FitEar TO GO! & Universal Series --- Suyama's custom IEM, made universal!
Feb 21, 2012 at 6:36 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 4,881

tomscy2000

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Suyama FitEar, Japan's foremost custom IEM maker, has come out with a universal fit version of their flagship monitor, the MH334. As denoted by FitEar's naming scheme, it's a three-way, three-receiver, four-driver earpiece, denoted to be 'Mastering Grade' as it was tuned by recording engineer Mitsuharu Harada. As the TO GO! version of the MH334, the TO GO! 334 sports a precision-machined titanium sound tube directly connected to the treble driver, and a proprietary exit nozzle that provides separate pathways for the mid/low and low frequency drivers.
 
Though not many people outside of Japan have FitEar's products, they have been very well received. FitEar is believed to provide some of the best and most robust build quality for acrylic-shelled earphones on the planet, as well as top-notch, quality sound.
 
For people living in Japan, the FitEar TO GO! 334 retails for 105,000¥. For overseas customers, purchase options are limited, but FitEar now has a network of authorized overseas retailers: http://fitear.jp/music/support/dealer.html
 
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The universalized body of the TO GO! 334
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The TO GO! 334 comes with a soft pouch as well as a hard Pelican case for protection
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Size comparison of the TO GO! 334 against a custom version of the MH334
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Clear shell version of the TO GO! 334, showing the titanium treble sound tube as well as the midrange and bass drivers surrounding it
 
 

 
In early 2013, the FitEar TO GO! 334 (and all other universal-fit models from Fitear) underwent a build revision for improved durability.
 
For the list of build changes, see here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/2010#post_9126690
 
Sound signature remains unchanged.
 

 
In July 2012, FitEar also introduced a second model to the TO GO! universal line with the TO GO! 111. It has since been renamed the FitEar F111 (more discussion here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/619034/fitear-to-go-111-appreciation-discussion-and-reviews-thread). Sporting a lower profile body and an integrated titanium horn bore, the F111 is voiced similarly to the venerable Etymotic ER4S. With a Japanese retail price of 42,800¥, the TO GO! 111 is less expensive than the TO GO! 334.
 

 
Following the runaway success of both the TO GO! 334 and the F111, Suyama proceeded to debut the dual-driver, horn-equipped Parterre (more discussion here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/662182/fitear-parterre-appreciation-thread), which prompted a limited release white version, the Parterre Blanc, and now the black and white Mélomane, which is tuned differently from the Parterre. FitEar is poised to release more universal-fit models in the future.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 5:12 AM Post #2 of 4,881

Official Product Page(s)

  1. Special Page: http://fitear.jp/music/sp/togo334sp.html
  2. Product Page: http://fitear.jp/music/product/togo334.html
 

Initial Members' Impressions List

  • by Sasaki: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597534/suyama-universal-fitear-to-go-334#post_8170621
  • by AnakChan: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-mh334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/150#post_8307429
  • by EvolutionX (01): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/165#post_8318611
  • by EvolutionX (02): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/165#post_8323225
  • by MuppetFace: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/180#post_8330943
  • by bizkit (Pictures Only): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-flagship-custom-made-universal/210#post_8344906
  • by bizkit (Continuing Comparison with the AKG K3003i): http://www.head-fi.org/t/608477/the-fitear-to-go-334-vs-the-akg-k3003i-a-work-in-progress#post_8356062
  • by nhat_thanh (Short Comparison with the UM Miracle): http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/540#post_8547913
  • by rudi0504: http://www.head-fi.org/t/597146/fitear-to-go-334-suyamas-custom-iem-made-universal/525#post_8547466
 

Other Relevant Links

  1. Review - CNET Audiophiliac (Steve Guttenberg): http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57486297-47/the-best-in-ear-headphone-in-the-world-the-fitear-togo-334/
  2. Review - TouchMyApps (shigzeo): http://www.touchmyapps.com/2012/07/18/fitear-to-go-334-earphone-in-review/
  3. Review (Japanese) - BARKS.jp: http://www.barks.jp/gakki/news/?id=1000078607
  4. Review (Japanese) - Music TO GO! (Sasaki): http://vaiopocket.seesaa.net/article/253318386.html
 
 

Electroacoustic Measurements

SONOVE: http://sonove.angry.jp/FitEarToGo334.html
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FR_FitEarToGO334.gif
 
udauda: http://i.imgur.com/uLVsM.jpg
 
 

 
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:36 AM Post #6 of 4,881
Well, don't think of it as a custom; think of it as an universal based off custom technology. That's what the UM3x is, as well as the SM3. It's just that FitEar has been exclusively a customs and hearing aid manufacturer until now. By their crossing over into the universal side, they're making a push for the high-end universal market, at least for consumers.
 
And what's the use for a universal like this in the professional world? Well, if these are kept in a studio as a 'designated' monitor, everyone knows what to expect out of the FR. It will essentially be the same monitor to everyone, instead of one person using a JH16, another one using an UERM, etc. Also, sound engineers can share the TO GO! MH334 amongst each other when one person is missing their own IEM.
 
There are more reasons, but this is what I can think of off the top of my head.
 
P.S. This universal version is also about 2/3 the price of the full-on custom version of the MH334.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 8:46 AM Post #9 of 4,881
Quote:
I don't like how a $1240USD iem has the exact same bi-flange tip as the $79USD Hifiman RE-0. Sourcing cheap parts for premium prices?


Silicone is silicone... universal tips look the same... if they didn't they'd be custom made... and how do you know if they're the exact same type of tips as the RE0? They merely look really similar.
 
I can assure you that FitEar is one of the most OCD customs manufacturers out there. They don't do things half-heartedly.
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:31 AM Post #14 of 4,881


Quote:
That's true, and I assume they sound fantastic


I don't know that celebrity breast implants are there for how they sound and in fact---ohhhh, you mean the earphones...
 
 
Feb 22, 2012 at 9:32 AM Post #15 of 4,881
The reason why few people are replying is that FitEar keeps a very low international profile. They do business mostly in Japan, and less around the Asia-Pacific as well. For example, the Jaben network is a dealer for them.
 
However, they have a stellar reputation for sound quality. A few years back, Shigzeo wrote a review of the Private 333, which he enjoyed immensely. When I heard the demo version of it in Jaben Hong Kong, I was very wowed by it as well. It wasn't quite as technically proficient as the JH13 demo I compared it to, but it came very close, and the overall feel of the sound signature was just as impressive.
 
It is unclear whether or not Suyama-san, the founder of the customs division of FitEar, is willing to sell the TO GO! MH334 outside of Japan. I've been corresponding with Sasaki, who is close to Suyama, about it. I'm guessing that if he's allowed to, he'll be posting his impressions of the TO GO! MH334 here. I've been told that it sounds very close to a JH13 with a TWag cable upgrade.
 

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