Review M-Audio E-30 Earphones

[sprintrjm]

I was tired of messing around with v-moda's, ultimate superfi 4vi, skull candy fmj earphones.

The more headphones i tried, the pickier i got.

I dropped about $210 pre tax, and i wish i did it months ago.

Dual speakers per ear, one for mids and highs, the other for the lows.

All my music just became new again, and half my music needs to be re-done, and encoded at a higher bit rate.

I'm suprised that they are so efficent, yet can handle cranking it up.

I am only needing to turn up the volume to 1/2 way, where as my other headphones need much more volume to get the sound louder.

Better mids and highs than the ultimate 4vi's, but with awesome presence and solid lows.

I have only been listening to these for the last day, they are not even broken in yet.

BTW the drivers are made by ultimate ears.

The only negative beside price, is that they stick out further than most in ear phones.

;)

[Nutchos]

$210 is way too much IMO. I don't think I could ever justify headphones at that price (if they were a2dp, then maybe). I'm using my moto S9's, the sound quality isn't the best but the wireless freedom is worth it.

But more importantly... wtf is up with ur eyes in that pic?

[marcol]

sprintrjm, I'm currently using V-Moda Vibes (older ones not the Duos) and find them too bassy without EQ but about right with EQ set to 'Bass reducer' (for most music anyway). Still lacking in a bit of top-end clarity though. How would you say the M-Audio E-30s compare with the Vibes in terms of overall tonal balance and clarity?

[sprintrjm]

The v-moda's mids and highs are about a 5/10. Lows 6.5/10

The m-audio's are about 9.5/10, Lows the same.

the ultimate fi's / $149 jobbies mids / highs 8/10. Lows 2/10


And for the tonal balance, they are extremly flat, as in balanced.
I messed around with the eq presets and decided to leave it on off.

[JaymeNYC]

hows the sound compared to the marshmellows?

[sprintrjm]

hows the sound compared to the marshmellows?


I keep the marshmellows in my laptop bag, and use them when i dont have quick access to the m audio headphones.

They sound greaaat for the $15 i paid for them. I think they sound on par with the vmoda's on the mids and highs, the bass is a tiny bit lighter, which i think is a good thing.

Compared to the m-audio's, they sound a bit harsh on the high end and the bass is not as crisp. The mids are ok.

I'd give the mallows a 6/10 for mids and highs, and 7/10 for bass.
Better than my sony in ear set.

Great for the sub $20 price tag.

[JaymeNYC]

I keep the marshmellows in my laptop bag, and use them when i dont have quick access to the m audio headphones.

They sound greaaat for the $15 i paid for them. I think they sound on par with the vmoda's on the mids and highs, the bass is a tiny bit lighter, which i think is a good thing.

Compared to the m-audio's, they sound a bit harsh on the high end and the bass is not as crisp. The mids are ok.

I'd give the mallows a 6/10 for mids and highs, and 7/10 for bass.
Better than my sony in ear set.

Great for the sub $20 price tag.
The m-audios dont have a clicker do they? and if not, does it seem possible to mod them like the marshmellows? I'm trying to find some new earbuds, and having trouble finding some that sound good that also have a mic/clicker.

[sprintrjm]

The m-audios dont have a clicker do they? and if not, does it seem possible to mod them like the marshmellows? I'm trying to find some new earbuds, and having trouble finding some that sound good that also have a mic/clicker.


they don't have a clicker, although the headphones have a replaceable cable set, I'm going to contact m-audio and see if they will integrate an iphone mic/button into a set of replacement cables.

I don't feel like trying to do the mod like i did on my mallows to integrate the iphone mic. I dont want to f-up my expensive pair and void the warranty.

[JaymeNYC]

they don't have a clicker, although the headphones have a replaceable cable set, I'm going to contact m-audio and see if they will integrate an iphone mic/button into a set of replacement cables.

I don't feel like trying to do the mod like i did on my mallows to integrate the iphone mic. I dont want to f-up my expensive pair and void the warranty.

Let me know how the replaceable cable goes..might be my only option without modding. Any earbuds you suggest other than the vibe duos/marshmallow mod that has a mic/clicker?

[sprintrjm]

Let me know how the replaceable cable goes..might be my only option without modding. Any earbuds you suggest other than the vibe duos/marshmallow mod that has a mic/clicker?


These might be the best other cheapies out there, I have heard pretty good reviews about these.

http://www.amazon.com/Maximo-iP-HS2-iMetal-Isolation-Headset/dp/B0011G9LCU

And they are only $50 ish.

Might be worth it, until ultimate ears makes their pro 5.0 headphones with an integrated mic / button. Or the m-audio set, although both use the same earphones made by ultimate.

[JaymeNYC]

These might be the best other cheapies out there, I have heard pretty good reviews about these.

http://www.amazon.com/Maximo-iP-HS2-iMetal-Isolation-Headset/dp/B0011G9LCU

And they are only $50 ish.

Might be worth it, until ultimate ears makes their pro 5.0 headphones with an integrated mic / button. Or the m-audio set, although both use the same earphones made by ultimate.

I actually had these before the vibe duos, the sound was okay but I liked the fit and sound of the duos more. I've heard of vibe duos with a right angle plug, but have not been able to find them anywhere to see if they last any longer than the straight plug

[sprintrjm]

I have shot off emails to both ultimate eats and m-audio, asking them about a replacement cable with the mic/button. I'll let yah know when I get an answer.

[JaymeNYC]

I have shot off emails to both ultimate eats and m-audio, asking them about a replacement cable with the mic/button. I'll let yah know when I get an answer.
thx ! searchin for a replacement has been a frustratin

[sprintrjm]

just heard back from ultimate ears. They said that they don't make a replacement cable for the headphones. And the only way to get the integrated mic is to buy one of their inferior headphones with the mic/button.

On a side note, ultimate ears has a slightly higher end hphone coming out in OCt. Called the 5.vi for $189.
Maybe they finally added bass to the lacking 4.vi and called it 5.vi