I was wondering whether the UERM's possessed what many call a clinical sound, which is the way that accurate phones/iems designed for professional sound recording are often described. If so, then they are well designed for their purpose.
The UEPRM's appear to be another matter since they can be designed to suit the user' tastes. I have been reviewing a thread last night started by Headfi' Jude, where he sat down with Ultimate Ears' personnel to have his sound preferences tested in preparation to having his own custom UEPRM's made. (See http://www.head-fi.org/t/612445/ultimate-ears-personal-reference-monitors-the-custom-custom-in-ear-monitor.) Apparently, UE believes iems can be customized not only for personal fit but also for sonic taste. I haven't reached the point where Jude reported on his custom UEPRM's yet. However, I wonder if this may not be a better way for me to go.
I love accuracy mixed with an enjoyable sound. Jude (and others) wanted the UERM's clinical accuracy with the bass enhanced just a tad for added punch, the mids tweaked just a bit for a more upfront sound, and the treble adjusted for a little more brightness. Nothing too over the top for really exaggerated sound, but just tweaked enough to add enjoyment.
I was really turned off by an earlier (in this thread) report that the Layla's were far removed from reference sound, high detail notwithstanding. I remember the reviewer (who's nametag escapes me at the moment) having to tweak the sound to his liking with an equalizer. That's fine for home usage. However, if you want to use them on the go, unless you can find a truly good
portable equalizer (and there are none that I am aware of) you are back to square one.
I would still have to shell out twice the money as the stock UERM's goes for $999 while the UEPRM's begin at $1999, with more dollars for custom touches. I want the uber accuracy mixed with fun. I am starting to lean towards the Ultimate Ears custom solution for my desires. I am also extremely turned off by reports of poor craftmanship in the freshly finished JHA Layla's. Who wants to spend over $2500 for a poorly finished job? I will have to investigate reports on UE's craftmanship on the UEPRM's. However, I strongly suspect the Layla's are not for me. I still owe it to myself to audition them sometime if only to complete my due diligence
I already own professional monitors designed for studio usage (Sennheiser HD250 Linear II) and for portable location usage (Sennheiser HD25-1). The HD250 has more bass---true visceral bass at that!--- than I have ever heard from any set of cans (although I have heard there are cans with even more!!!). It has extended treble for crystal clear, non-fatiguing highs, and I removed the foam covering the transducers to un-muffle the mids . The HD25-1 has been further enhanced with Headphile's mellow silver cabling throughout the entire phone housing, which punches up the bass, mids, and treble just enough to convert the clinical sound to an accurate but fun phone. I seek to do likewise with custom IEM's for ultra portability.