Just snagged a new pair of Denon D2000s for $276.99 off Amazon    I went with some random reseller (Infinity Books or something) with only a few reviews but since they were all positive I decided to take a chance. Certainly paid off! Thought I'd share, in case any of you weren't happy paying...

I'm in the exact same situation as you: Etymotic ER-4P with the P-to-S converter. I very much enjoy the headphones, but was craving some bass impact. I bought the iBasso D10, and using dummy buffers and the AD8656 opamp, I'm having fantastic results.   The most marked change I'm experiencing...

Thanks for the great review! Personally, I have little interest in the Sony MDR XB700 or the Beyer DT770 Pro 80, but your review of the Denon D2000 was very much appreciated. Those phones are so frequently referred to on this forum only as "bassy, warm" cans, that their other qualities are often...

Also, a funny query for a proud owner of a FiiO E3.

There are certain IEMs that need an amp, a la the Etymotic ER-4S. That said, portable amps aren't just for those on the go — some of us have space constraints for other reasons, read: college students. When desk space is precious and higher-end portable amps are giving you nearly a desktop...

Quote: Originally Posted by vkvedam They sound awful, terrible with tinny treble and harsh bright sound. I've got these for one of my friends of eBay. It says Koss, but a close examination reveals everything. Compared them to KSC-75s side by side. Awful sounding, believe me. Aww...

The RE0 like others have suggested will be fantastic for what you're looking for, sound-wise. If you'd like some additional emphasis on the isolation factor with a very similar sound signature, you could take a look at the Etymotic HF5.

Quote: Originally Posted by sarals I realize that the analog signal from an iPod is hardly optimum, even at line level, but it is listenable. It would be down right enjoyable fed to something with a little current capability capable of driving the Ety's to the neighborhood of their...

Quote: Originally Posted by jelt2359 Actually considering that iRiver + an amp that accepts optical (eg. D10) will get you close to the price of Hifiman, which would be a better choice? Depends on how much you value the portability of a standalone Hifiman versus the versatility...

I know you said $200 or less, but I really feel like the iBasso D10 and ER-4S have fantastic synergy, especially with the AD8656 as the opamp and dummy buffers. If you'd be willing to stretch your budget to $300 (or hunt for used), this setup will bring out the ER-4S's dormant bass response like...

The "over/under" technique to cord storage is the best way to make sure that you aren't putting undue stress on the cable. This method will also keep your cord from getting the "memory" that builds up over time. It seems cumbersome at first, but with a few tries, it will feel natural. Once...

What exactly are your "usability reasons" with regard to IEMs?

Quote: Originally Posted by ksween93 So you're saying that they are somewhat light on bass? While I like my K601's I do find them a tad lacking in the bass department. Well, I'm saying that some find them bass-light. A typical criticism (and one that I find valid) is that the...

Quote: For one, I'd prefer to go without an amp to maximize portability, but I feel like I'm asking for poor SQ going unamped with an iPod. The ER-4P will sound fine unamped, as well the ER-4S, to a different degree. And I agree — for true portability, you'll want something that can...

While the ER-4S isn't actually that bad unamped, that deal isn't really that super (you're only saving about $30 off of what Amazon is offering for them right now). Like others have said, buy the ER-4P instead for a little extra dough, and down the line when you can afford it, buy the P-S...

Two great closed options for this price range would be the Denon D2000 or the Shure SRH840. For the Shures, you'll have to employ Google or wait for another response, as I've never heard them. I can speak for the Denons though. They are "similar" to the HD595s really only in that they are of...

For cans that cost $200 and don't require an amp, the HD595s are fantastic. I think you'll really enjoy them with modern rock (including Dave Matthews), but you'll probably find them a bit lacking for hip-hop/rap — the low end is articulate, but they'll have a lot of trouble hitting the sub-bass...

While the ER-4P will not give you the best soundstage, I would never describe the sound out of mine as "flat and very unenthusiastic." Which eartips are you using? It made a big difference for me.

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a decent entry-level headphone amp for use with my Sennheiser 595 and Etymotic ER-4S. My source will be my laptop, which has both SPDIF and USB out. I've been looking into the iBasso D2, D4, and D10, but it isn't entirely clear to me what the difference between the...

Quote: Originally Posted by AlexKidd Mine is #0610 The pressure has reduced a bit, though they still hurt my ears after a while. The sound quality compensates it . Now my old HD201's sound "weak". I have #0610 as well. As for the soundstage, it seems to have come out a bit...

Quote: Originally Posted by wush I don't listen particularly loud but in the hours following a headphone session I do sometimes get small periods of ringing or slight aching. That's tinnitus. If it completely goes away after a few hours, then you're in good shape. But if it...

Quote: Originally Posted by alfie I don't agree quite on anything, but I will just comment on the above: in my opinion soundstage is simply huge, for such a small headphone. While writing I am listening to Monty Alexander/Caribbean Cyrcle/Hurricane Come And Gone: instruments are drawn in...

I just got the K81DJs three days ago, but thought that it would be better to wait a while and really test them out before jumping to any conclusions. Now note that I am by no means a headphone connoisseur ― I'm more of a speaker guy ― but I've been listening to headphones a lot more as of late...

Slacks, button-down shirt w/o tie. Avoid the polo, even if others are doing it. Being slightly overdressed never hurts.

The difference can be heard even with the POS Apple so kindly supplies with the iPod.