[herbsandspices]

Hey all!

I just found these forums, and WOW!

Cool!

I'm looking to get a pair of custom-molded IEM for all-around listening (work/travel/home), and wanted to stick to my usual efforts of trying to get something that's made in the USA or Europe.

Westone : UM2/ES2 are made in USA (confirmed on the phone 6/24/08)
Precision Labs : Challenger G is made in USA (confirmed over email 6/23/08)
Ultimate Ears : Custom IEM (UE 5,7,10,11 Pro's) are made in USA (confirmed on the phone 6/24/08)
Advanced Communication Solutions : Made in UK
LiveWires
FreQ
Sensaphonics
Starkey
Future Sonics
Microsonic Music

Any others brands that might fit the bill?

Thanks so much - I can't believe how much I have to read!

john

 

[krmathis]

Ultimate Ears Earphones Headphones Personal Monitors


Welcome to Head-Fi!

 

[herbsandspices]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ultimate Ears Earphones Headphones Personal Monitors

Just got off the phone with UE, and their custom IEM's are made in the US, while the Triple/Super/Metro series are all made in China.

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Welcome to Head-Fi!

Thanks!

Anyone else?

 

[ClieOS]

Advanced Communication Solutions - UK base, specialize in soft mold custom IEM.

Other U.S. custom IEM companies:
LiveWires
FreQ
Sensaphonics
Starkey
Future Sonics
Microsonic Music

 

[herbsandspices]

You just blew my mind, ClieOS!

Back to reading!

Thanks for all the links!

I'll amend my list above to include those!

It looks like I have some more research to do, as far as what's best for my budget range (hopefully under $500).

john

 

[MfiveM]

The Sleek-Audio SA6 are now made in the US.

 

[ClieOS]

^that reminds me that, although SA6 isn't a custom, Sleek Audio is planning to release a custom based on SA6's transducer. They haven't finalize the product yet, but If you are really interested in getting a custom molded SA6, you should contact JasonK. Maybe he can work something out for you.

 

[herbsandspices]

Ok, after a lot of reading and talking to various companies, I've narrowed it down to a few different earphones:

FreQ Show $349
Livewires $249

Both made in USA (although their drivers/speakers are made in China), both dual-driver, and both are well received here on Head-Fi

. The FreQ Show has the crossover, which seems cool.

I'm not concerned about the price difference between the two - they're both in my budget.

So WHICH should I get?? This is for listening to mostly folk/acoustic music and jazz, primarily on an iPod with no amp.

THANKS!
john

 

[chris_ah1]

get both then sell off on forums the one you don't like.

 

[Jelle Schrijver]

EU list:

Ohr & More is a promising one. The rap seems to be there as good/better then the UE 5 custom model. And with dynamic drives the bass should be more powerful.

But else have a look in my IEM delicious list! There some france and dutch iem manufactures in there 2. Or my headphones list

 

[revel67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_ah1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif get both then sell off on forums the one you don't like.

That is going to be hard to do..(they're custom made for the user)

 

[herbsandspices]

Quote:

Originally Posted by revel67 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is going to be hard to do..(they're custom made for the user)

That's what I was thinking.

So FreQ Show & Livewires...

I dunno!

 

[revel67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbsandspices /img/forum/go_quote.gif So FreQ Show & Livewires... I dunno!

I got the livewires myself..........and I'm very happy with them!

 

[chris_ah1]

Oh - no way for the moulds to be redone at all?

 

[herbsandspices]

Thanks, Revel. The Livewire's seem cool - the only advantage that the FreQ Show's seem to offer is the crossover - is it worth $100? You got me!