Can different eartips affect SQ?

[goranilic]

Recently purchased my first IEM's - PL50 and (off course) the foams are very uncomfortable for me (can't have good seal). I'm using silicon ones but have impression that there's too much bass. Using it on iPod classic unamped. Definitely will try another foams.

This makes me wonder can different eartips affect SQ? I was trying to find some older threads but couldn't find out much comparison. So, can you tell difference between following (SQ, bass, treble, soundstage):

1. Silicon vs. Foams

2. Single flange vs. Multi flange

3. Smaller size vs. Larger size

In short what do you do when making decision when changing your eartips and what effect. Please refer to any links if exists.

All opinions are welcome.

Thank you!

 

[grawk]

yes, tips make a difference. Experiment. Get a fit kit, and find the balance of comfort and sound quality that works for you.

 

[Marcus_C]

I for one have never really given it much thought, perhaps i should at some point? I tend to experiment till i find the ones that give the best and most comfortable fit and they tend to sound better than all the others. I do tend to prefer foams over silicons though and single flange over multi.

 

[rawrster]

They make a huge difference. That is why some people end up getting custom sleeves such as the UM56 for Westone sized nozzles.

I used to use foam type tips (read: olives) until I started buying iem's that had larger sized nozzles so I have been using more of the silicon tips. However many times it depends on the iem that you buy since some can have their sound change drastically with different tips (ie: CK10) and others will not make as much of a difference. I second grawk's advice and find a way to get a bunch of different tips and experiment on which fits the best as well as sounds the best. If you read some appreciation threads many times you will eventually find a section in it where it involves the kinds of tips that are used.

 

[goranilic]

Well, the thing is I the reason I posted this thread is to figure out in which direction to experiment, to save some and off course some money...lol. Anyways thank you very much for your posts, I discovered that difference is present!

Appreciate your time to answer!

 

[teishu]

Prior to yesterday i would have said not, but i changed my Shure Sleeves from the foam ones to the silicon ones and what a difference! Clearer Highs and Mids and punchier bass..

Just experiment to find out what works for you

 

[dfrost]

I now have silicone tips from Shure (E2c single flange), MEElec (single, double and triple flange), Head-Direct (black single, clear double flange in two sizes) and NuForce (single), as well as Comply T400 foam. All of these fit my NuForce NE-7M nozzles, but only the largest in outside diameter fit my big (and old) ear canals.

I recently did a quick comparison between all of those that give me a decent seal, and once again concluded that my ears prefer:

1. The E2c's - clearly superior for SQ, comfort and convenience
2. Comply foams - slightly reduced treble and recessed vocals; require two-handed insertion
3. Larger Head-Direct doubles - good SQ when pushed in just the right direction, but difficult to maintain a good seal
4. Stock NuForce - OK, but the E2c's are so much better

None of the others gave the balanced, full, lush and adequately detailed SQ that I love listening to the NE-7M.

In the past I've also liked the T400s reverse-mounted to correct the treble/vocal deficiencies, but didn't bother this time since I know that they're then less comfortable, wear out faster, and no improvement over the E2c sound.

The MEElec and Head-Direct single flange tips all have a larger diameter port and locate the nozzle closer to the ear drum. Does this inherently reduce bass and change the soundstage dramatically? I didn't attemppt to characterize changes in soundstage, since I'm not very good at sensing and describing the differences, other than "Ooh, that's cool."

I should note that my comparison with other IEM's has been very modest - Hippo VB and MEElec M11P. I've got some M9P's coming, but nothing 'high-end' until maybe Monster Turbo Pros with ControlTalk if they come down in price a ways.

 

[tnmike1]

part of the fun with this hobby is the experimentation that comes with it. And the eartips are among the least expensive options you can experiment with--lots less money than changing headphones, amps, DACs, etc. I've tried Comply, Comply X, gliders, Shure Olves and a few others to get the sound right in my Etys and right now am using Olives. That may change, though, so I keep the others in a little box.

Experimenting is interesting and sonic changes can be heard with each eartip variation