You will not be disappointed as long as you are not going to IEM right after a long listening session on your W11 or W5000.

Agreed, doesn't match full size. I only use them when running or something where full-size is impossible. Shrunken sound stage and just feels less natural, imo.

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Yes, but my point (if I had one) was that it really depends on what you're listening to. Well, I believe so. There's just some music that really wouldn't sound better simply due to the sound-stage of headphones. Some are just better if they bring out details, or decent bass.


I'll give you 2 examples:

1. I think Animal Collective's new album, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" would sound better with full sized headphones, and I listen to this album somewhat regularly. Actually, many indie rock albums would benefit. Fleet Foxes, perhaps? Haven't given it much thought before last week....

2. Clipse......Road to Till the Casket Drops mixtape. Full-sized headphones wouldn't offer much improvement because, quite frankly, a "live", wide sound isn't what this album is about. Anything with great lows and good highs would be great, and that will include both IEMs and full-sized cans. My Sony EX85s are great for hip-hop because of the bass (not as bad as the CX300s), while my brand new d-JAYS seem to fulfill every other need except perhaps sound-stage, and even then the sound-stage is actually quite decent to this n00b's ears.


Besides, while I'm outside, what ruins music for me is external ambient noise.

Sennheiser IE series (IE7 & IE8) sounds much closer to Full size than any other IEMs.

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Yes the Sennheiser IE8 nailed it in the soundstage area but I feel the imaging and accuracy of placements of instruments is not as clear and detailed as the Shure SE530's or Westone 3.

Fullsize tend to provide more "air" and presence (and usually a broader soundstage, especially if it's an open headphone). However, as stated earlier, a good IEM can provide a level of detail and "direct connection" to the music that is itself unique. If you go for a custom IEM, you may approach the soundstage of a good fullsize (from what I have read on the high-end UEs and new Westone).

They all have their uses (open/closed fullsize, IEMs, earbuds, etc.). I need my IEMs for when I travel and need a small phone to block noise on the flights and hotel rooms, but I enjoy fullsize when I am home. However, I still switch at home if there is a specific sound I am looking for with a certain piece of music. YMMV.

"Don't expect too much" is probably the best advise, especially considering the price of the high-end IEMs.
Also, shoving the IEMs down your ear canals takes a little getting used to, and up close and personal kinda sound is pretty disorientating at first.
But you'll get used to it, and the extra isolation they provide is great to get immersed in music in crapty environment.

Well you'll be pleased with the portability of IEMs, and I think you would definitely use them more out and about. SQ wise, no idea since I'm saving up for some ESW9s

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u shud try IE7 then...much better imaging

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x2. While IEMs may lack certain refinements of full-size headphones, they are by no means unenjoyable in their own right for what they offer. For instance, the excellent midrange on my SA6 makes listening to saxophone, violin, vocals and jazz guitar a real pleasure because of the added intimacy the detailed sound of IEMs provide.

I have what's supposed to be a very good portable amp powering two, what are supposed to be, very good universal fit IEM's.

Though they can't provide the same level of sound quality as my home rig (see sig for setup), they do provide a terrific sound considering that you can easily move around with it, be unobtrusive and not disturb others... all of which are requirements for a good portable solution. So for the tradeoff, the sound is really great. If I'm just sitting in front of my computer or at home, then I'll be reaching for my full cans since the context is different. Why not listen to the better sound when it's now possible to.

You don't have to be listening to a rig that offers the best sound stage ever or the most detail ever etc., to be really enjoying it. The W3 and IE-8 offer enough sound quality for serious musical enjoyment.

Of course, if you wish to really push the envelope and maximise on potential sound quality, then I'd recommend going for a custom fit solution. There's a great degree of variability of experience with the universal fits because of how they are made to fit in the ear. You find yourself fiddling a lot with the different tips, in search of that optimum possible sound from them. With a custom fit, this is not an issue. However, the cost is a lot higher.

You'll be hardly disappointed if you go straight for the UE11.

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I agree with you here. I have music that sounds better to me when using my IEM's. The detail in the recording isn't as demanding. The dynamic range and sound stage isn't that music since the music is compressed and optimized for listening with non-descriminating equipment that needs extra base in the recording to sound decent.

OTOH, I have music that brings out the strengths of my full cans and amp/dac when compared to my IEM's.

So, yes, definitely, I agree that the music one listens to has a lot to do with their preference of one set of cans over another.

Finally, habituation is another factor. If you've grown accustomed to IEM's, then you'll prefer them. I started with full cans, but prefer the superior comfort of the IEM's. If the IEM is great, I don't get that in your ears effect of the music. The IE8's are very good at giving you that illusion of having on full cans.

Thanks for the answers so far, they're more informative to me than the old which is better, x vs. y questions... I do research obsessively, but if it's one thing I've learned, it's that having read a 1000 posts on the merits of certain headphones you'll end up knowing no more than some people prefer x and some y! Beyond that it doesn't take a genius to deduce that the the se530's have a sweet midrange and rolled off highs and the IE8's most approximate a dark full sized can than any other iem.

As it happens I'm leaning towards the se530s... why ? because while I don't want to be disappointed by the sq of an iem, I don't *need* them to sound like full sized cans either. I've also decided that I want to be soothed on my travels not smacked upside my head, despite listening to some pretty dynamic electronica. I also enjoy acoustic music (Tunng) and female vocals (Imogen Heap), the latter being catered for very well by AT's sweet mids, so I'm hoping the se530's can manage that trick too.

BTW, before anyone says for electronica you really need the senns or triplefis or whatever, I have a different take on this to most people... I love the digital, high end micro detail in bands like mouse on mars, squarepusher and autechre BUT, barring it being absent completely I don't believe it has to be pushed into your face to appreciate it. I love the fact that it's there, same with a kicking bass line, but good music is about balance not obsession over one aspect of it for me. Just a thought.

The SE5x0s pair well with electronica and female vocals. They are great for flying and with the black foamies or earplug mods, are also great for snoozing on the plane! For home use, my DT880s are the go-to phones for electronica and outperform the Shures in bass and soundstage.

I started off with a mid-end pair of Sony full-sized cans and then was blown away by the performance of the SE500s. After 17 years of use, the earpads started falling apart on my Sony's and I decided to replace them with the DT880s. Jumping from hi-end IEMs to hi-end full-sized cans, I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the Shures considering the price premium paid for them. Just set your expectations accordingly and you'll enjoy the Shures on the road.