Originally Posted by soozieq
Nice comparison headphoneaddict, now I can add this to the first page under 'initial impressions',
I like the description of the sound, as it sounds like the Denons but with even more detail. I wonder if the extra isolation helps? It's almost tempting to buy a pair for when 100% isolation is a must (although I can't justify the extra expenditure at the moment).
Tell me, as the Livewires cost about $100 more than the Denons (is that right, $250?), would you say they sound $100 better? Is the extra detail worth the extra money? I can't imagine more detailed highs than the Denons, but then I've never tried the Etys - and I don't yearn for more detailed highs than I get from the Denons.
I didn't think I'd be able to settle for non-iems having had them before, but I'm pretty happy with the isolation the Denons offer. Of course, it never hurts to have more
OK, off to add to the first page. Don't forget to give us an update once you've put in more listening time
Yes, I think they sound $100 better. But, if you are happy with the Denon detail and isolation, don't upgrade. You upgrade when you want more features/benefits or something different. Lot's of people were happy with the Camaro and never wanted to upgrade to the Corvette. Lot's of people were happy with the Corvette, and didn't care about getting the Porche (or porche to ferarri, etc).
I say, don't sell your Denon to buy the Livewires if you like the Denon - buy the Livewires to add to what you have as earphone choices. If you decide you can part with the Denon after hearing the Livewires, go ahead.
In the case of someone who is on a budget and can't imagine going over $120-$130 online, the Denon are a good choice. I do think the Livewires are worth the 2x cost premium ($250 shipped + cost to get impressions and mail impressions), but NOT at the expense of NOT having something to listen to now. Also, if you have $125 now, and want something nice to listen to now, and want to buy groceries with the other $125, buy the Denon.
But, maybe you are saving up money for nice IEM and $125 takes only 4-6 weeks to save up, so Livewires will take 8-12 weeks to save for. Then you could buy some JVC marshmallows for $25 shipped online, and while listening to something "decent" you can save up the $250 - $265 over 8-12 weeks (or 6 months) to add the Livewires to your arsenal.
In the $250-$300 range it's hard to pick between Livewires and ebay SE500's, because they are just too different - so it depends on what you want for a particular album or program material. To me, everyone should have both a Subaru Turbo and a SUV in the garage. If comfort, and detail, balance and power are the prime objective, you get a single Porche Cayenne (UE10 or 11?)
Moving on, I would GUESS that the Livewires accomplish the balanced sound that the $399 triple.fi 10's reach for, but at a lower cost, and what the Etymotic ER4p failed to do (detail + bass) but at a higher cost. At the same time, adding comfort and isolation. I sure would like to listen to those others to see if my interpretation of how people describe those is correct.
I CAN say that I haven't heard as much universal approval of the Sensaphonics or Westone Customs as I have of the Livewires. The only custom I have heard a similar high percentage of approval is the UE10 (It seems the UE11's "possibly colored" sound is still too controversial. I suspect many of the UE10 converts were tired of the more bland/neutral presentation that the UE10 gave them over the months or years, and wanted to change things up a little).