[eddiewalker]

I have extremely small ear canals. Like, 4mm in diameter. I had a pair of UM1's that I was forced to return because even the small foamie tips just wouldn't fit. Then I bought JVC marshmallows for my long plane ride this weekend just because they were cheap enough to experiment with, but even squished down and just inserted about 2mm into my ears they caused extreme pain after a short listen.

I'd really like the extreme portabilty and isolation of IEMs for my travel and work, but I'm not ready to empty my wallet. I'm thinking custom moldings might be my only option, but I can't find much under $350. Is there a "bargain" custom IEM I'm missing in this search?

 

[Anarchy965]

I'm pretty sure their was a thread just the other day about someone getting custom molds for their CX300's.

edit: found it. Here it is:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3175542

 

[RokabillySwagger]

Westone UM1's have an upgrade kit that you can get custom molds by an audiologist. The IEMs are about 110USD, another hundred for the molds, but the audiologist will probably be the nail in the coffin for price.

 

[NeObliviscaris]

i like that cx300 idea, but sounds like a bit of work to get somethign like that done!

 

[shiezan]

Does the SQ improve significantly when IEMs are custom molded?

 

[NeObliviscaris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiezan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does the SQ improve significantly when IEMs are custom molded?

good

i was planning on starting a thread abt that!

 

[rapier84]

http://www.hearyourself.com/

I was surfin the net and saw these, for under 200 bucks for a set of single driver customs these do look like a bargain, although I've yet to try them for myself (I doubt any head-fi'er had actually...)

 

[lutwey]

livewires seem popular nowadays. might wanna check it out

 

[NeObliviscaris]

hrmmm that sounds enticing, but im worried id get that goo inside my ear, i'd prefer going to an audiologist to get these impressions done, but seriously, why would we need that for day to day music listening, isnt it just wasteful?

 

[enzoferrari650]

I second livewires

 

[stewtheking]

Can't go wrong wit livewires. Firm thumbs-up for them from this camp.