Well, I just sold my 7550s today. I listen more to the RE262, W4, FXT90 and GR07 (gives you a good idea of my favorite sound signatures). I still have the EX600 and SM2 up for sell. I'm patient since those are getting no play right now. If I'm not listening to my Quad, I'm listening to (in rotation fashion) one of those four mentioned above (W4 right now). After that, I'm digging the the ThinkSound ms01 and The TF10 (have the new Fiio cable on the way for it), To be honest, the 7550 has a glorious sound and one of my favorite mids, but I never really liked the fit of the Sonys (including the EX600 and the EX1000 - which was a loaner)....

^I also sold my 7550 just because I preferred the K2's mids and now even more after I discovered it scaled very well with the Epiphany O2. But it still has the best bass I heard from an in-ear so far. Also sold my SM2 recently

I find they are comfortable as all get out but they won't be used outside due to wind noise. I lean towards a mid-centric IEM followed closely by neutral myself, so the 7550 definitely float my boat signature wise.

If I didn't have the Etymotic's and wanted a single IEM to fit my needs I don't think these would do it due to form factor issues but I won't be getting rid of the Ety's so these are a very good alternative for indoor use and on calm days might even be good for walks outside.

The Ety HF5 sounded wonderful to me, except nowhere near enough bass for me. Of course I had it way before the Zo came out. It would probably sound wonderful with my Zo. I tend not to go back once I sell something (although I did buy the TF10 again because I felt there was something I was missing when I had my first one. Sure enough, I think my first one was faulty).

^Thinking of getting the K3003?
I'm still waiting for an audition.

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dogears said:

^Thinking of getting the K3003?
I'm still waiting for an audition.

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Won't even consider it until there is a serious discount in price.... But I do admit it seems quite intriguing based on reviews thus far.

Yup. At the least, I would like to hear it then hope for heavy discount if I like them   Sorry, last OT post for now

Ok so what am I missing? I have had these MDR-7550 for a couple days now and aside from the odd song that sounded off during the first 5-6hrs these have simply gotten better with each passing hour. Why have these not been more popular?? Is it the middle child syndrome where those in a budget go EX600 and everyone else decided to go for broke on the EX1000, or is the slightly different name convention, or the lack of the massive fit kit? I haven't heard the other 2 models but this surely deserves the same love
 
I am going only from memory right now but I do think this offers a solid alternative to the GR07 if your not quite happy with their signature. These haves very slight mid-bass presence (hump) as compared to the GR07, a richer midrange, and for those put off by the treble of the GR07. Initially there were points where these felt disjointed but that feeling has been getting less as I use these. They sound absolutely stunning for acoustic instruments, and take classic rock like Led Zeppelin and simply make it sing. Jazz is one genre I like but think is better served by the Gr07. I love how the sound stage of these works for classical though and piano's seem richer than the GR07, I also like violins and cellos a bit more. Drums and drum kits are also more faithfully rendered on the GR07 but the 7550 is not a slouching this area.
 
Comfort wise I am so glad I talked that sales guy into letting me try these. While I will never be able to lie on my side with these I actually find these at least as comfortable as the GR07. From the pictures of these in ear I was convinced these would be floppy and hard to stay in place, in fact I envisioned them to be like the TF10, I couldn't have any further from the truth!!! I read a review of the EX1000 where he reviewer compared rhem to getting into a luxury car as compared to getting into a fondly tuned sports car when using his Jh16 and that is EXACTLY how I feel about the comfort of these and my custom tips. The customs fit me like a glove but they are all about the seal and isolation. These on the ither hand are all about comfort and elegance.
 
Anyoneone who has followed my posts know I may change my mind but right now I am very impressed with this headphone. I may even sell off a full size headphone I picked up (HM5) as I think these may give me almost the same stage of sound as that headphone with none of the challenges associated with a full size headphone.
 
Wow does my iPhone ever suck for "helping" me with typos LOL. Some are kinda funny so am going to leave them there for posterity .

Maybe it's because they're more pro-oriented that they aren't more popular? I do agree with you about the fit of the EX phones. I can act as if I'm trying to shake water out of my ear and neither of the EXs will start to fall out, nor do I lose my seal.
 
I find that wind noise isn't much of an issue most of the time, but if it's moderately windy and you're walking into the wind, you're gonna hear it. If I'm not walking into the wind it isn't an issue.

I actuallytried them on the train tonight and aside from one tunnel they were even ok there, certainly not my Ety's but not nearly as bad as I thought they would be.

Did Sony include any of those foam-stuffed hybrids? Those help.

Unfortunately they only come with 3 regular hybrid tips. So I am trying to find someplace where I can buy the foam filled ones or maybe see if someone is willing o sell or trade me a pair of large ones.

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selenium said:

Did Sony include any of those foam-stuffed hybrids? Those help.

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those are call noise isolation earbuds.

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dweaver said:

Unfortunately they only come with 3 regular hybrid tips. So I am trying to find someplace where I can buy the foam filled ones or maybe see if someone is willing o sell or trade me a pair of large ones.

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They are only sold in japan, when i purchased the EX600 in japan during my holiday, I picked up a spare set. The only place you can get them in your country is through the sony centre as spare parts.

Thanks KMS I will talk to a Somy store to see how much they are, the same goes for the replacement cable. Would love to find an aftermarket iPhone cable or one from Sony if they exist.

I tried making my own foam filled tip and was seriously underwhelmed by the result so I may actually just use the included tips but also wouldn't mind trying the extra large hybrid given a chance.