I should say that my budget amp isn't a terrific match with the IEMs that I've owned. Maybe there are others that will work well. But from my reading the amp forum it seems like everyone with IEMs always pay in the $300+ range before they start to get good results. Those who pay in the $100+...

I went entry level about a year ago and I think you are better off going with headphones first and then maybe an amp. I have the E2C and was happy with them but the comfort wasn't great and even my Grado SR60 sound vastly better which made me not happy with the sound. I even bought several cheap...

The Klipsch Image are really hard to beat. They are expensive but there have been some sales on them. Also Klipsch does have a 30 day money back guarantee from their website. They are very comfortable and fit your requirement for nothing over the ear. I find the Klipsch Custom 3 to be really...

I have the Custom 3 and while I enjoy them I am not sure they would be good for just wrapping around your player for storage. They seem strong enough but they do have more non flexible parts than some other brands and I would guess that the more non flexible parts you have the worse it would be...

The Custom 3's are nice, but I was able to get a decent fit. I am not sure if the Custom 2 have the same issues with fit as the Custom 3. Klipsch does have a 30 day guarantee if you go with their website. On the other hand you might feel safer going with something that others are familiar with.

The Klipsch Image are pretty comfortable. I've worn them all day at work with no issues. In fact, I don't even have a feeling of having worn them when I get home from work. But I can't comment how they are compared to the others you are looking at because they're my first dive into the premium...

Quote: Originally Posted by tnmike1 so I suppose the bottom-line question is this: for a $300 IEM is it really worth all the hassle of experimenting with tipping, or should Klipsch introduce a new and better gel or other method to get perfect fitting? I'm listening now as I type with...

One thing that is really nice is the cloth covering on the cord. It not only feels pleasant to the touch but I think it really helps cut down on the line noise. When I switch to the Image I immediately become aware of the cord and the noise it generates. But I hardly ever notice the cord when I...

Quote: Originally Posted by PeterDLai Just a quick note of something I have realized recently: the sound of the C3's get better the deeper you put them into my canal, but this in effect also reduces the soundstage. The sound very much so comes from inside of the head instead of outside...

Quote: Originally Posted by tnmike1 Acidtripwow: But your impressions are exactly why I'm in love with Klipsch, both in their large speakers and in these IEMs. Superior resolution, violins that are bright, and tympani that's really "there",especiallywhen listening to larger symphonic...

Quote: Originally Posted by onlychild The ease to put them on and take them off is frekin' incredible. For outdoor/work use I wanted something I could take off right away if someone came up to talk to me and put right back into my ear with the same fit I had the first time...

Quote: Originally Posted by tnmike1 Not to answer for ron--HiFlight--but I find the Custom 3s to be very very comfortable in fit in virtually all the gels. I'm using the large gels still and so far I haven't found any major discomfort. I'm surprised because I expected it. I'm not...

I'm testing the Klipsch Image and Custom 3s with a 5th gen iPod video. Both are pretty nice but pricey.

Quote: Originally Posted by PeterDLai I'm starting to think I need to listen to a pair of Grado's. It sounds like it would suit me, yet I've never found any reason to own a pair (I'm looking for portable and closed, I use speakers when I'm at home). Closed Grado? Does such a...

Quote: Originally Posted by HiFlight I received my C3s today, after much anticipation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get and keep a seal, regardless of the tip I use. It just seems as though the stem is a bit short for my ears. For whatever little bit of extra audio...

I have some control in my house (no really) but in the case of ripping music I have to make sure it works with an iPod and iTunes. I was wondering what are some options for maxing the quality of the source recording while keeping it compatible with iTunes and iPods? I've used EAC with the lame...

Quote: Originally Posted by TSi lol, for iems, ive tried putting 1 in each ear, through a splitter, its funny, cause then one ear will definately sound better than another. Oh my gosh, I never even thought of that. I may need to give that a try but I can see it driving me insane.

When you're trying to compare a set of headphones, do you switch back and forth over the same content or give each one a set period of time? It seems like doing an "a/b" test with the same song would be the best but it is pretty cumbersome with IEMs. I'm just curious what works for everyone.

It's still too early to tell for me but I did compare one song with the Image and C3 and I could hear a big difference with the C3. There were subtle details that I couldn't get with the Image and a certain clarity without increasing the volume too much. But I was saying the same thing about the...

Quote: Originally Posted by IPodPJ MP3 players are just big screen TVs for Liliputians. Which would make big screen TVs MP3 players for Brobdingnagians.

Quote: Originally Posted by oicdn Grado's are a perfect example. Grados CAN be run to loud leaves out of an iPod, but they're not driven "PROPERLY". Just get something like a Hornet and the difference between your HP out and the line out to Hornet will be a HUGE difference and it will...

Quote: Originally Posted by slwiser I got my Custom-3 today. I enjoy them a lot when I get a good seal but that is easier said than done. I am going to have to play with the tips that come with it. The default tips are so big that I have to push them deep in to get them to stay in place...

Quote: Originally Posted by onlychild I just can not get a good fit on my right ear with the C3. I have tried and tried but at the end I only ended up with a sore right ear. I tried all the different tips and kind of wish Klipsch had some foams as well as the silicon tips. I also have a...

Link to quick search on Google for pa2v2

I used to all the time when I had to travel for work. It was especially great to watch all the TV shows I missed. The real pain was finding the right software to make it all work. I was shocked at how hard it was. But when you're on a plane or stuck away from home it's great to have some kind of...