Stock buds (Creative) > Audio Technica in-ears > Koss in-ears w/ foam tips > Sony Fontopia > Sony clip-ons > ATH in-ears again > CrossRoads MylarOne X3 > CrossRoads Bijou 3
Then I went away for exchange, and for six good months I loved nothing but my Bijou 3.
I came back, continued loving them for another six months. Then I started an internship at a mag, and pitched the idea of an article on headphones... and my research was my undoing.
Shortly after that internship began, this happened:
Westone UM1 > Senn IE8
They were accompanied by a GoVibe Martini, and then a Linearossa W1. Both have been sold.
I though the IE8 would be the end...but after 10 months' ownership, I can honestly say I see some of its shortcomings. When I bought my UM1, I thought the IE8 was the best I'd ever heard, overtaking even the W3 that I demo'd prior to owning the UM1. I now know that the colouration of the IE8 can be its undoing as well, and I am thinking it is time to return to more "neutral" roots (for headphones, I've gone through MS-1, Shure 440, DT231, DT880 and HD25-1. Thankfully still holding on to the last 2)...one day, I will own a JH13 or 16.