amazon has a bill me later promotion that ends up making the vibe duos $90 and the super.fi 4vi $103. in terms of direct comparison for sound quality and sound isolation which one is truly better? i don't listen to hip-hop/r&b/ect bass heavy stuff. mostly alternative/rock/indie.
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v-moda vibe duo vs. ultimate ears Super.fi 4vi
- Thread starter kheovnien
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Love my Vibes
I love my vibe duos, although I have never tried the super.fi...
Great sound after a few hours burn in, and very "snazzy" look.
I love my vibe duos, although I have never tried the super.fi...
Great sound after a few hours burn in, and very "snazzy" look.
Have you used the vibe duos?
I bought the 4vi and I love the clarity of them, but the bass is really lacking which I dunno if I can get used to. I might try the vibes and see how they go.
Agreed. The 4vi lack bass. They were on sale for $60+ on Amazon a couple of months ago when I purchased them. They sounded very clear and dry...well, with the type of music I listen to. The clicker was also hard to work.
The V-Moda's aren't the best but they acceptable. Quality control might be an issue, though.
I just recently picked up the V-Moda Vibe Duo, and although they sound great, they have a lot of bass. They can also get a bit annoying when the cable rubs on anything, and it's amplified by the rough surface of the cable. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem, but in comparison to standard cable headphones like on the Shure I2C-M (Also have these), it can get quite bad.
V-Moda...way too bassy IMO. Mids and highs suffer as a result.
Super.fis...decent, but a little thin in the bass (in reality probably more neutral and realistic). Excellent highs and mids. But none of the fun thump of Sennheiser CX300s (which are now available in an iPhone version BTW).
The deal killer for the Super.fis for me was the button. Way too hard to push, and not in a very convenient spot.
Gotta say, Apple totally nailed the mic/button position and ease of use. Nothing else touches it. I like it so much I had ultimatebuds.com graft a pair of white CX300s to the Apple cable.
Super.fis...decent, but a little thin in the bass (in reality probably more neutral and realistic). Excellent highs and mids. But none of the fun thump of Sennheiser CX300s (which are now available in an iPhone version BTW).
The deal killer for the Super.fis for me was the button. Way too hard to push, and not in a very convenient spot.
Gotta say, Apple totally nailed the mic/button position and ease of use. Nothing else touches it. I like it so much I had ultimatebuds.com graft a pair of white CX300s to the Apple cable.
UE has updated the button on the 4vis, it is no longer a issues (as long as you get new stock) which you should I have had mine for about a month and it had the new button.
As for the Vibes have heard that they are working on their QC (they knew it sucked) but don't know if they have made it into production or the street.
As for the Vibes have heard that they are working on their QC (they knew it sucked) but don't know if they have made it into production or the street.
I bought both headphones - the Vibe first and the 4vis after. The 4vis definitely win on sound - more balanced, with enough bass which the Vibes had a little too much of for my taste.
The buttons for both sucked, the 4vis even more so. Far too recessed to be truely usable, and the vibes little button was just annoying. But were they drew level for me was the fact that both needed to be returned - the Vibes developed a loose connection by the jack, the 4vis a loose connection by the left earbud. Hopefully the 4vis come back with the updated button, as they are much prefered. Just need to get some better silicon buds as the provided sets just don't seem to stay in (and I have tried the different sizes!).
I have to say that I much prefer the understated look of the 4vis rather than the "bling" of the Vibes - the main reason I bought the 4vis.
Currently using Griffin's iPhone buds. A nice cheap fallback for anyone.
The buttons for both sucked, the 4vis even more so. Far too recessed to be truely usable, and the vibes little button was just annoying. But were they drew level for me was the fact that both needed to be returned - the Vibes developed a loose connection by the jack, the 4vis a loose connection by the left earbud. Hopefully the 4vis come back with the updated button, as they are much prefered. Just need to get some better silicon buds as the provided sets just don't seem to stay in (and I have tried the different sizes!).
I have to say that I much prefer the understated look of the 4vis rather than the "bling" of the Vibes - the main reason I bought the 4vis.
Currently using Griffin's iPhone buds. A nice cheap fallback for anyone.
i have the new version of the duos.. after my first pair went out and i got them replaced..
i talk about it in this thread --> https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=6079209#post6079209
i have pictures (albeit pictures taken with my iPhone) and i talk about it there..
overall.. not that bad.. and much better than the first version along with some cosmetic and other good changes
i talk about it in this thread --> https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=6079209#post6079209
i have pictures (albeit pictures taken with my iPhone) and i talk about it there..
overall.. not that bad.. and much better than the first version along with some cosmetic and other good changes
After comparing these two earphones I've been going back and forth about which one I prefer. The super.fi 4vi definitely have a clearer, more detailed sound. The treble is really crisp and music sounds well balanced, as if you are in the middle of a concert hall. However bass is fairly light, but punchy and defined. You can really hear the different layers of music and instrument seperation with these headphones.
The V-moda vibe duo's have a very different sound, darker and boomy in regards to bass. Music sounds smoother, more rounded off, there is less definition of the instruments. Listening to these sounds like you are sitting next to the subwoofer in a home theatre with the rear channels far away from you.
I like the way some music sounds with the vibes such as certain trance tracks, but listening to these headphones for a little while becomes fatiguing from the strong and booming bass. Very different from the very analytical and treble emhasis on the super.fi which can also get fatiguing from the very sharp treble notes.
I'm having a hard time deciding which earphones I prefer. If you like music where you can hear the seperation between instruments and especially enjoy soaring vocals and little details in music the super.fi 4vi's are for you. If you like booming bass like you're sitting in the backseat of a car with 2 massive subwoofers in the trunk, and don't care too much about clarity, the vibe duo's are right for you.
As far as construction and design is concerned, I like them both equally. The vibes are more bling with the chrome finishes, but the super.fi have an understated elegance. The button is a easier to use with the updated super.fi clicker. The vibes clicker switch is on a long barrel containing the mic and it's harder to find and press, but sound quality through the mic seems to be a bit better with the vibes. I like the cord of the super.fi better in terms of weight and tangibility, not as flash as the duo-toned metallic vibes but it's easier to manage.
They both come with decent cases, v-moda comes with a little pouch which easy to use and the super.fi's come with a slick little plastic case that's very pocketable and has a zippo flip up action. My preference is to the super.fi case, feels very sturdy and looks cool. Also, both earphones come with an assortment of silicone tips. The v-moda headphones are more comfortable than the super.fi, but at the cost of lowered isolation from the outside world. Super.fi packaging is more professional and it screams quality, I don't like the v-moda cheapo blister pack.
My ratings:
Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 4vi - 8/10
- Great iPhone earphone suitable for all types of music, great if you like your music with crystal clarity and separation of instruments. Nice looking kit all up, from the packaging down to the stylish metal buds and solidly constructed cord/mic/clicker. If you enjoy sitting next to a subwoofer, these headphones are probably not for you as they are light (but defined and punchy) in the bass.
V-moda Vibe Duo - 7/10
- Bling factor, these are for the trance/dance/hip-hop crowd who don't mind losing clarity in the music in favour of big bass. Can be fatiguing on the ears with the constant bass drone, colours music to favour the low end strongly. Great looking earphones that stand out (I have the chrome version). Clicker can be a bit hard to find and press, but not a deal breaker. Surprisingly light earphones and cord, very comfortable to wear.
The V-moda vibe duo's have a very different sound, darker and boomy in regards to bass. Music sounds smoother, more rounded off, there is less definition of the instruments. Listening to these sounds like you are sitting next to the subwoofer in a home theatre with the rear channels far away from you.
I like the way some music sounds with the vibes such as certain trance tracks, but listening to these headphones for a little while becomes fatiguing from the strong and booming bass. Very different from the very analytical and treble emhasis on the super.fi which can also get fatiguing from the very sharp treble notes.
I'm having a hard time deciding which earphones I prefer. If you like music where you can hear the seperation between instruments and especially enjoy soaring vocals and little details in music the super.fi 4vi's are for you. If you like booming bass like you're sitting in the backseat of a car with 2 massive subwoofers in the trunk, and don't care too much about clarity, the vibe duo's are right for you.
As far as construction and design is concerned, I like them both equally. The vibes are more bling with the chrome finishes, but the super.fi have an understated elegance. The button is a easier to use with the updated super.fi clicker. The vibes clicker switch is on a long barrel containing the mic and it's harder to find and press, but sound quality through the mic seems to be a bit better with the vibes. I like the cord of the super.fi better in terms of weight and tangibility, not as flash as the duo-toned metallic vibes but it's easier to manage.
They both come with decent cases, v-moda comes with a little pouch which easy to use and the super.fi's come with a slick little plastic case that's very pocketable and has a zippo flip up action. My preference is to the super.fi case, feels very sturdy and looks cool. Also, both earphones come with an assortment of silicone tips. The v-moda headphones are more comfortable than the super.fi, but at the cost of lowered isolation from the outside world. Super.fi packaging is more professional and it screams quality, I don't like the v-moda cheapo blister pack.
My ratings:
Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 4vi - 8/10
- Great iPhone earphone suitable for all types of music, great if you like your music with crystal clarity and separation of instruments. Nice looking kit all up, from the packaging down to the stylish metal buds and solidly constructed cord/mic/clicker. If you enjoy sitting next to a subwoofer, these headphones are probably not for you as they are light (but defined and punchy) in the bass.
V-moda Vibe Duo - 7/10
- Bling factor, these are for the trance/dance/hip-hop crowd who don't mind losing clarity in the music in favour of big bass. Can be fatiguing on the ears with the constant bass drone, colours music to favour the low end strongly. Great looking earphones that stand out (I have the chrome version). Clicker can be a bit hard to find and press, but not a deal breaker. Surprisingly light earphones and cord, very comfortable to wear.
Just an update on my look at the two headphones. I have decided to return the super.fi 4vi because they are just a bit too harsh for my tastes, I enjoy the v-moda's more. I realise that the super.fi are the more balanced and 'audiophile' of the two but to my ears the vibes are more enjoyable. The sound is smoother, sure you don't hear quite the same sonic range as the super.fi but I think it's a more pleasing sound.
I think I may spring for the Klipsch Image next, comments suggest they have a warm sound with rich bass, but are still quite clear with strong highs. Also, they are very light and apparantly very comfortable, another reason I don't like the super.fi anymore because they are quite fatiguing to my ears.
Obviously I'll be missing out on the mic and clicker button which may be a deal breaker. However I usually only use headphones on the train and I rarely take calls on the train so it may not be that big a deal. Still, it irks me to spend quite a bit of cash on the Klipsch and lose out a basic iPhone feature. The sound quality may make up for it though.
Hope my insights help potential iPhone headphone purchasers out there!
I think I may spring for the Klipsch Image next, comments suggest they have a warm sound with rich bass, but are still quite clear with strong highs. Also, they are very light and apparantly very comfortable, another reason I don't like the super.fi anymore because they are quite fatiguing to my ears.
Obviously I'll be missing out on the mic and clicker button which may be a deal breaker. However I usually only use headphones on the train and I rarely take calls on the train so it may not be that big a deal. Still, it irks me to spend quite a bit of cash on the Klipsch and lose out a basic iPhone feature. The sound quality may make up for it though.
Hope my insights help potential iPhone headphone purchasers out there!
They are quite good at their professional stuff, its at consumer products that they suck at.