ACS Encore Studio New 5 Driver CIEM!

[chukwe]

 
They will need to be remolded to your impressions, I think ACS charges like 200 for this process

 
Thanks GuyDebord,
 
That's £200 + Tony's price. Will think about it.

 

[doctorjazz]

The fit feels perfect and when I press on the shell there is no change to the sound. But if I put my fingers on the shell and pull the earpiece deeper into my ear canal then the sound changes...massively. The treble improves no end and I can hear all kind of details that I'm missing without performing this action.

This leads me to believe that the canals are not molded to the correct angle and they're possibly too short as well. It's deeply frustrating considering I've had two sets of impressions taken and had them in for more lacquer. I had a feeling prior to ordering CIEMs that they might not be for me and I think that's proving to be the case.

Exactly the case with mine, if I press in just right, they sound amazing. This is my second set of molds (the first was for a T1), have the Encores boxed, have to tape and send them back.
Actually, if multiple tries at ciem fitting don't work, the universal idea is a pretty good one...resale on ciems has to be really difficult, at a considerable loss if someone does go for them. I don't think acs can actually remold these, from what they told me when I went back with the T1's, they just salvage the drivers. I'm up to the adding the laquer part, but if that doesn't work, I'd consider the universal (not guaranteed acs will go for this...I believe it involves once again making a whole new set of iem's)

 

[Tony1110]

Spoken to ACS and they've suggested having more impressions taken. Decided to give them one last shot as I know how good these CIEMs can sound. Apologies to the four people who inquired.

 

[robm321]

All the more reason for them to release a universal version. 

 

[Tony1110]

I don't think you could possibly get the same SQ from a universal and I for one wouldn't be interested. The Encore's treble is very dependant on a clear path through the ear canal.

 

[shotgunshane]

You can get the same SQ. There will be slight variations from one custom to the next due to ear shape and size. In contrast every uni can be made to sound the same but people's ear shape might limit them in hearing the intended sound. End result is still hearing it differently but two different paths to get to the difference.

 

[Tony1110]

You can get the same SQ. There will be slight variations from one custom to the next due to ear shape and size. In contrast every uni can be made to sound the same but people's ear shape might limit them in hearing the intended sound. End result is still hearing it differently but two different paths to get to the difference.

Well yes, a universal can be as technically proficient and capable of sounding every bit as good as a custom, but the chances of it doing so are less because of the probability that it won't fit perfectly. My Encores are comfortable and seal well, but the tubes don't follow the contours of my ear canals exactly as they should and SQ is hindered as a result. Most people are going to experience that every single time with a universal and because fit is paramount to optimal SQ I don't believe a universal Encore could possibly match a well fitted custom Encore.

But yeah, I suppose I'm agreeing with what you say

 

[robm321]

I don't think you could possibly get the same SQ from a universal and I for one wouldn't be interested. The Encore's treble is very dependant on a clear path through the ear canal.

 
Why not. Most TOTL have a uni version, so why would these sound different in uni? 
 
In fact, the Layla apparently sounds better in the uni version compared to the custom according to the latest impressions in the thread. 

 

[davidcotton]

Spoken to ACS and they've suggested having more impressions taken. Decided to give them one last shot as I know how good these CIEMs can sound. Apologies to the four people who inquired.

As someone who has been through refit hell, one suggestion I would make is to try getting the impressions done somewhere else.  That way you will eliminate if there is a problem with the impressions.
 
Good luck!

 

[jelt2359]

Mine are on their way back, to the homeland. Bought it from the U.S. office, but they're making their way to the UK for further testing.

 

[doctorjazz]

Finish my boxing tonight, back to Manhattan!

 

[Tony1110]

And mine will be going back tomorrow. I too have a mutant left ear canal and was more or less told so by the audiologist who took my latest set of impressions today. ACS have the best customer service and they're really quick. Hopefully we'll all have our IEMs back soon.

 

[doctorjazz]

And mine will be going back tomorrow. I too have a mutant left ear canal and was more or less told so by the audiologist who took my latest set of impressions today. ACS have the best customer service and they're really quick. Hopefully we'll all have our IEMs back soon.

 

[davidcotton]

And mine will be going back tomorrow. I too have a mutant left ear canal and was more or less told so by the audiologist who took my latest set of impressions today. ACS have the best customer service and they're really quick. Hopefully we'll all have our IEMs back soon.

I know it's small comfort (hah!) to you, but many's the time I thought "maybe I should have gone with ACS this time after all".  The fact that you are having this much hassle (fit wise anyway!), is some relief to me anyway

 

[doctorjazz]

I understand the sentiment...let me say, though, that it is an unusual in ear or over ear headphone that DOESN'T give me some fit problems! I was hoping custom would be the answer, but I suspected there was a good chance I'd be in the same boat I usually am in (I also have mutant ear canals, especially the left. Always have difficulty getting a good fit/seal there). Not that I'm pushing acs, but it seems folks without fit issues love them. Hoping when they come back I get to join their ranks.

And mine will be going back tomorrow. I too have a mutant left ear canal and was more or less told so by the audiologist who took my latest set of impressions today. ACS have the best customer service and they're really quick. Hopefully we'll all have our IEMs back soon.

I know it's small comfort (hah!) to you, but many's the time I thought "maybe I should have gone with ACS this time after all".  The fact that you are having this much hassle (fit wise anyway!), is some relief to me anyway