What Headphones To Get

[GuitarRocker]

Alright, i am going to spend no more than $500 on headphones. I want to know what headphones are great quality, comfortable and have a good warenty.

[GuitarRocker]

I was thinking the Shure e4s,

Are they good

[Macromedia]

Go custom. For 50$ more you can get the Ultimate Ears 5c. Ask rx7_fan about them. He has them.

[iTara]

Yep, go for a set of custom UEs, you wont regret it :)

T.

[rick1970]

Another vote for the UE5c. I have the super.fi 5 pro and I am already planning to upgrade in the next few months.

[GuitarRocker]

Well, i am only 13 so i dont want to get the UE's because i will grow out of them.

[Macromedia]

Makes sense. Ask UE if they can refit the 5c when you grow out of them.

[iTara]

Or just go for a set of UE super.fi 5Pros they are non-customs :)

T.

[Nar1117]

IF, however you dont want to go through the trouble and just want good solid earphones, get any of the Shure E series. The shure E4c's seem to be the best value, i reccomend those.

[rick1970]

Hey Tara, do Jerry and Mindy have you on the payroll?

I have to agree with you here. The 5 pros are probably the best unamped non-custom match for the iPod (for most, assuming IEMs are preferred).

To the OP - check out head-fi.org for some opinions and reviews. You have quite a few options with your budget.

[iTara]

Originally posted by rick1970
Hey Tara, do Jerry and Mindy have you on the payroll?

Hahah I wish! I'm just a **VERY** happy customer, I've been using them when mixing late-night at home too - my cans hurt my piercings in the top of my ears.

T.

[Macromedia]

According to people on http://head-fi.org/ that the Westone UM 2 are better then the UE super.fi pro.

[GuitarRocker]

I was thinking the Shure e4s.

Has anybody used them?

[GuitarRocker]

PS What is the manufactures web site for the UE super.fi 5Pros
I cant seem to find it.

[GuitarRocker]

What about the Etymotic Research 4S I am VERY interested in them

[Macromedia]

Ultimate Ears (http://ultimateears.com/) is the maker of the UE super.fi pro

Go to Head-fi (http://head-fi.org) for infomation on the SHure e4c and the Etymotic 4p

[rick1970]

Macro - I'd agree with you on the UM-2 if for anything but the iPod. The consensus on head-fi seems to be that a usable EQ is needed to get the best sound from them (the iPod EQ sucks).

The E-4 or ER-4S need an amp to get the best sound, especially from anything 4th gen or earlier. Either of these combined with a SuperMini could be a nice combo within the $500 budget.

Head-fi is definitely the place to check out before dropping $500 on a headphone setup.

[ZOOM ZOOM]

GR could you describe what type of inearphones you want. (1)some peoples like to listen highs more than low end(bass) in the music. (2)some likes low end(bass) more than highs in the music. To me 1 type of peoples are mostly happy with Etymotic ER series inearphones and 2nd type of peoples like to go with Super-Fi 5EB or anyother bass heavy inearphones. If some one like to listen ( which are most of) highs and low ends with same details and accuracy. They like to go with costum inearphones or Ultimate ears Super-Fi 5Pro( it,s litlle bassy too) and Shure E4c,E5c ect.

[AmazingDM]

jesus christ 500 bucks for headphones at 13??
i'm 23 and spending no more than 40

[rick1970]

If my son was 13 I would rather he spent $500 on headphones instead of blowing it at abercrombie or on some overpriced concert tickets. When I was 13 I bought a top of the line Sony cassette walkman for almost $200 and that was 22 years ago.

If you think about it, $500 isn't really all that much to spend on something if you truly enjoy it and use it often. It doesn't seem like many people here think it's any big deal to shell out $300 - 400 for the iPod and tack on another $100 worth of misc. accessories.

Just my opinion....

[etherealbeats]

I use the Etymotic ER-4P's. They easily beat any of the Shure and Ultimate ears (apart from maybe the custom UE-10 at $900, which the reviews say are very close to the ER-4's) models with isolation and sound quality and an amp is definitely not needed for this model. This model also responds very well to the iPod EQ. Shure is a brand name and thats what you pay for! The ER-4S model that you mentioned earlier are more for use with a home rig, needing an amplifier.

Ive been using The ER-4P in-ear headphones from Etymotic for a couple of years now, they are $330 from Etymotic but can be found for as little as $190 if you search. There are three models, the ER-4P, ER-4S, ER-4B models. The ER-4P model that I use are for portable use (iPods etc) as they have a lower impedence and are the best to get if you want to use your earphones with a portable rig:

etymotic.com/ephp/er4.aspx


If you can't face spending that much for pristine, well balanced sound quality with well defined, warm bass and amazing treble, try the ER-4's baby brother, the ER-6i's, they are $149 and are designed specifically for the iPod but they can be found for as little as $80, they offer good bass and seperation, but the sound is not quite as well balanced and clear as with the ER-4's:

etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx


iLounge have reviews on these headphones, although the ER-4 review is a little short.

I find the the Ultimate ears headphones are unbalanced with sound and are muddy in the bass department causing unclear mids.

The Etymotic earphones are very well balanced, and the ER-4's aim match the natural response of the ear drum, resulting in mind altering sound. The ER-6i's which I used before my ER-4P's are also very good, but I find that the sound can be over bright and lacking in bass.

[JazzyMac]

I just got the Westone UM1s and the Shure E4Cs. Both sound great, but my immediate thought after listening to the UM1s was I wonder if the UM2s will fit my tiny ears! They were that great! Right now the UM2s are out of my price range, but I really enjoy the E4Cs.

[etherealbeats]

Nothing can beat the Etymotic ER-4's. Especially the ER-4P's for portable use. The only in ear headphones that I know which will just about beat them is the UE-10 which are surprisingly close to the ER-4's and some of the top range custom Westone models. No other headphones will beat the ER-4's. Not even the Shure E5c's which are surprisingly dissapointing.