Moisture and BA/Dynamic driver IEMs?

[svyr]

Not sure if this has come up before (a quick google search suggests it hasn't, but maybe I wasn't searching for the right thing)

Does anyone have any specific details about how moisture affects (degrades?) IEM drivers.

I'm particularly interested in BA drivers (e.g. using them on wet days, or maybe condensation from temp change outside/inside...if they're in your pocket).

But um, if someone knows about dynamic driver IEMs (though that probably large depends on how the driver is made/diaphragm material or something), do chip in as well. (some dynamic IEMs have external vents...That people frequently expose to rain. That makes me veeery uncomfortable, as it seems there's a slight risk of shorting something (voice coil?) ? or damage glue if something is glued inside the shell on the driver?)

 

[cifani090]

The SE535's suck at this, the moisture has made me send them in for warranty about 3 times so far. I know i went for a job a while a go, and when i got to my destination (gym) their was sweat residue on my iPod Touch. Quite shocked by that.

 

[svyr]

I'm in particular concerned about this because I WILL be running with my new IEMs lol ... $800 worth of BAs...

I mean I've ran in all my HP in 30-40 degree heat (including EX700, SM3v1, etc), and really, nothing much happened (well, EX700 cables swell up from sweat, but ok).

But now I'm suddenly interested in the topic, because $800 worth of BAs and 1-2 month wait times to get it fixed if it dies, are quite substantial and annoying (plus pretty sure death by moisture is not covered by warranty)

 

[cifani090]

Quote:

I'm in particular concerned about this because I WILL be running with my new IEMs lol ... $800 worth of BAs...

I mean I've ran in all my HP in 30-40 degree heat (including EX700, SM3v1, etc), and really, nothing much happened (well, EX700 cables swell up from sweat, but ok).

But now I'm suddenly interested in the topic, because $800 worth of BAs and 1-2 month wait times to get it fixed if it dies, are quite substantial and annoying (plus pretty sure death by moisture is not covered by warranty)

I was saddened by this as well, we need high end sports headphones! The Sennheiser PX headphones are all that does it.
 

 

[Zalithian]

High end iems are not made with exercise in mind. That's why you have beater pairs.

 

[svyr]

High end iems are not made with exercise in mind. That's why you have beater pairs.

Well, yea I guess the analogy is running with $$$ precision electronics or using it in pouring rain/ high condensation prone environments and then being unhappy it broke. Oops.

this is all very irritating. 1/2 the time I listen to earphones is while exercising . If I have to get a dodgy single BA special design set for that (e.g. http://www.h2oaudio.com/store/waterproof-headphones/surge-pro-balaced-armature-waterproof-headphones.html ), I would probably adjust my 'how much should i be spending on high end IEMs considering the amount of use they'll get' values.

 

[wilzc]

Thank god Australia is a dry dry continent lol.
 
Interestingly, not many know that the case which Sennheiser uses for IE6 7 and 8 have this compartment at the bottom to store dessicants to dry the IEM out.

 

[svyr]

Look, the counterargument is - a lot of IEMs are advertised as stage monitors... Here's the fun bit, if you do that, you're shooting your co in the foot. because well, not all performances involve standing around a mike (watch a rock concert... Those poor IEMs..)


>Thank god Australia is a dry dry continent lol.

yeaa... especially the semi-tropical areas... melbourne too.. Soo dry. only rains 1ce a day . (ok that's lie, but you know...)


>Interestingly, not many know that the case which Sennheiser uses for IE6 7 and 8 have this compartment at the bottom to store dessicants to dry the IEM out.

that's a decent idea. Not as good as prevention, but yea... Pretty sure my IEM case doesn't have it. Not sure where to get some either... Shoe store or packaged food wrapper lol?

 

[Zalithian]

Quote:

Well, yea I guess the analogy is running with $$$ precision electronics or using it in pouring rain/ high condensation prone environments and then being unhappy it broke. Oops.

this is all very irritating. 1/2 the time I listen to earphones is while exercising

. If I have to get a dodgy single BA special design set for that (e.g. http://www.h2oaudio.com/store/waterproof-headphones/surge-pro-balaced-armature-waterproof-headphones.html ), I would probably adjust my 'how much should i be spending on high end IEMs considering the amount of use they'll get' values.

I don't know about you, but when I'm exercising, I'm not worried about picking out details or even focusing on the music all that much. Not much reason to use expensive IEMS in that situation, at least for me. I'd just find some cheap pair like some Sennheiser CX (insertnumberhere)'s. I have used my Sennheiser CX series IEMS as backups for years.
 

 

[svyr]

I don't know about you, but when I'm exercising, I'm not worried about picking out details or even focusing on the music all that much. Not much reason to use expensive IEMS in that situation, at least for me. I'd just find some cheap pair like some Sennheiser CX (insertnumberhere)'s. I have used my Sennheiser CX series IEMS as backups for years.
 

if it offers 15-30db of isolation, I don't see why not... plus the whole 'stage monitor' thing http://www.head-fi.org/t/573270/moisture-and-ba-dynamic-driver-iems#post_7780093 ... I'm sure none of the artists jumping around the stage experience any sweating... At all. Although I suppose the warranty and pricing on those products would be adjusted accordingly.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

that's why a lot of us use desiccant pods while storing our iems. 
 
the ES westones come in a pelican box with a desiccant pod.
 
just get one of the desiccant pods (you don't need to order the entire box) and keep it in an air tight container with your iem every night. 
 
personally, i'd never use my higher end stuff at the gym or in wet conditions. using a disposable pair with a disposable mp3 player is what i use for the gym (any crap iem with sansa clip+).
 
 

 

[JackKontney]

A renewable desiccant pod for storage is a great way to go.
 
For those for whom serious moisture build-up is an ongoing issue (quite common among pro touring musicians, for obvious reasons), a more robust solution is the Dry & Store Zephyr electronic desiccant system by Ear Technology. It was developed for use with hearing aids. There's also a premium version, the Global II, that adds a UV light to the system, which acts as a disinfectant.
 
The Zephyr uses a more powerful desiccant (non-renewable brick, lasts about 2 months) and works by drawing warm air through a closed compartment over an 8-hour cycle. This evaporates the moisture and, more importantly, carries it away so that it doesn't just re-condense again within the earpieces. Used regularly, it prevents the long-term build-up of body oils that are an issue for some people (problem varies with body chemistry...).
 
Sensaphonics recently started carrying this item; it sells for $75. It's also available elsewhere on the interwebs.
 
More info: http://www.sensaphonics.com/?p=2157
 
Hope this helps.

 

[svyr]

A renewable desiccant pod for storage is a great way to go.
 
For those for whom serious moisture build-up is an ongoing issue (quite common among pro touring musicians, for obvious reasons), a more robust solution is the Dry & Store Zephyr electronic desiccant system by Ear Technology. It was developed for use with hearing aids. There's also a premium version, the Global II, that adds a UV light to the system, which acts as a disinfectant.
 
The Zephyr uses a more powerful desiccant (non-renewable brick, lasts about 2 months) and works by drawing warm air through a closed compartment over an 8-hour cycle. This evaporates the moisture and, more importantly, carries it away so that it doesn't just re-condense again within the earpieces. Used regularly, it prevents the long-term build-up of body oils that are an issue for some people (problem varies with body chemistry...).
 
Sensaphonics recently started carrying this item; it sells for $75. It's also available elsewhere on the interwebs.
 
More info: http://www.sensaphonics.com/?p=2157
 
Hope this helps.

this doesn't feed into my compulsions aaat all... heh. never quite pictured spending an unspecified amount of money on a disinfecting/deodorizing/moisture removing AC powered IEM home 'storage box'. before this post that is.. I take the UV light version is at least $150 ? How much is the extra desiccant?

re: re-evaporate and re-condense . I take it you mean compared to no desiccant, or non-ventilated closed system (e.g. portable storage box that's more or less sealed)?

 

[ubercaffeinated]

or just spring for this: http://www.westonemusicproducts.com/catalog/monitor-saver
 
you keep your iem in that overnight, everynight, when it's not in use. the pod is reusable by microwaving it. shipped the cost comes out to 15 bucks. i have 2 of those things, and when the pod stops working, you can get a replacement from westone for about 4 bucks. the little plastic tube can double as an iem case as well. it's great stuff. highly recommend it.
 
 
 
 
 
Quote:

this doesn't feed into my compulsions aaat all... heh. never quite pictured spending an unspecified amount of money on a disinfecting/deodorizing/moisture removing AC powered IEM home 'storage box'. before this post that is.. I take the UV light version is at least $150

? How much is the extra desiccant?

re: re-evaporate and re-condense . I take it you mean compared to no desiccant, or non-ventilated closed system (e.g. portable storage box that's more or less sealed)?

 

 

[Kunlun]

According to Future Sonics, dynamic drivers are more resistant to moisture than BAs are. That could factor into a purchase.