For me the strength of the LCD-2 is it's timbre, deep yet clean bass coupled with its ability to retrieve details without having hot treble (which seems to be the case for most detail rich 'phones). The soundstage of my Rev 2s is also like nothing else I have heard (every instrument has its own stage and it doesn't sound like its on your head), but I am not entirely sure if this is a good thing yet. I am more or a bass/mid-range kinda guy with the most important element of the music I listen to being the bass and rhythm section. I would like to think it would be wrong to say I like a thick sound, but in comparison to a thin airy sound that is what I would go for... richness?
My LCD-2s were never bought to be used in the portable realm (I think in most cases it would be stupid to use them that way!). They live at home next to my comfy chair. What I am after is some customs to either replace them or compliment them for on the go listening. I am a student so most of my time is spent away from home so cutsoms should prove to be useful.
The SA-43 sounds appealing if they have in fact fixed the bubbles in the silicon (fixed = improved in my books). The looks of a custom are always going draw attention and I want to be comfortable walking around with them in my ears, not conscious of their looks
So yeah, for me the looks are a catching point. Sending things half way around the world is also a problem, as is the skin coloured switches. I think I would have to wait until they had clear ones (or maybe even back) before I went there. The SE-5, whilst interesting is too much of a stretch on my budget. Oh and do you know how long the warranty is on the SA-43s?
Lastly do you expect any of your incoming customs to be a contender for this thread? The other IEM that is somewhat on my cards it the Miracle (and maybe the LS8) because of the warranty, build quality, ease of postage and the current 20% off offer... but I am not convinced it is what I want.
Sorry for personalizing the questions for you to answer AJ, and for the readers of this thread