IEM rear ports/holes
Jul 29, 2011 at 5:42 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 7
metman

metman

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So I have some RE0s and some TS02s that I use, and I really like them, except for the fact that the holes on the back of the earpieces act like whistles with even the slightest breeze blowing over them, and this can be really annoying since one of the primary uses I have for them is to listen to music and news on my walk back and forth to work.  Even the ~3mph breeze generated from my forward movement can cause a very distracting whistle.  I wanted to know if the ports on the back of the 'phones are there for functional reasons, or are just artifacts of the manufacturing process.  If I were to plug them withsomething, maybe tape or a small dab of glue, would it adversely effect the sound quality, or cause other problems with air-pressure buildup inside my ears (due to the air in the sealed canal warming up over time or some other effect) or something?
 
Jul 29, 2011 at 6:20 PM Post #2 of 7


Quote:
metman said:
So I have some RE0s and some TS02s that I use, and I really like them, except for the fact that the holes on the back of the earpieces act like whistles with even the slightest breeze blowing over them, and this can be really annoying since one of the primary uses I have for them is to listen to music and news on my walk back and forth to work.  Even the ~3mph breeze generated from my forward movement can cause a very distracting whistle.  I wanted to know if the ports on the back of the 'phones are there for functional reasons, or are just artifacts of the manufacturing process.  If I were to plug them withsomething, maybe tape or a small dab of glue, would it adversely effect the sound quality, or cause other problems with air-pressure buildup inside my ears (due to the air in the sealed canal warming up over time or some other effect) or something?
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They allow for deeper more impactful bass.  If you cover them up, you lose a lot of bass quantity.  They also serve a secondary purpose to alleviate driver flex (if there is any).  I did have the wind problem with the RE0s, but it wasn't as big of one with the TS02s.  Hope this helps. 
 
Jul 29, 2011 at 7:47 PM Post #4 of 7


Quote:
metman said:
Ok, thanks.  Sounds like you are saying pretty much, "suck it up and deal."  :)  I suppose that's just what I will do.
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Well, there are other IEMs out there that aren't vented (that's what the holes you're referring to are called), but most are.  They do help out a lot (sound and driver flex wise), but do have some negatives to them (wind being one of them, isolation being the other). 
 
Jul 29, 2011 at 7:53 PM Post #5 of 7
Yeah, I had some UE SuperFi 5 Pros that unfortunately broke on me that I don't recall having the wind problem.  Does it have to do with whether or not they are armature drivers?  I'm not quite clear on how the vents would aid bass (or SQ in any other way, for that matter).  Is it just a matter of letting the pressure on the backside of the driver diaphram fluctuate more easily while vibrating, thus reducing the resistance to movement and bringing down stress on the device overall?
 
Jul 29, 2011 at 7:54 PM Post #6 of 7
I recommend purchasing a silicon gun, and applying a TINY amount over the holes. (preferably smearing a small dab with a utensil)
 
Jul 29, 2011 at 8:07 PM Post #7 of 7


Quote:
metman said:
Yeah, I had some UE SuperFi 5 Pros that unfortunately broke on me that I don't recall having the wind problem.  Does it have to do with whether or not they are armature drivers?  I'm not quite clear on how the vents would aid bass (or SQ in any other way, for that matter).  Is it just a matter of letting the pressure on the backside of the driver diaphram fluctuate more easily while vibrating, thus reducing the resistance to movement and bringing down stress on the device overall?
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Ventilation allows for more of a body for bass SQ-wise.  I wouldn't know the science behind it though, but it does aid the bass body.  As stated before, if the wind noise is really bothering you, you can attempt to do what LegendaryLv1 told you to do.  This does count as a mod and may void warranties.  It can also have other adverse side effects like less bass body.  
 
The ventilation is up to the manufacturer.  Some do it, some don't.  Some do it on special occasions (most dynamics use it).  I do know of some BAs that are vented, the ADDIEMs for example. 
 
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