I think I've killed another pair of earphones - after 3 consecutive pairs of Shure SCL4s (all lasted precisely 12 months), I switched to Etymotic hf5s. They've been good - the sound doesn't have as much bass as the Shures, but the highs are clear and crisp without being too bright. And, most importantly, they've lasted, oh, about 18 months or so, even after I damaged the 3.5mm plug (it's a straight plug, as for iphones, rather than an L-plug, for security).
But running home last night I think I either bashed the plug at the split, or just sweated too much into them - either way the right 'phone is knackered. I'll try changing the filter, but if that doesn't work it's time for another pair.
Anyone have any particular recommendations for a replacement? Another pair of hf5s would be the obvious choice, I guess; I saw some good reviews for the Shure SE215s though, and the replaceable cable does look attractive, although at a significant price hike from the etys.
I'll be using them for running, wearing on planes and trains, and general everyday wear.
As it happens, I've got a pair of Shure SE215's, after similar problems with a pair of Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 Studio's. The standard lead on the UE's is 90deg, but the iPhone plug is inline, and UE inline plugs are crap, and break very easily. I saw the SE215's on Earphone Solution's site, after getting an email from them, and they were offering 10% off, at $99, with the iPhone cable $145, so I bought a pair with a set of triple-flange eartips, a total of $169, with postage. I had to pay £23 duty, but they still came in cheaper, £102 at current prices. And they're bloody marvellous! I wear them all day, as I use them as ear protection when operating noisy machinery. The triple-flange tips are really comfortable and after a while they shape themselves to your inner ear. Their background noise reduction is 26dB, when you get them seated properly, and they're very neutral sound-wise. I thought they sounded a bit 'dull', but when I tried various EQ settings, every one sounded rubbish and when I switched off the EQ the SE's were actually quite clear and bright by comparison. Bass is incredible, very deep, without being overpowering, on some recordings it can feel like your head's inflating with the air pressure! I'm very impressed with them, been using them for around three-four months and I can't imagine anything better for the money. Oh, and the iPhone lead has a 45Deg plug, while the standard lead is 90Deg. If there's any criticism it's the size of the remote, which is pretty large, but the play/pause/call button is large and recessed, with the volume buttons set either side, so it's easier to find when taking a call, or wanting to pause the music.
Ah excellent, sounds like a good recommendation that from a similarly geeky headphone user to me! 🙂
Just had a quick shufti at the site I got mine from, and they're still under $100;
http://www.earphonesolutions.com/shure-se215.html
Mine are clear, but the iPhone cables that I got with them are black rather than white, so the transparent black ones would match up better. I've been wearing mine most of the day doing trail maintenance for Sustrans, and wearing full finger bike gloves shows the advantage of the larger remote, it's much easier to find the recessed centre button than with the little remotes most 'phones have. The sound quality continually impresses me, very neutral, nice and detailed, and they work with pretty much any kind of music. Literally Abba to Zeppelin. I can have Kate Rusby followed by Gang Of Four or QOTSA, Emmylou Harris followed by Jane's Addiction or The Joy Formidable. All sound really excellent, although I rip everything at 320Kb.
Not really relevant to your requirements, but topical anyway.
I have a pair of cheapo Skull Candy's and they recently survived the washing machine in a shirt pocket, so their durability has a tick next to it.
Get in touch with Etymotic's customer service team - their service is second to none. I've had a slightly out of warranty pair of 6i's replaced with a brand new pair, and both earbuds of my ER-4s replaced when the stem of one cracked. All it cost me was the postage to the US.
If that works, spend the dough you've saved on a pair of ACS custom earphone sleeves - best audiophile upgrade ever - £90 for two bits of rubber seems pricey, but the difference to comfort and sound quality compared to the triple flange tips is well worth it.
ade - good tip, thanks (for the CS).
And for the custom sleeves, what's the deal?
Custom eartips/sleeves are silicon mouldings cast from a silicon copy of the interior of yer lug'ols. A cheaper version of full custom monitors that you see most musicians wearing on Later...
Those can cost $1000, so the cost of a pair of custom eartips is pretty reasonable. They help Etymotics a great deal, as they're very light on the bass, so the ear canal needs to be well sealed. The triple-flanged tips on my SE215's do a similar thing, but only cost $9 for three pairs, and would actually fit the Etymotics as well. These people can supply custom and triple-flange eartips: http://www.sensorcom.com/
just bought a set of Klipsch X10i's
they have absolutely no rite sounding that good considering their tiny size.
extraordinarily comfortable and the double flange buds block out almost everything.
I think they are available as just X10's without the ipod remote thingy.
Did a direct comparison with a colleagues Shure SE530s and to be honest for twice the price i'd have expected them to be alot better, preferred the X10s. My only proviso would be that they don't look massively well built.
custom moulds are ok but no good for running etc
will set you back about £90
The ety's come with triple-flanges, actually, although I just use the soft silicon buds from my old Shures as the best compromise of sealing and comfort.
Transpires that it was a filter that was knackered, so I swapped it and it seems to be working fine. It has got me thinking though - while the mid and treble is very 'analytical' with the etymotics, the bass is virtually non-existent.
I've got a pair of Klipsch's, in exchange for a pair of broken Ultimate Ears SuperFi 4Vi's, and frankly I dislike them immensely. They're comfortable enough, but the midrange is very coloured and thin-sounding. I tried every EQ setting to try to get them sounding as good as the UE's but gave up in disgust. Probably the worst sounding 'phones I've ever used. The Ety's are very neutral, but there's bugger-all bass, which is a shame, but not surprising considering the size of each earpiece. Here's a photo of my old ER6i's with custom 'tips, and my current favourite Shure SE215's with the triple-flange 'tips:
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I've used Sennheiser's, the Ety's, Ultimate Ears SuperFi 4Vi's, SuperFi 3 Studio's and TripleFi 10 Professionals, the latter costing around £260, as well as the Klipsch and Shure's, so I've got some idea of what good set of 'phones sounds like, and the Shure's are on a par with the TripleFi 10's, which are exceedingly good.
Sennheiser do a sports range with adidas that are waterproof and generally tough - not listened to them yet but after killing my shires with sweat I'm gonna give them a go...
