In my limited use with the cypher cable, I would have to agree that the volume in general was too loud, and that the jumps in volume from one button press to the next were way too much. It would be great if that was something they could update in the firmware, app or whatever. Maybe even make it user adjustable. While we're at it throw in a parametric eq
Regarding the finicky comfort of the over earhooks, making the hook section flexible would probably solve the problem.. good ol coated wire like all the over ear wires do would be just fine.
Also i've used apple ear bud concha hooks before and they worked great. You had to yank hard by the cord to get them to come out. I can barely get your version to hold even when they are in perfectly. the slightest tug and they fall out. It takes so much fiddling to get them in correctly because they never feel secure so it feels like you are doing it wrong. I think this is the issue for many people.
To those worried about getting a correct seal. Maybe i'm in the minority here but i have very average sized ears and I've tried all the bud sizes, and they all fit me in their own way. I've even tried a small on one side and a large on the other. To me it is very easy to tell if i get a seal. If i put them in my ear whatsoever i can feel easily when they make a seal. beyond that they are extremely forgiging. I can push them pull them mush them all around and they stay sealed, and the sound does not change. unless you have really odd ears and cant tell at all what a seal around your ear feels like I think almost everyone is going to be just fine with putting these in correctly. you'd really have to go out of your way to do it wrong.