Scott,

Sorry for the time I took to respond.

I did not have the opportunity to compare the Sennheiser IE-3 with other much more expensive custom fitted ear buds. I auditioned these ear buds (with a friend that owns such a system) and decided that they are sufficiently good for my demands. The price was also a good surprise.

The IE-3 has a similar appearance than that of a normal cheap set of walkman buds, but the quality of the sound is far superior, specially in the low frequencies. Of course, Scott, you can always purchase a complete wireless system as the one you mention in your message, but the transmitter/receiver doesn't add any quality to the sound, which is basicaly determined by the buds themselves. A proper adjustment to the ear is very important to achieve a good punchy sound. I found the ear buds very comfortable and they don't fall down easily once properly adjusted.

Two more points. A "complete pro sounding" doesn't have to include the transmitter/receiver that is responsible for a big part of the wireless system price. If you are a musician moving and jumping on stage, going wireless is mandatory, but an entertainer sitting behind his keyboard doesn't need the complete system (in my opinion). Another thing is how you control volume level. In a wireless system, a level control is certainly included. A wired system like my Sennheiser IE-3 doesn't have such a control, so I have to set a proper level in the mixer (headphones output). I never felt uncomfortable with loud levels.

To be honest, the ear buds properly adjusted impose a HIGH degree of isolation from the audiences, so for frequent communication I wouldn't recommend them. But there are ways to overcome this. You can point a mic to the audience and mix the captured sound with your live sound so that you receive feedback from the public. In my personal case, I found that during certain parts of a live act, these monitors inspire my performance.

-- José.