Help me understand what I want

[RecklessFable]

I'm still learning the lingo, but am getting closer to understanding what I like and don't like about the gear I already have.  In understanding  this, I hope to be able to purchase my next IEMs intelligently.
 
My musical tastes tend to be a little eclectic and my playlist is "random all".  My typical bands:
Bond (Neo Classical)
AC/DC
Queensryche
Billy Joel
Enya
AFI
Rockapella
My wife (she's an Alto 1 and sometimes higher)
Trace Adkins (yeah, country, deal)
Nine Inch Nails
Chickenfoot
 
I can't hear the difference between MP3 192 and FLAC
 
For years I've owned Shure e2c (single dynamic) IEMs I picked up from Best Buy.  Since previous to that all I ever owned were <$30 earphones and buds, it was an incredible revelation in my listening experience.  Just the jump in clarity brought tears to my eyes.  It was the first time I'd owned anything wearable that made me feel as happy as my Klipsch 5.1 computer system connected to an Audigy card.
 
The mids and highs seem wonderful.  I can hear the guitar picks touching the strings and the motions of Enya's tongue has she breathes.  But when I listen to metal... well there is just a lack of kick-ass feeling there.  They make Metallica and Judas Priest seem downright civilized.  I think it is the lack of bass.  They also have microphonics despite being over the ear.
 
I bought a FiiO E5 and the base boost seems to mitigate this somewhat, but it isn't really "there" yet.  I also don't like that they add "hiss" far beyond what I get from directly connecting to my Sansa Clip+.  ...And I don't really like having an amp just because it is yet another thing to keep charged...
 
So I experimented with the MeeElectric M6.  I now understand what V shaped means.  They sounded awesome for some types of music, but then there were songs where the mids were so recessed I had to stop listening.  On Van Halen Live, Sammy Hagar's voice just drowns.
 
I also have the Sen PX100 and Koss Portapro for listening when I need to be aware of my surroundings.  I love both but they are each their own experience.  The Portapros just sound richer and warmer to me.  I'm not sure if my idea of "warm" is the one you folks use, but it is the feeling that I get when I listen to them...
 
So after all that, I guess I'm looking for something with more bass than my e2c's without getting all muddy and V shaped like the M6's.  I'm not a "basshead" and don't usually up my subwoofer at home unless I'm watching a movie where I want to feel the explosions. 
 
Oh, and I also had the Klipsh S4's and found them to at first be awesome, but then very fatiguing.  After an hour my ears were just tired.
 
What does that mean I'm looking for?  Analytical?  Balanced? Warm and Sweet?  Mid?  Bass? 
 
All I know is I want something better than my e2c's with less microphonics and more "balls".
 
 
 
 

 

[RecklessFable]

Ok, so that was a little long for folks to actually read.  I guess my last sentenced really covers it since I was working out what I like as I wrote it.
 
"I want something better than my e2c's with less microphonics and more "balls".
 
What IEMs fit the bill?

 

[mastershake2393]

Have you looked into the Monster Turbine Pro Gold/Copper, or IE8? If you don't want to spend upwards of $260, I can suggest the PFE 012, Hippo VB, and Atrio M7 (I think that's the one w/ updated drivers...)

 

 

[8xOverMsOctober]

If you want clarity get the DBA-02. It's highs and mids are absolutely sensational. They probably don't have as much bass quantity as you're accustomed to though. You can EQ the lows up a little bit on them, or get an amp that's on the warmer side to accompany it if you need a little more from the low end.
 
It's basically going to be somewhat of a trade-off between the lows and the highs. At least from my experiences you trade some bass quantity for clarity. The DBAs have less bass quantity than a lot of dynamic driver IEMs, but it's of really good quality.
 
If you don't want to go down the BA IEM route, then mastershake's suggestions are probably more of what you'll want to look into. I haven't heard any of them yet though (MTPG on the way) so I wouldn't really be able to recommend any of those. The reviews on all of them are pretty good though, for what it's worth.
 
Have you read through joker's Multi-IEM Review yet? There's a ton of great information on a lot of IEMs, and it could definitely help you figure out what you want.

 

[mastershake2393]

I agree with the DBA-02 if you want to go BA and balanced. I can also recommend the TF10, but the fit is very subjective (I had a huge problem with it, that's why I traded it).