I don't know anything about soundstage and fancy audiophile terms but I've listened to plenty of audio from stock iPod buds, moderate over-ear and on-ear head phones good home stereos, clubs, professional concerts, orchestras.. I bought these after my Shure's had been broken for years and was out of IEMs. I was doing some research after the Klipsches I bought quit working right and originally decided I was curious about the balanced armature technology thinking it must be superior. I got the Westone 4s and 2 days later I bought these because of reviews I skipped saying that BAs were thin on bass and the only way to go was a good dynamic. So I broke down and got these. Since, I have had the opportunity to compare a lot of the buzzing IEMs as I have also received my VSonic GR07s.
Basically what I'm looking for in an IEM is the ability to be driven hard without distorting or clipping. Response curves I can adjust with EQ. Sorry, purists. Anyway, the IE 80 is it. They are extremely rich and defined. If you don't like the sound you can physically tune the bass response. I have them maxed. As a casual music listener I love bass but just as long as it doesn't muddy the rest of the sound. These IEMs are extremely defined and have a lot of spatial dimension. They are very comfortable. I have a custom silver galaxy cable arriving in a week or so.
I prefer the style of the VSonic GR07 more with the swiveling port that goes deep into the canal. The Sennheisers offer a good seal for me with the foam tips. The silicone ones aren't bad but I can lose a bit of seal if my jaw is moving like chewing gum or something even with the properly sized tips. I believe they come with something for everyone. Also if you google ACS custom tips you can turn these almost into custom IEMs. I intend to eventually but can't for until a few months.
The only other things I would change about these Senns is the cable end plugs I would curve inward toward the head as when I shove these into my ear it causes the cable to angle ever so slightly, however still awkwardly outward. Also the cable is a bit flimsy. I was sort of expecting a stiffer springy rubber cord or ome that is very thick but it's very relaxed plastic sheathing which some people prefer. It is completely adequate and only that. The plugs and Y joint are extremely rugged and refined though.
Recap:
Simply amazing. I can't imagine another IEM better. I'm still waiting for my GR07s to "burn in" but out of the box they are a bit subdued albeit still nicely tight and defined. The Westones and other balanced armatures do not burn in over time.
EDIT: I forgot to mention pretty much right away I noticed when I made a good seal with the IE 80s in the right ear if I pushed it in too fast I would get a popping. My initial guess, and still after reading, is the driver cone/film flexing. I'm thinking of sending it in to Sennheiser to see but as far as I can tell it has not affected the sound at all. If I try, I can make the left side do it now as well.
If you are reading this as a casual music listener with a good budget I would totally recommend the IE 80s. Bit less of a budget, be happy with the GR07s if you can get them knowing they should get better after a few months. From what I can tell the Senn IE 60s are definitely worth an honorable mention to checking out. To know if these are worth $450, listen to a high quality rip of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead, or Pagan Poetry by Bjork. Nothing else can express these songs the way the IE 80s did for me other than my home stereo 3 way floor speakers. I have also heard that the Monster Turbine Pros were good in-ears but lots of complaints about them falling apart which is pathetic considering they're expensive. The Klipsches were honestly adequate for me for the price ($70) but their QA/QC is also bad as one side cutting out is apparently common. Also, I had some comfort issues.
Though you pay for what you get, $450 is expensive so I have to give this 3 star on value.
4 on design just because of personal preference improvements I would make. Some may give 5 star in this category. Even they don't go as deep as I would prefer they still give good isolation. Audio quality is unmatched. They can make a very flat response or given a real fun earlobe wobbling noise. These things can turn your head into a sound chamber.
Basically what I'm looking for in an IEM is the ability to be driven hard without distorting or clipping. Response curves I can adjust with EQ. Sorry, purists. Anyway, the IE 80 is it. They are extremely rich and defined. If you don't like the sound you can physically tune the bass response. I have them maxed. As a casual music listener I love bass but just as long as it doesn't muddy the rest of the sound. These IEMs are extremely defined and have a lot of spatial dimension. They are very comfortable. I have a custom silver galaxy cable arriving in a week or so.
I prefer the style of the VSonic GR07 more with the swiveling port that goes deep into the canal. The Sennheisers offer a good seal for me with the foam tips. The silicone ones aren't bad but I can lose a bit of seal if my jaw is moving like chewing gum or something even with the properly sized tips. I believe they come with something for everyone. Also if you google ACS custom tips you can turn these almost into custom IEMs. I intend to eventually but can't for until a few months.
The only other things I would change about these Senns is the cable end plugs I would curve inward toward the head as when I shove these into my ear it causes the cable to angle ever so slightly, however still awkwardly outward. Also the cable is a bit flimsy. I was sort of expecting a stiffer springy rubber cord or ome that is very thick but it's very relaxed plastic sheathing which some people prefer. It is completely adequate and only that. The plugs and Y joint are extremely rugged and refined though.
Recap:
Simply amazing. I can't imagine another IEM better. I'm still waiting for my GR07s to "burn in" but out of the box they are a bit subdued albeit still nicely tight and defined. The Westones and other balanced armatures do not burn in over time.
EDIT: I forgot to mention pretty much right away I noticed when I made a good seal with the IE 80s in the right ear if I pushed it in too fast I would get a popping. My initial guess, and still after reading, is the driver cone/film flexing. I'm thinking of sending it in to Sennheiser to see but as far as I can tell it has not affected the sound at all. If I try, I can make the left side do it now as well.
If you are reading this as a casual music listener with a good budget I would totally recommend the IE 80s. Bit less of a budget, be happy with the GR07s if you can get them knowing they should get better after a few months. From what I can tell the Senn IE 60s are definitely worth an honorable mention to checking out. To know if these are worth $450, listen to a high quality rip of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead, or Pagan Poetry by Bjork. Nothing else can express these songs the way the IE 80s did for me other than my home stereo 3 way floor speakers. I have also heard that the Monster Turbine Pros were good in-ears but lots of complaints about them falling apart which is pathetic considering they're expensive. The Klipsches were honestly adequate for me for the price ($70) but their QA/QC is also bad as one side cutting out is apparently common. Also, I had some comfort issues.
Though you pay for what you get, $450 is expensive so I have to give this 3 star on value.
4 on design just because of personal preference improvements I would make. Some may give 5 star in this category. Even they don't go as deep as I would prefer they still give good isolation. Audio quality is unmatched. They can make a very flat response or given a real fun earlobe wobbling noise. These things can turn your head into a sound chamber.
