As i'm sure many of you are as well 
Anyway, here is my journey for my portable setup; (Current Source: iPhone)
1. Westone UM2 - Had these for nearly two years. Excellent SQ, but the pressure started annoying me after awhile (comply tips), tried other tips but nothing sounded as good for me. I wanted to try something else as I just got tired of em having owned them so long and wanted a change and try to see what else was out there. Loved the cable BTW.
2. Shure E500 - Excellent SQ (IMO - Cleaner than the UM2), but two things annoyed me: The cord, and my ears would get hot wearing them (still haven't figured out why) - maybe the thick cord? Sold these about a month after buying them, also didn't like having $300 tied up in a portable headphone when I don't use them nearly as much as my home rig.
3. V-Moda Vibe Duo Nero (for iPhone) - Horrid, I HATED every second of these (even after burning them in). They were way to muddy for me, annoying boomy bass, recessed mids and highs, I just hated them all around.
4. Audio Technica ATH-ES7 - Decided to try some non-iem portable cans and these came highly recommended. As much as I love the sound (I really do like the balance of these cans), they just don't fit my ears. My ears feel like a fireball after about 30-45 minutes of use (I have a reoccurring problem - don't I?
) Gonna sell them this week.
Thought about picking up a Noise-Canceling headphone (ATH-ANC7 or Jabra 820) but the size really turns me off, I think I would be annoyed by the size during any lengthy trip around the country or to Europe, etc... So i'm back to looking at IEM's as I really do prefer them to be ultra portable.
The music I currently listen to: Coldplay, Maroon 5, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Donavan Frankenreiter, Timbaland, Led Zeppelin, Deep Forest, Bob Marley (Basically EVERYTHING except country)
I would prefer to stay under $150
I REALLY like the sound of these two home headphones (if it helps): DT770 (killer subwoofer bass) & HD595 (just so silky smooth)
So - Now that I've written my dissertation (I feel like I've written this before); what's next?
PORTABLE / COMFORTABLE / SOUNDS GREAT / $150 or UNDER / DURABLE
Q-Jays? (though at $179 more than I want to spend)
Atrio M5? (don't care for the design and I hear durability is questionable)
ER-6i (awesome price - but no bass at all?)
ER-4p (worth the $159? Better than the q-jays?)
Anyway, here is my journey for my portable setup; (Current Source: iPhone)
1. Westone UM2 - Had these for nearly two years. Excellent SQ, but the pressure started annoying me after awhile (comply tips), tried other tips but nothing sounded as good for me. I wanted to try something else as I just got tired of em having owned them so long and wanted a change and try to see what else was out there. Loved the cable BTW.
2. Shure E500 - Excellent SQ (IMO - Cleaner than the UM2), but two things annoyed me: The cord, and my ears would get hot wearing them (still haven't figured out why) - maybe the thick cord? Sold these about a month after buying them, also didn't like having $300 tied up in a portable headphone when I don't use them nearly as much as my home rig.
3. V-Moda Vibe Duo Nero (for iPhone) - Horrid, I HATED every second of these (even after burning them in). They were way to muddy for me, annoying boomy bass, recessed mids and highs, I just hated them all around.
4. Audio Technica ATH-ES7 - Decided to try some non-iem portable cans and these came highly recommended. As much as I love the sound (I really do like the balance of these cans), they just don't fit my ears. My ears feel like a fireball after about 30-45 minutes of use (I have a reoccurring problem - don't I?
) Gonna sell them this week.Thought about picking up a Noise-Canceling headphone (ATH-ANC7 or Jabra 820) but the size really turns me off, I think I would be annoyed by the size during any lengthy trip around the country or to Europe, etc... So i'm back to looking at IEM's as I really do prefer them to be ultra portable.
The music I currently listen to: Coldplay, Maroon 5, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Donavan Frankenreiter, Timbaland, Led Zeppelin, Deep Forest, Bob Marley (Basically EVERYTHING except country)
I would prefer to stay under $150
I REALLY like the sound of these two home headphones (if it helps): DT770 (killer subwoofer bass) & HD595 (just so silky smooth)
So - Now that I've written my dissertation (I feel like I've written this before); what's next?
PORTABLE / COMFORTABLE / SOUNDS GREAT / $150 or UNDER / DURABLE
Q-Jays? (though at $179 more than I want to spend)
Atrio M5? (don't care for the design and I hear durability is questionable)
ER-6i (awesome price - but no bass at all?)
ER-4p (worth the $159? Better than the q-jays?)
