Will try that cotton wool fix. My experience with these headphones has been ruined by the creaking. Hopefully it works and I can get back to enjoying them again.

As stated in the OP there's some extra energy around 8khz. I sometimes EQ but feel it can take away from the overall sound. Here is the frequency chart. http://en.goldenears.net/10539 I absolutely love the sound of violins with these headphones.

Check the Takstar thread, HD5500 could be an option...I've been tempted a few times. it's cheap that's for sure.

Rockbox

You can expand the memory using the micro sdhc slot. So for example you could get the cheaper 4gb model and get a 32gb card to go with it (which are usually around £15). It's a good little player and I do seriously recommend rockboxing it.

I've seen these for £69 on ebay (UK) and the shop is actually just a 20 min bus ride away so I'll pop down there when I get a chance. I wasn't seriously considering these but they're £50 cheaper than the HD558 and everything I've read seems to be positive. Hopefully they'll blow me away so I can...

Takstar Pro 80 could be a better option for you than the CAL. Check out the Takstar thread there are some comparisons and lots of good information. I know nothing of the Samsung S3 though, you might need a dac/amp solution (from my clip+ they seem fine for metal). Just listened to some Pantera &...

^ Can I ask how they stand up to the DJ100? (If you can remember)

Funny, I've just spent the last hour reading about the HRT microstreamer. The reviewer here was using the same headphones as you in pretty much the same scenario you desire and with a Macbook Pro! relevant thread Good luck.

That's my main criticism with the Pro 80 - percussive sounds can be overly crisp and really fatiguing. Although that song you mentioned sounds fine to my ear. Also, I really hope the sibilance lessens soon. I have around 70hrs on these. I tend to enjoy classic rock and (some) metal with these...

I'm having terrible trouble deciding on an amp. I got a nice sound from SR850 unamped so I believe my dac is fine (and I can't hear any noticeable difference when using E17 with my desktop). Has anyone tried the Magni with Pro80? Or the JDS O2?

Same here. I don't have an amp for my desktop so when using that it sounds too thin. EQ certainly makes them perfectly listenable but it's not ideal. From Sansa/E17 sounds good, perhaps the E17 also adds a bit of warmth. Actually, I still haven't listened to them enough and I won't be able to...

Play

Good with female vocalists? I find VSD1 lacking.

(google translate) I've messaged him about UK delivery...