I've never owned a pair of full-sized headphones, but I fell in love with the HD650 when I first listened to them a few years ago. Skip ahead and today Amazon had a 'lightning sale' on the HD650 for $415 CAD, which was 97% sold out. Sure enough, I made the impulse buy, and now I'm seeking...

I’m slightly embarrassed, but I just learned that you can create multiple iTunes libraries on the same machine. This solves my problem of having to manage two separate collections of music files: the 320kbps MP3 files for on-the-go listening, and the 24/96 high-res files for serious at-home...

For years, I always told myself that SQ should be the determining factor when buying IEMs. Comfort and convenience are important, but SQ is always paramount. Now, I'm beginning to see the error of my ways...   I presently own 3 IEMs, all of which are somewhat antiquated by today's standards...

I'm looking to buy a pair of Ortofon e-Q5 earphones; I've owned these previously, and they're my favourite go-to IEMs for general use. Having never owned an amp or DAC before, I'm curious if either would improve the performance of these IEMs. Here are the specs for the Ortofon e-Q5: Audio...

I used to own the Ortofon e-Q5's, and I really enjoyed them as a go-to portable IEM. The sound was crystal clear with the mids being slightly forward and a bit warm. The bass was a little light, but overall, I thought they were great. I especially liked the design and I found them quite...

I'm looking for recommendations on a replacement cable for my bronze Shure SE535, but my preferences are a bit specific.    Although the stock cable is decent, I find it too long and somewhat unwieldy -- it's stiff/thick, but rarely stays in place. For example, the stiff over-the-ear section...

I'm interested in upgrading to a better pair of IEMs from my current Westone UM1s. I like the UM1s, but I find they lack in bass and overall dynamics. My one major complaint is that I absolutely, unreservedly, unequivocally, H-A-T-E their over-the-ear design. I find that the cord never stays...

I have yet to find a pair of universal IEMs that are comfortable to wear for longer than 30 minutes. As a result, I've decided to try custom molded tips. Rather than buying full-blown custom IEMs (I'm not a musician), I rather buy just the custom molded tips for use with my existing IEMs.  ...

After about 3 years, my Monster Turbine IEMs have bit the dust (left channel). I've flirted with the idea if switching to full-sized cans before, but now I have to make a decision (hence the post). I will be auditioning various headphones this weekend, so I'm looking for help in narrowing the...

Warning: this is a long post!   In essence, I'm trying to determine whether I should buy a pair of full-sized cans (and which ones), or if it's simply not worth the time/money given my needs and restrictions. Here is my predicament in a little more detail...   I recently assembled an...

I'm debating between the following options: (1) Pre-order the Sony S545 now @ $135 CAD ($25 coupon) (2) Wait until Sept. to see if the X-Series drops in price (currently $499 CAD) (3) Wait indefinitely for Sony to release new models I will be using this DAP strictly for audio playback, so...

I've decided to purchase the Sony S639 and not wait for the impending update. That said, I want to first make sure that I won't encounter any significant issues with OS X. I realize that OS X isn't officially supported, but I should be able to drag/drop, correct? Assuming this is the case...

I'm giving considerable thought to purchasing the Sony S639, but someone brought it to my attention that the S639 has relatively low power output (5 mW per channel). I can't seem to find any technical specs for the Monster Turbines, so I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this...

Revamped Sony S-Series Walkman pops up in leaked press photos Fearing an immediate refresh, I was holding out on the S639. However, according to the article cited above (July 22), the new model "isn't scheduled for release anytime soon". This may be a long shot, but does anyone have a rough...

Essentially, I'm looking for a basic DAP (16GB) with great SQ and battery life. The X1000 is overkill for my needs, but it looks to be the best in terms of SQ... So, how does the SQ of the S639 compare to the X1000 when matched with mid-range IEMs? If it helps, I'll be listening to mostly...

First, I have a few basic questions about the Sony X-Series: - Is it (unofficially) compatible with iTunes? - Is it (unofficially) compatible with OS X? - Does the screen smudge/scratch easily? - Is there a discernible difference in SQ between the X1000 and, say, the Sansa Clip, when...

I'm trying to build an ultra-portable rig for my daily commute. I'm still trying to decide which DAP to get, but I'm leaning toward the 16G iPod Nano (4th Gen.) due to its portability, capacity, and UI. That said, I'm still not fully satisfied - mainly because of the mediocre SQ and battery...

I recently bought the Monster Turbines as a "back-up" pair of IEMs for my daily commute. The build quality is excellent and the fit is superb. In that respect, the Turbines satisfy their purpose. However, I'm a little disappointed with how the Turbines handle the mids/highs. More...

Essentially, I'm trying to build a decent portable setup on a modest budget. I'm looking for a player to match with either my Westone UM1 or Monster Turbines. Briefly, these are my priorities: - SQ - Battery Life - Small/Sleek Design - Build Quality - Ease of Use/OS Compatibility (OS...

I'm looking to replace a really old iPod, but the number of DAPs out there is simply mind numbing! I need a little help narrowing down the field. Also, I'll probably buy the DAP in a month or two, so please let me know if anything is soon to be released... I'm looking for: - *Great SQ* -...

Has anyone done a direct comparison between the Monster Turbine and Westone UM1? I'm pleased with the sound quality of the UM1s, but I'm always struggling to secure a proper fit (weird left ear canal). I'm tempted to give the Turbines a try given the FS discount (I need a 2nd pair of IEMs...

As the title suggests, I have multiple questions... First, I'm debating between headphones and IEMs. Truthfully, I don't like wearing big bulky headphones, but I find that IEMs offer little to no noise cancellation. Presently, I own a pair of Westone UM1s, and while I love the sound quality...

Hello Everyone, This is my first post, so please bare with me... I'm looking to upgrade from the generic stock earbuds that come with most iPods and MP3 players. Generally speaking, I would be using them when running, walking, riding public transit, and anything else under the sun. My...