Hi,

I'm a passionate metal listener (mostly death/black, but also other genres) - maybe not a true audiophile but definitely quite sensitive and demanding in terms of sound quality.

I want to upgrade my portable gear consisting of an iPod nano 2G and Sennheiser CX 300 IEMs. I need a small, compact but also powerful and versatile DAP with video functionality and great SQ/good battery life. I'm leaning towards the Cowon iAudio D2+ 16 GB or S9 32 GB (I hope it's gonna be available soon), as it seems to be the optimal choice in its class (I was also considering the nano 4G and the ZEN X-Fi).

As for the IEMs, I need something comfortable with great SQ - not too bright, balanced and detailed. Powerful, pronounced bass is essential but I don't want it to sound muddy or exaggerated.

I'm not really on a budget but I'd prefer to avoid top tier IEMs like IE 8 or SE420, simply because it may be overkill for my needs - the risk of not even being able to properly appreciate "pro" sound would make such a purchase a bit silly IMO. I simply need solid, classy IEMs suitable for heavy, extreme music. My short list includes:
- Sennheiser CX 400-II,
- Audio-Technica ATH-CK7 (weak bass and isolation?),
- AKG K324P (sound not much better than CX300 due to the same driver?),
- AKG K370 (no reviews whatsoever),
- JBL Reference 220 (semi-open design with poor seal and crappy pads?),
- Denon AH-C551 (horrible modular cable?),
- Shure E110 (how do they sound?).

What do you think? What would be your recommendations?

Thanks in advance, any advice will be appreciated.

Just bought SENNHEISER IE7 and im complete blown away of the sound.
Im listening to Samael, Dissection, Immortal, Bathory, Autopsy, Unanimated, Dismember etc.etc.etc and also Maiden, Wasp, Priest and so on (Ipod Touch 2g)
With like 8 changable tips its easy to find some that fits perfect. I cant almost feel that i have the iem in my ear and it also keep alot of sound out. Bass is great. Not too much and not to little.

Im not a pro on this but im REALLY satisfied with my purchase =)

Hail!

Thanks for your opinion. IE7 is one of the more expensive models, however. I'm not sure if my ears deserve it

Any other, more affordable options for a metalhead?

Hey Darius I was a mental listener too! Couldn't keep the damn headphones off me, and my friends were starting to become concerned. So, I relate to you. Got involved in a few other hobbies (fitness, photography), and my life balanced out.

I have owned several of the Cowon Players, and find them to be a quality DAP. The vast array equalizer settings allows you to tailor the sound to your liking...no matter what type of music you listen to. In fact, when I received my Cowon play a few years back as a gift, that's when I became a mental listener like you. It wasn't until I almost got hit by a car while wearing my IEMS, that I re-evaluated my priorities

Good luck mate!!!

Thanks.

Any other opinions? So far, no one has really brought me any closer to a decision

Requirements are above - decent midrange/lower high-end IEMs with strong but not overwhelming bass, good separation and balance across all frequencies. Good isolation, no stupid modular cords with heavy extension connectors.

The Monster Turbines paired with Sony hybrid tips sound great with metal. I was listening to Mastodon's Crack The Syke and was really impressed.

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Unfortunately unavailable where I live

Is the Future Sonics Atrio M5 available where you live? It is also a good option.

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Nah, not really. Some people do have them, ebay/allegro is the source. In general, I've never seen brands like Head-Direct, Future Sonics, Etymotic, Ultimate Ears or Westone at any retailer/e-tailer here.

I must say that while many kinds of DAPs are widely available (also the more exotic/audiophile choices), the Polish market of high quality IEMs simply sucks for some reason.

I have a mk1 D2, with D2+ firmware and use Shure SE110's with it. What can I say, the clarity is quite good, soundstage is fairly big, lack off bass in the 110's can be solved by BBE+ tweaking, I use mach3bass +8, BBE +8, stereo enhance +2, 3d +2, mp enhance on, and a flat equalizer, this does sound very good for the price of the phones.
There are better alternatives though, and cheaper too.

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Such as?

Sticking with Shure, the SE102's are a better choice for more bass, and they are cheaper as well.

How about the Denon AH-C751?? They will sound better after some burn in.

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They were on my list, and also the lower model, the 551 which is supposed to have more bass but less treble/a bit worse mids. However, here the deal breaker seems to be the modular cable. Too short without extension, and with that ******* bulky plug when extended. Shures are made that way as well, AFAIK. Why? Couldn't they just have made a 1-1.2m normal cord?

I've read several user reviews of the 551s, and while most people appreciated SQ, some of them said they were forced to move on because of the horrible cable design.

The cord on the Denon AH-C751 is only about 20" long but is supplied with a 35" extension cord.