[Xperia Z1 Accessories] Vanarian:
Well those are costly but you just need to know where and when to look. the retail price is normally expensive but I got my Denon C301 for like 30$, plus 10-15$ shipping. The phones themselves were not that expensive. And there might not be anything in ear bigger in size than those ones, the drivers need to breathe! 3-4 drivers earphones are generally more compact or a bit longer, but slimmer (which I honestly can't explain, I'm more into headphones blueprints, not earphones).

About our Xperia Z1, it's true that I usually ride it with one or two portable amp but tube amps are useless with earphones, what will really take the win with those ones are full sized headphones of high grade. And at this point it is also all about combination, high grade cables (full silver, silver copper, gold? etc). The only earphones pair that I see getting past its own type might be the Unique Melody Merlin series. And it is as expensive as full size headphones.

Also don't underestimate the Qualcomm DAC, it is really well implemented in our Xperia Z1 and we're talking about a portable source+smartphone here, not a single dedicated portable source. From this point of view, it is definitely one of the best music phones you will get from 2013-2014. Clean and lively sound, no distortions, instrument separation and spacialization are well made too. And the DAC is silent. Sony has made his homework here.

What I mean is : you CAN enjoy quality earphones or headphones from it. May be not at the earphones' full potential but I'd say 80%, the last remaining percent being cherry on the cake. If you go a little further away and plug an amp, you bring maybe 90%. To get even better, you need a real equalizer which our phones are never going to get anytime soon, unless a developper takes time to do a 10-30 parametric bands EQ with sliding gestures, since the bands are not going to fit the screen's size.

And it also depends on the files you're listening to, you're right. If the user uses 120kbps MP3, he can just use Apple earbuds. He gets past the compressed music and tries better encoded files, there quality cans and earphones are going to show how worthy these are.

Anyway, if you plug twin-driver (like mine or Music Maniac) or triple-driver (like Ultimate Ears Triple Fi), you will enjoy them with the Z1. And I'm sure that you will enjoy the Senheiser IM 50 or IM70 too. (Off-topic, but I'm pretty surprised to recommend Senheiser to somebody, considering I almost hate what Senn do with headphones. Some people love the HD-25 for exemple, I hate it the most. Not worst headphones I've ever heard, but dead absent soundstage and weak low/mid bass made it unbearable for me. I just think that the earphones here are well made).

EDIT : HAHA I remember why I didn't recommend Senn.... IM70 and IM50 are AudioTechnica! Stupid me for switching names!

The real problem with multiple drivers is : the more drivers you have, the more power you'll need, so an amp might be required. As for my personal taste and comfort, I bring a bag sized just to contain my wallet, my passport and my driving licence. Pretty small, right? I always have a little pouch in there too where I store my Denons and my two portable amps. Everything fits into my little bag too. The thing is still slim and compact. So the setup is fully portable, considering I'm really often going everywhere.

This is right for the JVC too : those earphones need a proper driving to give everything. Well, if you've never heard headphones or earphones through an amp, you won't care and you will already notice the difference between models. If you're already familiar with amps, I suggest to try to get an Headstage Arrow, a C&C BH or a Digizoid ZO. For the size and price, and performance provided, there might not be anything that compares. The rest might be either bigger, more expensive or will not perform as good.

(I don't know if my post is confusing to read, I tried to answer to showlyshah and the OP too haha, my bad if it looks messed up).