The only trouble I see taking on such mammoth task is that no matter what tips are recommended, people will often prefer this tip over that one - we've seen it on this very thread.
As far as I can remember from all threads I've seen people prefer either comply, silicone, snigle/ double/ tripple flange, Shure olives, etc., etc. Trouble is people's ears & ear canals are different and we all prefer different sound sigs. The perfect mids for me turn out to be the 'in your face mids' to someone else. The piercing highs for some, the heavenly detailed treble to others. The booming/bloated bass may be just perfect for others. Great instrument separation for some becomes too distracting/ analytical for others, and so on.
Then there's the type of music, quality of recording, source, time of day for listening (very often so overlooked by so many), ie there's such a thing as sound/ noise overload, volume preferences and more.
There are so many variables at play here that such a guide, I feel, might end up being somewhat misguided and ultimately may prove futile.
Some good points. But when buying "top-tier" IEMs one to another is usually considered a sidestep then a clear "upgrade." Here is when the buyer will hopefully decide which sound signature they prefer and buy accordingly. Once they have said IEM I don't know how much they would want to change the sound signature if that was the premise in purchasing it in the first place. I understand variations and tweaking to achieve an even more refined sound of that sound signature but once you invent in that signature it wouldn't make sense to alter it dramatically (I don't think there has been a tip that has dramatically changed a sig, has there?). There are other IEMs for that.
I was thinking more of a database of tips that fit. I see that a lot. "Will this tip X fit on this nozzle Y." "Has anyone tried this tip Y with this IEM Z." etc. Once you establish a group of tips that fit for each 'phone you can maybe poll the users and see which ones they prefer, etc. A general consensus and ranking would be more beneficial and easier on the wallet than throwing a person in a sea of threads and hope they find a tip that will ultimately please them. Or worse, they can discard and negatively brand the IEM because the sound they got wasn't as "marketed." That may close the door to a few potential buyers who based their decision of a few posters who had a bad experience.
*Now that I think about it there still is the issue of the tip actually fitting the ear canal. It's really hit and miss here from some. I guess this does prove to be a huge hurdle to jump is someone was to create such a thread. hmm..
Edited by Surreal. - 8/2/10 at 8:38am
