Shure E4c vs Super.fi 5 Pro - RESULTS

[pvm21]

I started a previous thread asking the question: "Which are the better set of buds"......knowing all along that the only way to solve this dilema was to get both sets of earphones..........SO I went and bought a pair of each and conducted my own test:

In Summary, the Super.fi Pros are the better buds hands down! I didn't want this to be the answer because I've been a long-term user of Shures. I've owned a pair of the E2cs for the past two years and found them to be the perfect set for my music tastes.

Here are my brief opinions on both:

The Shure E4c is a better bud in the mid to high tones - the clarity is ever so slightly better than the Super.fi Pros......when listening to acoustic and vocals they are so soothing.

The Super.fi Pro is a better bud in the mid to low (bass) tones - the distinction here is much greater than the Shures. The full sound achieved by the Super.fi Pros is so much stronger, and louder than the Shures. Because this difference is much more noticeable the difference in the high tones, it makes the Super.fi Pros the choice. You actually have to lower the volume when you conduct the sound test, playing the same song over and over through each set.

I like the look and feel of the Shures better - they feel solid and the earphone design is flawless - much better than the Super.fi Pro.

The shorter chord on the Super.fi Pro is a nice plus - just the right length for the iPod. I was worried about the thin chord - it looks and feels like it'll break in a week. But the good news with these buds are you can buy an extra chord on the "Ultimate Ears" website and change it yourself. They are plug n play chords.

I say goodbye to Shure - we had a nice run!!! The E4c is a great bud and the best look and feeling bud. BUT, the sound produced on the Super.fi Pro is just too overwhelming!!!!!!!!!!

[pvm21]

One other comment The best seal is achieved by NOT using the kit that comes with the Superfi. Pro - I'm using the Orange foamies from Shure - they come in three sizes that better fit your ear and create the best seal possible.

[Hoedje]

It would be very nice if you could give a bit more details. Because as I see it now, it depends on a lot of factors. It depends on the kind of music you listen to and the kind of sound you like.

In general I get the following idea from (iLounge and Head-fi) forums:

-iPod Shuffle and 5G perfect for the Shure E4, because of the better bass response the UM2 and the Super.fi 5 bass sounds a little muddy

-iPod Nano, has a slightly worse bass response, but not as the previous models. Therefore I would not have a clue which to choose.

-iPod Mini and all other generations of the "normal" iPod seem to benefit greatly of the better bass reponse of canalphones such as the Super.fi's and the UM2's.

The difference in sound of the E4 between the different generations is probably greater than the others, because the E4 sound depends greatly on the amp.

[pvm21]

The Nano is similar to the 5G and the difference that is posted on the boards regarding the sound quality of the 5G vs older models isn't that different.

Don't get me wrong, the Shure E4cs are excellent headphones with a better clean sound. They just need to be driven by more power than capable from all iPods.........The Super.fi Pros are a better fit for the iPOD but not for other sources. When I played both sets through my home stereo and I preferred the Shures because the low end bass was much better and the overall sound was perfect - that's just not the case with the iPOD.

On a sound scale of 1-10, with 10 being the loudest, the Shures at a 7 are equivalent to the Super.fi Pros at a 4 or 5. That difference makes the Super.fi Pros better for the iPOD. Just one persons opinion.

In the end, it really comes down to your own personal listening tastes. That's why I went out and bought both sets - I needed to picked the right set for my tastes.

Finally, I'm a dead head with about 100gb of live soundboards. If your into the dead, and their unique pure musical talent - the sound quality is important. It's not like listening to the mickey mouse music that's be sold today.

[Parrothead]

Did you consider buying the UM2's to try them too?

[kauffee]

Try using the Treble Booster EQ with your Super.fi Pros. A number of Sensaphonics users were doing this and I tried it with my UE5c's and it brings out the highs just a little better, without sacrificing too much bass. It should probably work with the super.fi pros, too.

[nosaru]

hehe finaly someone came out and comment on super.fi 5 pro after using it :D
we need more IEM compare here tho ><
not just shure, but other brand too
im still waiting for my super.fi to be delivered... been 2 weeks now T-T

[mgasin]

"One other comment The best seal is achieved by NOT using the kit that comes with the Superfi. Pro - I'm using the Orange foamies from Shure - they come in three sizes that better fit your ear and create the best seal possible."


The orange foamies from Shures fir Superfi Pros???
Can you provide a link where I can get these foamies? Thanks!

[palermo22]

Did anyone ever get a follow-up on this (the orange foam inserts)?

[pvm21]

You can get the foamies directly from their website..........

[mgasin]

I cannot find these "foamies" anywhere on www.shure.com

Please help!

Also, can someone confirm that these shure foamies will work with UE5 pro's?

[pvm21]

Here's the link:

shurestore.com/earphones/eseries_accessories.html

[mgasin]

Thank you!

Are you using the orange Shure foamies (for E2s) with your UE earphones or the yellow ones?

[pvm21]

Don't think the yellow ones fit.......The orange do and they are better than the stock gray that come with them because of the three sizes you can purchase to match the size of your ear canal.

[mgasin]

Thank so much for your quick reply!

[palermo22]

OK - this will sound dumb: I am ordering the UE 5 pro - are there sufficient sleeves in the original package for me to know whether my ear would take a small, medium or large sleeve? I will take your advice and order the orange sleeves from Shure but how does one know what size fits them best?

[pvm21]

They'll come with one pair of gray foamies - to me (and this is my opinion but I believe to be accurate).....they are the equivalent to the medium sized orange foamies.

So if you like the fit of the gray foamies, order the medium. If they aren't secure enough in your ear canals, you'll need to get the large orange foamies - this is what I use. If they are too tight in you ear, get the small...........

get it?

[palermo22]

Got it!