IEMs.. guide to getting a good seal?

[tranceFusion]

Is there a good guide to getting a seal out there?

How do I get a good seal? How do I know when I have one?

I just got Westone UM1's a couple days ago. The definitely provide some of the best clarity I have heard and sense of space that i have heard, but they do sound overly bright. the low end is not what I am used to. There IS bass, just not what I am used to with more muddy out of ear phones.

 

[R MaN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranceFusion Is there a good guide to getting a seal out there? How do I get a good seal? How do I know when I have one? I just got Westone UM1's a couple days ago. The definitely provide some of the best clarity I have heard and sense of space that i have heard, but they do sound overly bright. the low end is not what I am used to. There IS bass, just not what I am used to with more muddy out of ear phones.

I had my UM1's now for a week.... When I would walk my dog, with the music playing at 30 % ~ (5G 30gb iPod) I could hear cars, trucks (big and small) and dogs barking.. I'm not saying very loud, but I could hear those... Well yesterday, after a week, I did something right inserting them and those noises are now gone.... Example, a huge county snow plowing truck drove by me and I could not hear it...... I use the standard long complys that came with them..... Did the light come on? Did I get lucky?......................

 

[coco]

For IEM fit there are a number of things you can try, but once you have it right it is very easy to repeat a good fit. One recommended way is to put the opposite hand aound the back of you head and pull up and back on the ear. This will open up the canal as the skin is pulled up and back. You don't have to worry about sticking it in too far or dangerously close to the ear drum as the canal won't allow this. Everyone has this fear at the beginning, but it just won't happen. Think of all the IEMs out there and I have never heard of anyone doing any damage. Another great help is to moisten the tip, ie lick the end of the silicon variety, before you insert, this helps it slide right in. I have an end point where the earphone just stops, and won't go any farther. The best way I can describe a good fit is that you no longer hear the sound in a traditional way, the music seems to be playing inside your head. Strange at first. Also check out any of the manufacturers sites for their recommendations on fitting. IMO this type of headphone is the safest for sound levels. Once you have the seal you can listen at very low volumes without the external noise bothering you. Just don't ride your bike with them on as in a recent ipod related article. Good luck, Colin

 

[Medikit]

The way I test the seal is by lightly rubbing my fingers together very fast near each ear. This also helps for comparing the quality of each seal. Note: I can always hear the rubbing, it's just very dead when I feel like my seal is good enough for me.

 

[ScubaSteve87]

well for me and IEM's the key to getting a good seal and comfort is to insert them correctly. And for all IEM's that I have used, its at a upward angle. Not straight in to the ear canal, they need to be pointed up a little and pushed in

 

[Sdali]

You know you have a good seal when you do not hear the traffic noises as you are walking and the music is set at a low (10 -30% of max).

It took me a long time to learn how to get a good seal - playing with different tips. Now I use the yellow fomies with Ec3 and tri flange (modded) with the E5.

Note: unless you have customs you will not be able to block out all noise. From what I hear - customs will provide the best seal - kind of makes sense