(Posted this on another Apple IEM thread, but thought I would repeat it here.)
Well, I just picked up a pair of these Apple dual drivers phones (thanks to Montell, for posting how much he thought of them) for $35 (used, but like new condition) and I am very impressed. They are really fantastic and for the price I paid, a tremendous bargain. I am using the smallest OEM silicone flanges, and if you can get a good seal, all I can say is, Apple did a very nice job with these. In fact, to me they can compete with the better phones I own. Of course, they are not on the same level as the W3s or even the PFEs, but they are not many levels below. Again, if you get a bad seal, they sound very thin (as is the case with all IEMs/canal phones of course). But once you get a good seal, wow.
I also tried the large Comply T130 foamies (the ones that were made for the PFEs) and while they sound pretty good, they are not comfy as the silicones (too jammed into your ear) ... at least not for extended use. The T130s also dull the highs a bit, as expected. I may try the PFE silicone tips with the Apples, but as I said, the OEM flanges work pretty well. I may even try the Sony hybrids, medium or large, with them as well.
Anyway, goes to show that you can get excellent sound from lower-cost portable phones. I like them more than the RE2s (mainly because the latter need an amp for acceptable bass) and also more than the NuForce 7s (mainly from memory). They are almost akin to a canalphone version of the PK2/PK3 sound, as Montell noted, which, as many Head Fi-ers know, is pretty good when it comes to the value/sound ROI.
Having an iPod Touch makes it even better, since they have the mic, and now I can try out the Skype app with my Touch.
They also respond very nicely to amping, though I have only tried them with my Zune and Clip and the iBasso T4. Today, I am going to hook up the LOD to the Touch and Minibox as well.
My view is if you are on a budget and own an iPod Touch or iPhone, these phones are an excellent purchase, sounding better then other, more expensive Touch-friendly phones. Even without the Touch, they deliver excellent SQ. Thanks Montell for getting me to spend even more, though it was only $35.