I cannot stand the "pressure" that IEMs cause when they completely seal. Instead I put on the smallest tips so they can easily breath. Then they are at least tolerable.

So far, I have bought many IEMs, some relatively expensive, costing more than some of my headphones I own. But I don't get it, the sound doesn't seem superior to even my headphones that cost much less--what's all the hubbub about IEMs, they seem like they cannot even compare, even in the same universe as headphones?

So by not letting them seal, is the sound degrading that much? How can any human tolerate the air pressure they cause when sealed, BTW? Like anytime I try to use sealing tips, my ears hurt so much from the air pressure, I cannot even listen to music for days, even with headphones.

I am one of those people who thought people who whined about wearing masks during COVID were stupid--I did not like it at first, but it wasn't hard to get used to. But this thing with IEMS....it is so invasive...not so much about putting things in there, but the air pressure they cause against my eardrums. I feel like anyone who uses these on a regular basis will be deaf within a year.

Maybe I am doing something wrong?