DT1350 has better isolation, and would still be my nomination over the M80s.

As for comfort, that varies by user.  I could wear mine for days.  Other people can't last 5 minutes...

All on ears have pretty crap comfort really (especially if you're a glasses wearer).

That being said, the M80's are not great for high noise commuting. They have vents that let in wind, train, and plane noise. The vents are useful when you're walking in a high pedestrian-automotive environment, but not so much otherwise.

IEMs, a DT1350, or a set of over ear noise cancelers (QC15/25) are still going to be the best bet for those situations.

If the V-Moda M80 is under consideration, the XS should replace it. Better isolation and higher sensitivity. Similar sound though the XS has a smoother response. Both have similar distortion in the bass (really can't expect much from a small on-ear) and upper mids. Good comfort and decent isolation if it fits your ears. Minus points because the cups don't swivel on the vertical axis which could cause fitment issues for some, but the super-compactness, durability and case are a big plus for portable use.

The XS is definitely an upgrade across the board - but I think that part of the reason the M-80's were up for contention at all was that their price has dropped so substantially. The XS is still really holding reasonably firm on it's price both new and aftermarket.

The DT1350 is a sonic upgrade over the XS and the M-80, especially in detail extraction and bass extension/quality. But, like the XS, it has held it's value a bit too well. DT1350 also has the chocolate-box Bayer issue too, where you never know what flavor of Whitman's Sampler you pulled until after you try them.

You can get the 1350s dirt-cheap on the used market these days, but I don't know if that should be taken into consideration.

Cheapest DT1350 I've seen in over a year was the one I sold to Ringingears in November. (And it should be the best deal, sold it to a pirate!) Prior to that, lowest price has been the $140 sale at Cowboom in January 2014. To find it lower than that, you have to go back to 2012. (Camelcamelcamel places the lowest ever for Amazon at $100, but that was for one day third party sale in 2013. 3rd party used price average for Amazon is $189.00.)

Lowest price for an M-80 was the $40 deal from Radioshack deal in September 2013. That was a statistical outlier, but these days the M-80 floats on the used market at $50-60.

$140-150 vs $50-60 used is a pretty substantial difference at this price point.

Wow I had no idea the M-80 was going that cheap. I can barely keep track of all the nutty US pricing.

1R are not so good. Did you say 1A is bettar? When did 1A come out? Still a Sony fanboy at heart.

I think you had the same issues as me with regards to not liking the 1R at higher volumes. Not weird upper midrange stuff on the 1A. I think the MDR-1A was released at the end of last year.

hello,

+1 for the XS.

they were a holiday prezzy for the GYTW. (she breaks EVERYTHING.) however she now gets the notion that certain cans are for certain uses and is happy with the sound. and i'm happy with their build quality and portability.