First of all, I want to thank you (Slater91) for taking the time to explain your approach to reviewing. I agree with you100%. What you've said is practically faultless from the perspective of a consumer and reviewer. Now, if you can, I'd like you, and others, to expand that perspective to discern the manufacturer's perspective and goals so as to see both sides of the equation. This would allow the consumer to be informed and give the manufacturer some cover for the benefit-of-the-doubt. BTW, iFi Audio will almost certainly have their IE Match 4.4 from way they've answered a previous question here as, "I cannot say anything much now".
When I think about iFi Audio, I see an extremely innovative company that is customer focused and has given us all such incredible variety of unique products. And they have a track record of improving their products constantly. This is a company born of passion and love for their products, music, and their customers. I can discern that this is a company of good will, good people. Step back and look at this company's full array of products. Look at this company's history for development. Go to their website and just peruse their offerings. Where does this product (Diablo) fit relative to their other products? Do they have other products more suitable to folks that have a large collection of IEMs? Do they have products that do a better job of "Swiss Army Knife" do-it-all capability? Do they have more specialized products like Diablo? Must every product please everyone, with every possible configuration of equipment? Or is there room for products with a more narrow focus?
I think the trick is to appropriately inform consumers while at the same time seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty (...it's missing x,y,z....etc.). And keep in mind that this is only one point in time. There is a future line of delicious products coming from iFi because they have that track record. Diablo was a bold product and not just in color. It is a specialized product. Could it be better? Sure! Will it be better? Eventually. In the mean time, we have a killer product with a more limited but specialized capability. In a pinch, you can haul groceries in your Lamborgini and take one of your two kids to soccer practice. Could it be that the real issue is not the product but the expectations and preconceptions of what the product should be? Remember that iFi Audio are humans that really try hard to give us neat stuff. They have families. They have to put food on the table like we all do. iFi has earned my love and compassion and admiration. Unless their integrity goes to crap, I'm in their corner rooting for them and loving their products. I own an iPower, iGalvanic, iDefender, iSilencer, iTube2, and iDSD BL. I love every, single, one, of their products. And, their stuff is very high value for the dollar too. I don't find the need to crack-the-whip on them--as yet. I guess that makes me a fanboy...lol. : )