Quote: I tested the jh16 demo unit before getting my merlins. They sound pretty different down low. I have a hunch that the sharp impact and hyper detailed jh16 bass would be more likely to distinguish itself in a noisy environment.

Quote: I think I phrased that badly. If you drew the inference that your expectations were unrealistic, I apologise. Wasn't intended that way. I just didn't want you getting your hopes up regarding isolation with customs. If I were in your shoes I would base a decision on comfort and sound...

Quote: The merlin's drivers don't seem to be vented anymore. They still have a hole in the back but probably for heat dissipation? The miracle does have slightly better isolation than the merlin. Merlin is my favourite though but not because it's better in any particular way. I find...

Quote: Hi. I've been reading your reviews and the the akgs look interesting. They don't look to be as comfortable or durable as customs?

Quote: Well I'd say they do sound considerably better. Personally I can't wear the triple flanges for more than 5mins and the shure olives are more comfortable for me. My customs are much more comfortable then the shure olives and don't give me that sticky oily feeling. The olives also make...

Quote: I was sceptical too but my curiosity got the better of me and I found somewhere to test some demo customs. The improvement over my universals was quite apparent. There are so many kinds of customs that there will be one to suit anybody. Some are more geared to listeners and some for...

Quote: Those weren't mine they were kckc's but it does seem like from his pics that UM, JH and Heir use the same default canal length. I'd expect isolation to be similar too. 

Yeh should be tonnes or tons not tones lol

Don't throw them out. You might be able to get someone to fix them or just reshell them into custom iems. Can you take some pics?  Hard to help without seeing the problem.

My merlin sockets are pretty tight but I don't think it's the pins in mine, just the recessed portion of the socket. What colour combination is the side with the bad socket? If they need to completely redo it they might be able to change the colours for you :) 

Quote:

Actually it's more like changing the tires. Tires can have a subtle and sometimes not so subtle effect on a car's handling characteristics. :D Lots of reasons to want to try different tires on a Ferrari.

Quote: I've heard that rumour as well but people who own customs from a few companies have found the canal lengths to be the same. The noise isolation of the miracle is great and isolates fractionally better than my merlin with lower frequencies. Both customs isolate better than my se535s...

I wouldn't take it lying down even if it was $5. Still it's hard for me to stay compassionate as it remains the funniest thing I've read all week.

Quote: Yeh that report says that a deeper ear mold will reduce the occlusion effect. Still, my audiologist said that they usually take impressions to the secend bend but not beyond whereas for ciems they are asked to take the impression past the second bend.

Quote: I think it became their problem when they told you to cut the cable. Tell them it did affect the sound quality cuz it was rattling inside...

Quote: I don't know personally just repeating what my audiologist said. Isn't occlusion effect worse with deeper insertion cuz there's more bone contact?

Hilarious. 

Quote: If your audiologist speaks English you can just tell them what you want :) I think most ciem companies also have a printout to give your audiologist. If you don't tell them you are getting in ear monitors then they will give you impressions for hearing aids which won't be as deep...

I read somewhere that UM recommend comply soft wraps: http://www.monstermarketplace.com/earmolds-and-hearing-aid-fittings/336-comply-soft-wraps   If you contact UM they might even send you some?

I read about a test someone did where they had a room full of people try to make their own impressions. Most were sub par. Audiologists have to practice making them then they get even more experience on the job. I'd go with an audiologist. If they turn out to be bad impressions they'll often...

I'm also interested in hearing more on how it compares to the merlin. This is about all I've found so far:  

Quote: The UM global order page says to ship impressions to their Australian address so I assume it's the same for reshells.

Quote: If she doesn't care about spending lots then it's maybe better to get someone to make a custom from scratch. Warranty issues aside most decent BA universals + the cost of reshelling will often be more expensive than an original custom. The cheapest decent option would be to get some...

Yeh you may not need an amp with the iphone. Just play your music through EQu app or something like that and turn the bass up. I've also got a fiio e17 and that has up to +10db bass boost but I haven't bothered using it with my iphone just my laptop. My se535s sound crap coming out of my laptop...