset and they are very good too. A-Jays can be worth a look, also has a headset variant coming out soon.
Etymotic can be taken off the list at once, they are the most detailed IEM's on the market, some would even say they are anemic or very bright. They are great, no doubt, but they're just not what you're looking for.
Klipsch S4 is a warm IEM with a nice detailed mid/high and musical presentation. I haven't heard the X5, but they are supposed to be quite warm, Denon has slipped by me as well, but they are very bassy and powerful, as I've understood. Haven't heard the Shure SE115's either, but from what I've heard from those who have, they are quite alright even if there are better ones for the asking price.
If you are considering the Klipsch X5 around £140-150 give or take a little, I recommend you to have a look at the Westone UM2 for a tad more, they are excellent!
At a cheaper price tag, Hippo VB is a great all-rounder, Zagg Z.buds can be used as a headset for the iphone and they sound very good as well, Klipsch S4 can be had as a headset and they are very good too. A-Jays can be worth a look, also has a headset variant coming out soon.
Finlandia said:
Replacing a cx400, I would advice you to look for a bassy, or at least a warm/neutral IEM, or else the lack-off-bass-shock will be too severe
Etymotic can be taken off the list at once, they are the most detailed IEM's on the market, some would even say they are anemic or very bright. They are great, no doubt, but they're just not what you're looking for.
Klipsch S4 is a warm IEM with a nice detailed mid/high and musical presentation. I haven't heard the X5, but they are supposed to be quite warm, Denon has slipped by me as well, but they are very bassy and powerful, as I've understood. Haven't heard the Shure SE115's either, but from what I've heard from those who have, they are quite alright even if there are better ones for the asking price.
If you are considering the Klipsch X5 around £140-150 give or take a little, I recommend you to have a look at the Westone UM2 for a tad more, they are excellent!
At a cheaper price tag, Hippo VB is a great all-rounder, Zagg Z.buds can be used as a headset for the iphone and they sound very good as well, Klipsch S4 can be had as a headset and they are very good too. A-Jays can be worth a look, also has a headset variant coming out soon.
I've read several online reviews of both the S4 and the UM2, comments I've seen about the S4 state that they "don't respond well to LQ files" and on the UM2 I've read they have quite a "claustrophobic soundstage", would you agree with those comments or are they simply splitting hairs on what are, most likley excellent 'phones?Etymotic can be taken off the list at once, they are the most detailed IEM's on the market, some would even say they are anemic or very bright. They are great, no doubt, but they're just not what you're looking for.
Klipsch S4 is a warm IEM with a nice detailed mid/high and musical presentation. I haven't heard the X5, but they are supposed to be quite warm, Denon has slipped by me as well, but they are very bassy and powerful, as I've understood. Haven't heard the Shure SE115's either, but from what I've heard from those who have, they are quite alright even if there are better ones for the asking price.
If you are considering the Klipsch X5 around £140-150 give or take a little, I recommend you to have a look at the Westone UM2 for a tad more, they are excellent!
At a cheaper price tag, Hippo VB is a great all-rounder, Zagg Z.buds can be used as a headset for the iphone and they sound very good as well, Klipsch S4 can be had as a headset and they are very good too. A-Jays can be worth a look, also has a headset variant coming out soon.
It's such a shame that it's impossible to audition IEMs, it's a lot of money to spend to find you don't like the fit or the sound!
raf_gti said:
I've read several online reviews of both the S4 and the UM2, comments I've seen about the S4 state that they "don't respond well to LQ files" and on the UM2 I've read they have quite a "claustrophobic soundstage", would you agree with those comments or are they simply splitting hairs on what are, most likley excellent 'phones?
It's such a shame that it's impossible to audition IEMs, it's a lot of money to spend to find you don't like the fit or the sound!
With higher end IEM's the general rule of thumb is, feed them right and they deliver, or less tactfully put, sIt's such a shame that it's impossible to audition IEMs, it's a lot of money to spend to find you don't like the fit or the sound!
t in st out. This does not mean that low quality files sound horrendous, but the high end stuff reveals more flaws than low end stuff. Personally I use MP3's at 192kbit/s CBR or >160 VBR as the lowest quality, most of my files are in ~224 VBR or 320 CBR quality and they sound very, very good with high end gear.
As for the UM2 having a small soundstage, not really. Some audiophiles may find the soundstage a bit small, but a normal user wouldn't. Soundstage and IEM's don't really match anyway, a full sized headphone will have a much larger soundstage than any IEM.
If you are thinking of getting the UM2, do it! They really are superb!
Agreed on the auditioning of IEM's, it's a real shame, but there is one place where you can audition most IEM's on the market, Jaben in Singapore, a bit far to travel though.
Finlandia said:
raf_gti said:
I've read several online reviews of both the S4 and the UM2, comments I've seen about the S4 state that they "don't respond well to LQ files" and on the UM2 I've read they have quite a "claustrophobic soundstage", would you agree with those comments or are they simply splitting hairs on what are, most likley excellent 'phones?
It's such a shame that it's impossible to audition IEMs, it's a lot of money to spend to find you don't like the fit or the sound!
With higher end IEM's the general rule of thumb is, feed them right and they deliver, or less tactfully put, sIt's such a shame that it's impossible to audition IEMs, it's a lot of money to spend to find you don't like the fit or the sound!
t in st out. This does not mean that low quality files sound horrendous, but the high end stuff reveals more flaws than low end stuff. Personally I use MP3's at 192kbit/s CBR or >160 VBR as the lowest quality, most of my files are in ~224 VBR or 320 CBR quality and they sound very, very good with high end gear.
As for the UM2 having a small soundstage, not really. Some audiophiles may find the soundstage a bit small, but a normal user wouldn't. Soundstage and IEM's don't really match anyway, a full sized headphone will have a much larger soundstage than any IEM.
If you are thinking of getting the UM2, do it! They really are superb!
Agreed on the auditioning of IEM's, it's a real shame, but there is one place where you can audition most IEM's on the market, Jaben in Singapore, a bit far to travel though.
The more I read about the UM2s the more I'm convinced they are the ones for me, a bit more than I was hoping to spend but at least I can get them VAT free making them about £165.
<Gulp>
£165 for headphones, mental!
Mmm, I've had my UE Super.Fi 5 Pro for a year now and a month ago I ordered a decent cable to use with them. The OEM cables break with weeks of daily use (walking around with iPhone in pocket), and a guy who bought my Triple.Fi Pros suggested this guy in Singapore on eBay. It's a nice four-wire braided cable with a proper Neutrik jack – it's pretty industrial! Sounds miles better too, far tighter bass and I'm just hearing things I didn't before hand.
(Cable not shown!)
I love these things… probably frowned upon by the serious IEM crowd but I likes 'em
(Cable not shown!)
I love these things… probably frowned upon by the serious IEM crowd but I likes 'em
Edited by TimmyWimmyWoo on Wednesday 8th September 23:11
Finlandia said:
You better not have a look at Jerry Harvey's JH 16 PRO then, $1149 
The UM2's are brilliant, and at £165 they are very much worth the money.
I finally got hold of my UM2s today and I'm very happy so far The UM2's are brilliant, and at £165 they are very much worth the money.
I've seen them described as 'happy' sounding and would certainly agree with that, on some tracks they are a tad harsh sounding towards the high end but I'm putting that down to the source material, it's certainly not enough to make me question my choice.
They are also slightly lacking in the low end, they remind me of listening to very good bookshelf speakers, bassy enough for most of the time but a nice sub would come in handy every so often!
Just got to get the hang of sticking them in my ears now!
Happy birthday to me!
My lovely wife and doting mother have clubbed together to buy me a set of Klipsh S4i earphones and they are truly a revelation, the clarity is superb, it's like when I first bought seperates and decent bookshelf speakers, I just want to listen to my entire library all over again just to hear what I've been missing.
There's a new warmth to the music especially on guitar-centric tunes and the detail is amazing, I'm a very lucky boy!
My only worry is the cable doesn't feel quite as bombproof as I'd like but time will tell how it stands up to everday life.
Thanks to Finlandia for the hard work on this thread.
Cheers
Dave
My lovely wife and doting mother have clubbed together to buy me a set of Klipsh S4i earphones and they are truly a revelation, the clarity is superb, it's like when I first bought seperates and decent bookshelf speakers, I just want to listen to my entire library all over again just to hear what I've been missing.
There's a new warmth to the music especially on guitar-centric tunes and the detail is amazing, I'm a very lucky boy!
My only worry is the cable doesn't feel quite as bombproof as I'd like but time will tell how it stands up to everday life.
Thanks to Finlandia for the hard work on this thread.
Cheers
Dave
I had the plugged in to my seat on a flight back from NY, went to the toilet and came back and sat down rather heavily and bent the jack. Get sound sometimes but have to keep twiddling the jack and it's very hit and miss.
They are only for my iPhone on the train, so don't see any real need to spend much more than about £30.
They are only for my iPhone on the train, so don't see any real need to spend much more than about £30.
This is a problem with the straight jacks.
If you liked the a-Jays, then go for another set and get a right angled adapter for the jack, it adds a little bulk and doesn't look that nice, but it saves the jack from getting bent.
Or then look for a IEM with a 90 degree jack, Hippo Shroom EB would be a nice replacement, very comfortable as well, only slightly over budget at $57.
Meelectronics M6 would be another good choice. Soundmagic PL50, but it doesn't have the same bass impact as the a-Jays, other than that the PL50 is excellent for the price.
If you liked the a-Jays, then go for another set and get a right angled adapter for the jack, it adds a little bulk and doesn't look that nice, but it saves the jack from getting bent.
Or then look for a IEM with a 90 degree jack, Hippo Shroom EB would be a nice replacement, very comfortable as well, only slightly over budget at $57.
Meelectronics M6 would be another good choice. Soundmagic PL50, but it doesn't have the same bass impact as the a-Jays, other than that the PL50 is excellent for the price.
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
....a month ago I ordered a decent cable to use with them. The OEM cables break with weeks of daily use (walking around with iPhone in pocket), and a guy who bought my Triple.Fi Pros suggested this guy in Singapore on eBay. It's a nice four-wire braided cable with a proper Neutrik jack – it's pretty industrial! Sounds miles better too, far tighter bass...
Is this just an extension cable, or dis he graft his cable to your monitors? Can you fwd his details and the cost of the leads? thksfergus said:
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
....a month ago I ordered a decent cable to use with them. The OEM cables break with weeks of daily use (walking around with iPhone in pocket), and a guy who bought my Triple.Fi Pros suggested this guy in Singapore on eBay. It's a nice four-wire braided cable with a proper Neutrik jack – it's pretty industrial! Sounds miles better too, far tighter bass...
Is this just an extension cable, or dis he graft his cable to your monitors? Can you fwd his details and the cost of the leads? thksThe guy is called effect.2010 – you'll find him on eBay.
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