The triple.fi is one of the few canalphones I've never heard, actually.
The ES2 on the same level as the UE 10 Pro (the custom one, not the triple.fi), though with a different sound. In my experience it is far ahead of the SE530, so if you hear the Shure and compare it to the triple.fi, then you can probably get some useful info out of the comparison. The Shure has a canalphone-like sound signature. It has very good detail and instrument separation and a wide soundstage, but its tone is very artificial, the bass is a bit loose, and it is considerably thinner and less natural sounding than a full-sized headphone. For a universal-fit canalphone it's quite good, the best I've heard out of a universal-fit actually, but in the absolute sense, I don't consider it to be good sound.
The ES2 doesn't suffer from any of this. It sounds like a full-sized headphone, and a good one. The SE530 does have a noticeably wider soundstage, and detail level is about the same, but in all other respects the ES2 is well ahead. It's more impactful, it's much fuller, it sounds far more natural, and it has a smoother sound with much more control and refinement across the board. It is fluid and a bit euphonic sounding, but this euphony doesn't come at the price of accuracy. I seriously doubt there is a universal-fit anywhere that's even remotely as good. It is good sound regardless of where it comes from.
I would expect the UE11 to be well ahead of any universal-fit canalphones.
But, as I said, you have a lot of options in the universal-fit area to play around with before venturing into full customs. And, there is a custom Westone on the horizon with three drivers. The current ES3 is tuned for stage performance only and has a very bumped-up midrange, but I think the new one will be for monitoring and personal listening as well and will sound flat. I don't know when it will come out, but if the ES2 is on the same level as the 10 Pro, the new Westone should be on the same level as the UE11, provided Westone doesn't mess anything up (yes I know this is retard logic but bear with me). And at this level, differences are more a matter of preference than absolute performance.
So, it may make sense to wait before rushing out to get a custom, unless of course you are sick and tired of your rig, then by all means go ahead.
I'm waiting for the Westone custom as well, before I move on from the ES2. I will compare it to the UE11 pro based on the opinions of people whose ears I trust, and who I know cannot resist owning both, before making up my mind which way to go. I'm happy with the ES2, but my classical listening consists mainly of solo piano (classically trained pianist myself) and that has very different requirements as far as sound quality is concerned.
Also, I have no experience with Livewires or any of the new inexpensive customs that are out there. Maybe they've caught up to the ES2/10 Pro, but I wouldn't be the right person to ask. Still, they're a very attractive option.
[Edit: since you're obviously serious about getting a good custom-molded canalphone, I suggest sending a PM to Digihead. He owns the ES2, the UE 10 Pro, the UE 11, the Sensaphonics, and who knows what else. He is THE man to talk to about custom-molded headphones, and has very good hearing as well.]
I really appreciate you going in so much depth.
