Oh boy.
Ok, let me start off with the 'negatives.' First off, these have a vacuum seal. I hate vacuum seals. However, it's not nearly as bad as the TF10, and I think I may be able to get used to it...maybe even by tomorrow. Then there's that stupid outer packaging...
The 'Hmm, that's weird' factors: The treble..it's a strange beast. Miow wasn't kidding when he said Yamaha had their own special treble. The closest thing I could compare it to is the TF10, but it doesn't quite have that metallic sheen that the TF10 does. It's really something that you have to hear. The cable is microphonic when there's no music playing.
The positives: The treble. After listening for a bit, I think I've become used to the treble. I don't find it overly laid back at all. Maybe it's because I'm listening through my iP4, which is slightly bright. I find it to be in line with the music, and if the song calls for it, it can be a little forward.
The 'HOLY crap's: The treble
. I'm kinda really liking the treble now. I find that it presents all the details and ambiance in the upper registers without ANY sibilance, which is more than I can say for my beloved GR07. 2) Instrument Separation. You know, I used the think the GR07 was the best dynamic at instrument separation...no more. One of my most congested non-metal songs, Adele's "Many Shades of Black," makes EVERY other iem I've heard sound congested and slightly bloated. Not the Yamaha. I think everyone who owns this iem should go listen to the song on their iems, then on the Yamaha. Amazing. 3) Soundstaging. Ridiculous. How did they do this? I faintly remember some multi-dimensional calculus, and I think a LOT was used when designing the EPH-100. The soundstage and positioning is truly 3D. I haven't heard anything like it before. Each instrument has it's place in the soundfield, and the sound is layered superbly. 4) With universal iems as comfortable as these, who need customs?
The EPH-100 has everything that I wanted to improve in my GR07. I think I just have to get better acquainted with it's treble presentation. Thanks for this guys