Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Are custom IEM's significantly more comfortable than high-end universal IEM's?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Are custom IEM's significantly more comfortable than high-end universal IEM's?

post #1 of 30
7/19/10 at 8:37am
Thread Starter 

When comparing high-end universal IEM's to custom IEM's, do you find the comfort and fit of the universal to be:

 
1) significantly less comfortable than custom made
2) almost on par with
3) roughly on par
4) Universal's are actually more comfortable than custom made
 
(assume the best universal and best custom you've had experience with)
 
 
 
[For those so inclined to help me with my own decision making]:
The decision has been narrowed down to TF 10, Shure SE530 or JH 5 Pro custom made.
My Criteria:
- $400 Max
- Driven by Itouch 3rd gen. (No amp)
- Fit and comfort are critically important to me (hence the original question) as I will be listening for many hours at a time
- Isolation: Not particularly important to me. I would still like to hear someone speak at work or hear a car coming while running, lol (all-in-all full isolation or no isolation makes little difference to me)
- Listening: Primarily ambient electronic (e.g. Nature sound's, Kitaro, Nicholas Gunn...) and female vocals (e.g. Delerium, Enya, Enigma, Garbage, Poe...). Bass is nice but not of primary importance.
 
Custom's sound like a good option but I don't feel are a good value (i.e. A universal purchased at $400 can be resold at $300+ provided you take care of them. A $400 custom is $400 down the drain if you tire of them) so I'm leaning toward the Shure SE530's at this point.
 
 
Thank you in advance to those generous enough to offer assistance,
Joe
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control
Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones
post #2 of 30
7/19/10 at 8:56am

in my experience, yes they are significantly more comfortable.

Reply
post #3 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:08pm

And in my experience no. Admitedly I have only tried custom tips. I found that having a great wodge of silicone in my ear was more uncomfortable than just having a tip in my ear canal. YMWV!

Reply
post #4 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:16pm

My custom IEM is much much more comfortable than my previous high end universal (SE530).  But then again, it all depends on your ear size/shape.  Some people find the SE530 very comfortable.

Reply
post #5 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:20pm

Customs are more comfortable with consistent isolation and once it heats up to body temp, you hardly know it's there. The quality of the custom IEM is very dependant on the accuracy of your mold.  I get my mold done by an audiologist.

Reply
post #6 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:24pm
No contest. Customs all the way. Besides cost, only down side is that once I put them in, the wife has to ask something.
Reply
post #7 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:52pm

Its deliberate protocol response - they have it hardwired into their annoyance circuits.

 

Next time it happens, just get a pad of paper and a pen and hand it to her
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Liver View Post

No contest. Customs all the way. Besides cost, only down side is that once I put them in, the wife has to ask something.
Reply
post #8 of 30
7/19/10 at 2:58pm

Customs can be resold nowadays. Mind you, you generally do take a heavier loss than reselling universals, but you do get something for them at least.

People can get used customs reshelled by reshelling companies like Unique Melody in China and Fisher Hearing in Florida.

Reply
post #9 of 30
7/21/10 at 5:30am
Thread Starter 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethan961 View Post

Customs can be resold nowadays. Mind you, you generally do take a heavier loss than reselling universals, but you do get something for them at least.

People can get used customs reshelled by reshelling companies like Unique Melody in China and Fisher Hearing in Florida.


So I'm under the impression that "customs can't be sold" is outdated information.

Reply
post #10 of 30
7/21/10 at 5:31am
Thread Starter 

Thank you everyone who responded. Anyone else have comments?

Reply
post #11 of 30
7/21/10 at 5:38am

For me absolutely...customs:)

Reply
post #12 of 30
7/21/10 at 6:07am

Do you custom owners find it to be true that customs typically last 2-4 years due to changes in your ear.  Has anyone felt them lose their comfort over time due to possible changes in ear shape?

Reply
post #13 of 30
7/21/10 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joay View Post

Quote:


So I'm under the impression that "customs can't be sold" is outdated information.


They can be sold now yes but for the most you will suffer a loss. They typically go for 50% or less of how much you bought it for not including shipping, impressions, etc.

Reply
post #14 of 30
7/21/10 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 

OK, I'm sold on the customs. Next question:

 

SE530 Pro, TF10 Pro or JH 5 Pro?

Reply
post #15 of 30
7/21/10 at 8:53am

Anyone on this thread from London and know where I can get customs made for my Shure's.

Can't find anywhere and when I search I get pointed towards places in America. Going to the US to get them really would be an expense. So any pointers within our great tube network here in LDN would be much appreciated


Edited by EllisDee - 7/21/10 at 8:54am
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control
Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Are custom IEM's significantly more comfortable than high-end universal IEM's?