What is this Xears coupon code I'm hearing about?  Can someone point me over to that? 

Absolutely no way would the PL-30's satisfy you if you want strong bass.  I made that mistake a while back when trying to use them to listen to metal.  The M2's would be much better for you.  You might consider some Xears earphones as well.  I'm loving my TD-II's, and I have some PB120's that...

Looks interesting. Any particular recommendations about which are most interesting, from what you've read?  Particularly from the standpoint of a music listener (rather than, say, a creator/composer)?

My IEM journey started because I'd been living in New York City for a while.  And one day while listening to the horrible racket of a subway train passing by, I thought "Man, it sure would be cool if I could get some headphones that also doubled as earplugs".  So I started with some internet...

My ears have an odd characteristic too...apparently my left ear canal is bigger than my right.  So I end up using a large single flange in the left, and medium single flange in the right.  My right ear canal often works alright with a double flange...but not the left.  I've thought of using a...

Lately I've been wondering what the general effects are of using different kinds of tips on my IEM's.  I've done a little bit of experimentation with single flanges vs. bi-flanges, and the impressions I've garnered so far are:   - bi-flanges: increased treble, decreased bass, slightly lower...

I have the Xears TD-II's and they're terrific for metal, by far the best "metal" headphones I've used.  I almost think they were designed for it.  Build quality isn't as strong as on a lot of IEM's, though, so not sure if they'd work for you (though I use them on the NYC subway every day, no...

For me, definitely my Xears TD-II's.  Of course, they're also the most expensive earphones I've ever owned, but they're easily the best from what I've tried...Creative EP-630's, Soundmagic PL30, Soundmagic PL11, Senn CX281, Xears PB120, and - oh! - the Koss Spark Plugs :) .    The TD-II's...

I used to use the Spark Plugs too (still have them somewhere).  Visang R02/03 would be a massive upgrade to the Spark Plugs (though also a big decrease in bass).  But it sounds like you need both good bass and treble, so I think the Xears TD-II/TD-III would be good, though you'd have to get a...

I'm not sure exactly what kind of music that is on your last.fm profile, but if you like rock/metal, the Xears TD-II's (or TD-III's, I believe they're similar) are very sweet-sounding phones for under 50 euros.  I'm also guessing their overall sound signature is not dissimilar to that of the...

Well, I got a pair of Xears TD-II's, and to my surprise, the soundstage is just as good as the Powerballs'.  It might actually be better.  Especially impressive given the closed design.  So now I have both spacious soundstage and isolation.  Looks like my PB120's will now be my backup 'phones. 

They're back in stock now....but alas, quite a bit more expensive...

Quote:   Yes, I had rather suspected this, once I thought about how my Soundmagic PL30's had the same setup - great soundstage, not that much isolation.  I suppose any earphone that keeps the sound contained deep within your ear - and thus also keeps exterior noise out - is going to...

Update on these:  recently I figured out a way to install an equalizer on my mp3 device (Nokia N800).  With that in hand, I bumped up the treble some and slightly decreased the dominating mid-bass.  Result:  they sound a lot more lively.  In fact, with their nice soundstage, I think they sound...

Wow, looks like someone dug some trashy earphones from 1985 out of their closet, taped some tips on them, then posted them on the web.  Amazing..