[HotFieryTech]

Hi Guys.
 
I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm looking for portable IEM's. I have $350 in cash + $100 in a gift card on Amazon. Right now I have the Sennheiser IE80s, but I'm going to return them. Yes, I did let them burn in for some time. I actually do like the sound a lot through my desktop setup; however, through my HTC One, they sound pretty poor. I am looking to get an iPhone 5s soon; don't know if this will improve the sound or not. The main reason I want to return the IE80s is that they are too big. After about 20 minutes, my ears start to get sore. Also, I feel like I should get a little more for this price. What IEM's do you think I should pick up? Do you think I should get universals only? Universals and an amp? Customs and an amp (remember, I can only spend $350 outside of Amazon)? I listen to all kinds of music; here are some examples of albums I love:
 
Inception Soundtrack - Hans Zimmer
Until Now - Swedish House Mafia
Any John Mayer Album
Any Coldplay Album
Any U2 Album
Take Care - Drake
Machinarium Soundtrack - Tomas Dvorak
For Lack of a Better Name - deadmau5
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Late Registration - Kanye West
Some Day My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis
21 - Adele
The Nightfly - Donald Fagen
Giant Steps - Coltrane
Musiquarium - Stevie
 
As you can see, I like a wide variety of music (at least, I like to think so). What kind of IEMs/setup do you recommend? Obviously, good bass is pretty important to me, although I would not consider myself a basshead. No bloated boomy crap for me. I'm also obsessed with clarity in the mids and highs. I don't know if this helps at all, but I have Unity Audio The Rock studio monitors (http://unityaudioproducts.co.uk/the-rock.php) in my studio and if they could be put into IEM form, I would be in heaven. 
 
So, what would you recommend?
 
Thanks so much
HFT
 
P.S. One thing to note: I have abnormally small ear canals. Even the small foam eartips for the IE80s wouldn't stay in my ears; only the small silicon single flanges. I have normal sized ears though, just the canals are small.

 

[HotFieryTech]

Forgot to mention that I want good to very good isolation.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Have you tried different tips with the Senn's to get a better / more comfortable fit?? maybe hold off sending back / selling until you have tried to get a better fit….those are good IEM's you already have! 
 
What will be your predominate source?? the new iPhone??
 
Westone 4R is $349.00 right now at http://www.earphonesolutions.com/westone-headphones.html

 

[Tommy C]

The IE80 might be great with the iPhone 5s. I have the iPhone 5 and the SQ is superb with most of my IEMs and headphones.
I noticed with my other phones that Android phones just don't do well in terms of audio.

 

[JoeDoe]

+1 for the 4r and I'll add the TDK BA200, at ~$140 this is largely under your budget, but I can't think of another IEM i've heard that oozes warmth yet maintains plenty of detail retrieval and clarity. Plus you could use the extra money allotted for a good portable amp or DAP like the DX50 (which pairs wonderfully with the BA200s!)

 

[TekeRugburn]

The IE80 might be great with the iPhone 5s. I have the iPhone 5 and the SQ is superb with most of my IEMs and headphones.
I noticed with my other phones that Android phones just don't do well in terms of audio.

Any more apple bias left?

 

[lin0003]

You can probably get a used W4R and DX50 for $450 and you will have a winner setup. iPhones really aren't that great in the SQ department and are not much better than android if better at all. 

 

[Tommy C]

Any more apple bias left?

For your info I am not an apple fan. I have multiple phones at work that I test with multiple apps and came to realize that after A/Bing a few of them. Most Android phones sound dull. Other head-fiers mentioned it way before I did. 

 

[Matter]

I'd definitely recommend the Earsonics SM3v2.

 

[Zalithian]

Honestly just pick up a Sansa Clip+, BA200, and an SD card. Save yourself some money.

 

[TekeRugburn]

Apple is still garbage.

Get the Carbo Basso. You'll be satisfied. Maybe the BA200, costs more.

DAP get the clip+ or c3.

Well under budget.

 

[JoeDoe]

Forgot to mention this earlier, but the Fiio X3 is another great option for a slightly warm sounding DAP. Its highly capable, memory expandable, and comes with Fiio's excellent customer service. The BA200 + X3 + 32gb Micro SD would run you well under $400. 

 

[Tommy C]

Apple is still garbage.

Get the Carbo Basso. You'll be satisfied. Maybe the BA200, costs more.

DAP get the clip+ or c3.

Well under budget.

I really wonder based on what you say Apple is still garbage.  Most members here who actually listened to iPhone 5/C  or iPhone 5S with IOS7 were pretty impressed, me included although I was always an Android user.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Please don't turn this into an Apple Vs Android Vs FiiO Vs Sansa V's woteva debate....it gets very old, very quick

 
OP is asking for new IEM's not a new DAP device.

 

[TekeRugburn]

Please don't turn this into an Apple Vs Android Vs FiiO Vs Sansa V's woteva debate....it gets very old, very quick:rolleyes:

OP is asking for new IEM's not a new DAP device.

Actually he asks for a portable setup which includes daps but nice try.