custom make earphone

[stephen chung 0]

Went down to stereo 2 weeks back and they told me a custom make earphone cost about $1k+..

 

But what is earphone they use inside? don't know if shure SE530 have custom or not??

Edited December 25, 2008 by stephen chung

[peanutbutterjam 0]

Ok I think you're confused. There are custom-fit IEMs and custom sleeves for universal-fit IEMs.

 

Custom sleeves are custom made tips for generic IEMs. Thus the sleeve is fitted onto the IEM and hence gives you the added comfort.

 

Custom-fit IEM include the ACS T1,2,3 range, westone ES range, UE, Livewires, hearityouself.com, etc. The entire IEM is a custom, that is the drivers are embedded in the mould.

 

Yes there are custom sleeves for the shure 530. And yes I suppose the 1k+ one is the ACS range. Though frankly if i were you I'd make sure I'm not changing IEMs soon if I get custom sleeves.

 

Full custom IEMs on the other hand is a complete leap of faith. It is very hard for you to try out before getting one because it is exceedingly difficult to get a good seal on a custom not meant for you.

 

So if you're thinking of getting the sleeves for your 530, I suggest you convince yourself that this is THE IEM for you, perhaps by trying out all the other universal-fit ones in the market. If you just got your shures, I'd suggest you use it for at least 3+ months more to see if your usage justifies the expense.

 

For me, no one is taking of my very first pair of IEMs I'd ever owned

Edited December 25, 2008 by peanutbutterjam

[stephen chung 0]

Ok I think you're confused. There are custom-fit IEMs and custom sleeves for universal-fit IEMs.

 

Custom sleeves are custom made tips for generic IEMs. Thus the sleeve is fitted onto the IEM and hence gives you the added comfort.

 

Custom-fit IEM include the ACS T1,2,3 range, westone ES range, UE, Livewires, hearityouself.com, etc. The entire IEM is a custom, that is the drivers are embedded in the mould.

 

Yes there are custom sleeves for the shure 530. And yes I suppose the 1k+ one is the ACS range. Though frankly if i were you I'd make sure I'm not changing IEMs soon if I get custom sleeves.

 

Full custom IEMs on the other hand is a complete leap of faith. It is very hard for you to try out before getting one because it is exceedingly difficult to get a good seal on a custom not meant for you.

 

So if you're thinking of getting the sleeves for your 530, I suggest you convince yourself that this is THE IEM for you, perhaps by trying out all the other universal-fit ones in the market. If you just got your shures, I'd suggest you use it for at least 3+ months more to see if your usage justifies the expense.

 

For me, no one is taking of my very first pair of IEMs I'd ever owned

 

Bro, thanks for the explanation. But I still have not idea what is custom fit and custom sleeves...sorry. The one I saw at stereo the earphone is damn strange looking man....I have compare westone 3 n shure se530 n i still prefer the se530...have not try others yet....BTW what is IEMs? I am really a noob in these man....

[Yon 0]

Bro, thanks for the explanation. But I still have not idea what is custom fit and custom sleeves...sorry. The one I saw at stereo the earphone is damn strange looking man....I have compare westone 3 n shure se530 n i still prefer the se530...have not try others yet....BTW what is IEMs? I am really a noob in these man....

 

You can consider shure se530 an IEM, it refers to "in ear monitors".

 

[david watt 0]

 

Those in-ear-monitors (IEM) that you can get off the shelf such as the Westone UM1, UM2; Shure SE530, Ultimate Ears Triple-fi etc comes with many tips so that you can find one that fits your ears, i.e. create a decent seal when the IEM is placed at the opening of the ear canal.

 

Customs, on the other hand, are IEMS that are made for your ears only. You have to get an audiologist to make an impression of your ear canal and the IEM company will make a IEM based on that. This customised IEM does not come with any tips as the entire piece of IEM is meant to fit into your ear and yours alone.

 

For customs, the drivers used might be the same as those IEMs off the shelf but the customs have an advantage in that, based on the anatomy of your ear canal, the drivers will be placed in an optimum position for the best audio quality.

 

[stephen chung 0]

You can consider shure se530 an IEM, it refers to "in ear monitors".

 

okok..thx....

 

[peanutbutterjam 0]

okok..thx....

Bascially to clear your doubts, the shure 530's are what is called IEMs. The iPod stock earphones are what is normally called earbuds.

 

In layman terms all the above is generally termed as earphones, but we usually want to make a distinction between them and hence the naming.

 

And btw bro, if you haven't got your shure 530 yet, I'd recommend you try around first before settling for potentially one of the most expensive IEMs avaliable. A typical list of "must-try", westone 3, UM-2, UE TF 10, Atrios, Klipsch Image.

 

And of course, ER-4

[stephen chung 0]

Basically to clear your doubts, the shure 530's are what is called IEMs. The iPod stock earphones are what is normally called earbuds.

 

In layman terms all the above is generally termed as earphones, but we usually want to make a distinction between them and hence the naming.

 

And btw bro, if you haven't got your shure 530 yet, I'd recommend you try around first before settling for potentially one of the most expensive IEMs available. A typical list of "must-try", westone 3, UM-2, UE TF 10, Atrios, Klipsch Image.

 

And of course, ER-4

 

okok....Where can I find all these earphones? I have try westone 3, have yet to try the others.

 

thanks

[nofing 0]

Stereo carries some and so does Jaben. Between the 2 shops, you should be able to have a pretty good exposure of the IEMs available in the market these days.

[peanutbutterjam 0]

Stereo carries some and so does Jaben. Between the 2 shops, you should be able to have a pretty good exposure of the IEMs available in the market these days.

Yup. Frankly above the $300 price range, IEMs are really just a matter of preference. Above $300 the SQ is definitely there. A $300 IEM to me isn't better or worse than a $600 one, its just simply your preference.

 

So you'd better try, especially since the 530 doesn't come too cheap (for someone starting).

[stephen chung 0]

Stereo carries some and so does Jaben. Between the 2 shops, you should be able to have a pretty good exposure of the IEMs available in the market these days.

 

 

Sorry got to ask again...where is jaben or who is jaben?

 

well, since I am at it might as well ask which portable earphone amp is good?

[Singapura 0]

Jaben is a specialised headphone and IEM shop at Adelphi, opposite Funan Center. The problem with custom IEM's is that you can't try them out properly because they are made for your ears only. If you don't like the sound, you can't sell them for the same reason. I wouldn't go for the Shures immediately and certainly not for customs if I were you because you'll miss the journey towards audio Nirvana Price doesn't always mean quality and it certainly doesn't guarantee audio bliss. I started out with Sony "earbuds" and went from UE Superfi EB's to Crossroads and ended up with Shure E500's. I still listen to the Crossroads though, even if they cost 10 times less. It all depends on my mood (and the weather...)

[stephen chung 0]

Jaben is a specialized headphone and IEM shop at Adelphi, opposite Funan Center. The problem with custom IEM's is that you can't try them out properly because they are made for your ears only. If you don't like the sound, you can't sell them for the same reason. I wouldn't go for the Shures immediately and certainly not for customs if I were you because you'll miss the journey towards audio Nirvana Price doesn't always mean quality and it certainly doesn't guarantee audio bliss. I started out with Sony "earbuds" and went from UE Superfi EB's to Crossroads and ended up with Shure E500's. I still listen to the Crossroads though, even if they cost 10 times less. It all depends on my mood (and the weather...)

 

I have try westone 3 and shure se530. I still like the SE530 more. I have not try our the other the other bros have into to me...I will go down to jaben and se to try out tonight and tml. I think for custom sleeve is ok right? even if you want to sell u can still take out the custom sleeve and put back originl one right? Tell me if I am wrong..

 

[ical 0]

I have try westone 3 and shure se530. I still like the SE530 more. I have not try our the other the other bros have into to me...I will go down to jaben and se to try out tonight and tml. I think for custom sleeve is ok right? even if you want to sell u can still take out the custom sleeve and put back originl one right? Tell me if I am wrong..

 

You're not alone. I've both Westone3 and SE530. But sold W3 shortly after. SE530 has a better texture and more natural sounding with a very good mid. It still my top universal IEM for now.

 

Yes, custom sleeve is removable. Presently I'm using Westone UM56 for my SE530. If make for Shure, it can be also use on Westone. For UE, it can be use on Sennheiser IE series and Sony. I heard that those from ACS is better and more comfortable so you might also want to check it out too.

Edited December 26, 2008 by ical

[dennis28288 0]

I have try westone 3 and shure se530. I still like the SE530 more. I have not try our the other the other bros have into to me...I will go down to jaben and se to try out tonight and tml. I think for custom sleeve is ok right? even if you want to sell u can still take out the custom sleeve and put back originl one right? Tell me if I am wrong..

 

one more very important point to note here, the custom sleeves may be interchangable for some iems, like um1, um2, shure 530 all can use um56, but for UE and westome3, the molds are completely different and of a different model, of course not to forget er4 which will require the style 34 earmolds. All ear molds mentioned here are westone, there are other molds but i'm not too sure of it.

 

hence as peanut butter jam mentioned, it is better to settle down on 1 ear piece before getting the mold. These molds are not cheap to begin with, so if u decide to change for example from um2 to ue tf10, the mold made for um2 cannot be reused with the tf10