[Zachik]

I got Azla Earfit Short (black ones) on monday, they have pretty hard material and fit rediculously tight, even tho they have right size. I've never experienced this high audio isolation, it's almost like you're underwater. You can feel every subbass microvibration with these. Is it custom-like experience?

I'd say this is as tight as it gets, maybe aside Azla Xelastec, so if you have some other universals, try getting these tips and check. They are quite larger than usual, so get MS if you have medium sized ears.

Also, what iems have you had problems with? Universal LX shell shape is semi-custom and holds iem by itself pretty well regardless of eartips.

Thanks - might be worth trying!
Honestly, I never bought expensive IEMs since I could never get a good experience. I think the only exception is the Etymotic brand (I have ER3SE, ER3XR and ER4SR) which fits and seals well, and stays in, with the default triple-flange tips. That is the reason I resorted to customs...

After my previous post, I have tried my older CIEMs (by CTM) which fit much better than the Bravados
So now, I gotta have my Bravados fit on the right CIEM fixed... Compared to the CTMs - it feels like the part that goes deep into my canals is a little thicker / wider with the Bravados, which causes discomfort and irritates the ear canals. Paying more attention - BOTH ears feel "fuller" compared to the CTM... Left is OK. kinda. Right is just too irritating.
@Jack Vang (or anyone from EE) - can you please PM me, so we can discuss outside the thread? Thanks!!

 

[Zachik]

My understanding is that our ears keep growing, so I would expect CIEMs to fit less tight, not tighter over time. I hope for you it's just a matter of getting used to them again.

I agree it is weird, especially since the older CIEMs fit better than the newer Bravados. Maybe when I just received them, I was too excited to notice the fit is not ideal???

 

[saltyfr0g]

I went back to Empire Ears today to get a second audition of the Legend X. If I am going to marry these IEMs, I needed to get another listen. This time, I was ready with just my Chord Mojo and Hugo 2 and my laptop running Tidal for source. And, I pitted the Legend X against the EE Odin and the Sony IER-Z1Rs. After extensive listening across all genres of music. I felt that each monitor was better for different genres of music. The Odin was better for classical music due to its resolution and tuning. The Z1R was better for Jazz due to its natural timbre and the Legend X was better for pop music due to its night club sound signature. Comparatively speaking, I didn't think that the Legend X was at the same level as the Odins and the Z1Rs. I was leaning toward no purchase since the Odins and Z1Rs were so much better overall. This was true even after EQ. Then, I did something that changed the whole game and I didn't really expect completely. I asked Josh to get me a Stormbreaker cable to replace the Stock Ares 2 cable on the demo unit of the Legend X. When he said he didn't have one, I took mine off of my Odins and put them onto the Legend X. Then, the real magic occurred. Now, the Legend X was finally at the same level as the Odins and Z1Rs and just presented a different signature that worked better with all genre comparatively. I decided to order them. In 8 weeks, I will be the proud owner of a Custom Legend X.

Below is a picture of what the custom face plates will be made of:

Dean came out and we talked extensively about IEMs. He was truly interested in what I liked in my monitors and I told him. He told me he was a former bass guitarist, so that partially explains why the bass is so good on the Empire Ears IEMs. When I told him my experience with the cables, he showed me his vast collection including a $10,000 cable. He told me the best cable he has heard is the Storm Breaker, so he wasn't surprised at my reaction with I paired it with the Legend X. Dean personally trimmed my impressions and he wanted to get them perfect, so Josh did them over until he got them the way that Dean wanted them to be. I felt like I got the royal treatment and really appreciated it. I can't wait to see how these turn out.

That’s what I’m talking about!!

 

[saltyfr0g]

Please to the pairing and let me know which works best for the Legend X. It sounded great with the Stormbreaker, but Josh says a Gold or Palladium plated copper cable works best. He recommended the Horus. He has it with his own Custom LX.

I’ll eventually track down a Horus or comparable GPS cable. I’ll say this though, the Leo II even as a 4-wire is freaking incredible with the LX!! All those people saying cables don’t make a difference need to listen the the stock ARES II and then the Leo II… The improvements are undeniably brilliant!!

 

[saltyfr0g]

SE has officially landed!!
Let the testing begin!!

 

[ranfan]

I'd say the variety of colours in mine are fairly evenly distributed... Not complaining one bit, they all look stunning.

Yea I got lucky with the pattern distribution but I don't have many purples... more orange, green and blue. Like you, no complaints here!



Edit: updated photo with that drip @JoshWatkins gave me during my visit to EE.

They all look so trippy, I love watching them
Mine have some red in them, but overall more blue-purple-greenish lol

I use the Xelastec for the tips. MS size, one size smaller than my usual which is M. Anyone else using them? They felt pretty comfortable, with decent grip and softness to it. For longer period of listening the Xelastec doesn't heat up as fast as the Sedna Earfit to my ears. And the texture of the surface plus thinness of the material adhere/contact with the skin naturally well. They're the closest ones to feeling like wearing custom for me. So I'm sticking with them for now (pun intended).

Spoiler: Image

 

[GiullianSN]

With all the LX talk, and me seriously considering getting a custom LX - I decided to make sure my custom Bravados still fit 100% right... (which would mean EE can reuse my ear impressions for the LX)
I have not used my Bravados for almost a year (thanks to covid and staying home all day EVERY day... ). I used them mostly for travel before...
Anyhow, left CIEM fits perfectly, but right CIEM causes irritation and discomfort after 10-15 minutes
I am not ruling out that my right ear canal might be slightly swollen or irritated (without me knowing), but IF the right CIEM fit was marginal from the get go, and now (a year later) fit is not great due to whatever changes to my ear... what is the way to go about mending the issue? I do not expect EE to do it for free, but I wonder what should be my next step? Anyone got any similar story or experience?
I will let my ear rest for a few hours (or a day) and try again... Also, I have older CIEMs (from different vendor) that I could try to see if they fit properly.

If I were within reasonable distance from EE - I would go and try the universal LX. If the great folks at EE can find ANY tips that would fit properly, seal, and not slide out every 30 seconds (my normal negative experience with universals...) - I would just buy universal and forget about customs!

Tips / ideas / suggestions?

I had similar problems. Deep alcohol clean around the shell a few times and will be good later.

 

[CL14715]

With all the LX talk, and me seriously considering getting a custom LX - I decided to make sure my custom Bravados still fit 100% right... (which would mean EE can reuse my ear impressions for the LX)
I have not used my Bravados for almost a year (thanks to covid and staying home all day EVERY day... ). I used them mostly for travel before...
Anyhow, left CIEM fits perfectly, but right CIEM causes irritation and discomfort after 10-15 minutes
I am not ruling out that my right ear canal might be slightly swollen or irritated (without me knowing), but IF the right CIEM fit was marginal from the get go, and now (a year later) fit is not great due to whatever changes to my ear... what is the way to go about mending the issue? I do not expect EE to do it for free, but I wonder what should be my next step? Anyone got any similar story or experience?
I will let my ear rest for a few hours (or a day) and try again... Also, I have older CIEMs (from different vendor) that I could try to see if they fit properly.

If I were within reasonable distance from EE - I would go and try the universal LX. If the great folks at EE can find ANY tips that would fit properly, seal, and not slide out every 30 seconds (my normal negative experience with universals...) - I would just buy universal and forget about customs!

Tips / ideas / suggestions?

Have you tried universal LX? They fit a good amount of people very well as is with the right tips.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

That’s what I’m talking about!!

I asked Josh if I could take a picture of your customs for you. He said they weren't ready yet for that.

 

[saltyfr0g]

I asked Josh if I could take a picture of your customs for you. He said they weren't ready yet for that.

What a tease!! I can’t wait to see your faceplates polished too!!

 

[Tristy]

Yea I got lucky with the pattern distribution but I don't have many purples... more orange, green and blue. Like you, no complaints here!



Edit: updated photo with that drip @JoshWatkins gave me during my visit to EE.

I love those with a lot of orange, reminds me of lava... But the interplay of the greens, purples and blue on mine reminds me of lightning or something. I could stare at them all day. Between these and the signature VE8 I'm all set for eye porn.

 

[gLer]

What a tease!! I can’t wait to see your faceplates polished too!!

Get a room, guys

 

[saltyfr0g]

Get a room, guys

Says the guy who had a ménage à trois with me and our special cable friend!!

 

[xand]

https://www.dpreview.com/news/51346...-image-of-veil-nebula-showing-off-new-details

Looks a little like the Odin faceplate. lol.

 

[Zachik]

I had similar problems. Deep alcohol clean around the shell a few times and will be good later.

Are you saying the alcohol would "melt away" a thin layer, which would result in the CIEM's stem (or whatever it's called) becoming thinner?!

Have you tried universal LX? They fit a good amount of people very well as is with the right tips.

I have not! That was my plan for next CanJam, with the help of the pros from EE, but since those CanJams kept getting canceled - I am getting impatient...
Honestly, since CIEMs are a PITA to get in/out, and have no real re-sale value (for when upgradetitis hits) - I would rather buy universals. I know LX comes with nice tip collection, but I am still concerned none would seal well AND stay in.