IEM Tips (Sleeves)

[roadrat]

Has anyone ever written a primer on IEM tips? Seems like one is needed.

I have had Shure SE846s for 3 years. Love them. I have switched between tips numerous times. I have always defaulted to larger tips. I recently switched to Comply Foam Pro Series (the long ones): https://www.complyfoam.com/products/tips-for-shure?variant=43214807269563. As always, I bought large and roll them tight until they fit deep and then expand tightly in my ear. The sound is good.

Then I bought Sennheiser IE900s a few weeks ago. The Large silicon tips that were in the box did not seal properly. So I tried the Large foam tips that were in the box and they are also too small. So I bought Comply Foam tips: https://www.complyfoam.com/products/comply-200-series but these are also too small.

So then I did a search for "IE900" and "Tips" and came across this article: https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/sennheiser-ie900-review

This prompted me to try the smaller tips provided by Sennheiser. I tried the small...and they were too small. I tried the medium....and found Heaven. I can't believe that I never considered trying the smaller tips.

Specifically, why do the smaller tips (medium vs. large) provide a better seal? Are the mediums fitting in deeper than the large?

Generally, why is the tip issue not discussed more in standalone threads (i.e. not in IEM-specific threads)? I am now going to play with smaller tips on my SE846s.

 

[dunring]

I've seen tips sized way differently, best bet is order some small variety packs in all 3 sizes that fit your nozzle to find the perfect ones. I use the Sonicfoam since they come in different nozzle and tip sizes, and just order the medium 20 pack in whatever nozzle size needed. Different foam compresses differently, so it's hard to write a guide for personal fit.

 

[Surf Monkey]

A lot of it has to do with ear anatomy and the design of the shell’s nozzle.

For example, my ears have large openings that require at least 13.4mm wide standard silicon tips to achieve a seal. But if the nozzle of the set is long enough I can size down one and get a good fit.

Then there are alternate shapes like the DUNU S&S tips which are shaped like foam tips but are made of silicon. Weirdly, the barrel shape causes them to seal in my ears even though the XL size is only 13mm wide.

The moral of the story is that finding the best tips is a volume game. Try as many as you can in different sizes. There’s no standard for sizing at all.