Lifespan of IEM's

[UAndy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRBJackson Keep in miond that we'll all be getting direct brain transducer implants by then, so be sure to post your review in the 'Antique Equipment' section of the forum

Maybe I put myself then into the anique-section...

I thought that maybe something else could happen: The sound maybe degrades pretty similar to LP-pickups in record players. Probably the magnetic field of the little magnets inside deteriorates. I am not shure if this could be, because the Etys seem to perform like as new - even though I have no direct comparison.
Anyhow I don´t like to spread unqualified rumors - it is just an idea when compared to LP-pickups...

 

[allenf]

We have had an identical thread before.

Edit -Here's the old thread:

The answer was that the lifespan of custom-moulded IEMs was 3-5 years because 1) The shape of the ear changes over time 2) The rubber is made soft enough to be comfortable, and eventually wears so that an effective seal cannot be maintained.
Also bear in mind that a custom IEM worn professionally takes more physical abuse than a careful owner would ever dish out on their $1000 purchase.

None of the above would apply to regular IEMs/canalphones - you would just pop a new flange/foamie on.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAndy Maybe I put myself then into the anique-section... I thought that maybe something else could happen: The sound maybe degrades pretty similar to LP-pickups in record players. Probably the magnetic field of the little magnets inside deteriorates. I am not shure if this could be, because the Etys seem to perform like as new - even though I have no direct comparison. Anyhow I don´t like to spread unqualified rumors - it is just an idea when compared to LP-pickups...

LOL, are you shure that's an unintentional "misspelling" there?

-Ed

 

[Welly Wu]

18 months and still going great. I am the first Head-Fi member to own the Ue-10 PRO and the longest one so far according to the best of my knowledge and experience here. Not one problem whatsoever with mine and I still love them to death. You can take away everything else that I own in my reference system except my ModWright LLC Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi and my Ue-10 PROs.

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenf We have had an identical thread before. Edit -Here's the old thread: The answer was that the lifespan of custom-moulded IEMs was 3-5 years because 1) The shape of the ear changes over time 2) The rubber is made soft enough to be comfortable, and eventually wears so that an effective seal cannot be maintained. Also bear in mind that a custom IEM worn professionally takes more physical abuse than a careful owner would ever dish out on their $1000 purchase. None of the above would apply to regular IEMs/canalphones - you would just pop a new flange/foamie on.

old thread = custom tips lifespan
this thread = drivers lifespan
different topics.

 

[DJGeorgeT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshifter old thread = custom tips lifespan this thread = drivers lifespan different topics.

The answer is that drivers can last a long long time (10 years even) and there is nothing to suggest they could not last a lifetime (provided that you keep them dry and cool), but other things may fail first such as housing and molding, electrical connections, filters, and cable oxidation...the stuff around the driver. In the case of sensas, most of the problems have been with the soft silicon it uses which allows movement of the drivers and soldering points.