Another In Ear conundrum - Westone, Ultimate Ears or other....

dolph · 26-01-2008, 1:56 PM

Have been struggling through the many sites, reviews etc and failing to come up with a decision so hope you can all help me.

Am looking for some in-ears (ear plug type), not for gym use (got some neck band phones for that) - mostly train/plane use!

Was looking at spending around £50 initially and was looking at the Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 3's, however I'm not sure I'm happy with the amount they appear to protrude from the wearers ears.

Anyone have any alternative suggestions? Was considering upping my budget a bit and was looking at the new UE Super.Fi 4's (bit concerned about the lack of reviews on these, I'm not looking for the iphone functionality so won't be going for that version which has some issues with it's buttons) or going for the Westone UM1's.

I'm after something that has a reasonably "true" representation of the bass (so EB models and probably the v-modas are ruled out)

Not sure I have faith in the Crossroad mylars given the distance they'd have to be sent back if there are problems (which some have reported)

TIA

Dolph

YellowSphere · 26-01-2008, 6:35 PM

Super.Fi 4 review.

Basically, he reckons they're not a huge amount different to the metro.fi, and that the SE210s are slightly better.

I've just ordered a pair of Super.Fi 3s through, I'll let you know how I get on with them, and maybe post photos of me wearing them, so you can see what it looks like.

dolph · 27-01-2008, 12:38 PM

You'd hope the SE210's were better for nearly twice the price!

Thanks for the review link - would be interested to hear back how you get on with the super.fi 3's.

YellowSphere · 27-01-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolph

You'd hope the SE210's were better for nearly twice the price!

Thanks for the review link - would be interested to hear back how you get on with the super.fi 3's.

You can get the 210s for £64.99, which is £10 cheaper than the cheapest I can find the Super.fi 4s.

dolph · 28-01-2008, 9:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSphere

You can get the 210s for £64.99, which is £10 cheaper than the cheapest I can find the Super.fi 4s.

Apologies - have no idea what I was looking at to have come up with my previous comment!

karl200607 · 28-01-2008, 8:47 PM

Hi everyone.

I am also in the market for some iem"s after deciding pretty much on the sony nwz-a818.

I currently own a pair of sennheiser hd595"s.But purely for portability i would like a decent pair of mid to high end in ears.

What would u recommend i get for the sony mp3 budget is not much of a concern i mainly listen to rap and dance music.

Thankyou everyone.

alhambra_c · 28-01-2008, 11:12 PM

Audio Technica ATH-CK7 are the best ear buds I've ever had. They fit well and I can crank the volume all the way up with no distortion. They work well in the gym and when running. Great earbuds!!

YellowSphere · 28-01-2008, 11:30 PM

Being able to crank the volume all the way up is not necessarily a good thing. I would expect that, on a decent pair of 'phones, you wouldn't be able to crank the volume all the way up because they're so sensitive that they'll blow your ears out at that level.

1012007 · 02-02-2008, 1:54 PM

A lot of reviews on head-fi and anythingbutipod

Here are some very high quality phones: http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archi...xbi-review.php

Mat-Pecker · 03-02-2008, 7:22 PM

I would recommend trying the X3i.

Jaben are brilliant with faulty ear buds, so I wouldn't be put off just due to the shipping distance.

There is also a mod on Head-fi that reduces the amount the SF3 protrude out of the ear. I can't seem to find it though to link to, so have a look around for it.

1012007 · 03-02-2008, 8:08 PM

Yeah the Super.fi 3 arent meant to be that great. They are meant to be overpriced even though you can get them for £40 from the states.

Jaben said they have improved their build quality on the new "i" series and from personal experience i 100% agree. I have had no problems with the earphones but some people have and the earphones have been replaced instantly

Mat-Pecker · 04-02-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1012007

Yeah the Super.fi 3 arent meant to be that great. They are meant to be overpriced even though you can get them for £40 from the states.

Jaben said they have improved their build quality on the new "i" series and from personal experience i 100% agree. I have had no problems with the earphones but some people have and the earphones have been replaced instantly

There was one faulty batch where the build quality was poor. All others should be fine, if not Jaben do offer the no squalls exchange

mattski73 · 04-02-2008, 3:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSphere

Super.Fi 4 review.

i whole heartedly, 100% agree. if you think the super.fi 3's are going to stick out, and you don't want them, then don't by them. you can get the super.fi 4 from..... www.soundearphones.com i think. and they've gone down to $94.49. shipping is $20

1012007 · 04-02-2008, 4:07 PM

Just remember customs charges etc

If the customs look st it they automatically slash a £8 duty on it and and they still add more tax etc on it depending on the value

mattski73 · 04-02-2008, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1012007

Just remember customs charges etc

If the customs look st it they automatically slash a £8 duty on it and and they still add more tax etc on it depending on the value

email them and ask if they can send it as a "gift". I've been stung twice by customs, each time it's been around £25-26

1012007 · 04-02-2008, 4:41 PM

wow that is a lot. Thats the thing. Either get a good deal and try and risk or simply buy from uk or get them to send it as a gift or a lower value!!

YellowSphere · 04-02-2008, 10:42 PM

My 3s came. Went straight back because they hiss like anything. I'm pretty sure that's because they're faulty. I can't accept that they hiss like that because they're very sensitive or something.

If it's claimed they're not faulty, and they are just hissy, I'll need to be getting something else.