I have had a few really high end headphones and IEMS that have been returned for being not adequate for the money, but i dont even feel like the sound quality jump from these to BA200's or Gratitudes is large. The bass dosent hit the same way but in some way i feel the music is being more...

These have become my favorite headphones. They cant really isolate but that doesnt stop me from using them in public, and the mids are just so open and airy. They actually remind me of an open can headphone like an HD600 with more midbass but no sub. Obiously not as good but when you adjust to...

What makes them even cooler is that you kind of get 2 iems depending on your seal. If you shove them way deep they sound like balanced armatures and a correct seal makes them full of amazing everything but less analytical.

Gratitudes

The only thing im gonna say is: these kill ba200's which many prefer over the gr07, what the VSD1 is modeled after (sound wise).

For the cost of the return shipping they are worth a try. The issues with them are driver flex and getting that pressure just right. Too much suction makes them sound like ER-4's and too little dosent sound great either. Im not even sure if they're vented?? They isolate like no ones business...

Got my gratitudes yesterday and i have to say they are blowing my frekin mind. By far the best sounding iems i've heard. Far outclasses my ba200's in just about everything, especially musicality and in emotion of vocals. The warmth is just right, the bass is sooo textured and the highs are great...

Sorry to revive this thread, but if you think these sound good, you need to try the thinksound rains.

HD600's for pure audio kind of wipe the floor with the K550. 300 bucks.   Subjective opinion of course.

nah, ill wait lol.

We really need that 200 dollar refurb HD600 deal back...

Some people prefer the 598 to the 600 which is often compared to the HE-400. People like the 600 for its effortless natural and neutral sound that just "works".   Dont take my word, but the senn HD 558, to me, sounded exceptional, and it seems to have slightly more bass compared to the 598...

HD558 is a fantastic headphone.   Its my boy.   But i don't own her yet./ HD600 might be on the horizon

delete pls

I guess the best answer is: dont get an IEM if you want soundstage.