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The sweet spot of the SE line is definitely the 425, not that I am biased. However, they're about as neutral as a pair of earphones can get, even more neutral than 215s in fact, but the treble is sparkly rather than muffled. Putting them on gets easier over time. I've been using 425s for almost four years now and it's like second nature.
Still - HD25s are a classic. Just too hot for my ears. I think that's why I get on so well with 425s. Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all.
JB-
I also have the se425s and can confirm all of this. Initially I thought they were just ludicrously expensive but they've lasted so well, all the bits are replacable individually and the sound quality is second to none. When I was a sound engineer I used them as studio monitors as well as just for leisure time.
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Yea would have loved to try the more expensive versions of the SE series as well, pricey though..
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jackbepablo
salad
Can't be arsed to search that post but thanks whomever recommended checking out the Sure SE ones for noise isolating earbuds.
Tried the SE215 and have to say isolation is really great.
In fact it's "too great", or, more accurately: I found it very weird in a way, as it's like super tight earplugs - I felt completely disconnected from the outside world, hearing one's own voice was really really strange as you basically only get the vibrations in your own skull.
Didn't like this, and also the fact it's such a fucking hassle to put them on / off (which you have to do when you speak to somebody, as otherwise you hardly hear them).
Sound was ok but treble quite muffled.. I do like a "warm" sound, but this was a bit dull actually.
Also I had the remote version for iPhone, and gotta say for headphones that expensive the remote / mic is quite shit, also renders the whole plan of tightening the cables behind your head useless, it's just an annoying plastic thing dangling against your neck. Weird how they got that so wrong.
Tl;dr - I think they're good if you really want to be "in your own world" and just keep them on for long-ish periods, without the need to take them off.
Tried a few other sound isolating IEM's as well; best value for money and no-nonsense were Sennheiser IE 4.
Still in the end realized that inears won't give me what I want so going to get some HD-25's and be done wth it.