neilvg
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2004
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I guess I randomly feel like replying to this, in part because I am interested in getting the layla's, and in part because I am a sound engineer.
Sound engineers would certainly LIKE to spend 2.5k on headphones
But we are by and large, fairly poor. hahaha, well, as you said, we'd rather spend money on high end speaker monitors, and also on room correction / treatment, preamps, compressors, software plugins, our loved ones... it goes on 
Or of course not to spend money at all and possibly stand a chance at breaking even in our business (this doesn't happen too often anymore -- so hey, maybe it is an independently wealthy sound engineer's world... or not). Anyway, what I wanted to say was, having a good set of custom in-ears, which these now can be (I think when you posted this there were only universals), is very valuable. It can allow me to do a tracking session without an assistant (heaven forbid!), because I can go into the live room, move mics around, and hear the 'air' I'm placing those mics or instruments in with some accuracy. Previously, most high-end in-ears were too bloated to me - with a tuning that was made for consumers - even so called reference IEMS were laughable in terms of monitoring accuracy. A good starting point is a well driven ER-4S by etymotic. 1 driver, cheap, works very well. I have been using those for years, and finally decided, there must be a jump in this technology 20 years later.
What I'd like to see in an IEM that betters the etymotics is a better head stage, instrument separation and deeper but not necessarily more powerful bass. Also a more natural yet unforgiving presentation. This would better my Etys, and also going custom helps as well.
I can't emphasize the help with tracking that a good IEM provides. Better than most closed cans. The highly isolating closed cans don't sound great for monitoring - perhaps something super expensive... but now we're talking about the same price point again.
Also, regarding mixing - in the end, I've seen great mixing engineers use all sorts of speakers - home audio speakers, old beat up stuff, whatever. Sure, we may have some nifty barefoots or adams as well, but learning the sound signature of a speaker, and how it translates is key. Also, learning how to setup speakers properly is key. With headphones, you don't need to do this - so the idea/hope is, if we can find a good set that allows me to reference anywhere I go, and that I can add seamlessly to a stable of already well used monitor speakers, this would definitely add something. Sure if it could be done more cheaply, that'd be best -- (read etymotic).
Anyway, I'm probably going to pull the trigger on the Layla's, but only because I'd be doing it by selling/trading an amp.
Lastly, I do agree, the business practice of JH and many companies in general regarding their product line and scaling is highly questionable. They are clearly targeting a market interested in something that seems to be better because it costs more and has the appropriate marketing to boot. That being said, it doesn't necessarily mean these won't sound amazing.. which sucks for our wallets.. unless we just don't get them - in which case we're like anybody else who finds something unaffordable... thats common and happens in most consumer oriented industries I know.
Neil
but I don't know if they'll stay there over time. 
