Would you pay £795 for in-ear headphones?

[Clare Newsome]

If the answer's yes, you have your chance - new high-end in-ear range from Unique Melody has been released: news story here.

Interesting aside in that story re the company also offering to upgrade/retune your existing in-ear headphones, plus provide custom mouldings for any design....We'll try and find out how much that service costs.

 

[Clare Newsome]

OK, i've found out the reshelling costs £175, plus headphone-cable upgrades for £25 (50in) and £35 (64in) respectively.

Intriguingly, the company also claims it can add extra drivers into existing earphones, too, all integrated with the existing crossovers. Up to eight drivers per ear

 

[idc]

If I had the money I would spend that amount of money on headphones, but not IEMs, just because my experience is not great with IEMs.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Clare Newsome:
If the answer's yes, you have your chance - new high-end in-ear range from Unique Melody has been released: news story here.

Interesting aside in that story re the company also offering to upgrade/retune your existing in-ear headphones, plus provide custom mouldings for any design....We'll try and find out how much that service costs.

I don't listen with headphones indoors and since I bought my Plantronics Bluetooth set recently for using whilst commuting, I wouldn't go back. No wires no problem. So that will save me some money!

 

[Superaintit]

It depends...

If it's for work, ie having to perform on stage, then I'd consider a 800 quid earbud.

For private use the Klipsch I have now are the absolute maximum I would be likely to spend.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just spent £226.58 on the Shure Se 425 they are truly superb! £800 and the Wife would have kitten!
Nick

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pay £795 for a new ear!

 

[Anonymous]

headphones offer a much better bang per buck ratio than speakers, so if you want the same sound quality that you would get with £800 speakers then you probably only need to spend half that on headphones (or less!)

 

[Anonymous]

Much less in my opinion heros!

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Yes, I would. In fact, I am on the market for something like this. So I would pay, but on condition that I can try them and compare with other models (say costing -50% and +50% of 795). Otherwise, how do I know if the money is worth spending? How do I know if it is worth spending more than that?

Agree re speakers vs headphones sound/cost ratio. I think for the same sound with speakers one needs not only to pay about 10 times more but also ensure the room behaves.

Clare, since WHF is writing about these (and plans to review them soon?) I continue to ask for a group test of in-ears (higher range). As this product category is not available for trying by consumers, a group test like this is arguably the most useful WHF can do. WDYT?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Definitely more high-end headphone tests on way. For starters, there's a head-to-head between the new Grados in-ears and their direct Shure rivals in the very next issue - which was posted out to subscribers yesterday and should be in shops by Thursday

 

[Anonymous]

I'm really enjoying my new Shure Se 425's they give a superb sound. Once you find the right tip to get a good seal the bass is prety deep and fast with good texture, the treble has a real sparkle and no harshness and the mids are smooth and really stunning with vocals etc.
Nick

 

[AlmaataKZ]

I received a demo sample of the UM Miracles yesterday for a trial. I have to say there is a lot of expectation from my side. I hope to post my impressions soon.

also need to get a copy of whf. There is a test in, right?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yep, new April issue includes s a head-to-head test between the £400 Grado GR10 in-ears and the £355 Shure SE535

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Well, I have answered the question of the OP for myself.

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/your-system/my-dream-system-oh-maybe-one-day?page=11#comment-2605502