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Looking for advise from Recent CIEM purchasers

post #1 of 8
11/11/12 at 1:27pm
Thread Starter 

I purchased the Shure SE535LTD and unfortunately it seems as if I have gimpy ears, because they press on a spot of cartilage that I cannot fix and it is very painful after an hour, and almost unbearable after 2 hours. I purchased these based on the reviews on comfort, sound isolation, and its neutral sound qualities. I was impressed by the sound, just not the fit.

 

Consequently, my fiance has decided to take my SE535LTD's with the incoming custom DHC cable so she can have IEM's for her new ASUS VivoTab. She then gave me the go ahead to get custom IEM's. As I am on an airplane what seems like more than on the ground due to my job; fit and isolation are KEY factors in my next purchase.

 

I believe I have narrowed it down to UM Miracles, but this is not set in stone. However, as customs take a bit of time to be made; customer service is important for this decision. So I have a few questions for people who have recently purchased CIEM's. I say this, because after hours of reading CIEM threads, they go back years. Customer service and quality seem to be cyclical, I need to know what its like Now, not 18 - 24 months ago.

 

 

1. How would you rate the Customer Service, Support, and Quality of Product (Not Sound) from UM?

 

2. If the above is low, who is better in these regards?

 

3. Can you recommend an audiologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, California; that does quality ear molds?

 

4. If you live in the USA, did you pay US customs for your CIEM's?

 

 

Thanks in advance.


Edited by theque - 11/11/12 at 1:28pm
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post #2 of 8
11/11/12 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 

I'm hoping to build these...

 

Face: Black

Body: Dark Smoke Black

Tips: Dark Transparent Blue

 

 

700

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post #3 of 8
11/11/12 at 8:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by theque View Post

I'm hoping to build these...

 

Face: Black

Body: Dark Smoke Black

Tips: Dark Transparent Blue

 

 

700

Now that's an interesting design. I am quite interested if you can find an answer for your #3. I'm also searching for a "good" audiologist to do impressions. San Francisco is like an hour's drive, but I can go there when I have class scheduled there. 

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post #4 of 8
11/11/12 at 9:57pm
Thread Starter 

Yea, after hours figuring out what art to go on them and overall color scheme, the next question is who to buy from, and where to get the molds.

 

From what I understand UM makes high quality CIEM's as far as build quality goes; just looking for conformation.

 

As for the audiologist, I really want to get the right one. The better the mold, the higher the likelyhood the CIEM's will fit right the first time.

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post #5 of 8
11/11/12 at 10:14pm

I'll be experimenting with the Frogbeats C4s. Only a few have gotten them so far, but I've only heard positive reviews. Build wise, I don't think there is a problem. Customer service is pretty top notch I believe. But the company is a newer one I think. Not as much prestige as UM, 1964, Heir etc yet. I don't think Frogbeats can make your design either, but I wouldn't be sure. But for sure, UM will have the best artwork result, if that's a huge part of your decision. Anyways, the C4s are being compared with the Tg 334! and the UM Miracles so they shouldn't be too shabby. There are too little testimonies to say for certain, but I believe in my fellow Head-fiers that I won't regret this decision. Plus, there's a group buy discount if you want to join in.  

 

* sorry for tangenting. I misread your OP. But UM is definitely one of the highly regarded companies here on Head-Fi so I don't think you'll make a mistake there. 


Edited by EveTan - 11/11/12 at 10:17pm
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post #6 of 8
11/12/12 at 12:26am

Have you looked into reshelling the se535's with fisher who are in the us?  Overall turnaround time should be quicker and certainly cheaper. 

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post #7 of 8
11/12/12 at 1:00am
Thread Starter 

I did look at reshelling the SE535LTD's but my fiance decided she wanted them and just gave me the thumbs up on UM Miracles... Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth as the saying goes.

 

Also, I talked to Matt (I think that's who I spoke to) at Ultimate Melodies and I feel as if these are going to meet my needs nicely. I decided to just go ahead and order these now as I want to get them before the new year and my travel schedule picks up again. I ordered the Miracles with the artwork above, Black Face, Smoke Body, Blue Tips.

 

Now, I really need to find a good audiologist in the San Francisco Bay Area...

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post #8 of 8
11/12/12 at 7:05am

If you have serious concerns about fit, going with an overseas custom company is asking for trouble. Before you buy, you should strongly consider working with a domestic company. That way, any issues with the need for a re-fit can be done quickly, without having to wait weeks and weeks and cheaply.

 

Another thing to consider is whether you might be better off with silicone shells, as these are both more forgiving in terms of comfort and they offer better isolation than acrylic shelled customs--better for being on a plane.

 

A U.S. custom iem company with far longer experience than most is Sensaphonics, they make silicone customs and have excellent customer service. Consider the 2MAX.

 

Other U.S. custom companies with acrylic shelled customs include Future Sonics, Westone, Ultimate Ears and 1964 Ears.


Edited by Kunlun - 11/12/12 at 7:06am
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Looking for advise from Recent CIEM purchasers