[cellarbro]

  The IE800's intrigue me but I am concerned about their quirkiness.  All the issues with fakes, non-detachable cables, ability to stay in the ear etc.  I do like a neutral sound like an Etymotic.  Just tried the ER4-XR and found that the extra bass negatively effected the openness I experienced with the HF5's.  Not that they were bad, in fact they had a strong 3D feel, were quite smooth, with good separation, although not an overly wide soundstatge. Would really love something with good soundstage, good separation, and a somewhat neutral sound signature.  Don't really want something where one area of the frequency response dominates other areas, particularly bass.
 
From what I have read the Shure SE846 is pretty bland sounding, but I have never listened to one so can't say form personnel experience.  Also, the midrange apparently dominates.

For my genre of pop, hiphop, electronic music, I don't mind a forward midrange. I have heard the bass is the most prominent feature but the midrange is also there. The treble is a bit where it is supposed to lack. (Haven't heard them yet so I cant say. I might find the treble on point because I am a little sensitive)
 
The IE800 do have a lot of issues in terms of short cable, microphonic, average isolation. After owning these for about a month, I can say these are meant for audiophiles who like to plug a pair of IEM into their phone and listen at home, have the money to spend on something that is TOTL without going the custom route. It also shines with genre's that are reflective of this ideal listener. (Classical, Jazz, Film Score, Rock)
 
With hip hop, IE800 gets a little too boomy and overly punchy. It  doesn't bleed into the mid range but it just isn't what it specializes in. If the above genres are your cup of tea, I would not hesitate to recommend it. These are definitely sit at home and enjoy on the couch IEM's however. After buying them, I found that I was still missing an every day IEM with superior sound isolation, SQ and bass that I can enjoy. I have never heard the SE846 to be described as bland.

 

[les_garten]

What retail places usually have these as demo units?
 
I am in South FL.

 

[Dobrescu George]

 
For my genre of pop, hiphop, electronic music, I don't mind a forward midrange. I have heard the bass is the most prominent feature but the midrange is also there. The treble is a bit where it is supposed to lack. (Haven't heard them yet so I cant say. I might find the treble on point because I am a little sensitive)
 
The IE800 do have a lot of issues in terms of short cable, microphonic, average isolation. After owning these for about a month, I can say these are meant for audiophiles who like to plug a pair of IEM into their phone and listen at home, have the money to spend on something that is TOTL without going the custom route. It also shines with genre's that are reflective of this ideal listener. (Classical, Jazz, Film Score, Rock)
 
With hip hop, IE800 gets a little too boomy and overly punchy. It  doesn't bleed into the mid range but it just isn't what it specializes in. If the above genres are your cup of tea, I would not hesitate to recommend it. These are definitely sit at home and enjoy on the couch IEM's however. After buying them, I found that I was still missing an every day IEM with superior sound isolation, SQ and bass that I can enjoy. I have never heard the SE846 to be described as bland.

 
Oh, I actually find ie800 to be one of  the best rap / hip-hop IEMs in the world. The level of detail ie800 has in the mid and treble does help me so much with feeling refreshed after listening to a rap song

 
 

 
What kind of music do you listen to mainly?
 
I bought the SE846 because the price was good but at the same time, I find myself not being able to listen to the IE800 for a long time because I am a little treble sensitive.  I do know and have heard the SE846 aren't as bright and sparkly in the treble region. I plan to use them for my on the go IEM since they isolate well ( I live in NYC so the subway is a must to go places and it's LOUD), and are supposed to be non fatiguing to listen to.
 
I agree with you about not needing to EQ things but the SE846 also come with three tuning capabilities, Neutral, warm and bright. Adjusting the 1-8k region from what I remember reading. I started following the SE846 thread and some have reported that ear tips can also adjust the sound quality to a brighter or warmer sound signature. I have the FLC8S and I love the tuning features. They are approximately 90-95% of what the TOTL IEM are capable of. Need something that sounds great and friendly to logistics of traveling and do very little things wrong. The short cables on the IE800 and microphonic and average isolation make it a terrible IEM for the subway. If I turn the volume on the IE800 too high, my ears start to hurt after 5-10 minutes. They are so capable that they don't sound boomy or distorted, but my ears will be punished from not being able to tell that they were too loud for comfort. Hoping the SE846 will be a good carry around and do **** all day IEM. I also don't like to carry around a DAP and amp so the IEM that I have been looking for needs to isolate well, great bass and clarity, non fatiguing, and fun sounding all from my iPhone 6s.
 
Not an easy task to meet ALL of these factors. They checked off everything in my list and I pulled the trigger.
 
I'll write up a comparative review of the two when I have had at least a week or two to try out the SE846 and form a good opinion of them.
 

 
My type of music ranges from "You gotta tell me how that band is named" all the way to "No human should ever listen to that thing". 
 
This includes Rock, Punk, Rap, Industrial, EDM, Electro, Dance, House, Electronica, Dubstep, Classical, Avant Garde, Orchestral, OSTs, trap,  trance, death metal, post hardcore, ska, and everything in between. 
 
Some bands / songs click with me while others don't 
 
I listen to some really known music while some well known music is pain to my ears - cannot escape this phenomenon. 
 
Ie800 so far has boded extraordiairly well will absolutely everything I thrown at it, old music (1980) and new music (2017), all generas, all bands, all recording conditions. Where the song was badly recorded, ie800 brought more details, where the song was well recorded, ie800 made it better 
 
There was a single thing which didn't go well with ie800 and that was Sirenia. Their mastering enhanced the treble too much and while it sounds lovely, it has a bit too much for ie800 - but this was absolutely the only thing that I would say ie800 didn't do best. Every single other band was reproduced amazingly well by ie800 and nothing else was better - from the IEMs I tried so far. I have a list I'm looking forward to hear and I do hope to find something better  -  that would be the most exciting thing ever! 

 

[Unrealeck]

Does anyone own these and Philips' Fidelio X2 over-ears?
If so, how do they compare? Do the IE800s sound like they're worth more than twice the price?

 

[Mr Makarov]

  Does anyone own these and Philips' Fidelio X2 over-ears?
If so, how do they compare? Do the IE800s sound like they're worth more than twice the price?

IE800 sounds better than Philips Fidelio X1 and X2, MUCH better. Better bass, better soundstage (yes, no joke, wider than that of the X2), much more clear and transparent, much more detailed, full bodied. X2 in comparison sound cheap, unrefined, wrong and boring after IE800. Sold them (X2) after 2 weeks because they do not compare to IE800 and Denon D600 (a closed can that is more comfortable and still sound just better/detailed/livelier than both X1 and X2). IE800 (to me) sound better than HD700 and Hifiman HE-400i (which I like very much) and both destroy X2 (well...bass on the X2 has more quantity but that´s all). Just my opinion based on direct comparisons.   

 

[Unrealeck]

Might take a shot at them then. £495 on amazon warehouse. Like new. 30 day money back. If they sound better than these X2s I'll be pretty damn chuffed.
I'm guessing the IE800s will sound great out of a phone? I'm using an LG G5 with a B&O amp addon.

 

[cellarbro]

   
Oh, I actually find ie800 to be one of  the best rap / hip-hop IEMs in the world. The level of detail ie800 has in the mid and treble does help me so much with feeling refreshed after listening to a rap song

 
 
 
My type of music ranges from "You gotta tell me how that band is named" all the way to "No human should ever listen to that thing". 
 
This includes Rock, Punk, Rap, Industrial, EDM, Electro, Dance, House, Electronica, Dubstep, Classical, Avant Garde, Orchestral, OSTs, trap,  trance, death metal, post hardcore, ska, and everything in between. 
 
Some bands / songs click with me while others don't 
 
I listen to some really known music while some well known music is pain to my ears - cannot escape this phenomenon. 
 
Ie800 so far has boded extraordiairly well will absolutely everything I thrown at it, old music (1980) and new music (2017), all generas, all bands, all recording conditions. Where the song was badly recorded, ie800 brought more details, where the song was well recorded, ie800 made it better 
 
There was a single thing which didn't go well with ie800 and that was Sirenia. Their mastering enhanced the treble too much and while it sounds lovely, it has a bit too much for ie800 - but this was absolutely the only thing that I would say ie800 didn't do best. Every single other band was reproduced amazingly well by ie800 and nothing else was better - from the IEMs I tried so far. I have a list I'm looking forward to hear and I do hope to find something better  -  that would be the most exciting thing ever! 

Hmmm. I find the IE800 a bit too heavy on the bass for bass focused music. In my opinion that would be hip hop and some electronic. It gets fatiguing to listen to very quickly and I have the urge to want to switch to something else. Hence, I use it to listen to softer music that sometimes doesn't have emphasis on bass and sparkly treble. 
 
Perhaps you may find the SE846 not bright enough or with enough sparkle for your taste. I can listen to the HD600 for 2-3 hours before I need rest while the IE800 are about 30 min to 1 hour depending on what I listen to. 1 hour to 2 hours max if it's rock and not bass focused music, or something with lots of highs. Organic music is best on the IE800.
 
Maybe it's just me. I have to point out for the record that I used to write music and my studio monitors in my studio, are flat in the frequency spectrum with a small boost to the bass. They sound fantastic and have not dropped in price from when I purchased them because they are no longer made. It kind of reminded me of the ER4PT but more lifelike, a bit more body, and not as thin with a stronger capable punch. One of the best investments I made was the speakers and acoustic treatment. Another beast but definitely another level of audio nirvana that you need to experience. 
 
This is where I came from and is my reference sound that I am used to, Sometimes, even the clarity of TOTL in ears cannot touch the presence of being able to 'feel the music' from a pair of studio monitors.
 
Edit: Im listening to my studio monitors and I definitely prefer the sound signature of my IEM than the speakers which are very flat. (Great for mixing and producing tho) I guess your taste do change. They don't have the same level of clarity as the IE800 or TOTL IEM. Spoke too soon. 

 

[Unrealeck]

Are the IE800s easy to fit smaller ears? I had trouble with the Fidue A83s and had to return them because the angular shape of them would stab into part of my ear when trying to get them as far in as possible. These look like they'd fit better because they're straighter and have a rounded casing.

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Are the IE800s easy to fit smaller ears? I had trouble with the Fidue A83s and had to return them because the angular shape of them would stab into part of my ear when trying to get them as far in as possible. These look like they'd fit better because they're straighter and have a rounded casing.

 
Best there are for small ears 

 
 

 
Hmmm. I find the IE800 a bit too heavy on the bass for bass focused music. In my opinion that would be hip hop and some electronic. It gets fatiguing to listen to very quickly and I have the urge to want to switch to something else. Hence, I use it to listen to softer music that sometimes doesn't have emphasis on bass and sparkly treble. 
 
Perhaps you may find the SE846 not bright enough or with enough sparkle for your taste. I can listen to the HD600 for 2-3 hours before I need rest while the IE800 are about 30 min to 1 hour depending on what I listen to. 1 hour to 2 hours max if it's rock and not bass focused music, or something with lots of highs. Organic music is best on the IE800.
 
Maybe it's just me. I have to point out for the record that I used to write music and my studio monitors in my studio, are flat in the frequency spectrum with a small boost to the bass. They sound fantastic and have not dropped in price from when I purchased them because they are no longer made. It kind of reminded me of the ER4PT but more lifelike, a bit more body, and not as thin with a stronger capable punch. One of the best investments I made was the speakers and acoustic treatment. Another beast but definitely another level of audio nirvana that you need to experience. 
 
This is where I came from and is my reference sound that I am used to, Sometimes, even the clarity of TOTL in ears cannot touch the presence of being able to 'feel the music' from a pair of studio monitors.
 
Edit: Im listening to my studio monitors and I definitely prefer the sound signature of my IEM than the speakers which are very flat. (Great for mixing and producing tho) I guess your taste do change. They don't have the same level of clarity as the IE800 or TOTL IEM. Spoke too soon. 

 
lol 

 
To be honest, I actually felt at least two times that the bass is too much - but I'm a basshead so that is not a problem unless the music itself had distortion in the bass or distortion in general. 

 

[les_garten]

  Might take a shot at them then. £495 on amazon warehouse. Like new. 30 day money back. If they sound better than these X2s I'll be pretty damn chuffed.
I'm guessing the IE800s will sound great out of a phone? I'm using an LG G5 with a B&O amp addon.

 
 
I am running mine out of my Flammable Note7.
 
I run them within 1 click of max.  They require a bit of Juice to run them.
 
They sound Good, but nothing like off a headphone amp which really wakes them up.

 

[Caruryn]

  Does anyone own these and Philips' Fidelio X2 over-ears?
If so, how do they compare? Do the IE800s sound like they're worth more than twice the price?

Fidelio X2 does have wider soundstage than ie800 and more bass quantity but it is uncontrolled bass.In everything else it  is many steps below ie800,bass quality,stereo imaging,clarity,everything sounded veiled and distant,the strings,instruments,guitars,everything sounded muddy,the timbre was off,there was no layering in the soundstage,just a big bloaty sound.Very unimpressed when i listened to them from a member here.If you want to get the detail,transparency and texture in mid/low/highs of a high end iem in a headfone you need to spend $1000+,no way around it in order to get that big out of head experience.

 

[Dobrescu George]

  Fidelio X2 does have wider soundstage than ie800 and more bass quantity but it is uncontrolled bass.In everything else it  is many steps below ie800,bass quality,stereo imaging,clarity,everything sounded veiled and distant,the strings,instruments,guitars,everything sounded muddy,the timbre was off,there was no layering in the soundstage,just a big bloaty sound.Very unimpressed when i listened to them from a member here.If you want to get the detail,transparency and texture in mid/low/highs of a high end iem in a headfone you need to spend $1000+,no way around it in order to get that big out of head experience.

 
Except for Ultrasone Dj One Pro - which is obscenely cheap 

 
No idea how it manages to do things so well at this price - but it might also be because of my personal ears and because S-logic actually works with my ears. 

 

[Caruryn]

   
Except for Ultrasone Dj One Pro - which is obscenely cheap 

 
No idea how it manages to do things so well at this price - but it might also be because of my personal ears and because S-logic actually works with my ears. 

We in Europe get the shaft as far as audio pricing goes and electronics in general,especially the 1/1 conversion from dollar plus additional taxes/custom.The one company that makes you feel lucky to be born here is Ultrasone which is manufactured in Germany.How is this for a change?
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultrasone-Signature-Closed-Headphones-S-Logic/dp/B006H3MJT4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487032604&sr=8-2&keywords=Ultrasone+Signature+DJ
 
https://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-Signature-Pro-Professional-Closed-back/dp/B006H3MJT4

 

[Badfish5446]

  Does anyone own these and Philips' Fidelio X2 over-ears?
If so, how do they compare? Do the IE800s sound like they're worth more than twice the price?

 
Own both and agree with the posts saying they aren't comparable.  My purpose behind owning both is greatly different though... I use the X2 primarily for gaming with a BoomPro mic and the IE800 is portable music listening only.  In a world where I could only own one headphone to perform ALL of my listening needs it would be hard to choose but I would probably go X2 (comfort being a deciding factor over-ear vs in-ear).  Luckily this isn't a silly place like that and I can own more than one headphone
 
 
 
 
Edited for Quote

 

[Dobrescu George]

  We in Europe get the shaft as far as audio pricing goes and electronics in general,especially the 1/1 conversion from dollar plus additional taxes/custom.The one company that makes you feel lucky to be born here is Ultrasone which is manufactured in Germany.How is this for a change?
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultrasone-Signature-Closed-Headphones-S-Logic/dp/B006H3MJT4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487032604&sr=8-2&keywords=Ultrasone+Signature+DJ
 
https://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-Signature-Pro-Professional-Closed-back/dp/B006H3MJT4

 
Wow... If I would had had the money to spend right now, I would get a pair right this moment! 
 
Gotta say, I would generally go with HD800S for ultimate headphone - but I must comply with having a closed back pair that isolates well and has the soundstage of HD800S - so my options are rather limited to mostly Ultrasone