Yeah I know!    Not really pitting them against each other, but evaluating them for their own merits.  

Right now I'm bouncing between the K712, the KEF M500, and the Senn IE800.  Every time I listen to the K712 I appreciate the sound stage and the fact I feel immersed in the music rather than listening to it, if that makes any sense. 

I also had the Momentums for a time and prefer the M500s.  In my experience the Momentum had a smoother, softer signature while, like others have said, the M500 has a bit of an edge, brighter, sound.  I can see where one or the other would appeal to someone depending upon their personal...

The KEF M500 should be on your list. The isolation isn't the best compared to IEMs or over the ear phones but the quality of the sound makes it a very viable option in the price range you're looking at. Nothing is overdone, pretty balanced. Quality bass that has some punch. Mids are very nice as...

This thread will tell you all about tips, depth of insertion, etc with the M200. http://www.head-fi.org/t/675160/kef-m500-m200-appreciation-thread

Just got back from Mexico, a week on the beach, unplugged from the internet, enjoying nature.  I've caught up on this thread and my first thought is we all owe Chicolom a big THANKS for spending the time to answer everyone's questions.  Looking forward to getting my K712s back and doing my own...

First time I tried the bi-flange it sounded worse but then I realized I hadn't pushed them on as far as they would go.  Second time around I heard a slight improvement over the original tips.  My ears aren't as educated as yours but I believe the improvement is because the seal is better for me...

I just got some tips from meelec too.  In the short time I've tried the bi-flange one DannyBal shows above work for me.  Much easier to get a good seal and stays put better than the stock while moving my head around.  You have to stretch them to get them over the tip so I don't anticipate them...

Go for it.  Let's answer all the questions while you have the opportunity to compare side by side.

jmsaxon69 - thanks for your offer...  I'm kidding.  I'll let Chicolom do what he feels comfortable with.  If I didn't trust him I wouldn't have sent him $600 worth of headphones.  I know it is a risk, and I accepted the fact they could get broken, lost in the mail, whatever.  I put up the...

If Chicolom feels he can do that with no damage he's welcome to do as much as he feels comfortable with.  I just don't want a crackles, rattles headphone when I get it back.  Here's what I suggest - everybody needs some skin in the game.  I bought and sent them to a complete stranger.  Chicolom...

I'm starting to feel very fickle. I've moved back to the M200s from the M500 almost full time. I finally got my one ear to seal with the supplied tips but have some others on order from Meelectronics to see if I can improve on it. Might order the UE900 tips if those don't work. Not that it needs...

When I sent the K712 to Chicolom I also threw the KEF M500 in the box. (If USPS cooperates he'll get them tomorrow)  Maybe he'll be nice enough to comment on them as well.  Some would describe them as close to what you are calling your holy grail - clearer and a little less dark than the Annies...

I'll be shipping the K712 to Chicolom tomorrow. They will have about 36 hours of burn in when he gets them. Even though I've owned the K702, Q701, and the Annies I don't feel comfortable comparing as it would be from memory and not very accurate. I had forgotten how comfortable they are...

  +1 on that