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

[average_joe]

Thanks for sharing, amp synergy is huge!  While I can't say I am surprised by your amp comparison findings, the O2 is supposed to measure as good as anything else.  What measurement would let people know about congestion?

 

[Matter]

Guys, I'm about to head to the audiologist to get my ear impressions in a few days time and apparently they do not use a biting block.
I've got a sweet box which I can use as a ghetto biting block. Its a rectangular case with a 2cm and a 3cm side, which side should I be biting on to?
 
Thanks.

 

[average_joe]

I take it you are getting the impressions for an acrylic shelled custom IEM, right?  What are the manufacturer instructions?  The 3 cm side would be better and might work fine, however see what you can do to get as close to what the manufacturer recommends.  The audiologist should be able to obtain a bite block; have you asked them if they can get one (from a audiology supply store)?

 

[Matter]

Quote:

I take it you are getting the impressions for an acrylic shelled custom IEM, right?  What are the manufacturer instructions?  The 3 cm side would be better and might work fine, however see what you can do to get as close to what the manufacturer recommends.  The audiologist should be able to obtain a bite block; have you asked them if they can get one (from a audiology supply store)?

I am doing it for Heir Audio's 8A so its full acrylic. Their impression instruction does not state specifically what height the biting block should be. Since this is going to be my first time doing the impressions so I hope to find out more to avoid the much dreaded refits.
 
Apparently the audiologist does not provide a biting block for ear impressions so I guess I have no choice but to bring my own makeshift one, which is the tiny sweet box I found. Not sure if the 1cm difference will amount to a huge difference in the shape of the impressions though, I hope not!
 
Anyway, thanks for the response.

 

[kckc]

Quote:

I am doing it for Heir Audio's 8A so its full acrylic. Their impression instruction does not state specifically what height the biting block should be. Since this is going to be my first time doing the impressions so I hope to find out more to avoid the much dreaded refits.
 
Apparently the audiologist does not provide a biting block for ear impressions so I guess I have no choice but to bring my own makeshift one, which is the tiny sweet box I found. Not sure if the 1cm difference will amount to a huge difference in the shape of the impressions though, I hope not!
 
Anyway, thanks for the response.

Some useful information to consider when getting your ear impressions on this thread
 

 

[shotgunshane]

I thought I'd share my review of the UM Merlin for those interested.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/596839/review-unique-melody-merlin-future-additions-future-sonics-mg6pro

 

[Leo888]

Hi guys, need some guidance from you folks here with experiece in the world of ciem. Looking for my first ciem and have narrow down to the UM Merlin, Spiral Ear SE5 and Heir Audio 8.A. I not good with audio terms used but understand that they are all fun and musical but have read that they are different in presentation. I am looking for a ciem with the lush and coherence mid range similar to the SE535 and the lows/highs similar to the FX700. I'm not saying it should be identical but maybe a close combination of both in a ciem. So, for a good all rounder for a wide range of music genre which out of the 3 would you guys think better fit my requirements.
Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

I am doing it for Heir Audio's 8A so its full acrylic. Their impression instruction does not state specifically what height the biting block should be. Since this is going to be my first time doing the impressions so I hope to find out more to avoid the much dreaded refits.
 
Apparently the audiologist does not provide a biting block for ear impressions so I guess I have no choice but to bring my own makeshift one, which is the tiny sweet box I found. Not sure if the 1cm difference will amount to a huge difference in the shape of the impressions though, I hope not!
 
Anyway, thanks for the response.

Let us know how things turn out.
 
Quote:

Some useful information to consider when getting your ear impressions on this thread

Yes, that thread has some good info in it and I have my thoughts from my experience in the 2nd post of this thread.
 
Quote:

I thought I'd share my review of the UM Merlin for those interested.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/596839/review-unique-melody-merlin-future-additions-future-sonics-mg6pro

Thanks for sharing, that was a good read!
 
Quote:

Hi guys, need some guidance from you folks here with experiece in the world of ciem. Looking for my first ciem and have narrow down to the UM Merlin, Spiral Ear SE5 and Heir Audio 8.A. I not good with audio terms used but understand that they are all fun and musical but have read that they are different in presentation. I am looking for a ciem with the lush and coherence mid range similar to the SE535 and the lows/highs similar to the FX700. I'm not saying it should be identical but maybe a close combination of both in a ciem. So, for a good all rounder for a wide range of music genre which out of the 3 would you guys think better fit my requirements.
Thanks in advance, guys.

I am not sure who has all three, or even two of those.  I only have experience with one at this time, so anyone else that can chime in, please do so.

 

[tupac0306]

 
Finally!! Got my 5 way today after 3 months!
 
All I can say is they are worth every minute of the waiting indeed! The silicon material is so soft which gives you really good isolation and fit!  They are in my ears almost all the time since they arrived! They a bit hard to insert, but very easy to pull out.
 
I don't need to add anything about the sound. Average joe's review covers possibly all aspects accurately! I hear almost everything he said! 5 way simply blew me away. Super high resolution. I completely agree with the review on the bass! It goes to just the right depth. It can go really deep when it needs to. The sound absolutely reach (if not surpass) the level of LCD 2 (except the open space feel).
 
The cable has a little bit longer pins than Twag cables. But Twag cable fits really well. I haven't spend much time on Twag cable yet. I didn't feel much instant noticable difference when I switch between cables though.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

 
Finally!! Got my 5 way today after 3 months!
 
All I can say is they are worth every minute of the waiting indeed! The silicon material is so soft which gives you really good isolation and fit!  They are in my ears almost all the time since they arrived! They a bit hard to insert, but very easy to pull out.
 
I don't need to add anything about the sound. Average joe's review covers possibly all aspects accurately! I hear almost everything he said! 5 way simply blew me away. Super high resolution. I completely agree with the review on the bass! It goes to just the right depth. It can go really deep when it needs to. The sound absolutely reach (if not surpass) the level of LCD 2 (except the open space feel).
 
The cable has a little bit longer pins than Twag cables. But Twag cable fits really well. I haven't spend much time on Twag cable yet. I didn't feel much instant noticable difference when I switch between cables though.
 
 
 
 

Awesome!  Yes, they are special and I am glad you are hearing them as I do, and I think, without a doubt, that they surpass the LCD-2 V1 is just about every way.  I should be getting my refit replacement with the detachable cable soon, so I am looking forward to playing around with cables for it and seeing if they help.
 
Please share any more thoughts/findings over time.
 

 

[average_joe]

Alclair Reference Master full review posted and updated in the first post of this thread.

 

[tupac0306]

I will do!  I believe all versions of Twag cables have same pins lengths and diameters.  My is v2 and I believe yours is v1. Grzegorz did told me that if the diameters of Twag pins are larger, don't do it since it will break the pins holes. Just a reminder

 
Quote:

 

Awesome!  Yes, they are special and I am glad you are hearing them as I do, and I think, without a doubt, that they surpass the LCD-2 V1 is just about every way.  I should be getting my refit replacement with the detachable cable soon, so I am looking forward to playing around with cables for it and seeing if they help.
 
Please share any more thoughts/findings over time.
 

 

 

[average_joe]

 
Quote:

I will do!  I believe all versions of Twag cables have same pins lengths and diameters.  My is v2 and I believe yours is v1. Grzegorz did told me that if the diameters of Twag pins are larger, don't do it since it will break the pins holes. Just a reminder

Grzegorz told you the TWag cable doesn't fit 

 
And mine is V2, plus I have a balanced V2 cable that I want to try...
 

 

[tupac0306]

He said "if". The stock cable's pins are longer and the two pins are a tiny bit closer to each other compared to Twag.  And the pin holes are also silicone which is soft. That's why he suggested don't force other cables into them. But I can switch to my Twag v2 cable with no problem at all. But the stock cable does lock into the earphones more securely because of the pin length. I will listen to them carefully again to tell the difference.

 

[Aaron1006]

Does anyone have any experience or a direction to point me in to get a better understanding of the low end CIEM's? I'm talking like Alien Ears AE1 or Kozee Infinity X1 (non-executive) or something else I haven't heard of under $160? It's practically impossible to find reviews on either of them, so any impressions or advise on where to find those impressions or reviews would be greatly appreciated.