The most expensive pair of IEM I have is the Sony XBA4iP ($210). It has a warm and smooth sound but a little metallic on the top end on some songs. The advantage of the Sony over the BE7: isolation, mic+buttons, build quality and looks. I have the VSonic GR07BE ($130) that is balanced with a slight tendency for sibilance. The advantage of the VSonic over BE7: Isolation and build quality. My next expensive is the Phonak Audeo PFE 132 ($100) that was discounted when they discontinued. With the gray filter it sounds mid-centric, making the vocals stand out over bass and treble. The black filter gives it a U-shaped sound making the bass and treble lively with vocals a little recessed. The PFE 132 is probably the only IEM in my collection that beats the BE7 because it has been tuned very well and has the mic+buttons. The only critique is the cord retains all the twists from storage.
The BE7 compares very well with the Sony, VSonic and Phonak. The sound is refined and well tuned. The only time I will choose the 3 over the BE7 is when I want isolation and/or a mic+button control. But I tend to grab the PFE 132 more.
The BE3 is U-shaped sounding and fun. Competes very well against my VSonic VSD1/S and VSD3. I also have the Astrotec AX35 hybrid that only sounds good with Sony hybrid tips.
Please note I have the Yurbuds enhancers on the BE7 and BE3 to keep them on my ear and to retain most of the bass that tends to diffuse out.