Adding to the iMetals' appeal as portable earphones is the inclusion of a clamshell carrying case with a built-in cable wrap. The case also has a mesh pocket for holding eartips (Maximo includes one set each in S, M, and L) or similarly tiny items. The eartips are the standard silicone variety, which I usually have trouble fitting properly in my small ears. However, in this case, the medium size worked just fine, and I was able to achieve an adequate seal for bass response and noise isolation. In fact, I found the iMetals to be quite comfortable, but should note that the actual aperture (where the eartip attaches) is quite large and may cause problems for those with small or irregularly-shaped (i.e. not perfectly round) ear openings.
Sound quality is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the iMetal earphones. On the one hand, you get super-thumping bass and a surprising amount of high-end detail. Mids, however, can have a slightly bright or digital quality to them. Also, clarity isn't the greatest at times because of the overwhelming low-end. Many songs have a muffled quality--almost as if you were listening underwater, except you can still hear a lot of detail. Some styles of music, such as jazz, don't really suffer from the problem, but others (electronica, rock) are tainted. Still, if you place all your favor in the land of bass--and you don't have lots of cash to drop on headphones--the iMetals could do just fine.
