Are (High-end) Custom IEMs Overrated?

[music_4321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have had the sa6 and now the custom ct6 from sleek. they are worlds apart. the same must be true of the um3x and the es3x. the reason basically is bone conduction. with bone conduction. you don't only hear the sounds, but your ourter and inner ear feel the vibrations which are not dampened at all as with flanges and foams and even the custom ear pieces that you an build. the tube is bigger and that probably makes a difference, but it also means that that big tube feeds more vibrations into the places that matter most. trust me, my sleek ct6 is leagues better than the se530 which costs more. if the se530 was housed in a nice custom, it would probably be a completely different animal.

Re the text in bold, I've stated already that, to these ears, the ES3X is not 'world's apart' from the UM3X. I've had 2 re-fits (or 3 sets), and all 3 have NOT been 'worlds apart' from my UM3X. I'll just mention again that, in my case, I'm getting a perfect fit, great isolation and great SQ from the medium soft grey silicone tips. Yes, the ES3X's are better, but judging by your statement I'd probably think 'I definitely want those ES3X' when in fact, owning both, I'd say if you get the right tips, for $350 you're getting a fantastic set of high-end IEM's and there's no reason to upgrade, unless you're prepared to spend a hell of a lot more for better - though not massively so - SQ.

And the above shows one of the problems I've also mentioned before - our concept/ definition of good/ better/ worlds apart/huge/ significant/ etc. -- a problem I also notice when speaking/reading about portable amps (AND LOD's), though I've to admit my experience there is much more limited to the RSA P-51 Mustang & Nuforce Icon Mobile and 3 LOD's ranging from $30-$80.

 

[shigzeo]

fair enough. but, then it all comes down to personal preferences. i have always been about vibrations in music. until the ct6, i have felt that any balanced armature phone on the market was worthless to me who wants to feel and hear bass. but, not even the atrio m5 presents tangible bass as well as my ct6 and that was the best bass i have felt in any iem.

if you are not a fan of bone conduction, then that is of course unfortunate for you as you probably would prefer your universals. however, it could also be that the ct6 are just that much better than the sa6.

i think breaking up the argument to include amps etc is not fair. i don't use them. lods/cables/amps/upgraded cables - not for me. my rig is an ipod touch (and sometimes sony s series and my phones of choice). i am not a cable person. minimalism is what i do in my portable rig and the ct6 are the best by a large margin that i have used. i don't expect that to change.

 

[FYJX]

Custom Monitors are definitely not overrated =)

 

[LFC_SL]

My body tells me it needs customs

Small sized Shure Olives fit easier in my left ear than my right ear. Tighter fit in right, I can take it out easier

Go figure

 

[FALC0NR14]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFC_SL /img/forum/go_quote.gif My body tells me it needs customs Small sized Shure Olives fit easier in my left ear than my right ear. Tighter fit in right, I can take it out easier Go figure

Kinda the same for me. The small Shure Olives hurt like hell. I use the triple flange but it always feels like it's not firmly in place and is about to come out. I am getting customs soon so I will be able to answer this thread is posing properly. But ATM from my perspective I don't believe so.

 

[LFC_SL]

No pain for me mind, just want to clarify. I can shake it about and not falling out. Just on the whole insertion/taking out thing I can feel the size difference

I knew it even back in the days of budget canals, just that since upgrading to IEMs, I have found foam inserts which expand to fill the space to sort it for me

 

[music_4321]

I've always found soft silicone tips to be the most comfortable, lons lasting and providing the best SQ. That's always been the case with my UM3X, W3, SE530 & Sony MDREX90.

Cmply tips & 'foamies' I've found uncomfortable and lacking in SQ

 

[iponderous]

Slightly off topic, is the soundstage of the ES3X noticeably larger than that of the UM3X?

 

[Bilavideo]

I've experimented with different tips - and am still experimenting with stuff that's totally off the reservation - and I still get the best sound from medium black foamies.

 

[muscular]

The threadstarter has his interesting points there.

And i do agree to certain extend to what he has said.

I believe it's indeed true that some review makes up customs to be a whole lot better.
And most reviews on customs do not seem to highlight the point that it can't be resold and is quite some hassel to get. Plus with the fact it's a gamble with the sound signature you're getting.

But it's what these reviews that provides hype lures junior members into the custom iem ship. Just look at ie8 and some other high end universals, i see so much 2nd hand on the market now, mainly by people who think it's totally alright to skip and get to the highest point in universal iem.
The good is that u save money upgrading, the con being you probably won't appreciate what these high end universals are offering.

In the end, it differs with every individual whether they think the extra money spent are worth the 10-20% upgrade.
One thing u could be sure is that the higher you go, the lesser "value for money" it goes. JH13 is one such example. But like a formulaOne car, rich people often are willing to forge out the extras for just a tiny upgrade in performance.

 

[music_4321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscular /img/forum/go_quote.gif .... But like a formulaOne car, rich people often are willing to forge out the extras for just a tiny upgrade in performance.

In the case of high-end customs now and more specifically the JH13's, it seems that it's not only the rich who are wiling to get their hands on them.

 

[LFC_SL]

Cost and attached value is relative and subjective. There are videos of rich twenty-somethings in the Middle East adding hydraulics to their cars just so a wheel "bounces" up and down whilst the car is stationary

 

[music_4321]

Yes, and how we rationalise what may have been an inappropriate expense also varies from person to person.

 

[iponderous]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFC_SL /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cost and attached value is relative and subjective. There are videos of rich twenty-somethings in the Middle East adding hydraulics to their cars just so a wheel "bounces" up and down whilst the car is stationary

As is necessity and desirable.

 

[LFC_SL]

Course. A professional photographer's livelihood which depends on his pictures can justify a 10k camera. 90% of this forum do not need a nice headphone but dammit, we aspire towards that goal