Quote:   They cater to the mainstream. Can't really argue with the business model :/

Slick production with a tight groove. Thanks for the share!

Quote:   I think that this may be unrelated. I have received no spam as a result of taking this test.

Perhaps get the refund, save a bit, and invest in a pair of higher-end offerings? You can't really expect much from this price range.

I use a Lyr and it does the same thing. I don't think the power level of that sound wil be enough to damage any headphone driver, but just to play it safe I usually end up waiting for the audible click from the amp before plugging my headphones in, and will unplug them before turning the power off.

I say just take a leap of faith and go for an entry-level pair of proper custom earphones. I don't believe you will be disappointed with any of the major companies, though I'm partial to JH Audio. 

Cheap buds will kick pretty reliably within a relatively short period of time with regular use. Of course there are exceptions, but those are not the rule. They are the exceptions. If you move up in the price range a bit and get a nicer set (perhaps with replaceable cables), then you will...

I have JH16s, and while they are capable of going head-to-head with my beyer T1 in terms of clarity and perhaps raw sound quality, they cannot really match the soundstage that you get from full-size cans IMO. That being said, I find that custom IEMs do perform better in terms of imaging and...

I think the best bang for the buck-purely with regard to sound quality-would come from a relatively low impedance set of efficient around-ear cans. The ~$100 tier for IEMs never really impressed me.

I'll second the monoprice 8320 for this price. Just get some other tips for them and you're golden.

  I haven't used a proper universal IEM in a while, so I was excited to get the W4.    I just received my pair today (actually the W4R), and after messing around with all of the tips, (I eventually settled on the medium black silicone and the large complys), I have to say that the sound of...

Quote: I know that tips from my TF10s fit on the 8320, so if they're the same size then they will work.

Just got my pair, couldn't resist at $7.11 =P. I might post some tongue-in-cheek comparisons to the JH16s in a while.

Etymotics (when inserted fully and properly) provide isolation that is unparalleled by ANY set of IEMs. In my experience a pair of the Etymotic gray triple-flange tips, inserted deeply, isolates better than my JH16s.

Quote:   TWag v2 OM   Call it placebo, call it psychosomatic purchase justification, call it whatever. I hear a difference, and that's enough for me.  

Well first of all, do you have a budget in mind?   There are many good options that people here can help you choose from if you're looking for accurate, transparent reproduction.

I used to be an owner of the ER6is. There's a hint less bass with the hf5 compared to the ER6i, since the ER6i has a minor low-end bump. The hf5s are more resolving and clearer, with an overall tighter sound.   The build of the hf5s is sturdier and the cable is a touch better. Also, with the...

Quote:   If the OP has already committed to stepping into the world of actual customs, then that's probably the way to go. The sound quality and cohesiveness will not be there with simply a remold.

Quote: That statement is of no help at all.   It seems to me like you've got some money to burn, but you don't know what you want from head-fi. So, as Mark asked, what types of cans or IEMs you listened to before?

I don't have sleeves, but I believe customs should be a similar experience.    Regardless of how far I open my mouth, my seal does not break. In my opinion, your best bet is to have impressions taken open-mouth.

leveller obviously feels very strongly about this haha.   Yes, Etymotics are time-tested and accepted. But if you don't like them, then move on to something else. Not everybody likes the Etymotic sound.

There's some contention over this point but the general consensus seems to be that even an entry-level custom (like the JH5) will deliver better performance than any top-tier universal IEM. That should give you some perspective, but obviously the final choice is yours.   As for the...

For the cost of impressions, you should call some audiologists around you and ask for a quote. In the US it can be somewhere in the range of $50-100.   You can get the remolds molded to accept either the TF10 cable, or JH Audio/Ultimate Ears/Westone cables. Any that are compatible with these...

The problem is that the earpieces are big and shaped rather oddly, and the nozzles are fairly wide. If your ear canal geometry isn't right for them, then they can be quite painful to wear.    I highly recommend that you wear them over the ear. Get used to this type of wear because virtually...

The TF10s and the TF10 Pros are the same product, only rebranded. I'm not sure about this, but I believe that the models being sold as "Pro"s are older, and therefore are packaged with stiffer cables.   Also, the cable supplier is selling silver-plated copper for MORE than silver wire...