What did you find lacking in the sets that you've listened to?
You don't necessarily have to spend $1000 to net sound that's comparable to the TOTL sets. Phones such as the
FX850
SM64
Ocharaku Flat-4 SUI/Kuro/Donguri
ASG 2.5
Ex1000
Rockets
Dita Answer
Heaven V/VI/S/C (and I hear VII is up there)
Tenore
KC06
although all quite different, possess qualities that I'd say are comparable to phones in the TOTL bracket. Phones in the $1K bracket will still be better/more refined in a myriad of ways, but any of the aforementioned will get you very close. As good as some of the TOTL phones are, most still have some quirk to them that you may find off putting. It's sometimes a 2 steps forward, 1 step back situation. Not always, but sometimes, depends on how picky you are I suppose. In that list, the Tenore (a properly QCed one at least) and the Rockets have the distinction of having very few weaknesses, but some people might not find them "exciting" for whatever reason, and may desire some more "color"
Personal preferences, and what you value most - be it tonal accuracy, dynamics, imaging, airiness, midrange lushness or what have you, will sway your opinion towards one thing or another
As for the FAD phones, they're not exactly popular with so called audiophiles cause they don't measure all that well, but interestingly enough, I find them to exhibit sound that's closer to that in real life than of the more accurate stuff. That's not to say that the FAD stuff tends to be veiled, as phones such as the FIBASS and LAB I are insanely revealing.
When I think of phones that are transparent, not just merely possessing clarity (cause the UERM is comparable to STAX), but transparent in the sense that I don't really think about the fact that I'm listening to earphones, but listening to something that's eerily real, the top shelf FAD stuff springs to mind. Through some combination of raw resolution, imaging, timbral accuracy, and subtle dynamics, they manage to tap into the emotional core of music better than anything else I've heard.
With that said, a couple of my friends have told me that the Aurisonics 1 Plus is exceedingly good for the money ($396), with one of them thinking its flat out the best headphone he's listened to (and he's heard about as many as I have and more). I'm quite skeptical since he compares it to the LAB I, but I've got a pair on order. It's unfortunately back ordered at the moment though. I'm planning to meet up with a friend who was lucky enough to snag a pair to score a sneak peek though. I'm hoping it really is that good, as I'd really welcome a return to some sane pricing, especially after JH just went and unveiled the $2,500 Layla :l
