As a follow up to previous post, Etymotic MC5 are now available for 1/3 the price of the GR8 and are every bit as good if not better. Great detail and clarity, maybe a little lite on the bass slam as compared to IE7 but very enjoyable and coherent. At that price they are a must buy for anyone who is considering GR8. MC5 seem to have a bit more microphonics than the GR8 although the cables seem very similar - kinda springy and stays rather straight. The IE7 is also outstanding and can now be had (beware of fakes) from an authorized dealer for about a $100 below GR8, the IE7 has a tremendous bass slam and impact and also an amazing spacious soundstage yet they are darker and a bit muddier than the Etymotic MC5. So for clarity and natural sound MC5, i.e. vocals, accoustic, rock, etc., then Grado 8 and IE7, for bass slam and soundstage and still very enjoyable sound Sennheiser IE7, i.e. techno, R&B, rap, etc.. Grado is not bad but severely over priced for what it offers - at $80-100 it might warrant consideration. GR8 is also not the typical Grado sound - they have none of that energetic ready to explode sound of the over the ear Grados.