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Frustrated in search for sound-isolating earbuds with good bass response

D

Dougmeister

Senior member
Have tried JBL Reference 220's and Shure E2c's, but for some strange reason, I still prefer the cheapo Koss Spark Plug's that I got at Circuit City for $10.

Is it just me or do the JBL's and the Shure's have no bass response? Did I get a bad pair? Are they more for audiophiles with better ears than I have?

Please help me figure this one out. If I need to give more info I will gladly.
 
I have found the shure E2Cs to be horrifically anemic. The Altec Lansing IM716 is much more bass, but when compared to the Koss Portapro which has elevated bass, it is also anemic. Unfortunately, IEMs do not break their anemic bass output until price gets pretty serious. In terms of price/performance ratio, IEMs have never been good when compared to traditional headphones or even headcans.
 
e2c is awesome wiht bass. u need to get a GOOD SEAL. use the foam or the black sleeves. do not use the white ones..they dont seal and they hurt

also, much of it has to do with PERCEPTION and frame of reference. if youre using some shitty overly boosted bassy headphones, when you listen to somethign with a natural response, it might sound flatter in comparison. spend a week with them
 
Originally posted by: LS20
e2c is awesome wiht bass. u need to get a GOOD SEAL. use the foam or the black sleeves. do not use the white ones..they dont seal and they hurt

also, much of it has to do with PERCEPTION and frame of reference. if youre using some shitty overly boosted bassy headphones, when you listen to somethign with a natural response, it might sound flatter in comparison. spend a week with them
Click to expand...

I dunno. I have the Shure E2C's right now, and I still prefer the Sennheiser CX300's that they replaced. Sadly, the Sennheiser's had broken (one of the earbuds actually snapped, still worked but hanging on by a soldered wire), and local stores no longer carried any Sennheiser earbuds. So, longing to not have to go without music in my ears, I purchased the Shure E2C's on a whim. Money well spent, however they don't have the dynamics in the lower end like teh Sennheisers. But they are much fuller in the mids and more dynamic in the highs. A trade off? Not one I personally like, as I love bass, but the fuller midbass is a nice touch.
In hindsight, I should have ordered a new pair of my Sennheisers online. But whatever, I'm pretty happy with my Shure's.
 
JVC Marshmallows have great bass, the highs may be veiled, but Kramer modding them will get rid of that. (guy named Kramer cut out some paper in his Marshmallows and then stuck in some earpad material so the highs weren't too harsh)
 
Originally posted by: RupTheKid
Etymotics and Ultimate Ears are...Greeeeeeaaaaaat!...especially the UE's.
Click to expand...

(to all who responded)

How do the Etymotics and Ultimate Ears compare to the Sennheiser CX300? I have some Amazon GCs burning a hole in my pocket, so unless I can buy them at a local store (Best Buy, Circuit City, Target (!), etc.), I'm pretty much stuck w/ Amazon.

Sennheiser CX300 - $46.83

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB Earphones (Black) - $126.87 (a bit rich, but I might be willing)

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio Earphones (Black) - $69.99

Etymotic Research ER6 Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black) - $68.84

or even:

V-MODA Vibe Earbuds - Gunmetal Black - $72.50


 
I have the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB pair and they are most excellent for bass response. However, they compromise some of noise isolation - it's not really the best seal. I'd still prefer use of them over my Shure E2C's, though.
 
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