Best IEM $$ not a huge consideration

Groovin · #1 07-29-2010, 07:46 AM

I have a lot of hearing loss and its going away faster and faster so I've decided to do everything I can to protect it while still playing music. My audiologist says it is due to my genetics (prone to hearing loss) and to exposure to live sound. I'm only 27 btw so don't think you can't totally screw your hearing up at a young age. At this stage, I can barely hear my own voice while speaking and have perminant, mind-fuking tinnitus.

/soapbox

I'm considering buying Ultimate Ear Monitors UE10 Pro. The bass these produce is supposed to be supperior to other IEM on the market. I've used Shure E4's and E5's with custom molds and was disolusioned after a year or so of use. I never got comfortable with them performing, and never could really hear myself properly. Despite the hype, the design of the IEM's even with custom molding protruded from my ear, were very obvious, and honestly did not sound good.

My only concern with the UE's is that there is only a 1 year warranty for a pair of $900 IEM's. Shure have replaced a couple pairs of E4's for me regardless of the date of purchase.

Anyone have any experience with UE or any other high end IEM they could recommend? I figure I've spent 10's of thousands of dollars on basses, cabs, amps, etc. that I look at this as a way to invest in my hearing, as well as my sound.

Any thoughts?

chrisp2u · #2 07-29-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groovin

I have a lot of hearing loss and its going away faster and faster so I've decided to do everything I can to protect it while still playing music. My audiologist says it is due to my genetics (prone to hearing loss) and to exposure to live sound. I'm only 27 btw so don't think you can't totally screw your hearing up at a young age. At this stage, I can barely hear my own voice while speaking and have perminant, mind-fuking tinnitus.

/soapbox

I'm considering buying Ultimate Ear Monitors UE10 Pro. The bass these produce is supposed to be supperior to other IEM on the market. I've used Shure E4's and E5's with custom molds and was disolusioned after a year or so of use. I never got comfortable with them performing, and never could really hear myself properly. Despite the hype, the design of the IEM's even with custom molding protruded from my ear, were very obvious, and honestly did not sound good.

My only concern with the UE's is that there is only a 1 year warranty for a pair of $900 IEM's. Shure have replaced a couple pairs of E4's for me regardless of the date of purchase.

Anyone have any experience with UE or any other high end IEM they could recommend? I figure I've spent 10's of thousands of dollars on basses, cabs, amps, etc. that I look at this as a way to invest in my hearing, as well as my sound.

Any thoughts?

These things are always pretty subjective. People obviously hear things differently to some degree, as well as have preferences toward different sound signatures and varying levels of experience. The fact that your hearing is fairly impaired already means what you're hearing will likely be much different than most others to begin with. So, I'd take others opinions with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, and as you probably already know, IEM's typically aren't the kind of thing you can just go and try out... particularly molded versions.

With all that said, I don't have any experience with UE's, but have used Shure's and Westone's quite a bit. I prefer the Westone's for a couple reasons... they're typically lower priced than the Shure's and the quality and sound are equal to or better IMHO. I've been using the UM3X's for about the past year and like them quite a bit. They handle bass well without being too boomy and are pretty balanced and smooth sounding overall to my ear. They offer a couple custom molded options too.

I'm sure you'll get a bunch of other suggestions here, but, if you haven't already, I'd suggest digging around over here...

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/list/103

Good luck.
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c

Groovin · #3 07-29-2010, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the input. I'll check that site out. I'm having a hard time getting reviews and perspectives from people other than from a "listening" perspective, rather than a performance perspective.

Basically, I want to know whether I should spend the cash for a $1k IEM or be better off with a $500 or similar. I've heard good stuff about Westone but the fact that I can't get hardly any info other than from an audiologist is a bit frustrating.

lamarjones · #4 07-29-2010, 11:27 AM

I used the UE Super.Fi 5 Extended Bass for IEMS for a while, absolutely loved them. If you can get customs to have bass like those things, that would rock. Quit using IEMs for the time being, and I ordered a cable with a phone mic on it from UE and now I use them with my iPhone.

Groovin · #5 07-29-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamarjones

I used the UE Super.Fi 5 Extended Bass for IEMS for a while, absolutely loved them. If you can get customs to have bass like those things, that would rock. Quit using IEMs for the time being, and I ordered a cable with a phone mic on it from UE and now I use them with my iPhone.

Whoa... I was not aware of the Extended Bass version. I use Hifi 4's for Ipod use and while they sound AMAZING, they are very bass polite.

This may be a cheap(er) way to venture a bit further down the rabbit trail. If these work as an IEM, I may buy 2 or three pairs. I'm on my second pair of hifi 4's. I'm murder on these things.

lamarjones · #6 07-29-2010, 12:00 PM

try out those EB models, they rock!

Groovin · #7 07-29-2010, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the heads up Lamar. UE does not make them anymore apparently but I was able to buy them on clearance at Amazon for $130!!

At that price, I figure even if they don't work out as an IEM, they will fine for riding the train to work!

walterw · #8 07-29-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groovin

At this stage, I can barely hear my own voice while speaking and have perminant, mind-fuking tinnitus.

i will never complain about anything in my life ever again

apparently UE got sold and is not what it once was. westone seems to be the folks to beat at this point. i went from the UE superfi 5 pros to the triple-driver westone um3x, and they do very nicely. not bass-hyped, just clear and balanced for live use.

Groovin · #9 07-30-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i will never complain about anything in my life ever again

apparently UE got sold and is not what it once was. westone seems to be the folks to beat at this point. i went from the UE superfi 5 pros to the triple-driver westone um3x, and they do very nicely. not bass-hyped, just clear and balanced for live use.

Thanks man... My goal is to stay as possitive as possible while protecting my hearing in every venue possible.

I simply NEVER go to any club, bar, concert, rehearsal, church, drive with windows down, etc. without at least my Etymoytic Research ER-12's. I'm having custom Westone Earplugs made by a local audiologist. I'll post a review when I get them. Gonna spring for two pairs, one in the 15db and the other in 25db... Modern big concerts are INSANELY loud.

Thanks for the heads up on UE. I feared that they may have sold out... when I called customer service I got Logitech... uh oh. They were very nice though and replaced my defective Superfi 4's at no charge and paid shipping. I guess when I'm talking several hundred dollars, I'd rather have a longer warranty period.

As I posted above, I'll try the Superfi5's with Extended Bass and see how they do live... Anything will be better than the Shures.. I'm sure of it. They just made everything sound DEAD...

If the UE's break after a couple of months, or just don't stand up, I guess I'll try Westone next.