"IE400 Pro Lite (with damping filter in nozzle)", You have listed the wrong IEM it seems and sound you describe is what I have heard on the IE400, which regardless of price, are not as good as the IT01X. I think you mixed up your reviews. :^) Also the IT01X don't have damping filters.

I didn't mix up my reviews. How would you describe the IT01X?

I also didn't say that the IT01X had damping filters. The damping filter is referring to modding the nozzle of the IT01X by adding such. I indicated it on the latter part of my review if you read that part. What you do is add said filter behind the grill of the nozzle to tame the upper frequencies.

The IE400 compared to the newly released iBasso IT01X is less offensive, more refined especially in the bass department, and overall more natural sounding. Soundstage is also wider and less closed-in which is very important as it gives a sense of space. Of course, this is comparing an IEM three times its price. Might also be we have been using different type of eartips (mine is the stock whirlwind).


Oh, and why would I add "Lite" to the IE400 Pro when there is no such model from Sennheiser?

I don't know why you have IE400 Pro lite in the heading at all. It is confusing. And what I hear is very different from what you describe. I hear good bass, with a very nice open sound field and well layered. I don't have any issues with the upper frequencies and having used the IE400 for a while, would choose the IT01X over it.

I might have worded it not clearly. Will edit the title

Hmm... I went back to all stock (no mod/s) and switched to the included grey tips. It's still closed-in. One of the narrowest I've heard. Like the bass is literally inside your head (also not the tightest and most defined), and upper midrange/lower treble is very, very forward. FWIW, I don't find the Moondrop SSP shouty.

Imagine being at the center of a hall, listening to an orchestra. That would be quite wide, tall and spacious, right? But let's say every musician is right beside you playing. What would that experience be? That's what my IT01X sounds like to me - it doesn't lack depth but rather space between instruments.

Are you running them balanced? I only have access to SE currently. My listening volume is also relatively low. I can't turn it up because it gets harsh, fast.

I agree with jamato8 - these headphones have very good bass and I would never say this is iems for bassheads . The soundstage is specific - in the shape of a perfect sphere and thus the reception is exactly as the cappuchino writes. For me, the treble is also not strange - it sounds completely correct and pleasant. On the other hand, changing the cable to a balanced one clearly improves the sound of these headphones - the separation improves and the soundstage gets bigger. These are not allrounders, but they stay with me.