noinimod

Honestly, there isn't - but we all know that manufacturers will charge a premium for high-end products even though customers won't/can't hear the difference. I know i'm stepping on a few toes here but the truth is the truth. I've done A/B comparisons and that's my findings. If you say, essence stx on audioengine a5s, then yea the difference is quite huge. But on $200+ speakers? The difference, imo, isn't enough to warrant spending $200 bucks for a sound card. lol, depends on which headphones you're talking about. The more high end headphones are not driven well by sound cards - dedicated headphone amp is a must to bring out the full potential. Plus, unless one are using jh13-pros or something equivalent, i don't see why one would use earphones at home when $-for-$, headphones are generally going to give you better sound. If you plan on using active speakers only, then at the same price point, it's much better to get a stand-alone dac. That is assuming you don't need eax and those gaming sound effects

Just buy from their website, mkiii is $194 plus $45 shipping to Asia. Still pretty reasonable if you ask me http://www.little-tube.com/forum/forums/th...osts=11&start=1

No offence man, but no point getting a sound card >100 bucks when your speakers cost around that amount. You, or rather your speakers, won't be able to appreciate the improved gains got from an expensive sound card. I would just buy a 2nd hand xfi xtrememusic at 60-70 bucks; it'll still be much better than your sound blaster AND save you a lot money

Hmm, that jitter thing is blown waaay out of proportion if you ask me. i've read that exact head-fi thread too and it's quite amusing to see how aggressively they debate lol. Ravenica: Is this solely for usage with speakers? Since you don't care about gaming, get a stand-alone dac. I went from a xfi xtrememusic to a styleaudio peridot and the difference is obvious.

As above, my 650 having problems - no sound on right side. I don't blast them at loud volumes so i don't know what gives What's the process like? Is it 1-1 exchange or have to wait few days that type? Hopefully it'll be smooth and hassle-free

Just thought i should update my situation here. Cyriic handled my case with great grace and patience. For that, i am thankful. It's been more or less resolved already with just some minor issues left, but i'm sure he'll see to it and get things done. Assuring to know he kept his word and went beyond the call of duty - the sort of customer service that'd bring a smile to your face and make you feel like THE customer - which is exceedingly rare these days. It is, however, a shame that he is not exactly the 'customer service representative', cos i think he'll do a damn good job of it. I know i shouldn't be saying this, especially since Cyriic's gonna get more work on his hands for this (Sorry Cyriic ), but if any of you guys ever have to go down Grandtech for any Shure-related stuff, please do look for him if you want to be well taken care of. As for what really happened (the in-depth details), let's just say ANY customer - even the most demanding ones - would be more than well pleased Thanks again Cyriic

Yea Cyriic is a good person. I'm liaising with him now. The uncle (not Cyriic) is another beast altogether tho

mister__big, i feel you on that. Check out my post on the experience with the local, new distributor. Now i'm praying my se530s never die on me (purchased locally, btw)

As most people would know, the Shure distro has been changed to Grandtech. I had to go down to RMA my faulty e4c. One of the two guys in Grandtech actually posts in HWZ as a representative. In fact, I liaised with him before heading down. He told me my e4c/scl4 no longer in production, so it would be changed with the se420, and that there would be stock for 1-1 exchange. So I went down, was asked politely by a lady to wait for the Shure technical guy (uncle). Uncle: Where is it? (with hand stretched out) <- Exact words, not even a proper “hello”, no smile, nada. So I pass it to him and tell him the problem. Uncle: We have to test the set first for a few days and you must come back again. No 1-1 exchange, need to wait. Okaay, I can’t understand why the testing has to be a few days. I guess they burn-in faulty IEMs too eh? So I offered my ipod for him to test on the spot and took it out, but he said no; he just came off as a no-compromise guy. He told me to wait while he went to the back, presumably to test it. continued in next post in case the forum fails to display the loong text again He came back with his colleague and told me I must wait a few days. Me: Hmm, so no 1-1 exchange huh? But your guy told me there is SE420 stock? He looked at me like I was talking bullsh*t and went, “Who say?” So I told him the long story about this grandtech guy posting in hwz and told me I could 1-1 blablbla. Turns out the dude standing beside him was The One. Me: “Hmm, last time ban leong is 1-1 exchange right?” Uncle: "Ban Leong is Ban Leong. They do things their way, we do things our way. Now no stock; even if got stock also must test few days" Okay, now I’m quite p!ssed already. Test earphones also need to test few days, like I wanna spoil my IEMs on purpose so I can RMA? And so you can check whether it was user-fault? Me: Eh but you said blablla online <- before I could finish, he cut me off and said, “You cannot believe what they say online. It’s not true. That’s not what we said, and that’s not us. IT’S NOT US, IT’S NOT US” By now, i was fuming. Fair enough that the Grandtech dudes don’t know what each other is doing, but to outright try and push all responsibility away even AFTER I tell you that’s exactly what one of your guys told me… is just plain wrong and unprofessional. After that, i heck care the uncle and spoke with the HWZ “rep” instead. He couldn’t offer much assistance either. Anyhow, be prepared to get poor and rude treatment if you ever need to RMA any Shure earphones. People say good companies go the extra mile for the customer, but right now Grandtech not only does not go the CURRENT mile, they make you feel like you have to go the mile yourself. I believe there’re not many of such complains yet because they’re still new, but if they keep this up, I have no doubt they are going to go downhill. I didn't feel like i was going there for IEM servicing; it felt like going there for a negotiation and my IEMs were up to their mercy whether they get serviced/replaced I honestly feel it’s very sad, because I frequent headfi and always read of the superb customer service given to the Shure USA customers. The only justification for me to purchase locally.. even with the exhorbitant prices is at least some assurance of good aftersales support. If something that basic is not given, why should I bother anymore? Sad that us Singapore consumers are getting the short end of the stick

There is almost no isolation at all on these.. a real shame, cos the sound could be really good with some nice isolation. No, changing the tips don't help - its the design of the earphone nozzles

how's the build quality on these? Looking to get them for my mom

Been thinking of getting a new earphone for some time, was looking at the shure e2c and ety er6i, any other good earphones in that price range? I don't consider myself a bass lover, just moderate bass is good enough. Listen to r&b\jrock\jpop. I'm using a HJE50 now, and i find the bass lacking.. but maybe thats cos im spoilt by my desktop speakers' bass. Hehe, would appreciate it if i can have some recommendations instead of 'why not you go down and try it'. i will do that but i just want some opinion from the gurus first. Thanks all!