Multi-Custom In-Ear Monitor Review, Resource, Mfg List & Discussion (Check first post for review links & information)

[Mython]

Back on-topic, Tupac, are you finding this low-volume improvement with the H8Ps?

 

[tupac0306]

  Back on-topic, Tupac, are you finding this low-volume improvement with the H8Ps?

Pretty much every CIEMs, I found lower volume pull the vocals back further into the space. The vocals should sound quieter, but I found them go into the instruments more.
 
 
In another word, I found 200 - 2000 Hz go backward when I decrease the volume. So I should say the "main body/fullness" of the vocals become smaller, the position of vocals are pretty much the same.

 

[project86]

+1 for vintage Rakim! His "comeback" was interesting, and I enjoyed "The 18th Letter" to some degree - a lot more than "The Seventh Seal" and "The Master" but none of it gets me going like the old albums. 
 
Anyway, it sounds like perhaps you are extra sensitive to those uppoer midrange/high frequencies, and when the volume goes lower they become less piercing to your ears, thus sounding more "correct" in the mix. Maybe it's as simple as that.
 
Either way, nothing wrong with listening quiet if that's how you enjoy it. It's safer in the long run anyway. 

 

[Mython]

I've suffered with ringing in the ears for many years (never formally identified as tinnitus, per se, but I've had the ringing, to varying degrees, ever since I was approximately 12 yrs old), and it gets worse when I have a head cold.
 
Something I've noticed when I have a head cold is that I become more sensitive to upper midrange frequencies (quite uncomfortably at times), and my college doctor told me this may be hyperacousis (I complained to him that I was suddenly finding the jukebox in the student bar unbearably loud - particularly in the upper mid frequencies (which seemed to 'over-saturate' my hearing tolerance), even though I had previously been able to tolerate it just fine). When the head cold abates, so does the selective over-sensitivity to mid frequencies.
 
 
It's not impossible that you may have some sensitivity to certain frequencies, too, Tupac, although whether this might, perhaps, be attributable to some form of hyperacousis is only one, of many, possibilities.
 
Or maybe all your CIEMs are faulty, in which case I'm sure plenty of head-fiers will be willing to assist you in liquidating them

 
 
 
 
Like average_joe, generally-speaking, I'm very conservative with my listening levels, although I must confess that my week with the Hugo managed to tempt me to break this rule!! (damn, that thing sounds soooo good....)
 
 
.

 

[project86]

I get that same thing once in a while, and I think "over-saturate" is a brilliant description. I've always described it as being like clipping an amplifier, but your description is better. 

 

[Mimouille]

A question for every custom owner here...are you losing a bit of seal when you move your jaw and face around? It happens very slightly with my SE5 and NT6 but only very slightly and it requires extreme movements so I consider it non problematic. On my Roxannes, already reshelled twice, the right side loses seal fairly easily it seems if I move my jaw around. I am hesitating to send for a third reshell....

 

[tupac0306]

A question for every custom owner here...are you losing a bit of seal when you move your jaw and face around? It happens very slightly with my SE5 and NT6 but only very slightly and it requires extreme movements so I consider it non problematic. On my Roxannes, already reshelled twice, the right side loses seal fairly easily it seems if I move my jaw around. I am hesitating to send for a third reshell....

I think it depends on how well the mold is, silicone or acrylic and how deep the canal tips insert to your ears.
 
With silicone ones, no it doesn't move at all even with very extreme movements.
 
I am like you, the roxanne I had can easily lose seal with a little movement. I think it's because of the surface is very smooth and the canal tips are not as thick as my other ones.

 

[project86]

It also has to do with your physiology. Some faces are just more "animated" than others. For me personally, I always lose seal when yawning or otherwise opening my jaw wide. Always have, always will.
 
The first few times I tried custom IEMs (way back in the day) I assumed the impressions were not good enough. These things should never break seal, right? But my audiologist told me no, that's not universally true. In my particular case, my jaw movement causes large opening/closing of the ear canal. I can feel how drastic it is by putting the tips of my pinkies in the ear and then opening wide. Huge difference. No matter how deep the canal is made, in acrylic or silicone, it still partially breaks seal. 
 
When I got the (silicone) Sensaphonics 3MAX, I had them make extremely long canals. It felt like they were tickling my brain. Yet seal did not maintain 100% when yawning. After the first dozen CIEMs or so I gave up trying for that sort of fit. It's not like I need to eat and listen at the same time anyway. You might have a similar scenario, and no amount of refits will fix it for you. 

 

[iscorpio71]

Hello Forum ! 
 
I'm planning to add another IEM this time custom, and been researching. Started with UE Superfi 5Pro back in '07 they lasted for a couple of years when the cable failed and bought the Westone UM3X, really like the sign signature., now the UM3X also failed. I've been looking to find out more out of the ES60 but there's not much.
 
Researching I've discovered some other brands like Noble, ACS and 1964 and JH that really "sound" appealing. I listen to electronic, rock/pop and everything in between, now using the FiiO X5 and HTC M8 as primary source.
 
Thanks for any input. 

 

[average_joe]

Review of the InEarz IE-P250.
 

A question for every custom owner here...are you losing a bit of seal when you move your jaw and face around? It happens very slightly with my SE5 and NT6 but only very slightly and it requires extreme movements so I consider it non problematic. On my Roxannes, already reshelled twice, the right side loses seal fairly easily it seems if I move my jaw around. I am hesitating to send for a third reshell....

 
I agree with project86...there are so many variables that some people will just never keep a seal under certain conditions.  For me, the problem is when I lean my head back, such as when I am relaxing on an airplane, I can lose seal with an improperly fitted CIEM.  Luckily, my CIEMs all fit right, typically with only one more try when necessary.  I am contemplating sending my Viento-R back due to the right canal being a bit on the larger side and becoming uncomfortable after some time.  But typically I don't lose seal with anything since I started taking extremely deep ear impressions.  I put the otto blocks in to where I experience quite a bit of discomfort, and then pull them out ever so slightly.  Works for me.
 

  Hello Forum ! 
 
I'm planning to add another IEM this time custom, and been researching. Started with UE Superfi 5Pro back in '07 they lasted for a couple of years when the cable failed and bought the Westone UM3X, really like the sign signature., now the UM3X also failed. I've been looking to find out more out of the ES60 but there's not much.
 
Researching I've discovered some other brands like Noble, ACS and 1964 and JH that really "sound" appealing. I listen to electronic, rock/pop and everything in between, now using the FiiO X5 and HTC M8 as primary source.
 
Thanks for any input. 

 
What did you like about the UM3X and SF5 pro, what is your price range, and what are your priorities for a CIEM, such as bass quantity of X amount, overall sound signature of X, highest isolation, best value, etc?

 

[davidcotton]

  Hello Forum ! 
 
I'm planning to add another IEM this time custom, and been researching. Started with UE Superfi 5Pro back in '07 they lasted for a couple of years when the cable failed and bought the Westone UM3X, really like the sign signature., now the UM3X also failed. I've been looking to find out more out of the ES60 but there's not much.
 
Researching I've discovered some other brands like Noble, ACS and 1964 and JH that really "sound" appealing. I listen to electronic, rock/pop and everything in between, now using the FiiO X5 and HTC M8 as primary source.
 
Thanks for any input. 

If it's just the cable on the um3x that's failed you could always send it in to somewhere like inearz who are also in florida for a reshell.

 

[newzild]

Average Joe:
 
You mentioned that you do your own moods using "Otto blocks". I found an "Oto" website. Would you mind stating the exact product you use, and the method (e.g., some people bite a stick, some people keep their mouths closed)?
 
I'm looking at splurging on my first CIEM and am leaning towards a Rooth LS-6 based on your review of the Rooth LS-8, which sounds like a great CIEM but a little peaky at higher frequencies. I'm guessing the LS-6 might be better as the two missing drivers are upper-high frequency.
 
Thanks for your time.
 
S

 

[tomscy2000]

  I'm looking at splurging on my first CIEM and am leaning towards a Rooth LS-6 based on your review of the Rooth LS-8, which sounds like a great CIEM but a little peaky at higher frequencies. I'm guessing the LS-6 might be better as the two missing drivers are upper-high frequency.

 
Er, wish I had time to explain, but that's not how it works.

 

[tupac0306]

  It also has to do with your physiology. Some faces are just more "animated" than others. For me personally, I always lose seal when yawning or otherwise opening my jaw wide. Always have, always will.
 

 

   
I agree with project86...there are so many variables that some people will just never keep a seal under certain conditions.  
 

Great points, guys. I think the shape of the ear also plays a important factor. 
 
For example, my ears have somewhat large concha depth, and the outer area kind of close together, specially at the bottom of my ears (if that's the right explanation), so my ears can "lock" the CIEMs inside my ears after inserted. I have seen people with very widely "open” ears (e.g. Lee ), so no surprise if they lose seals with face movements.

 

[iscorpio71]

If it's just the cable on the um3x that's failed you could always send it in to somewhere like inearz who are also in florida for a reshell.

Thanks,

I forgot to mention I already sent the UM3X for reshelling.