Great Review @Brooko, very thorough and well organized as usual. I must admit I do love my B3 a lot. Now if this 60 dollar IEM can blow my mind, going by your comparisons, I can't even imagine how good the A83 and altones must be! I also like how you break it down song by song, so its easier to compare it with headphones for prospective buyers. Do you have any other headphone reviews coming down the pipeline? Cheers

Thanks John.  Next up is the Dunu DN-2000, and hoping to also have the Dunu Alpha in a few days. I need to also sit down and finally write my Fiio E11K impressions at some stage.  I also have a couple of new IEMs coming - but I'm under an NDA for those so can't talk about them.  Going to be a busy month - but I enjoy it

is it me or has it an IE8 look about it?

I haven't seen the IE8 up close - but it does have that kind of exterior blocky look.  Fortunately the shaping on the interior side is really ergonomic - very comfortable.

oh yes are the 8's, really very very similar looking.  im wondering if there is a common production source.  hmm may have to try and find a set to hear.

Knowing your prefs Mark, you may find the Havis a little dry.  Perfect for me though.  Good news is that they are cheap, and very good bang for buck.  So many people like them that I decided it would be a good idea to have a pair to compare as a reference.  Will be interested if you get a pair - to see what you think of them.

Great review. It mirrors very close what I have found since buying them. The sound stage is what keeps me coming back to using them, but that doesn't mean they are my #1's for commuting, as they are somewhat physically fatiguing because they rest on my ear's anti-helix. Also, it's sound signature may be an adquired taste. Anyway, thanks for the review!

outstanding review!

Thanks gents - appreciate the kind words. My Havis are en route as I type.  Looking forward to getting them in a few days

hmm. The way you mention the sound signature almost makes it much like the brainwavz hm5.
Do you think those headphones would beat the havi in overall clarity and detail ?

They're quite similar David - but the HM5 has a little less in the lower mid range and upper bass I think, so it makes them appear slightly brighter and thinner.  The Havis sound a little fuller and a little more natural.