[InternetSandman]

The last two CIEM's I've owned, the Unique Melody Miracle and the Noble 5S, both only lasted me about a year before problems with the sound tubes (usually blockages that I couldn't remove) forced me to go back to over-ear headphones. The hassle of having to clean out the bores on an almost daily basis and still wind up with problems has slightly turned me off (and I do clean my ears quite often to try and prevent it). I still really like the feel of custom IEM's, and if I wasn't worried about this problem Id happily go for another silicone CIEM (you can't beat that comfort).

I've been looking at the Shure SE846 for a while. I haven't yet had a chance to try them out (the headphone bar here in Vancouver is currently relocating) but they've been at the top of my list for a while. I was reading reviews earlier today and came across one reviewer on Amazon who had had two different SE846 units wind up with a faulty connection between the cable and the earpiece after several months of use. Also, having to keep stock of replacement foam tips for whatever UIEM I buy is kind of a nuisance, but it's better than winding up with blocked or broken sound bores in a CIEM with no filters.

In short, money isn't really an object for my next IEM purchase, but if I'm gonna be spending one or two grand, I don't wanna be making a single compromise, with durability or comfort, or anything else. If it's a CIEM, I wanna know that the sound bores won't end up clogged, and I'd prefer silicone for the comfort and how it adjusts to small changes in the ear canal (no popping noises every time the seal is broken and remade if my jaw moves about). This is gonna be my third TOTL IEM (fourth if you count the Shure SE535 I had a few years ago), I'd like it to last me a long time. What other recommendations do you have?

 

[jodgey4]

I think either JH or UE has cleaning services... maybe look into that?

 

[lin0003]

I felt like the SE846 was very sturdy and durable, had no issues with mine. Comes with a couple of cables as well so even if one breaks you'll still be fine. 

 

[InternetSandman]

I felt like the SE846 was very sturdy and durable, had no issues with mine. Comes with a couple of cables as well so even if one breaks you'll still be fine. 

The problem that the reviewer had was in the conector in the earphone itself getting worn out. Cables are easy to replace, that wouldn't concern me, but the earphone itself is a bit harder to replace

I think either JH or UE has cleaning services... maybe look into that?

I could send the CIEM back to the manufacturer for cleaning as well, but I don't wanna spend a few weeks without them just cause something got inside the sound bore.