Multi-Custom In-Ear Monitor Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion (26 reviews: UM PP6 added... - Page 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

It looks more like a 10mm driver to me!  Did you find a review or other source that discusses the driver size, because, except for TS saying the driver size, there is, IMO, no way to tell the size by just looking at a driver in a shell.  

 

And yes, the port does look interesting, thanks for noticing ;)  I hope to find out soon, but my impressions are still have not arrived.

 

Edit: I have sent them TS an email asking for more information...I usually save my questions for after I get a product and have used it so I can ask them all at once, but I sent them one.

 

And, IMO, the size of the driver doesn't really mean all that much.  I could be wrong, but are the punch plugs any better in the bass department than some of the IEMs with smaller bass drivers for example?  I hope to find out some day!  On that note, I did add some thoughts of mine about drivers and such to the 5th post in this thread.

 

Hi, I think I read that somewhere, I could very well be mistaken, or the information may be old. Let me know what TS says!

The size of the driver does make a difference, but it's one of several factors. There are trade offs with any change along any dimension for any transducer type. It'll be fun to see what exactly TS is using for their dynamic and for their ba armatures. At least it won't be from a cheapish earbud this time around, hopefully. Did that Italian fellow re-tune those hybrid customs for you?

 

Here is a picture of the ts842 moving-coil (dynamic) drivers.

Hmm, I think the clue is the packing material texture, we've all seen that and have a sense of the size of the pattern of the texture--it's not as good as a graduated measure, but these drivers look like they are less than 1 cm. I'll stick with my figure of 6mm (however I got it in my head) and we'll see if that's accurate.

I've always been curious - How do the BA drivers stay in place inside the custom shell? Is it stuck on to the shell by glue or something? I can't seem to see anything resembling glue. What is preventing them from moving and rattling when you shake them?

Great question. Sensaphonics encases the driver(s) in solid silicone, ensuring the drivers stay in position with no unwanted rattling or vibration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_joe 

Wow, you seem to have superhuman powers

Finally, you perceive a small part of the Power that is Kunlun.

Click on the picture to Behold!

I speak of unwanted vibration of the drivers themselves if not firmly mounted or loosen in their moorings. I frankly don't know if that's an issue with drivers mounted in acrylic shells, which is why I said it was a good question. I speak only for Sensaphonics products, in which such potential mechanical problems are physically not possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackKontney 

I speak of unwanted vibration of the drivers themselves if not firmly mounted or loosen in their moorings. I frankly don't know if that's an issue with drivers mounted in acrylic shells, which is why I said it was a good question. I speak only for Sensaphonics products, in which such potential mechanical problems are physically not possible.

 

On that note.  I'm curious how much movement the drivers and Xover experience during the insertion process.  I know the material is more rigid than say a gummy bear, lol, but there must be some movement.  Is there any stress put on the wires and their contact points w/ the drivers?  Obviously there is some slack added to the wiring I imagine.  Just curious.

Also, we keep hearing about the possibility of detachable cables in the future w/ silicone.  Is this going to happen anytime soon or is it a rumor and urban legend that will never materialize?

Does being fully encapsulated in silicone affect low end response at all of the bass driver?  I've been curious whether some low drivers like a bit of air movement.

One last thing, does silicone have a shrink rate w/ the type you use that might impact changes to fit and seal over time?

I'll try to address these questions briefly...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

On that note.  I'm curious how much movement the drivers and Xover experience during the insertion process.  I know the material is more rigid than say a gummy bear, lol, but there must be some movement.  Is there any stress put on the wires and their contact points w/ the drivers?  Obviously there is some slack added to the wiring I imagine.  Just curious.

 

Also, we keep hearing about the possibility of detachable cables in the future w/ silicone.  Is this going to happen anytime soon or is it a rumor and urban legend that will never materialize?

 

Does being fully encapsulated in silicone affect low end response at all of the bass driver?  I've been curious whether some low drivers like a bit of air movement.

 

One last thing, does silicone have a shrink rate w/ the type you use that might impact changes to fit and seal over time?

 

1. Obviously there's some movement, as the silicone material flexes significantly, but this is generally confined to the exit port end of the the earphones. All I can really say is there is no documented case of a Sensaphonics silicone earpiece failing due to insertion. Ever.

2. All Sensaphonics silicone IEMs come with detachable cables as standard -- right now.

3. I can only speak to the actual response, which is basically flat. BA drivers do NOT require "a bit of air." Dynamics, however, do.

4. Our cold-cure, medical grade silicone formulation does not shrink over time. In fact, just as it maintains seal during excessive jaw movement, the material's pliability actually allows it to maintain fit and seal in the face of minor changes to the user's ear canal.

Hope this helps.

Well, sure DDs need more air of course.  Thx.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spekkio 

I've always been curious - How do the BA drivers stay in place inside the custom shell? Is it stuck on to the shell by glue or something? I can't seem to see anything resembling glue. What is preventing them from moving and rattling when you shake them?

In acrylic shells drivers are glued to the surface. There're few types of adhesives used. Some use cyan - that's commonly used to glue sound tubes to drivers. However the most popular way of gluing drivers to the shell is to use UV curable glue. When you have open shell without faceplate you simply put drivers and crossover inside spread with UV glue and light it with UV. Glue is transparent thus you can't see the junction. Drivers should be glued to the inside of a shell.

In acrylic IEMs a vibration from the driver itself are transfered to the shell. It affects (in theory) the sound. Sillicone reduce driver's own vibration to minimum.
 

Useful thread, thanks for putting this together.  One change to the chart:  Ultimate Ears is no longer offering the silicone tip as an option on the IERM (or any other model).  It's acrylic only.