Ultimate Ears vs ???

[Yeti1553552740]

My faithful pair of Sony MDR-EX85s have decided to die and I'm looking into replacements. I would like another pair of canal earphones and the Ultimate Ears range have caught my attention (namely either the Metro Fi 200s or Super Fi 3s) but some reviews say they are very weak on bass and have sharp highs across the lower priced range. Are they as bad as the reviews make out and should I consider an alternative? ($200 is my upper limit, maybe stretch to 250)

[TD19]

Etymotic?

 

https://www.expansys.co.nz/m.aspx?m=294

[Yeti1553552740]

I have heard good things about them on other forums but wasn't sure of the availability of them in NZ. I heard they sound good but the build quality of them isn't as good as some others (this is very important as i use headphones everyday)

[minimoke]

I have a pair of Fi 200's and wouldn't describe the bass as weak at all - quite the opposite. But that is only comparing them with a crappy pair of walkman ear buds and a much better quality Sony ear buds (and teh UE's a re a huge step up from those as well). I can't compare with the Schure or Senheissers. (at the time I bought it was hard to source and harder to test / compare). Build quality is fine. They get used every day in the gym, have been on loads of bike rides, dragged through airport terminals and basically get tossed around - with no problems. I rate them very highly.

[monoclepop]

Becoming a public transport commuter really makes you want to get canal phones.I have a pair the superfi 3. I bought them nearly two years ago - at the time they were the best looking product on the market - I wanted something sturdy, very isolating with decent sound for under 200 - bought them from headphones.com.au (less the gst as for NZ).

 

I've been pretty happy with them, but to be honest they are compromised.

 

The cord is a little plasticy and doesn't always sit that well. My cord is also due to be replaced - a new one costs $40 though they survive a lot of abuse.

 

Isolation is superb and I've had to train myself to be extra careful when crossing the road. Comfort is fine, but everyone is different in this regard so my experience is of little use to you in this regard.

 

I'd describe the sound as accurate and fair for the money. Tiny sound stage obviously, and bass is similar to a pair of polite bookshelf speakers - perfectly rendered but light as a feather. Certainly the weakest link. I use an equaliser setting on my player for music. Voice is where these headphones really shine (go National Radio!), which I doubt is what you are looking for. I do tend to forget the headphones and just enjoy the music though, which is definitely the outcome I was looking for when I bought them.

 

Two years ago I was very happy with my purchase, but there seems to be a lot more product on the market now, so I wouldn't recommend these without reservation.

 

If I lost my pair tomorrow I'd by more inclined to raise the budget and get the superfi 5 or better. More money = less compromise. There's the rub.

[Siriosys]

I've owned a pair of the Etymotic E-6i's for last 4 or so years. i had a problem with the cable coming away at the connection to the plug, but a quick email to Etymotic Research in the US and 3 weeks later I had a brand new pair of E6i's - no charge! - so I'm completely biased!!!

 

Like all 'in ear monitors', they take a little getting used to and spending a bit of time finding the 'perfect fit' is key to getting the most of what they have to offer. The Etymotic product has the highest rate of isolation in 'in ear monitors' in the world IIRC and if their claims are to be believed. Incidentally, I also have a pair of their 'musicians ear plugs' which have been nothing short of superb.

 

I'm a commuter and also do a lot of walking so they get plenty of use each day, however there is one thing I have noticed about a lot of smaller in-ear monitors with regards to the wind whistling thru the cables when walking or running in a breeze. As strange as this sounds (no pun intended) it can be a bit frustrating at times. I've noticed this with other brands too, including the Superfi's, and Shure ones so seems to be a prblem with the 'finer' cable assemblies.

 

Soundwise, the 6i's have a more bass-rich presence than the other Etymotic models which tend to be very neutral, but extremely accurate. To me, what makes the Etymotic product so special is its isolation - I'm yet to find a pair of IEM's that better them.

 

At the other end of the scale I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-A900's which if you are to google, you'll see why I wouldn't really wear them out walking!! Sonically, they are simply incredible to my ears and I use them for not only private listening, but for recording and music production purposes too.

 

Just my 2c worth.

 

R