Audeze LCD i4 TOTL In-Ear Monitor Discussion

Sep 5, 2024 at 7:28 PM Post #4,831 of 4,933
I’m getting some earhooks 3-D printed because of the breakage problem on the clips. The 3D printing shop told me that they would use resin over filament plastic because of the fine work required, and that resin is much stronger. However, the information online says that resin is brittle and that filament plastic is stronger.

This is my first venture into 3D printing. If know through the process, or have gone through it, can you shed some light on this?

Thanks!
I only have a filament printer and no experience with resin but I can say that filament prints will do the job well. A quick search appears to suggest that flexible 3d prints are available in both technologies so I’d probably go that route.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 9:18 PM Post #4,832 of 4,933
I only have a filament printer and no experience with resin but I can say that filament prints will do the job well. A quick search appears to suggest that flexible 3d prints are available in both technologies so I’d probably go that route.
Thanks. Which filament plastic did you use, PLA+, ABS? Have you had breaks at the horseshoe clips? With the stock earhooks, it always snaps where the hooks attach to the i4 housing.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 9:31 PM Post #4,833 of 4,933
I’m getting some earhooks 3-D printed because of the breakage problem on the clips. The 3D printing shop told me that they would use resin over filament plastic because of the fine work required, and that resin is much stronger. However, the information online says that resin is brittle and that filament plastic is stronger.

This is my first venture into 3D printing. If know through the process, or have gone through it, can you shed some light on this?

Thanks!
Depending on the direction it's printed, if it's vertical and the grain short basically circles yeah it'll be brittle. If it's laid flat and the grain is long circles it'll hold up better.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 9:33 PM Post #4,834 of 4,933
Thanks. Which filament plastic did you use, PLA+, ABS? Have you had breaks at the horseshoe clips? With the stock earhooks, it always snaps where the hooks attach to the i4 housing.
I use PLA. I just received my isine so it is my first experience with this lineup of headphones. One clip came broken out of the 4 it came with so I haven’t had to source new ones yet. Let me see if I can some premade files out there to make.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 9:36 PM Post #4,835 of 4,933
I use PLA. I just received my isine so it is my first experience with this lineup of headphones. One clip came broken out of the 4 it came with so I haven’t had to source new ones yet. Let me see if I can some premade files out there to make.
Definitely on thingaveres.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 9:55 PM Post #4,836 of 4,933
Any suggestions for a dac/amp for these headphones? I suspect the most I'd need would be a qudelix 5k but I'm tempted to go with something higher end to try.
 
Sep 5, 2024 at 10:06 PM Post #4,837 of 4,933
Any suggestions for a dac/amp for these headphones? I suspect the most I'd need would be a qudelix 5k but I'm tempted to go with something higher end to try.
You should use desktop power on them. I know people say you can drive them from a portable but imo it definitely limits bass reproduction and the stage isn't as wide.
With this in mind the most cost effective stack I'd use them on is a JDS labs atom stack.
 
Sep 6, 2024 at 4:12 AM Post #4,838 of 4,933
I’m getting some earhooks 3-D printed because of the breakage problem on the clips. The 3D printing shop told me that they would use resin over filament plastic because of the fine work required, and that resin is much stronger. However, the information online says that resin is brittle and that filament plastic is stronger.

This is my first venture into 3D printing. If know through the process, or have gone through it, can you shed some light on this?

Thanks!
At the price of the LCDi4 if have expected audeze to have this issue sorted before they even put them on the market. My only gripe and still bitter about
 
Sep 7, 2024 at 12:49 AM Post #4,839 of 4,933
I’m getting some earhooks 3-D printed because of the breakage problem on the clips. The 3D printing shop told me that they would use resin over filament plastic because of the fine work required, and that resin is much stronger. However, the information online says that resin is brittle and that filament plastic is stronger.

This is my first venture into 3D printing. If know through the process, or have gone through it, can you shed some light on this?

Thanks!

I highly recommend printing the earhooks in PETG, I found it to be a lot stronger vs ABS as PETG is way more flexible.

How do these fit onto the body of the i4 without falling off? Does the normal silicone tip go inside of it like a sleeve? My main problem with them is they break seal at times, a custom fit would be perfect in theory. Thank you.

The custom eartips have tight tolerances, they simply go over the LCD-i4 nozzle. If you have had issues with breaking seal with normal tips, then these would be perfect for you. Comfort and SQ (if you can believe it) are on another level, simply fantastic.
I had some slight issues with the molds that Custom Art sent me, they sent me a slightly revised set free of charge with extremely fast shipping. Stellar service, would definitely recommend going with them. I am in the US but I still went with them over ADV. as ADV don't even recommend making molds for the LCD-i4s LOL.
 
Sep 7, 2024 at 2:09 AM Post #4,840 of 4,933
The least expensive, great source I've had with LCDi4 has been the R2R Hifiman EF400. Just beautiful.
 
Sep 9, 2024 at 1:35 AM Post #4,841 of 4,933
Any suggestions for a dac/amp for these headphones? I suspect the most I'd need would be a qudelix 5k but I'm tempted to go with something higher end to try.
Anything from Questyle, Chord Mojo/Hugo 2, Cayin RU6/7, and TEAC UD-505. I haven't found many sources that I disliked with the LCD-i4. This is still one of the best IEMs ever made. Currently listening with my Hiby R8II. I need to find a new lightweight balanced cable and more durable ear hooks.
 
Sep 9, 2024 at 1:53 AM Post #4,842 of 4,933
Ah yeah it is 0.1mm
Might be hard to do it with 0.4mm

There should be other places for that I think, might available in online listing!
For me I got the service from online marketplace, and then they sent it to me.
0.1 mm is super brittle.
 
Sep 9, 2024 at 7:22 PM Post #4,843 of 4,933
I
Ah yeah it is 0.1mm
Might be hard to do it with 0.4mm

There should be other places for that I think, might available in online listing!
For me I got the service from online marketplace, and then they sent it to me.
How much did it cost? The local shop says there is a lot of work involved to clean it up and make sure they fit tolerances.

What is a reasonable price to pay for getting a set printed?
 
Sep 9, 2024 at 7:57 PM Post #4,844 of 4,933
I

How much did it cost? The local shop says there is a lot of work involved to clean it up and make sure they fit tolerances.

What is a reasonable price to pay for getting a set printed?
See if Audeze still offers the kit with tips and hooks. Last time I bought them it was $25.
 

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