Thank you. I’ve learned a whole lot about headphones and amps, but I’m completely lost on source gear when it comes to a total switch. I turned my teenage iPod 5G into a respectable iMod but I fee like it might not have too much left after the 7th battery and 2nd HDD...

For years I've used an iMod with a Pico Slim and love the sound. If I were to upgrade to a top-tier Astell and Kern or Sony, would I still need the amp? Would it even be possible/advisable to use it with one of these new players? Very confused on this when it comes to going from iPod to an...

Shane, seems like we are in very similar boats. I got a Pico Power for the 6XX, one of the only portable amps that has enough current to do it justice. Turns out it's just not as good for the rock and metal I listen to the most. As far as Grados go, to me there was an audible difference between...

After a while listening to both, I've decided that I prefer the Grados to the 6XX - more lively sound and more comfortable. I'll be selling the 6XX to get a closed set to complement the Grados, but I'm glad I got to hear such a well-regarded headphone.

After a few weeks, I'm finding myself gravitating towards the 225e more and more. The sound is more exciting, and I find them more comfortable than that 6XX, which are pretty clampy even after bending the metal parts. Plus its much easier to listen to the Grados lying down. Plus I can use my...

Same here. I have the SR225, which I actually liked better than the 325. I haven't spent enough time with the 6XX to decide yet.

I just got my HD6XX (HD650), and I must strongly disagree with the poster who compared their sound to the Momentums. Even after a short listen it's clear that these two are in different universes. The 650s surround you with engaging and natural sound, while the Momentums sound like a bad digital...

The main issue for me is that they sound very "digital." The best way I can describe it is like a stock car audio system that hasn't been EQ'ed or anything.

The 598se seems awesome, although I'm hearing it described as "bright". I'm not into harsh treble and sibilance. But you seem to be saying that if I can afford it, listening to the HD600/650 out of the Pico Slim until I can save up for a more powerful amp would still be a better experience...

First let me say that I have used the search function extensively and haven't found an answer to my dilemma. The only amp that I have is a Pico Slim, as I never thought I would want any high impedance full size cans. Well, that has changed. I currently have the money for HD600, but not a...

I don't know why, but I find myself wanting to listen to these $99 cans over my SR225 and Momentum 2.0... I should think these are tinny and lifeless, but I don't. Do I just have an untrained ear, or are these things massively underrated?

I got them a couple of weeks ago and I'm on the fence. Part of me almost prefers my HD 280 pros to them which should be absurd.

I actually contacted Sensaphonics, who made my customs, and they said that the length of the earpiece is made to exacting standards provided by Etymotic. Can you confirm this? Because I can tell that the customs make the earphones stick out quite a bit more than any universal tip.

So I know there was a debate about this earlier in the thread, but it was never really resolved. Do the customs create a tonal imbalance because the drivers are further from the ear drums? I've been doing a lot of testing but I can't quite tell.

Rggz, how did you get the orange dampers to fit the new housings? I have some orangies from mouser that fit my ER-4P perfectly but don't seem to want to go into the XR.

If you're having fit problems, find a good audiologist and make an open mouth impression. Send them off to sensaphonics and get custom sleeves. Mine just came in and they're perfect.

Right now my favorite way to wear the XRs is with medium complys; go ahead and push them all thee way end, but then pull them out a smidge once they expand. I've found that makes the sound silky smooth. Can't wait for my customs to come in though

Custom process got delayed because of.... ear wax. So it's gonna be a few weeks, but I'll still attempt a detailed review of the Sensaphonics XRs if no one else has by then.

The XR might be the best sounding universal IEM ever made. It just seems so tip/seal dependent that getting them to sound like they're capable of can be a battle. The triflanges sound the best but can be a little brutal on the ears.

I'll be sure and post my impressions (no pun intended) of the Sensaphonics once I get them. I'm going to the audiologist on Wednesday. Every review I've seen has been positive. These are my main earphones and I use them daily, so if these tips can have the sound quality of the triflanges with...

I'm considering getting custom tips made for the XR's. Trying to decide between sensaphonics and ACS. You can pick your own audiologist and send off the molds to both.

My ears have adjusted to the XR's (or they've burned in, but im a skeptic). I now consider them to be an incremental improvement in sound quality over the already stellar 4Ps. They're my new favorite IEM's, but I almost wish they had just put the new drivers in the old body. The clip comes off...

D'oh, I just realized I said P series; I';m actually using the Ts (comfort) complys. They do fit pretty deep and give a great seal, just seem to affect the sound.

So I got the XR's and have been doing a lot of A/B testing with my old standby 4P's. The difference is VERY subtle to me, but I can definitely hear a more pronounced bottom end. The sound takes some getting used to from the 4P - the XR's seem more "energetic" to me.   One thing I'm picking up...

I didn't trade in my only pair of ER-4's - I still have a lovely pair of ER-PTs that are my current primary. Told you I'm an Ety lover