FitEar TO GO! 334 --- Suyama's custom IEM, made universal!

Suyama FitEar, Japan's foremost custom IEM maker, has come out with a universal fit version of their flagship monitor, the MH334. As denoted by FitEar's naming scheme, it's a three-way, three-receiver, four-driver earpiece, denoted to be 'Mastering Grade' as it was tuned by recording engineer Mitsuharu Harada. As the TO GO! version of the MH334, the TO GO! 334 sports a precision-machined titanium sound tube directly connected to the treble driver, and a proprietary exit nozzle that provides separate pathways for the mid/low and low frequency drivers.

Though not many people outside of Japan have FitEar's products, they have been very well received. FitEar is believed to provide some of the best and most robust build quality for acrylic-shelled earphones on the planet, as well as top-notch, quality sound.

For people living in Japan, the FitEar TO GO! 334 retails for 105,000¥. For overseas customers, purchase options are limited, but still available from places like ALO Audio (they also have the only currently available aftermarket retail cables for FitEar earphones), Price Japan, Musica Acoustics, and some other retailers (without known websites).

Though quite expensive, the TO GO! 334 contends with the likes of prestigious, TOTL universal in-ears like the AKG K3003 and the Final Audio FI-BA-SS and is getting good press as possibly being the 'best' earphone in the world.

In July 2012, FitEar also introduced a second model to the TO GO! universal line with the TO GO! 111. It has since been renamed the FitEar F111.

Sporting a lower profile body and an integrated titanium sound bore, the F111 is voiced very similarly to the venerable Etymotic ER4S.

With a Japanese retail price of 42,800¥, the TO GO! 111 is less expensive than the TO GO! 334.

Discussion for the F111 can be found here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/619034/fitear-to-go-111-appreciation-discussion-and-reviews-thread

LINKS & IMPRESSIONS

Official Product Page(s):

• Special Page: http://fitear.jp/music/sp/togo334sp.html
• Product Page: http://fitear.jp/music/product/togo334.html

Impressions by Members:

1. by Sasaki: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597534/suyama-universal-fitear-to-go-334#post_8170621
2. by AnakChan: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-mh334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/150#post_8307429
3. by EvolutionX (01): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/165#post_8318611
4. by EvolutionX (02): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/165#post_8323225
5. by MuppetFace: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/180#post_8330943
6. by bizkit (Pictures Only): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/210#post_8344906
7. by bizkit (Continuing Comparison with the AKG K3003i): http://www.head-fi.org/t/608477/the-fitear-to-go-334-vs-the-akg-k3003i-a-work-in-progress#post_8356062
8. by nhat_thanh (Short Comparison with the UM Miracle): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/540#post_8547913

9. by rudi0504: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/525#post_8547466

Technical Measurements by SONOVE: http://sonove.angry.jp/FitEarToGo334.html

Other Relevant Links:

• CNET Audiophiliac review from Steve Guttenberg: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57486297-47/the-best-in-ear-headphone-in-the-world-the-fitear-togo-334/
• shigzeo's review on TouchMyApps: http://www.touchmyapps.com/2012/07/18/fitear-to-go-334-earphone-in-review/
• Japanese Language Review from barks.jp: http://www.barks.jp/gakki/news/?id=1000078607
• Japanese blog of fellow member Sasaki: http://vaiopocket.seesaa.net/article/253318386.html
• http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/51648531.html
• http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/51648876.html
• http://togetter.com/li/261546
• http://dime.jp/genre/23380/

Isn't that just a generic webbing pouch? I'm more enamoured by the titanium sound tubes inside.

Well, don't think of it as a custom; think of it as an universal based off custom technology. That's what the UM3x is, as well as the SM3. It's just that FitEar has been exclusively a customs and hearing aid manufacturer until now. By their crossing over into the universal side, they're making a push for the high-end universal market, at least for consumers.

And what's the use for a universal like this in the professional world? Well, if these are kept in a studio as a 'designated' monitor, everyone knows what to expect out of the FR. It will essentially be the same monitor to everyone, instead of one person using a JH16, another one using an UERM, etc. Also, sound engineers can share the TO GO! MH334 amongst each other when one person is missing their own IEM.

There are more reasons, but this is what I can think of off the top of my head.

P.S. This universal version is also about 2/3 the price of the full-on custom version of the MH334.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProjectDenz 

I don't like how a $1240USD iem has the exact same bi-flange tip as the $79USD Hifiman RE-0. Sourcing cheap parts for premium prices?

Silicone is silicone... universal tips look the same... if they didn't they'd be custom made... and how do you know if they're the exact same type of tips as the RE0? They merely look really similar.

I can assure you that FitEar is one of the most OCD customs manufacturers out there. They don't do things half-heartedly.

I don't even know how to reply to this.

The bottom line is --- yes, these IEMs are very expensive, but so are the K3003 and the FI-BA-SS. There are always going to be buyers.

The reason why few people are replying is that FitEar keeps a very low international profile. They do business mostly in Japan, and less around the Asia-Pacific as well. For example, the Jaben network is a dealer for them.

However, they have a stellar reputation for sound quality. A few years back, Shigzeo wrote a review of the Private 333, which he enjoyed immensely. When I heard the demo version of it in Jaben Hong Kong, I was very wowed by it as well. It wasn't quite as technically proficient as the JH13 demo I compared it to, but it came very close, and the overall feel of the sound signature was just as impressive.

It is unclear whether or not Suyama-san, the founder of the customs division of FitEar, is willing to sell the TO GO! MH334 outside of Japan. I've been corresponding with Sasaki, who is close to Suyama, about it. I'm guessing that if he's allowed to, he'll be posting his impressions of the TO GO! MH334 here. I've been told that it sounds very close to a JH13 with a TWag cable upgrade.