My Er-6 Custom earmolds!!!

[Gahman 0]

Check these out!!!

Edited May 17, 2006 by Mackie

[Gahman 0]

and this...

Edited May 17, 2006 by Mackie

[Gahman 0]

and this!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mod edit: Please resize your pictures before posting. I have done it for you this time around.

Edited May 17, 2006 by Mackie

[RB26DETT 0]

Beautiful! Where did you get the molds done?

[Gahman 0]

I'm sure you all would like a review, unfortunately, I'm not a maestro with words. But I'll try my best. I got my molds from Westone through

 

Jaben Networks

 

Although I had to get the ear impressions through a third party, Jaben has that service now!! Good News to all!!!

 

Basically, they're red and a solid acrylic hybrid, so it's still flexible but not as isolating.

 

Things that are different with my new Er-6 molds:

 

1. Comfort- It is do much more comfortable than with the provided silicon 2-flange eartips.

 

2. Seal and fit - As above mentioned it doesn't really isolate as well as silicon, however the seal and fit is greatly improved. I used to have to spend a good 15 to get a desired seal that was good and comfortable. With these babies, it's just a matter of seconds and rolling it the right way.

 

3. Audio quality - Okay here's the tricky part. There is a big change in the audio charateristics of the Er-6 after fitting on the molds. And it's not a negative lah.

 

You see, I used to wear the er-6 really deep in with the 2 flange eartips and that sealed in the bass and brought the driver physically closer to the ear drum while wedged uncomfortably in the ear canal. As you can see from the pics, the driver can go in as deep.

 

Hence the bass amplitude may have dropped a dB or two. However, that can be remedied with a simple eqing of the player with the bass raised one level or two. After that the bass is punchy and clear, not muddied at all and not tin-ny. Can hear Flea's bass in Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium with no difficulty at all.

 

The mids and highs are crisp and clean. There is an improvement in the sound quality especially in the guitars and strings, and cymbals of recording. You can hear everything!!!

 

Finally, one thing that really blew me away was the widening of the soundstage! It feels like (I dunno if I should write this but they're my ears. ok?) I'm listening to speakers. Well not really because you know you can't feel the sound and all but I mean to say that Stereo Imaging is much more defined! I can point out where instruments are located in my mind as if I was sitting in a live atmosphere. Somehow I think because I chose acrylic (hard) plastic, the hollow of the molds act like a simulated ear canal and amplifies certain frequencies to make you percieve a wider soundstage? Maybe

 

The Er-6 are a good flt pair of IEMs, and an earmolds boosts it capabilities. But I must remind people to check the details of fitting them as certain things maybe overlooked. For example, the er-6 molds are actually musician earplugs that require an adapter. Thank God, I called Etymotics about this and recieved a pair because even though I stated on the order form to westone to provide them, they never did.

 

So remember, You too can now own a pair of custom IEMs from Westone! Just go over to Jaben Networks!!

[david watt 0]

Hey Gahman

Nice pics dude. The earmolds look especially unique with the fresh-chilli-red colour. Is that your personal preference or do they only have it in red?

 

Just curious: From the price that Jaben is offering for earmolds,

price wise:ER6+custom=>ER4/E4C?

 

What makes you decide on spending this extra cash on the earmolds instead of a higher-rung IEM? Or did Wilson give you a special deal?

 

Frankly, because of this, personally i cannot fathom getting customs unless they are for comparatively highly-priced/flagship IEMs.

Edited May 16, 2006 by david watt

[[J]-ohn 0]

I would rather spent the money buying the er4p or e4c or even um2, I mean custom earmold are for better isolation afterall but if the current tips serve me well then shouldn't be a problem. Unless the custom earmould + er6i sound = to er4p, then that's a different story.....

[Gahman 0]

oops!

Edited May 17, 2006 by Gahman

[Gahman 0]

David: Thanks for the compliments!

 

1. You can choose a plain colour for Westone molds free of charge! I like red.

 

2: I like the Er-6 because it has a really flat frequency for an IEM. I'm currently a audio reinforcment student with around 9 years of unofficial experience and i find that the Er-6 has good form and function for my needs at a budget.

 

3) I decided on the earmolds mainly based on two factors: sound enhanvement and comfort. As i had posted the dual flanges were great for isolation but took too long to fit and were uncomfortable for long periods.

 

[J]-ohn: I understand where you're coming from, but let me share:

 

Firstly, these are Er-6, not Er-6i. Er-6 has a flatter frequency and a higher impedence. The Er-6 was meant to be the budget solution for the Er-4 series with a similar frequency response. The Er-6i is a version of the Er-6 designed for I-pod or portable player users with a lower impedence and boosted bass. If you think about it the Er-6i is two generations away from the Er-4 series.

 

Secondly, I made hard molds so its more for audio enhancement more than isolation, though it does isolate quite a bit too.

 

By the way guys I use a pa2v2 headamp with my setup so it brings out the best in the Er-6.

 

[Mackie 0]

As Gahman has pointed out numerous times, speak to Wilson of Jarben on your wants and doubts. He is already available in this forum and there's no better way to have all your queries answered than this.

[Mackie 0]

Fongaly, pm Wilson and perhaps make an appt with him. Since he has decided to join the forum, I'm sure he is ready to face all our bugging which will be fast and furious? hahaha

[afbug 0]

Waaa red! A little too much for me. I'll choose blue for left and red for right. But i agree that it sits too far from your ears. You will lose bass if the drivers are too far. If i will you, i'll send them back and ask them to modify it.

 

Take a look at Ety's site. Their picture of a ER6 with customs sits deeper in the mold.

 

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx

[Gahman 0]

thanks for the replies guys,

 

firstly audio reinforcment is "sound engineering" just another way of saying it lah! If you really need to know the price... Ask Wilson AKA Jaben!!

 

And I do loose bass, but at the same time I gain mid and high frequency, just a simple eq touch-up will remedy this. Besides I like a "flat" frequency response.

 

By the way, here's how i got the idea,

 

headfi

[afbug 0]

Yes they're different but isn't the ER6 designed to sit deeper in the ears? Well what matters most is Gahman is satisified with it. If my earmold for a ER4 is like that, its nono.

[Gahman 0]

WOW! I just called Etymotics and guess what?! The design is called counter sunk. And Westone does them! Westone molds have a 90 day waranty. So after talking to Wilson at 12 midnight just now. He offered to meet me in 15 mins to pick up my old impressions and the molds because he's shipping some stuff to Westone at 5 in the morning! Isn't that great service!!! Thank you Wilson! You're like a Godsend angel! THANK YOU!!!!

Edited May 18, 2006 by Gahman