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

[infam0ussteven]

Hey guys, has anyone ever used comply soft wraps? I bought a pack a while back for my CIEMs and used one set and felt like it was really uncomfortable and took it off a week later. I decided to put them on again today because nail polish didn't work out too well cause I couldn't get the right side to seal correctly. This time I did not overlap the comply wrap like I did the first time and I still find it very uncomfortable, it feels extremely rough and not soft like the comply tips for iems. Did I buy some knock off comply wraps or are they really rough like this? If that's the case, they should really consider renaming their product to "Comply rough wraps".

 

[average_joe]

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Yup, I used the ER4P in a shop as comparison, and they had a good fit and is working properly. I remembered the ER4P as my first hi-fi IEMs so I decided to have a good listen of them again, and compared to my IERM. I am sure that my IERM have a good fit, because there is a very strong suction feeling to it. The sound, of course, might be due to my player I use on the move, since it is a Sony A844, it is slightly cold. But the UERM itself feels cold (only slightly this time) even on the m-Stage, where the ER4P is warmer on the A844 in comparison.There are a lot of factors in this, such as the songs I listen to as well. Indeed IERM can sustain bass notes better than the ER4P, but the ER4P hits harder and actually has looser bass imo, which makes me feel like its sound is warmer. My opinions will probably be different on an ER4S. Plugging it into a portable tube amp will make the sound considerably warmer. I believe its the source and amp matching that makes the difference in sound signatures, since the UERM is very neutral, and can be affected easily by the source. However, from my listening, the ER4P sounds warmer than the UERM to me.

 
I can see the source accounting for some differences, but even with a lower end source such as the Clip+ the comparison is similar.
 
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Absolutely outstanding thread AJ Will be purchasing my customs in late April/early May in a very much informed manner as a result of reading your thread (and a couple others).

 
Thank you for reading; please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
 
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Do you know about 1964 v6.How anout compair jh13?or em?

 
EM being EM4?  I haven't heard the V6 or JH13.
 
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Hey guys, has anyone ever used comply soft wraps? I bought a pack a while back for my CIEMs and used one set and felt like it was really uncomfortable and took it off a week later. I decided to put them on again today because nail polish didn't work out too well cause I couldn't get the right side to seal correctly. This time I did not overlap the comply wrap like I did the first time and I still find it very uncomfortable, it feels extremely rough and not soft like the comply tips for iems. Did I buy some knock off comply wraps or are they really rough like this? If that's the case, they should really consider renaming their product to "Comply rough wraps".

 
Where did you buy them?  It seems odd that they wouldn't be as soft as the Comply foam, but they are "slow recovery, temperature activated" so they could be.  You could order another set from Amazon.com and if they are the same (and don't work for you), Amazon has an amazing return policy, even when marketplace resellers are involved.

 

[infam0ussteven]

^ Yeah, I let them sit for a while and let it warm up but even then it still felt like sandpaper against my skin. I bought them off a site that sells hearing aid products. I doubt the hearing aid ones are any different from the ones jh sells but I can be wrong. Thanks for the advice, joe.

 

[MistahBungle]

Thank you for reading; please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Given my research over the past couple of weeks, I find myself drawn to the (perceived based on what I've read anyways) sound sig of the 1964Ears V3. I'm also attracted to its price & customisation options.

So far as universal IEM's go, over the past two years or so I've used (extensively) VSonic R02Pro2's, Brainwavz M3 & Brainwavz B2 (Also CX300's when I've been inbetween better IEM's or they've been broken/returned, but don't tell anyone. That's my secret shame ). I've liked all 3 of these with their very different sound sigs & 'quirks'. I've probably most enjoyed the B2's I've been using for the past 9 mths or so because they've been so different to what I've used previously; detailed (relatively speaking, obviously), nice soundstage, punches above its weight value-wise (so other people who have heard IEM's further up the foodchain tell me). Not lashings of bass, but what is there is quite detailed, 'agile' & not muddy or boomy.

I've settled on my Cowon X9 as a source at least for the time being (tho will be looking to upgrade later this year) having previously used a Creative Zen Vision M & then several smartphones.

I'm obviously open to any suggestions other than the V3's, but as I said I'm attracted to the sound sig. Tho I've very much enjoyed the B2's & their sig, I like the idea of the V3's having that slight emphasis on bass, but with much emphasis on the mids, with highs rolled off a little with a somewhat 'natural' sound rather than a really neutral/analytical sound.

Anyhow, thanks again for all the time & effort you've put into this thread, and for all the help you've given people like me along the way

 

[Xymordos]

@Joe
 
I guess its a mixture of product control, source, and our own ears then! Actually, most definitely our own ears' hearing differences

 

[average_joe]

My Unique Melody Platform Pure 6 | PP6 review has been posted here.
 
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Given my research over the past couple of weeks, I find myself drawn to the (perceived based on what I've read anyways) sound sig of the 1964Ears V3. I'm also attracted to its price & customisation options.

So far as universal IEM's go, over the past two years or so I've used (extensively) VSonic R02Pro2's, Brainwavz M3 & Brainwavz B2 (Also CX300's when I've been inbetween better IEM's or they've been broken/returned, but don't tell anyone. That's my secret shame

). I've liked all 3 of these with their very different sound sigs & 'quirks'. I've probably most enjoyed the B2's I've been using for the past 9 mths or so because they've been so different to what I've used previously; detailed (relatively speaking, obviously), nice soundstage, punches above its weight value-wise (so other people who have heard IEM's further up the foodchain tell me). Not lashings of bass, but what is there is quite detailed, 'agile' & not muddy or boomy.

I've settled on my Cowon X9 as a source at least for the time being (tho will be looking to upgrade later this year) having previously used a Creative Zen Vision M & then several smartphones.

I'm obviously open to any suggestions other than the V3's, but as I said I'm attracted to the sound sig. Tho I've very much enjoyed the B2's & their sig, I like the idea of the V3's having that slight emphasis on bass, but with much emphasis on the mids, with highs rolled off a little with a somewhat 'natural' sound rather than a really neutral/analytical sound.

Anyhow, thanks again for all the time & effort you've put into this thread, and for all the help you've given people like me along the way

 
If that is what you want, go for it!  You may want to try a universal with the same sound sig before you buy to make sure you will like it after a week or two.  Something that comes to mind is the SM3 and UM3X, but joker is an excellent resource and should help you with a similar IEM if you choose to go that route.  Happy listening!
 
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@Joe
 
I guess its a mixture of product control, source, and our own ears then! Actually, most definitely our own ears' hearing differences

 
Agree to disagree, but I think we hear the ER4 the same and not the IERM.

 

[Mimouille]

Hello Joe,
 
I have quite a precise question concerning your comparison of the Heir 8.a and Spiral Ear SE5. I have just acquired the Heir 5.0 which are supposed to have the same sound signature as the 8.a and I am in the process of getting the SE5. The 5.0 from Heir have a very laid back sound signature, as I suppose the Heir 8.a do. Do the SE5 share this caracteristic ?
 
Thank you

 

[average_joe]

I wouldn't call the sound signature of either the SE5 or the 8.A laid back, but they are both spacious.  Laid back would be something like the UE IERM, PRM, SA-43, and to an extent, the NT-6 pro.  You can read my 8.A and SE5 comparison in my 8.A review.

 

[Mimouille]

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I wouldn't call the sound signature of either the SE5 or the 8.A laid back, but they are both spacious.  Laid back would be something like the UE IERM, PRM, SA-43, and to an extent, the NT-6 pro.  You can read my 8.A and SE5 comparison in my 8.A review.

I read the comparison. But once again, the 8.a are supposed to be like the 5.0...maybe laid back is the wrong term. The music is not really immediate / in you face but more smooth and non fatiguing.

 

[davidcotton]

Hi
 
Well thanks to the amazing patience at Cosmic ears we think between us that we have finally finally found what was causing all the hassle.
 
I've never heard anyone else having the issues so reckon that yet again I beat the odds    CE and I played about with length of canal (maximum length, average length that they would normally use) thickness of the canal (that didn't really work out either!).
 
In the end it was me pressing the ear piece in that little bit further at the top that resulted in me suddenly getting a seal.  If I let go then the seal went.   Picture below to illustrate what I'm on about :-
 

 
So as you can see we were no where near where we were supposed to be!  No wonder fisher had so much hassle getting it right   On top of that a set of the ce micro shells (tiny, as if the main shell part had been left off!) fit pretty much the first time as well.  The right needs to be adjusted for length (phil at ce admitted straight away that they had made the right one a touch shortened by accident due to trying to get them out the same day)but aside from that they should fit great.
 
Due to my somewhat unique experience Cosmic Ears have now introduced what they are calling a prefit service, which you can read more of on their site if interested.  Basically you send in your impressions, they send you back an empty set of shells (like the ones in the pictures, they are not ciems!)to see if the fit is ok.  If it is you send it back and they complete the build.  If there is a problem then you can identify it on the shells and they can adjust accordingly.

Great company to deal with and they deserve to do well.
 
Cheers

 

[average_joe]

Thanks for sharing and I am glad you finally resolved your issues.  I know you had a long journey!
 
Sending out empty shells is an interesting way to do things and I suppose that would save insurance and customs costs.

 

[MistahBungle]

Good to hear you got it sorted David And that 'pre-fit' service sounds like a really good option to have, particularly if you're dealing with a manufacturer not in your country.

 

[Sacman]

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Hi
 
Well thanks to the amazing patience at Cosmic ears we think between us that we have finally finally found what was causing all the hassle.
 
I've never heard anyone else having the issues so reckon that yet again I beat the odds    CE and I played about with length of canal (maximum length, average length that they would normally use) thickness of the canal (that didn't really work out either!).
 
I always wondered what the "proper length" (or depth into the ear canal) should be to make that proper seal. I would imagine the IEM's port openings sould be located somewhere between 1st and 2nd bends in the ear canal, but closer to the 1st bend to reduce irritation of the deeper portion of the canal.   
 
In the end it was me pressing the ear piece in that little bit further at the top that resulted in me suddenly getting a seal.  If I let go then the seal went.   Picture below to illustrate what I'm on about :-
 
You having to press the CIEMs to get a seal seems to point more to the problem with either depth or girth of the canal portion of your CIEMs rather than the reduction of the outer ear bowl material. I don't know what criteria CE (or any other CIEM manufacturer) uses to determine that proper depth. But they can also increase girth and better ensure a good seal by double dipping the canal portion of your impressions during the waxing phase where they dip your impressions in wax to smooth out the imperfections and to add slight dimension (about half a milimeter) beforre they make the negative mold for your CIEMs.
 

 
So as you can see we were no where near where we were supposed to be!  No wonder fisher had so much hassle getting it right   On top of that a set of the ce micro shells (tiny, as if the main shell part had been left off!) fit pretty much the first time as well.  The right needs to be adjusted for length (phil at ce admitted straight away that they had made the right one a touch shortened by accident due to trying to get them out the same day)but aside from that they should fit great.
 
 

 

[Love Music]

average_joe: I was wondering what CIEM has a similar sig to the UE900's but with more forward vocals. If they offer better clarity than the Ultimate Ears it would also be a big plus not that it has any problems to begin with though (this is of course after the pinhole has been filled). 
 
The best qualities i find in the UE's are the amount of air and extension in the treble. The soundstage has quite good width and has really good depth which makes vocals sound airy, with natural note decay. Bass quality is also great as i tend to prefer neutral/linear/accurate and tight/detailed bass. The amount of bass they offer are perfect for my needs. Instruments especially piano's and acoustic guitars are very engaging and realistic. Another strength is that it doesn't butcher low quality tracks or bad recordings.
 
Genres of music i listen to are female vocals, jazz, rock, metal, pop/r'n'b/hip hop, classical, instrumentals.
 
Thanks.

 

[average_joe]

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I always wondered what the "proper length" (or depth into the ear canal) should be to make that proper seal. I would imagine the IEM's port openings sould be located somewhere between 1st and 2nd bends in the ear canal, but closer to the 1st bend to reduce irritation of the deeper portion of the canal.   
 
 
You having to press the CIEMs to get a seal seems to point more to the problem with either depth or girth of the canal portion of your CIEMs rather than the reduction of the outer ear bowl material. I don't know what criteria CE (or any other CIEM manufacturer) uses to determine that proper depth. But they can also increase girth and better ensure a good seal by double dipping the canal portion of your impressions during the waxing phase where they dip your impressions in wax to smooth out the imperfections and to add slight dimension (about half a milimeter) beforre they make the negative mold for your CIEMs.

 
The "proper length" is dependent upon many things, and a deeper fit, often called a musicians fit, will change the sound.  I have some pretty deep fitting CIEMs that are fine and don't irritate my ears at all, but I know this isn't always the case.  I do make my ear impressions the same every time and recently made 3 sets within 2 days and two of the three sets were on the tight side.  I have noticed that the larger companies tend to make their shells a bit less deep and looser, but not to the extent that it really affects the seal.
 
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average_joe: I was wondering what CIEM has a similar sig to the UE900's but with more forward vocals. If they offer better clarity than the Ultimate Ears it would also be a big plus not that it has any problems to begin with though (this is of course after the pinhole has been filled). 
 
The best qualities i find in the UE's are the amount of air and extension in the treble. The soundstage has quite good width and has really good depth which makes vocals sound airy, with natural note decay. Bass quality is also great as i tend to prefer neutral/linear/accurate and tight/detailed bass. The amount of bass they offer are perfect for my needs. Instruments especially piano's and acoustic guitars are very engaging and realistic. Another strength is that it doesn't butcher low quality tracks or bad recordings.
 
Genres of music i listen to are female vocals, jazz, rock, metal, pop/r'n'b/hip hop, classical, instrumentals.
 
Thanks.

 
I think the closest is the aud-8X, which offers better dynamics and more detail/clarity into the presentation than the UE900.  Everything else I have that has more forward mids doesn't have a similar overall laid back presentation of the UE900.  If you are interested, you can read more about others impressions of the 8X in the Dream Earz aud-5X thread.  Let me know if you have any other questions.