lol I also knew I was going to like them, since I love my FA-003 and from what I read, the DBAs also have that Fischer Audio signature. But I never thought I would like them this much. They actually sounds a good deal better to my ears than FA-003 (when both are unamped). BTW, I also just received Etymotic ER4 p/s today, which I always wanted to try, so I am comparing the two right now. I think both the ER4 and DBA-02 are probably the two second best IEMs I've heard behind the SE530. Not as impressive as the Shures to my ears, but the DBA-02 comes closer and closer as I find tips that fit my ears better. The Etys have a different sound than the DBA - more hmm.... serious. I am surprised the Etys are mid centric. From most impressions I read online, I always got the impression that they are tipped towards treble, but not to my ears. They are mid centric, much like SE530, but the treble is better extended. They are also dry, fast, have extremely good stereo separation and that famous Ety tight bass with little impact, but otherwise perfectly adequate presence to my ears. The DBAs sound narrower, but more holographic with more realistic imaging. DBAs are also a bit smoother, have a bit more punch in the bass with perhaps a hair less extension, have better detail in the treble in my opinion, but a bit less in the mids. So far they are almost neck to neck for me. I feel that both will benefit greatly from better amps and sources. But the DBAs are definitely the more fun sounding IEM for unamped portable use. The ergonomics on the Etys are horrible by comparison, which is really too bad because they are such great sounding IEMs in their own right.
