Brief:
1. PFE232 vs FA-4E-XB
2. KEF M200 vs FA-4E-XB
3. DN1000 vs FA-4E-XB
1. These two IEM's are probably the last two I would let part from me. I love both of them for what they do. Both IEM's do a great job with bass, while the FA's do better with the sub bass, the PFE's do better with clarity. They are both very clear, but when I really want concise instrument separation, timbre, and clarity, I go to the PFE232's. If I really want all around and a submersive sound, I go with the FA's. Winner goes to FA's. Wider soundstage, more sub bass, warmer high end with still a little sparkle.
2. In contrast to above, the KEF M200's do a slightly better job in that sub bass feel. The KEF's sound great, clear, less sparkle, and more of that fun bass feel that the market aims for. They truly take some work to find the right eartips and positioning before they could be considered comfortable for long-term wearing, versus the FA's I tend to forget that they're their. Consequently, the sound isolation is a little better with the FA's. The FA's have a little more "LIVE" sound with timbre and more crisp highs than the KEF's. Soundstage is about equal IMO. FA's have a removable cable as well. KEF is targeted at the fun listening purpose and the consumer, and it does that perfectly except for its fit. But, for a good mixture of analytical listening AND fun/consumer sound, I'd go for the FA's.
3. DN1000's extend higher with the risk of some simblance. DN1000's do an awesome job with the bass, but I tend to go for the FA's bass a little more. There's greater extension with the Mid to Low with the FA's IMO, but the DN1000's do have a great impact when the drum kick happens thats addictive. The DN1000's also do a good job with instrument seperation and being somewhat analytical, but they sounstage and submersive sound on the FA's blow them away. The FA's are more competitive with my HD598 over-ears for wide soundstage than with the DN1000's (but how could it be when the HD598's are over ear and open back?!).
I will soon know the comparison between the new Westone 4 driver's and the FAD Heaven IV's, but right now, the FA-4E-XB's stand on the top of the tall, tangled, and expensive pile of headphones.