Drilling custom acrylic IEMs to fix the "Stethoscope effect"

[mkarikom]

Im wondering if anyone has tried drilling tiny holes (0.5mm, one per earpiece should do) in order prevent small bumps to inserted custom IEMs (with big shells) from creating a deafening thud?
 
It seems like this should do the trick, I'm just curious about the properties of the acrylic, whether or not drilling could cause deformation from heat, etc.
 
In any case, suppose I try this and don't like it, can acrylic be patched?  Im definitely no expert on solvents, so looking for someone who is.

 

[dnullify]

I mean, I definitely wouldn't. For one you'd be creating a vent which would probably mess with the way they're tuned. I can't think of any way to patch them that wouldn't require removing the components.

 

[mkarikom]

Im just talking about the shells.  the bores are sealed so it shouldn't affect compression.

 

[castleofargh]

it's case specific. if we're talking BA drivers, some are vented(I'm talking about the driver itself having a hole in addition to where the sound is supposed to come out), some aren't. if the only path for air out of the driver is into the usual small plastic tube that goes all the way through to the nozzle, making extra holes in the shell won't change a thing and will most likely not break the seal.
 
if vented drivers are used then you could probably create a small vent reaching some cavity inside the shell(again depends on how the IEM is done, for some, any hole anywhere would do it). you'll most likely lose some low end as you would from casually losing a proper seal from the tips. beyond that I'm not sure about possible changes in sound, I guess it would depend on a few parameters.