Definitely not for me. But it's a cool idea.

It seem just match what I expected, can't wait to have isine

Thank you very much for the review!
 
Readers, something to take note of here: The lack of the Cypher DAC/AMP in this review is significant. People who listen to this IEM with the Cyper cable at its default "house" settings may have a completely different listening experience.

Those plastic shells - what were they thinking?? I hope their returns department are getting plenty of sleep right now.

As you have mentioned in your summary  - the biggest issue I've got - what is the use case of this product? When a person should buy it?
 
For commuting? No.
For home listening? No.
For open office listening? No.
 
Why would one buy that? I can appreciate how great these sounds, but I don't understand their use case...

Good read.  It answers all of my questions about the Isine thoroughly and clearly.  I do not understand the use case or why they would make an open back iem like this?  I am sure I would love the sound, but the isolation and sound leakage are kill it for me.  If it was closed and isolated it would be a no brainer.  This product for me right now is a head scratcher.  I want to buy one, but know the isolation will cause me more frustration and they would just sit in a drawer after I try them.  Too bad.  This had potential to be epic.

I will likely be picking up a pair.
I use my Ether C at work, however I want a pair of headphones for around the house.  With a young child in the house and a wife that works late, it would be great to have a pair of high quality sounding, "portable" headphones I can wear, but still be somewhat aware of noises around the house.
 
Perfect for my unique usage case where large headphones are simply cumbersome and most IEMs block out the world.
 
I am currently using my old Koss PortaPro to fill this role.

Interesting product, the sets just arrived in Singapore and I happen to see this review... as with all new techs from Audeze, reliability might be an issue and plastic... magnesium carbon would have been a better choice... but then I am not an expert...

Thanks for your review!  I was intrigued by this sentence:
 
"You can pay $549 and get the iSINE with standard 1/8” cable or pay another $50 to get both the lightning cable and the standard cable."
 
I hope this is true, but so far I haven't seen the iSINE 20 offered with anything but both cables for $599 (checked Headphone.com, Moon Audio, and even Audeze's Private Lounge).  Being fully in the Android camp, I have no need for any purposely proprietary iPhone connectors.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1285459&gclid=CjwKEAiA17LDBRDElqOGq8vR7m8SJAA1AC0_nV5tO_fx_ade1WtHUcjPtp2rQg8stXLRnZ9kcOnx6RoCK6fw_wcB&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C52934714882%2C&is=REG&A=details

On the B&H website you have the option for standard cable or both cables.

My pair arrives next week with cipher cable. In experience the cipher cable makes Audeze products sound better over 3.5mm. I compared the Sine with cipher to xlr and was blown away. Cipher cable sounded better even when EQ was set the same on both systems. I am probably going to sell my DAP and other iems. Now that Shure is making a lightning cable for its iems, there is no need.

BAs still move air, they work like billows starting a fire. But regardless, great write up. You had me at the picture of a tie-fighter and the iSines. Love your blend of top notch info and humor.