Navyblue's Oliv-o-flange (my ultimate tips for Etymotic IEMs)

[Navyblue]

Ever since I got my ER-4P, I've been trying to find the perfect tip for me.

Etymotic triflange would fit my left ear well, but not my right ear. Air pressure from repeating attempt at inserting hurt my right ear. Wetting the tip helps but the isolation on my right ear is not quite at the level of my left ears. The Etymotic grey foam wouldn't cling on my ears.

Then we have the famous Shure black foam a.k.a. the "olives". They are comfortable, but it somewhat fuzz the sound a bit, make the sound less focused and take away some of the Etymotic's famed treble. Those who finds Etymotics too shrill likes it, but there are others who are unwilling to trade comfort for the crispness in sound. Also isolation takes a hit compared to the Etymotic triflange.

I have used the Comply tips in the past, I didn't use them for long, but I see they have the potential of looking yucky, and there are little information whether they retain their property after they are washed.

I began to think I had exhausted the options in the market, then I started to ponder about creating my own options.

I had a theory, it is the foam in front of the nozzle that absorbed the high frequency sound. Thus it birthed the prototype below.



The front part is a small Shure black foam, with the foam in front of the nozzle removed. The rear portion is the rear part of a large Shure black foam to create a second seal at the opening of ear canal to improve isolation.

Isolation might have improved somewhat, but the Etymotic's signature crispness is still not present. I consider it a failure. But for those who like the "olive sound", the double seal might be worth doing. Just that I don't think cutting away the foam in front does anything.

Then I moved on to the next, and thankfully, the final model. Which I think I accomplished my objective, comfort and seal of the Shure black foam and with the crispness of triflange. Isolation might be also improved compared to stock Shure black foam. YMMV.

For those interested in doing the same, the steps are quite simple.

1. Cut away the first two flanges on the triflange. I simply used a pair of scissors. I left a bit of flange stump on the middle tube to create some resistance for the foam in case it would slide off easily.



2. Remove the plastic tube in the middle of a small Shure black foam. For me, with the rear of the foam facing me, I pulled down the foam as much as I can and used my finger nail to severe the foam sticking to the tube. There are other ways of doing it, but this works well for me.



3. Slot the de-tubed Shure black foam into the de-flanged Etymotic triflange. Voila, there you got it!



I don't have other Etymotic models, but I suppose it works for other models too.

Disclaimer: The foam wouldn't get stuck in my ears, but do this at your own risk! If unfortunately it does happen, seek professional help and do not attempt to remove the foam yourself.

[steviebee]

Golly, Navyblue - EXCELLENT work! Nice clear pix too
I have to try this! Looks superb.

Just to clarify - do you have a pic of the flange, cut, but w/out the olive? I take it you cut away the flange itself but leave the tube?

Thanks!

[Navyblue]

Thanks. Btw, photography is my other money sucker.

Yes, only the flange is cut, the middle tube has to be intact for the foam to latch on (since it no longer have the plastic tube).

[rainy]

I'm going to be receiving ety er-4p's next week, so I'm interested in this, too. I'm not sure whether I will find their stock foams comfy, but if I won't, what's the best place for getting cheap shure foams and er-4P/S converter? much thanks!

[Navyblue]

Originally Posted by rainy

I'm going to be receiving ety er-4p's next week, so I'm interested in this, too. I'm not sure whether I will find their stock foams comfy, but if I won't, what's the best place for getting cheap shure foams and er-4P/S converter? much thanks!

I got my foams from a local shop, sorry not familiar with online sources on this.

For the P to S adapter, apart from Etymotic's offering, Apuresound also made one. There is also an eBay seller from Hongkong that sells third party adapter which is much cheaper than the former two. I don't have the link but it has been mentioned here a few times.

[Sweet Spot]

Neat. I've been looking for a better fit solution for my iM616's, which I suppose are identical in shape/form to the ety's, right ? Do you think you can re-iterate the procedure with pics to accommodate for slow people such as myself ? Kind of a point a to b to c kind of deal. That would be sweet. And also, where can those foam tips be purchased ? Thanks.

Doug

[Navyblue]

Pictures added.

I'd suppose it can be done on any silicone tip that is long enough to fit the foam. Else you can even shorten the foam.

The black Shure foam can be purchased from many IEM retailers, online or brick and mortar shops.

[steviebee]

Great additional pix, NB, thanks!
Man, you make a neat cut getting out the olive core! Mine are lot more, er, primitive....

Yes, there was an Ebay seller (in HK I think) who had a P>S adapter rather than cable. I was tempted by that.

[Golden Monkey]

Nice little mod there, NB. For me the triflanges work great, but are uncomfortable for long periods of time. They isolate better than anything I've tried, seal great, but they just feel like I have Legos in my ears, lol. The Ety foams don't work for me at all. How's the "life span" on your mod? I mean, how long do they last?

[steviebee]

The P>S adaptor seller:

ETYMOTIC ER4P TO ER4S RESISTOR ADAPTOR on eBay, also Other, Headphones, Headsets, A V Accessories Cables, Consumer Electronics (end time 06-Jun-08 05:33:52 BST)

[Navyblue]

Originally Posted by steviebee

Man, you make a neat cut getting out the olive core! Mine are lot more, er, primitive....

I wanted to clip my finger nails for weeks, but didn't. I guess that's why.

[Navyblue]

Originally Posted by Golden Monkey

Nice little mod there, NB. For me the triflanges work great, but are uncomfortable for long periods of time. They isolate better than anything I've tried, seal great, but they just feel like I have Legos in my ears, lol. The Ety foams don't work for me at all. How's the "life span" on your mod? I mean, how long do they last?

Thanks.

I just synthesised the idea this evening while commuting and made it once I got home. So I don't really know how long it would last.

But I used my medium olive (unmodded) for weeks and doesn't look like it need change. I take them off and wash it under tap with dish liquid. They do loose their memory foam effect would still work just as well.

[Dr. Bob]

Navyblue,
I admire your tenacity and inventiveness.
FYI, the current version of Comply Foam Tips is gray in color, in part, to extend the use time from the original peach colored ones which tended to show ear wax. The gray (called platinum) colored tips typically last 3 months in the average consumer electronic use. The use time would be shorter if you have a particularly waxy ear canal. Longer if you have a dry flaky skin type ear canal.
Dr. Bob

[Navyblue]

Thanks Dr. Bob.

I have the grey Comply tips for another IEM. My gripe is that during warm days, the tips would be rather oily after use.

For the Shure black foam, I just wash it under the tap with dish liquid and it would be clean again. Whereas for Comply tips, information on what would happen if it is washed seems very scarce. The best I could I do is to dap off the oil with cloth or tissue paper.

Since I could get the Shure black foam equally easily, I didn't get them again. But otherwise it is softer and has more memory foam effect than the Shure.

[tstarn06]

Nice mod. Have to try it for my im716s. As for washing Comply sleeves, don't bother. I had 3 dirty but usable pair sitting around, so I washed them with soap and warm water. They came clean, but lost their "sturdiness," and also, the plastic tube fell out of one. No more memory, none. Seems the water gets into them and no matter how much you squeeze, they still feel way too soft for a good seal.