How much is it worth spending on iPhone headphones

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I listen to most of my music these days on my iphone (kids prevent much us of proper home hifi) and currently use a set of Shure SE210 headphones.

All my music is in Apple Lossless format (convinced myself I could hear the difference between this and 320k mp3s) but am now thinking that I could get better sound by upgrading my headphones as I have never been overly impressed with my current ones.

Two questions for you all...

1) Does the sound quality of the iPhone justify buying much better headphones that my current ones?

2) What should I consider upgrading to?

Am only interested in in-ear phones like my current Shure ones and would ideally like something with a short cable so I can continue to use my Shure music phone adapter without ending up with meters of cable hanging round my neck. This initially points me in the direction of another pair of Shure phones. I can get the SE310s for £110 which seems reasonable value or the SE420s for £150. Alternately I could get some Klipsch Image X10s for £130. What else should I consider?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

James.

 

[Anonymous]

Am thinking that maybe the Shure SE530's at ~£200 might be worth the stretch for....

Come on, someone tell me that I'd be wasting my money before I get too carried away!

 

[Big Aura]

what hi fi did a mini-test of all the in-ear phones. Think Sennheisers and Klipsch x10 outdid the Shure SE430/530s... but can't quite recall. I like the Shure meself...

 

[Anonymous]

Currently I use Shure SE530's on my Sony walkman (320k mp3s) and discman.....Simply stunning, i cant fault the sound quality one bit, I would really consider spending the extra for the premium, trust me you will not have a single regret once they have worn in!

The only problem ive had which i try and over look is that i am now on my third pair in just over two years! There seemed to be an issue with the cabling which kept splitting where you loop them over your ears, but have now been assured that they have used stronger flex and have had no problems since the last replacement.

(There is a 2 year warranty where they do a direct replacement for any such issues)

Dont hesitate just get them.

 

[Anonymous]

That is my concern with Shure phones.

Originally had a set of Ec2s which were great apart from the cable splitting. Got a replacement pair under warranty after a year which then lasted just over another year.

My current SE210s have just started to split after 15 months use so would be concerned if this was also a problem on a set costing £200.

Its great that Shure replace them under warranty as this effectively means you are almost certain to get a brand new pair after a year or so when the cable breaks but it would still be preferable to have a pair that didn't break at all under normal use.

 

[Anonymous]

I do think its worth it as the iPod and iPhone (have both) are capable of fantastic sound. For my on the go listening, and when flying, I started with Shure E2c and loved them but wanted more so then got the truly excellent Etymotic ER-4P which were even better. Left them on a plane though so went looking for something else and found the Ultimate Ears custom UE-5c which are stunning and have both the incredible mid-range you get with in ear monitors yet add excellent bass too with the perfect custom moldings that an audiologist will do for you (they tell you where to go to have it done). They are expensive but certainly worth it and even better, they have just released a more reasonably priced model which is meant to be great too, the UE-4 pro.

If you can stretch to the price, once you have in ear monitors with custom molded ear pieces it is truly addictive as they are so comfortable since they are made expressly for your ears, give total isolation and you get the better bass too which is dependent to a large extent on a tight fit with in ear monitors. Well worth looking into

I should add that I use the tiny HeadRoom total Bithead amp to give them even better sound (works great as a DAC/Amp too with my Grado phones and laptop). If I'd lost the UE 5c I would hate to have to replace them as they are expensive at about $600ish but would do it in a heartbeat. Ultimate Ears apparently has about 60 or 70% of the live music in ear monitor market according to Stereophile magazine when I read their review of the UE 5's. If the UE are a little too expensive or you don't want to do the ear mold thing, then I'd also recommend the updated (since I bought mine) Etymotic ER 4 at $299 as they are fantastic too.

I gave the US prices as I don't know the UK equivilants, but it should give you an idea hopefully

 

[Anonymous]

I take it all back about the Shure's i just checked the cables on mine to see how they were getting on.....suprise suprise, they have split...again! Warranty has now expired

I have just been looking at the Ultimate Ears custom fit series, they might be pricey but at least with those the cables are detachable and would mean the shelf life to those would be far greater than Shure products.

Stay clear of 530s they/you have cursed them!

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

I have Ultimate Ears customs (i.e. where they take a mould of your ear and make headphones) and they are the best thing since sliced toast. If you can afford them, they are the way to go.

 

[Big Aura]

Juzzie Wuzzie:

... the best thing since sliced toast...

Ahh yes, toast has become so much better since they invented slicing. A full loaf toasted was just too darned dry for me.

 

[professorhat]

Had an opportunity to hear the Sennheiser IE8s a few weeks back at a show - simply stunning so wouldn't rule them out either.

 

[Anonymous]

Given the durability problems with Shure phones I'm ruling them out plus time for a change in any case. Top 3 at the moment are probably:

Klipsch Image X10 ~ £150

Etymotic ER4P ~ £150

Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5 Pro ~ £150

Will probably go with the Klipschs but would be interested in views on all of the above, especially in terms of durability as I really want a pair that will last this time.

Thanks

 

[topbloke55]

I use the SE420s with the iPhone and lossless, they are great well worth it, even on podcasts and audiobooks.Had my headphones about a year and they are still like new, no build issues. ÿMaybe it's how they are looked after, I communte a lot and keep the in my laptop back, I do nto wrap than aroudn the iPhone, maybe that helps.

I am surprised at faulty cables as I have used Shure headphones over the past 5 years and my wife gets my old pairs and never had a build issue.

 

[Anonymous]

Right, its going to be a set of Klipsch Image X10s unless anyone wants to warn me off them in the next few hours. General concencus seems to back-up the WHF review with good ratings from everywhere I have seen them reviewed.

Hopefully they will last longer than my recent Shure phones and will also be a step-up in sound quality from the SE210s.

 

[Anonymous]

Went for the Klipsch Image X10s in the end so hopefully they'll be a good choice.

In case anyone else is thinking of gettign a pair, they can be had for £100 from the link below:

http://www.comwales.com/eshop/product.php?productid=101481&cat=571&page=1

 

[Anonymous]

Just wondering how they were.

I don't like the shure's because of the connector being a tad heavy and with the extension being a drag on the ears. I usually walk with the ipod in trouser pockets. The Senns have a short lead too.

IS there a set that have one lead long enough to go from trouser pockets to ears, with no extension needed?

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Been using the Images for a week or two now and to be honest I am a bit disappointed.

They are very comfortable and appear well made but the sound isn't quite what I was expecting given the rave reviews on here and elsewhere.

Have experimented with all of the supplied ear buds and can get a good seal which results in great bass response the problem is with the treble in my mind.

The sound is quite closed in and almost muffled which is a let down. It would seem that they are extremely sensitive to how you have them in your ears and by moving them about I can improve the sound but it takes a lot of patience and constant fiddling. I could cope with this if it were a one-off each time I use them but I seem to have to keep adjusting them while in use which is annoying.

Overall I'd say that the best sound I can get is probably on a par with my old SE210s but most of the time the lack of treble means that they are well below what I expected so am thinking of changing them if I don't get the hang of them in the next couple of weeks.

Has anyone else had similar problems or do I just have strangely shaped ears?!

 

[Anonymous]

Perhaps these are what you're looking for? Review in September issue, Out July 29th.

http://www.whathifi.com/News/Klipsch-claims-Image-S4-in-ear-headphones-offer-improved-noise-isolation-and-value/

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rich. Given that these are a cheaper version of my current headphones and appear to use the same tips I doubt very much that they would fit better and provide a better sound.

Will see what the review says though, good mag plug!

 

[Anonymous]

What Hifi a few months ago did an excellent article about earphones from the >£100 range. After reading that article I impulse bought the Sennheiser IE8s(£180). Another excellent review from the team that accurately described the earphones. The Sennheisers are great for scale & dynamics (massive amounts of bass weight which can be changed).

Used with my iPod at the gym - the music is sensational. Lossless files on my iPod.

Hope this helps

 

[Anonymous]

Right problem sorted. Changed the supplied Klipsh tips for a set of Comply Foam T100 ones and now the sounds is much more what I was expecting. Same great bass response but now the treble is also there and the comfort level is great too.

Now agree with the 5 star ratings so very pleased with my purchase.