Well, you can actually use Comply tips with this. T500 series can fit, but not very firm; T200 series are perfect fit.

Even the T200 have a tendency to get stuck in one of my ears so not a perfect fit but they are good alternative to the stock tips.
And I agree with your review regarding design. Sennheiser really need to come up with a new cable that eliminates cable noise.
I don't understand the people who say the in-ears clearly was designed for a straight down fit. That will create massive massive cable noise and the distance between in-ear and cable split is perfect for an around the ear fit.

I'm not really into IEM's but thanks for the comprehensive review, flaws like these are inexcusable at this price point, Sennheiser must think people will pay a ridiculous premium for just about anything as long as it bears their name...same as with their new branded headphone cables.

@ Xenphon, don't forget the Momentum series!! :< wrost sen headphone i ever bought... 

Thanks Xenophon. It's a shame too because I really did like the sound, listening in a quiet room (it's now "wow" sound, but it was good for an IEM).

Okay, so I recieved my T500 Comply tips from a few weeks ago to test it on my IE800.  I've got to say, it actually got rid of the isolation problem in this IEM.  The only minor problem seemed to be the fact that these tips can't snap on like the stock tips due to the nozzle shape, so for some people (didn't happen to me), the tips may end up staying inside your ear if you take the IEMs out, but that isn't really a big deal.  So when it came to sound isolation, it blocked out the sound fairly well like many sound isolating IEMs that I've tried, and I don't think I detected any sacrifice in the sound quality in the IE800 either with the Comply tips.
 
At this point, although I no longer find it necessary to be wearing the IE800 over my ear, it greatly reduces the cable noise.  But for now, I'll be waiting for Sennheiser to make a microphonics-free cable that's actually long, and I'll also be waiting for Comply to make a sound isolating tip exclusive for the IE800.  However, while I'm waiting, using the T500 tips and wrapping the cable around my ear will help me forget about the flaws about the Sennheiser IE800....for now.

Did you notice my edit about how I tried everything I could to get the HD800 cable to make noise, and I couldn't get it to make even the tinyest bit of microphonics? I don't understand why Sennheiser can't just do whatever it did with the HD800 cable to the IE800.
 
If the IE800 solve the isolation and microph issues I might buy it again.

Have you considered the reason why the HD800 might not have cable noise/microphonics is because it 1. has removable cables and a large plug area that dampens cable noise as well as 2. being themselves gigantic in size, which would also dampen noise, and 3. the cables not being in such close contact with your ear canal as with the IE800? The IE800 in comparison is minuscule and has the cable going straight into its tiny ceramic housing with mere millimeters between it and your ear canal (and the driver inside) -- it's a physics nightmare trying to dampen the cable noise when they are so compact! Their 'simple' single driver design unfortunately has the side effect of acting as an unwitting stethoscope.
 
I will certainly agree that an over-the-ear design would've been a smarter choice, but as it stands now, as long as the y-splitter/2.5mm jack is secured (e.g. with lapel clip or wedged behind a shoulder bag strap), there is actually quite minimal cable noise (assuming each L and R cable isn't rubbing against one's collar or similar, above the split). And the cord indeed could do with being a little longer. As for your criticisms of the case, I don't personally see that much utility in carrying multiple tips with you, and indeed Sennheiser isn't forcing you to use their case either! I actually use a padded Audeo soft case which works brilliantly. Anyway, each to their own!
Excellent review otherwise, though, by the way

http://www.complyfoam.com/ie800/ <<< Comply tips for this. Not sure about the cable. I emailed Senn. See what they say.

sadly that link is for TDK's IE800, not Sennheiser's. Comply don't currently make tips for the Senn IE 800, unforunately.

Whoops. Any word on a different cable though? Maybe one with a mic? The only thing I've seen so far is a ALO modified one which is way too much at $1050.

I don't understand how you could expect isolation with an open-back IEM...

What is up with the bashing of this headphone? I've owned these for a bit, over a month, and they are phenomenal. The cable noise is really not existent for me. I don't really hear much at all. They isolate pretty well too. I used them in a factory with a bunch of noise and an air hose. I could still hear it, but not very much. They're pretty darn comfy too. I love them. I don't get all the hate honestly. The cord is a little short, but works well for me. I'm 5'5" so.. I love how it detaches too, but that's just me.

According the Centers for Disease Control in the U.S., using the NIOSH standards, 70-75dB can be listened to for over 16 hours before any hearing damage would occur.
 
So, it seems that this review may be more than a little hyperbolic in its criticisms.
 
I wear the IE800 with cable over-ear and it's quite excellent in sound and comfort.

Thanks so much for this review... I almost fell into buying these when I read all those positive reviews but I was really worried about cable noise and cables not being over the ear design, as well as too short (I'm 6 feet tall but I use cables under my shirt, so when I want to change the song I need to raise player to mu stomach level with cable under shirt = IE800 is not an option). Thanks again for saving my money! 

I haven't heard any issues with it.  The cable noise is there, but with IEMs, is it possible to not have cable noise?  It's not as bad as he describes it at all.  The sound is detailed and balanced, and the soundstage is quite large for IEMs.  The chord is not that short.  I'm 5'8, and can put it in my front pants pocket or jacket pocket without a problem.  I do miss inline remote control buttons though.  But the sound is worth it.  Like Kunlun said, the criticisms are hyperbolic.  I can't wear it over ear though.  The cable split is too short for me to do that.  
 
My main complaint initially was that I couldn't get a proper fit, especially with the tips that came with it.  I found some flange style ones which usually fit me better and am happy now.  For those that think the cable is too short, isn't it easy to get a extension cable?  

You're proprietary rating system is nice and all but a 1.5 star rating, regardless of your argumentation, is 'pushing it'. I agree with the isolation bit, the sound and, to a lesser extent, the microphonics. I tried comply's T-200 and immediately realized that the apparent lack of isolation isn't related to the tips but is likely to come from the buds themselves. Will try INAIRS soon as these have foam which is appx 3 times denser than the T-200s. I disagree with you on the wind aspect as I live next to the sea and its always windy and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Even though you gave these a 1.5 stars, you know that the sound cannot be compared. 
 
With a little patience, I had found ways to stop all the problems. 
 
First, no one listens music so quiet, at 65DB it is way under the noise floor of an apartment, which has a noise floor of 75-80db. having to listen at 75DB is and being able to not hear any noise is amazing by all means. It happened to me to wear ie800 and someone tell me that I was shouting when I said hello to them, with music stopped. The isolation is amazing for an in ear. IT is better than a closed back headphone. I am not saing that it is the best, but I would never want more isolation.
 
About cable microphonics, they can be solved with the noise attenuator on the cable, which is above the Y split. It was fun for me to discover that after all the reviwes, I was the first to try and use this amazing feature. 
 
I wear them over the ear, which is not a problem either, as over the ear, the cable is not microphonic at all, and is long enough. For me, the cable has enough room to breathe when I wear over the ear. 
 
Cable length is about what I would call perfect for an IEM. IT is not a headphone, and I can use it without having any problems. 
 
The case could have included space for tips, but they are expensive and easy to loose, this might be a reason for not including a space for the tips. 
 
Isolation is great once you fiind your the best fit, and it lasts for some time before you have to re-adjust. It okay to let the ears breathe once in a while, so I do not complain. 
 
I hope that you could recosinder giving them another try and see if you like them better now. 
 
Also, the newer batches have a changed cable, so I might be not using the exact one you used, this is why we are having very different opinions.