I have both the 20s and lcd i3 and can attest, the i3 sounds noticeably better than the 20s. I was saving up for the i4s when I found out about the i3s. I went to Audio46 in NY and auditioned the i3s, with my isine 20s on hand to compare. As soon as I put the i3s in, I was sold. I clearly, and I mean clearly heard a difference. Even now, every time I put the i3s in, I'm amazed at the sound. The bass is deeper and tighter, and it has much more treble than isine 20s. It has a larger soundstage and more details. Tonally, they may be close, but the i3 bests the isine 20 in every metric. I never tried the i4. I should have tried all 3 at once. I was too busy seeing if the i3 was enough of an improvement over the 20s to warrant purchase. Perhaps if I had tried the i4s, I would've just waited and kept saving for them. At this point I owe myself a listen to them. $900 vs $2400 is ridiculous though.