They're somewhat akward at first but you'll get used to them in a few days. If you feel any pain or achyness after a short period of time send them in for adjustment.   I suspect "don't even know they're there" is a subjective experience, I'm fully aware of their presence at every moment...

Still didn't really answer my question though. I'm ready to drop about $300 on an amp and am skeptical that an amp offers significant enough improvement in SQ to justify the cost based on the fact I found un-amped sounded better thru the headphone jack.   Is the source significantly better...

I've maxed out my budget already for a rig, so $25 is my max for an LOD cable. There's several on ebay for that or less but it's just a matter flipping a coin on which one to pick, any ideas on how I should go about choosing one?

  My problem is I already dropped $400 on the JH5 Pro's and I don't want to drop another $250+ on a portable amp unless I know using an LOD cable is a SUBSTANTIAL sound quality improvement over a mini to mini cable.   I did a blind study with my wife to see if a portable amp (ibasso D2)...

  Update: I got three quotes, $100, $60 and $50.  If an audiologist is asking $100+, get quotes elsewhere.   Impressions are not really a do-it-yourself thing. The audiologist had to clean debris from my ear to get the proper impression. Custom earphones require rather deep in-cannel...

  I've been calling local audiologists asking for quotes but some of these audiogists (or maybe their secretaries) are stumped at what i'm asking for. Here's how I've been posing the question:   "Hi, I'm looking for a quote to be fitted with custom earphones"   ...I then get a long...

I originally was is the $200 price range for IEM's but decided customs sounded like the right thing for me so I'm going with the JH 5 Pro's. This puts me up at $400.   Is the do-it-yourself impression a no brainer or is it well worth the $100 or so to have an Audiologist do it?

OK, I'm sold on the customs. Next question:   SE530 Pro, TF10 Pro or JH 5 Pro?

  As an audio enthusiast I require my master library that I will have for decades to be lossless format. May the makers of Itunes burn in hell.   Any NON-APPLE stores that sell lossless files at this point?

Thank you everyone who responded. Anyone else have comments?

Quote: So I'm under the impression that "customs can't be sold" is outdated information.

When comparing high-end universal IEM's to custom IEM's, do you find the comfort and fit of the universal to be:   1) significantly less comfortable than custom made 2) almost on par with 3) roughly on par 4) Universal's are actually more comfortable than custom made   (assume the...

Wrong forum Sorry

Your on the right track. I listen to the same music and place a high value on comfort. My all time favorites are HD600's (i prefer them over my hd650's) and DT880's both for comfort and sound. Both are great with tube amp. Portable amps won't get the job done (properly) with either of these 2...

Not blue. Black!!

Quote: Originally Posted by analogbox I'm perfectly happy with what I got right now, especially the HD600. I does everything right with the kind of music I listen to. But that is just my sentiment towards HD600. I don't believe it's the technically perfect headphone and that's where the...

Some of the best un-amped phones I've listened to (for portable use). Exceptional for that price range.

Anyone else want to chime in?

SA5000's

Hi Justin, Put me on the list for a Pico: - with DAC - black w/black knob - 3ft usb cable This is a pre-order for a second unit. I'm already on the list for another. Thank you in advance

Do the W2000's fit as badly as the W5000's? I'm afraid to buy them after experiencing the w5000's.

Quote: Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT Just a little update, since my last test I updated DA100 IC to Grover SC and that widened gap between two even more. Stello has noticeably increased resolution, while preserving delicate, analogishly smooth signature. Pico in comparison sounds...

Sound quality is the most critical parameter but the portablity of the Pico would allow me to bring it back and forth from work (not to mention it's $200 less). Are they pretty close? Is one better than the other? (I'll only be listening to music via USB, no need for coaxial or optical inputs)

I'm very confused. The Grado's I've owned (SR80, SR125) have been ridiculously un-comfortable, there's nothing that even comes close on the un-comfort scale. I tryed different pads, numerous adjustments: nothing. They've long been sold and i've simply ignored all comments/threads about Grado's...

Quote: Originally Posted by Spunky8 Someone recently mentioned to me that the Denon AH-D1001 K phones are serious contenders as well. They are supposedly quite comfortable, unlike the Senn HD25-1 II's. Does anyone use the Denon AH-D10001 phones and, if so, how do you like them. Thanks...