[bmeat]

void

 

[Head Injury]

Isolation between IEMs varies quite a bit across frequencies, and between pairs of different IEMs. Inner Fidelity doesn't have a huge IEM selection, but each has an isolation graph in the top right and a broadband number in the bottom right. If isolation is a priority, look into Etymotic. Under -20dB isolation at all frequencies, most under -30dB, and -43dB broadband.

 

[bmeat]

void

 

[bmeat]

void

 

[rangerid]

the isolation will depend not only on the shape of the IEM, but also on tips you use. Generally, foam tips will isolate greater than silicone tips. Personally, I have been using modded silicone tips with foam inside which isolates better than when the 2 are used separately. 

 

[kmhaynes]

One of the main factors on isolation is the design of the IEM housing.  Most dynamic driver IEMs have a vented housing, which will allow some outside noise to bleed in.  Etymotic earphones have a high level of isolation because the housing on all their models is not vented, but closed.  Using 3-flange tips that insert deeply helps ensure good isolation, as well.

 

[nicholars]

Shure se215 have massive amount of sound isolation with the foam tips....
 
I dont think 26db is overly ambitious as 26db is not actually very loud...
 

 

[JackKontney]

-26 dB is actually a pretty significant amount of isolation.

 

[nicholars]

I dont think it is really....
 
If you compare it to the actual activites which are 26db it is not a lot to isolate.... 26db would be things like quiet talking or leaves rustling...
 
Considering I can clap as hard as possible with Shure se215 in my ears and it blocks out a good amount of the noise I dont think 26db isolation is excessive.

 

[nikp]

I actually agree with JackKontney. The Westones have a good isolation around 25 dB. It's not soundproof but it totally blocks out outside noise (shoutings, ps3, tv, arguments) when the music is playing even at low levels. 

 

[gregorio]

I dont think it is really....
 
If you compare it to the actual activites which are 26db it is not a lot to isolate.... 26db would be things like quiet talking or leaves rustling...
 
Considering I can clap as hard as possible with Shure se215 in my ears and it blocks out a good amount of the noise I dont think 26db isolation is excessive.

I think you may have misunderstood the nature of the decibel scale. Decibels are essentially a logarithmic ratio measurement, so 26dB isolation would be a reduction of about 25 times (which would be perceived to be roughly 7 times quieter).

G

 

[nicholars]

Oh right I thought it meant the amount of external noise which could be blocked out....
 
If that was the case the 26db would not be a lot of noise and would be easy to block out... I dont really understand how they come to the figure of -26db isolation?

 

[gregorio]

Oh right I thought it meant the amount of external noise which could be blocked out....

It is! 26dB would represent about a 25 times reduction in the amount of external noise.

G

 

[Head Injury]

Quote:

Oh right I thought it meant the amount of external noise which could be blocked out....
 
If that was the case the 26db would not be a lot of noise and would be easy to block out... I dont really understand how they come to the figure of -26db isolation?

It is the amount of noise that gets blocked out. -26dB isolation means 85dB noise (about the volume of city traffic inside a car) sounds like 59dB noise (about the sound of a quiet conversation). -26dB will silence normal volume conversations to what would otherwise be background noise in your room.
 
You have to count backwards. -10dB means everything sounds half as loud. -20dB means everything sounds a quarter as loud. Use your fingers to thoroughly block your ear canal. That's probably around -20dB. -26dB is a good deal quieter than that.
 
Perhaps a better test, take the volume you normally listen at, and use your OS volume or player volume to reduce it by -26dB. Now imagine doing that to all the sounds around you (roughly speaking, isolation isn't even across frequencies).
 
How they "figure" -26dB is they probably use a dummy head to measure volume of a noise, then put the IEMs in and measure it again 

 

[nicholars]

Hmm well with shure se215 in my ears a loud clap sounds like a subtle thudding noise.... Also if I am walking outside I cant hear traffic for s**t which is a bit owrrying lol.
 
So I would guess that 26db isnt that much of an outragous claim and proper custom IEM would be even better...