Ety HF5 don't seal: or is it me ?

New tips don't seal well, but after some use the tips will seal much better. If you don't want to wait you can put some water on the tips before using them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniele_g 

ops, one more question about water on the tips: is it enough to have them just a little damp on the surface ?

I guess thay must not be drenched with water... must they ?

A little damp is enough.

You probably don't have them deep enough.  HF5's should be inserted deep enough so that the strain reliefs sit in that little groove in your ears and basically cannot be inserted any deeper at all.  If your earphones are hanging out of your ears then they haven't been inserted deep enough.  Watch the video that etymotic research has on their web page, it will help a lot.  Also try pulling your ears upwards while inserting.

it's you!etymotic's isolate better than any other IEM.....i have tried them all,nothing else comes close....must be a tip issue or you simply arent inserting them properly

Yes, use the supplied tri-flanges and insert as far as they go until they stop.  You can't hurt you ears.  Your eardrum is in quite a bit farther in than any tri-flange tip.  You should be able to obtain complete sound blockage from the outside.

I had forgotten how deep these go after using shallow IEMs and customs. I just pulled out my pair and put them in, and yes. You should insert them until the strain relief is just about resting on that little ledge. 

If you're not used to it, your ears might actually hurt a bit, but the hf5 is a very nice set, so just wait it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro 

Yes, use the supplied tri-flanges and insert as far as they go until they stop.  You can't hurt you ears.  Your eardrum is in quite a bit farther in than any tri-flange tip.  You should be able to obtain complete sound blockage from the outside.

That is my experience with the HF-5's new, less expensive cousin, the MC-5.  I am in a very noisy bookstore coffee shop, and although I can still hear the muted surrounding din of multiple conversations in between music tracks, when there is music playing, it is all I can hear.  This is my first experience with any IEM, and I am impressed.  I took off the tri-flange tips that came pre-installed on the MC-5s in favor of the larger tri-flanges, and just had to get used to the procedure for proper insertion and removal.  I can only compare it to my first set of contact lenses.  Initially they are uncomfortable and feel like they might even be injurious, but eventually you kind of forget about them.  Being immersed in high-quality music in this kind of public environment makes for quite an adjustment when I take them out, though. 

Try glider tips at first if you are having a hard time with tri flange. The gliders are easiest to insert and you literally just shove them in as far as you can, you will sense when they pop in and can't go in anymore.

I just got myself HF5's for Xmas, I didn't go with the TF10 that were on sale because I hate the UE seal on their lower end headphones that used same casings. Trust me when I say the etymotic has the best isolation possible. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2087 

Try glider tips at first if you are having a hard time with tri flange. The gliders are easiest to insert and you literally just shove them in as far as you can, you will sense when they pop in and can't go in anymore.

To me the gliders sound truly horrible, though (with my MC5, and I imagine the same is true with other Etys.).

The triflanges give the best combination of sound and isolation. But deep insertion is probably not for everybody. I have to admit that I didn't think at first that I'd be able to hack it, but I'm used to it now and can wear them comfortably for at least a couple of hours at a stretch.

Another option with the Etys is the Shure "Olives" foam tips.  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EABKF1-10M/?gclid=CK7wq9LkkaYCFUeW7QoduGKSZQ

They do not require as deep an insertion as the tri-flange tips.  They are more comfortable to me than the gliders (which I assume are the "rolls" you are talking about), and because the are more flexible, they can expand to the perfect shape of your ear canal in order to provide a great seal for good sound and isolation from outside noise.

They come in 3 sizes, S/M /L -- I have smaller ear canals and the small size is right for me.  I would say if you are having trouble getting a seal with the Ety white-ish tri-flange, you may need the large size, but if the gliders fit inside your ears with a decent seal, then the medium size might fit you fine -- they tend to expand a bit more once in your ear due to body temperature.