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How Do You Know That Custom IEMs Fit Perfectly?

post #1 of 11
7/1/08 at 4:44pm
Thread Starter 
There always seems to be a lot of talk on this site about Custom IEMs and whether or not a person has the right fit. Obviously, if you're going to shell out upwards of a grand or more you want to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect about your purchase. It's not like buying a cheapie pair of generics from Radio Shack.

Because of the material used to mold customs they seal slightly different than universal IEMs. The universals obviously use a much softer, more forgiving material. When they seal you know it for sure; and when they lose their seal, as many often do, you know it too. The customs are molded right to your ear canal and when you get your seal they tend to stay that way, which is the beauty of the custom. It's supposed to fit like a glove. No fuss, no muss. Perfect fit, superior sound quality. That's why you pay the big bucks.

Okay, get to the point already!

I would like to open this thread up to people who have had issues with their custom ear moldings and what they did about it, how long it took to get it right, etc. But the MAIN QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU IS:

How do you know that you don't have a proper seal? I'd like to believe that I do but how can you truly tell? It's not air tight. It blocks out most outside noise but I can still barely hear things. Should I not be able to hear ANYTHING? I don't really have a frame of reference to compare to which is why I am questioning the fit of my own custom UE10s. Any tips?

Thanks in advance. Share away....
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post #2 of 11
7/1/08 at 5:32pm
So, if a couple years down the road, you notice they don't fit, OR your ear changes (they do...don't they?), will the give you a free "update"?
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post #3 of 11
7/1/08 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 
I get what you're saying but what does that have to do with my question (no offense)?

My question (I realize it's buried in the end of the post) is literally HOW you know you have the fitting/seal that is expected from Cutom IEMs. Sorry if that was unclear.
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post #4 of 11
7/1/08 at 6:53pm
are you happy with the sound?
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post #5 of 11
7/1/08 at 6:54pm
Sensaphonics / Seal Test

You can do that test to see if you have a proper seal. Do the test with your best seal, then try to break the seal and see the difference. When there is any breakage of the seal at all, the 50hz sound volume should be much lower than the 500hz.

For me the 50hz sound shakes my head when I have a proper seal.
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post #6 of 11
7/2/08 at 4:52am
If the bass sounds right then you got a great seal. In terms of outside sound attenuation, my Triple.Fi + Comply tips (almost dead silent) isolate about 15% better than my UE11s. This difference can be ascribed not to fit but to the materials used in that foam blocks out sound waves better than hard acrylic
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post #7 of 11
7/2/08 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
I will do the test- thank you. I'll report on the results after I finish with the test.

Question: It was very easy for me to tell when I had a seal with my Super.Fis. I could feel the suction. I don't get that with the UE10s. Does that mean I am not gettingthe desired seal or is that because of the acrylic?
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post #8 of 11
7/2/08 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by powertoold View Post
Sensaphonics / Seal Test

You can do that test to see if you have a proper seal. Do the test with your best seal, then try to break the seal and see the difference. When there is any breakage of the seal at all, the 50hz sound volume should be much lower than the 500hz.

For me the 50hz sound shakes my head when I have a proper seal.

I tried that test with my UE11, and the 50hz tone is much lower than the 500hz, but the seal on my UE11 is excellent, and the bass is HUGE, so no loss there, but that tone is very low. Odd.
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post #9 of 11
7/2/08 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
I just finished doing the test as well. The higher pitched tone "seems" louder just because it it a lot more harsh on the ears (I think). It's tough to gauge but I think I do indeed have the proper seal. It may not be "perfect" but at this point there does nto seem to be an ABSOLUTELY DEFINITIVE way to tell for sure. I'm happy with the sound that I amgetting from my rig and I guess that is what counts the most. I was just interested to see if there was any true blue way to tell if you had the desired seal.
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post #10 of 11
7/2/08 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EyeAmEye View Post
I tried that test with my UE11, and the 50hz tone is much lower than the 500hz, but the seal on my UE11 is excellent, and the bass is HUGE, so no loss there, but that tone is very low. Odd.
Ya, it's more of a sound pressure comparison rather than volume. The 50hz tone should feel powerful - like it's shaking your head. Try breaking the seal and doing the 50hz tone, you shouldn't feel anything at all.
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post #11 of 11
7/2/08 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by powertoold View Post
Ya, it's more of a sound pressure comparison rather than volume. The 50hz tone should feel powerful - like it's shaking your head. Try breaking the seal and doing the 50hz tone, you shouldn't feel anything at all.

Thanks for the clarification, it was bothering me that perhaps I never had a good seal in the first place and only thought I did.
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