FWIW: While the H8P sounds great, I am finding that my seal is less than optimal where playing with my ear a bit, I am definitely getting more bass punch and the bass comes forward. I cannot seem to hold the seal with the demo though, so I am wondering how much better these can be with a custom fit. If they can sound this good with a poor seal, they must be at another level custom. That may explain the back and forth on the bass - big vs. a little recessed. My seal test is to wear them mowing the lawn which I got great noise reduction even with my previous TF10 or Copper universals. With my NT6pro customs, nothing but music. With the H8P demo, I could barely hear them unless cupping my hands over my ears. However, in the normal quiet environment they sound great even with what turns out to be a poor seal.
The other thing that I am reconfirming is that I am having to turn the volume way up for the H8P to get to a reasonable volume compared to other CIEMs, pretty much to my HP levels. For example, my NT6pro sound great at 35 to 40 on my AK100ii. The H8P is set to 55 to 65 which is typical of my HD700 and a little less than my LCD2.2. which is usually at 65 to 70. They may be harder to drive, but they do sound awesome.
While the soundstage is really good, the back to front layering is spectacular. For example, I can hear two bass guitarists standing in the same area and feel like I can tell which is in front of the other and if they move. Up and down seems to stand out as well where I feel the length of the guitar strings from my ear to my waist, but can feel a musical pat of the back of the guitar by my waist.
The other thing that I am reconfirming is that I am having to turn the volume way up for the H8P to get to a reasonable volume compared to other CIEMs, pretty much to my HP levels. For example, my NT6pro sound great at 35 to 40 on my AK100ii. The H8P is set to 55 to 65 which is typical of my HD700 and a little less than my LCD2.2. which is usually at 65 to 70. They may be harder to drive, but they do sound awesome.
While the soundstage is really good, the back to front layering is spectacular. For example, I can hear two bass guitarists standing in the same area and feel like I can tell which is in front of the other and if they move. Up and down seems to stand out as well where I feel the length of the guitar strings from my ear to my waist, but can feel a musical pat of the back of the guitar by my waist.