Well those two choices are pretty much what I'm looking at in the high end (SM3s or UM3Xs); however a lot of people have been recommending to start out with lower range IEMs to adjust my ears to the quality of sound (in the $200 range), and get custom tips and shop around until I find a brand I...

I took the Ultimate Ear UE4 and JH5 but decided (as you said) with impressions and everything that they would just be way over-budget.   When you say, the Etymotics are lacking bass, is that in electronic music, or like drum intensive music (say prog rock/metal, gospel, etc.)?   As far...