Only stated sound is personal preference, I own Noble savant's, aria, shures 535, sold 846 (mostly because I couldn't stand the constant hiss unless I'm using my home DAC, which for me defeats the travel use of IEM's), sennheiser ie80, ie800. So not everyone loves the same sound signature, I also own hd800 which I love and find have a no way near similar sound to the uerm. If properly amped the hd800 have great bass and a very large soundstage, two things the uerm does not have. That's why sound is personal you hear something different than I hear.