I eagerly awaite their arrival, knowing the Shure name and quality from way back to 60's turntable cartridges. What an incredible disappointment! While I must say the clarity is astonishing, it's as though 1/2 the music is missing. The mid range is far and the base non-existent. I don't mean it wasn't boomy or that kind of stuff. It simply isn't here leaving me feeling as though 1/2 the song is missing. The biggest bummer is the redicoulous re-stcking fee I'll have to pay to return them. There is no retailer I could find that carries high end ear buds, let alone is there a way to audition them except to buy and pay if not satisified.I'd stear clear of these if you're any kind of a real audio buff. For the pros? I think not. I'm listening to huge audio files encoded in Windows Media Lossless format. The $50 Skull Candy headphones far surpass the enjoyment of these.