Customer Rating:  
Summary: Definitely a step up!
Comment: Background info: I bought these earphones about 6 weeks ago, I use them with a 2G Touch and I dabble in hi-fi meaning I have audiophilia but it's not terminal. Here's my 10 cents: these are definitely a step-up from the apple phones that come with your iPod. If you've never used in-ear headphones before, be warned, these take some getting used to. Like other reviewers have said before they feel like ear plugs and that can be an uncomfortable feeling (they go deep in your ear canal). Also getting what is referred to as a "good seal", which is an absolute must if you want to enjoy the benefits, requires a little patience especially if you've not done this before. Their website has an instructional video which I found very helpful. On the flip side I think they sound better because they block out so much outside noise and I like not having to turn up the volume when I'm on a noisy bus. How do they sound? They sound good even very good if you're coming from the white apple phones. The music has more body and you definitely hear deeper into the recording. You hear instruments you didn't hear before that sort of thing. I didn't have an out of body experience but I'd definitely recommend them especially if Amazon has them on sale.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Versus etymotic hf5
Comment: These headphones destroy the etymotic hf5. It must be the dual drivers. Truly awe inspiring sound from an iPod. Compared to the hf5, the sound is much louder, much more dynamic and exciting. Truly no comparison.
Customer Rating:
Summary: First IEMs, great choice
Comment: These are the first IEM headphones I have ever purchased. Before I begin, you already know that I gave these 5 stars, so this will be a positive review. With that said, I'll get started.
Let me get the pros out of the way: Rich bass, big sound stage, and just an overall "fun" sound.
When I first went to put these in using the "rock and roll" method, the fit was uncomfortable. I tried the foam tips and different silicon tips, but it still felt awkward. I then did the "flip-flop" mod (you simply swap the left and right cables between each IEM, use the left monitor in the right ear and vice versa) and noticed that by inserting the headphones like so (http://www.ultimateears.com/img/site/video_superfi_mod_002.jpg) the fit was incredibly better. This is a personal factor, but it made all the difference for me.
Here are some technical problems I encountered...
First, I plugged the headphones into my macbook. Without even playing music, I picked up bizarre noises and hissing. It was extremely irritating. I tried playing a song or two, but I definitely heard the strange noises in the background. I tested out the sound attenuator the super fi 5 pros came with, but this resulted in 10x worse sound. It was horrific. My solution: I already own a iBasso D2 Boa DAC. I just played the sound through the USB port in my MacBook, through the Boa, and into the headphones. Problem solved, no more interference. I do realized that very few people buying these headphones are necessarily going to own a portable DAC converter, but also realize that these weird sounds are very common in MacBooks when using headphones, so this issue may not apply to most people. This even happened with my standard apple earbuds, but I assume these IEMs are much more sensitive and that's why the weird sounds were so prominent.
Then, I tested these on my iPhone. They sounded very good, but there was mild hissing. Long story short, the attenuator solved everything! No hissing, but I had to turn the volume up higher. Now I had the IEMs working perfectly on my laptop and iPhone.
Many complaints about these IEMs are related to muddled mids and highs. I have to admit, this is true if the EQ is flat. As soon as I began to play around with the equalizer in iTunes, however, I noticed a huge difference. Try testing out different EQ settings if you also think the mids and highs feel "weak".
That being said, I am terrible at describing sound. "The headphones sound great", is about the best way I can put it. Very very lively and "fun". It takes some time getting a comfortable fit (which is crucial to bass) but once you do, I promise you will enjoy these headphones.
Oh, and one more thing. The box that I received is slightly different than the one pictured on Amazon; mine was clamshell packaging (argh). And, the attenuator looks slightly different than the one pictured. All in all, the headphones are what I care most about (not the packaging), and I could not have asked for a better pair. Sound is very unique to the individual, but I can say from my experience that these match or far surpass any (including the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II and Sennheiser HD595 that I owned) headphones I have ever used.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best I've Used
Comment: I took a leap and bought these. I read reviews, talked to industry professionals (I work in entertainment and live events), and did some research. Mainly it came down to these or the extended bass units. I am glad I chose these. If you are a bass-head, I would recommend the EB units. The Super.fi 5 Pro's are all about overall clarity. I am extremely satisfied with the sound that is produced. Even better than my Sony studio monitoring cams.
My only gripe was that I guess I am still not used to the comfort of the canal design. Traveling as much as I do, i find that canal type phones drown out the plane better than the best active noise canceling headsets. I am having issues finding the best tip to use for the most comfort. I was pleased to see that the foam cushion tips, while feeling generally better than the others, did offer almost the same about of noise blockage as the plug tips. Maybe I just need to find a better way to insert them or get new tips.
Overall, best set of phones I have ever had. The case is slick and easy to use. I have had zero issues with the cables. Great Product!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome Earphones - Excellent Customer Service
Comment: This is an excellent earphone. U dont need to have a BIG over the head studio earphones to get a crisp, clear sound with noise cancellation. Such a tiny phone , it has them all. I am not a musician or anyhting, but I am among the most of us - who has a good taste for music and wants to enjoy it .. This earphone perfectly fits the bill for those who want portability and no compromise on the sound quality. Not just the earphone, but Ultimates ears is an excellent company with great customer service. My earphones broke at the neck after more than 1 year of use and I called Ultimate ears. They gladly replaced the earphone for the new latest design and I shipped back my broken one for free!!!! I think this company is among the very few with such a great Customer service in America... I didnt even have my bill with me. These guys are Great!! In all, buy this phone if u want something very easy to carry without compromising sound quality. Beleive me, though the price is high, its an investment and every time u use this earphone, u get the returns for ur investment in a big way...
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