[dave_pass]

I'm new to IEMs. After shopping around I've settled on the UM2s with Shure foamies. My head is finally getting used to the feel and sound, and it's getting happier each day.

My question is, how often do people replace the Shure foamies? After only about 1 1/2 weeks mine look dirty and I'd have to believe they'll begin losing the snug fit & great isolation soon.

It's going to get expensive to replace these things every 2 weeks. What have people found is a good lifespan with daily use of these little yellow guys?

 

[lmilhan]

Hmm...

To answer your original question, I would say 'not often enough'!

I am still using the original foamies that came with my Shure E4Cs... Ewwwwwwww!

Anyway, I discovered that they can be washed. I use liquid soap, and gently massage them in my hands. Then I rinse and dry them very thoroughly. They clean up good as new. The only issue I can see is that they don't seem as 'soft and smooshy' as they originally were (this is going by memory). They still work and seal well enough, but they aren't quite as comfortable as they were in the beginning. As such I ordered a couple of new pairs.

I really think it depends on how much you use them. For me a good guage is when they aren't 'soft and smooshy' anymore (probably 5 or 6 months of normal use for me - assuming you wash them every now and then to keep them clean). Here is an inside tip: There is currently a guy on Ebay who is selling 50 pairs of them, and he will let you buy as many or as few pairs as you want, so check that out!

Good luck!

 

[Jasper994]

Even with washing, I don't think most people are getting more than a few weeks out of a pair. Not to worry though, I just got to see the new black foam that Shure will be releasing really soon. They're cleanable and should last up to 10 times as long as the current ones.

 

[K2Grey]

Have you tried the Shure soft flex sleeves? After you figure out which size is right for you, I find the comfort relatively very good (although they don't quite totally disappear).

 

[Bostonears]

You might want to check out this thread from a couple of weeks ago with a poll of IEM users on that very question:
IEM Users: How long do your foam tips last?

The biggest group of users said they are still on their original set of foamies.

 

[dave_pass]

Thanks for the responses. The poll results are interesting, and dirty. I did try the soft flex but just couldn't get the right fit. I found the Ultimate Ears equivalent of the soft flex tips to provide a much better fit for me, but I'll give the Shure soft flex another shot.

I'm looking forward to checking out the black 'longer lasting' foamies. Why is it that what works best is rarely the easiest? Because if that were the case we'd all be out of a hobby.

 

[cheechoz]

Since my ear canals are about the size of the yellow foamies, maybe just a hair smaller, they don't last very long for me. I have to use the Ety black foamies, and trim them down to get a good seal!

 

[egokun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper994 Not to worry though, I just got to see the new black foam that Shure will be releasing really soon. They're cleanable and should last up to 10 times as long as the current ones.

And do they sound as good as the current yellow ones? Shure's foamies are the best for UM2s

 

[Skylab]

It's one and done for me, folks. I just can't deal with re-using them. Not sanitary enough.

 

[raisin]

Geez, I don't know what disgusts me more, Imilhan or Skylab!

My experience is that with daily, prolonged use, two weeks is about the limit of flexibility on the Shure's. The Ety's last just a little bit longer, but I find their smoother texture is more comfortable.