[toiletduckuk]

Hi guys -

I'll be straight with you all - I don't have much clue about audio, but I'd really like to invest in a "proper" setup now I have a bit of spare cash, as I spend approx three hours a day with headphones on!

Currently got a 3g Ipod and a (broken) pair of CX300s - I'd like to try and get a more audiophile-y setup, along the lines of some of the IEM's I've read about here.

I guess my budget is about £300-£500 for player and 'phones, and the only criteria is it'll be portable enough to walk down the street with (so no amp!), and I don't really want to pay over the odds for "diminishing returns" (eg, "really really good headphones for £300 or really really good headphones with shiny bits for £400" - if you get what I mean!!) I listen to probably an equal mix of electro/drum and bass/hip hop/guitar driven indie...

This info's probably all available elsewhere, but I'm really struggling to apply it to my needs so forgive the newbie thread! I'm just a bit concerned about buying "too much headphone" for an MP3 player, or too underpowered an MP3 player, etc. I've posted this in Portable Audio too but it seemed more applicable here...

Cheers,
Dave

[Steven]

Westone UM2 or Shure SE530 (I think most prefer the Shure's I have not heard them)

I am deliberately omitting UE as I see a number of threads about build quality recently. Of course you are more likely to see complaints than praise on the internet, but versus other manufacturers I err on the side of caution

For universal IEMs the UM2 and SE530 are at the top. After that you will need to enter custom territory from the £4-500 mark and upwards depending on manufacturer and model, and that is definitely entering diminishing returns

Let me put it this way. I am happy enough with my UM2 that I have no need to buy another IEM - I would only buy a custom, and that day will only be when I graduate, get a career, pay off the student loans and can afford to flaunt it If the UM2s break before all of that happens, I would either buy another UM2 or try the SE530 for 'curiosity sake'

Feel free to search for past reports about these two IEMs

Another aspect of course is the journey which you wish to skip. I bought 4 brands of canal phones (like your CX300), another IEM before getting to the UM2. Whilst it has cost me money and heartache, it has definitely helped me appreciate them more

[Reano]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

For universal IEMs the UM2 and SE530 are at the top. After that you will need to enter custom territory from the £4-500 mark and upwards depending on manufacturer and model, and that is definitely entering diminishing returns

Let me put it this way. I am happy enough with my UM2 that I have no need to buy another IEM - I would only buy a custom, and that day will only be when I graduate, get a career, pay off the student loans and can afford to flaunt it If the UM2s break before all of that happens, I would either buy another UM2 or try the SE530 for 'curiosity sake'
appreciate them more

100% agree ... I have listened to the UM2 and the se500 (same as 530) and have sold my UM2's as vocals just excel on the Shures but the UM's are not 'that' far behind.....