To all you guys messing around with lower end phones, trust me, you can't REALLY start to hear the differences in bit rate/ recording quality until you step up to this level. If you are feeling frustrated about not being able to hear what others are talking about, it's because your mid level (but still pretty expensive) phones are just not capable revealing the details. If there's anything I can say to people that are messing around with $200-$500 phones, STOP, save your money, and then get the good stuff. The differences are REAL, but you can't get there with mid grade equipment. Not even close. I can't emphasize this enough, either stick with something good but not too expensive (like the PX100 or comparable iems) and be happy with pretty good sound, OR get serious and pony up the good stuff and get ready for a whole new world.
But spending $300 on whatever phones/iems, and then heming and hawing over the difference between those and a slightly more/less expensive set is a TOTAL waste of money and time IMO. The JH16 totally destroys my old ($400) Shures. There's just no comparison. I'm so glad I didn't spend hundreds more trying out IE8, westones, whatever.
It's nice to hear that you've found such contentment with the JH16's my friend, but:
1. The JH16's, and many other top of the line customs, aren't exactly within everyone's budget, and this apparent NEED to upgrade is the absolute farthest from the truth.
2. The NEED to upgrade to customs is too vague a statement, because I don't find it the least bit impossible to believe that someone may very well be just as content with their universals, as you are with your customs. In fact, there are an infinite number of personal factors that come into play, and no 2 listeners will perceive the exact same sound, per se.
3. I love quite a few of my top-tiers, to no end. Never for a minute would I consider any of them wasted purchases. Again, it's too vague to declare all universals a waste of money, over customs. One mans trash, another mans treasure.
4. You mentioned details, to which I feel almost compelled to say, the details brought forth with my RE252's are ample for my taste, and I enjoy them to no end. I don't doubt as to whether or not customs would reveal a whole new range of details, but I wouldn't deem it necessary for my enjoyment, nor anyone else's, either.
5. My advice to all my fellow Head-Fi'ers, if you are content with what you're listening to, that's all that matters. No 2 listeners values are one and the same, and be it a minority population, there are a few who have owned customs, and felt otherwise. Just goes to show you that there are two sides to every coin.
Now, I'd like to mention one last thing. In writing this, I have no intent to insult our friend macshooter, and much like him, I'm merely stating my opinion. I only wish to convey my thoughts, since I most certainly don't agree with the argument at hand. However, I respect macshooter's opinions, and am again happy to know that he's found such contentment with the JH16's. Nevertheless, in my most honest opinion, that very contentment may be achieved in universals and customs alike, and if ones pockets allow for him/her to take the custom route, then by all means, don't let me stop you. But at the same time, don't feel compelled to do so.
