Newbie looking to invest in some custom IEMs.

[Stikk]

Hey all,

I've been lurking around for a while, doing some research on various headphones but have not yet posted but I think I am finally ready to take the plunge and buy some decent earphones. My iPod earbuds (the ones I have been using lately) are on the way out, big time. I used to have a pair of Sony MDR-V70DJs which I LOVED, but they broke too, I have a habit of using things till they can be used no more

Anyway, I am gonna step up to some good earphones now and I originally had almost committed to a pair of UE Super.fi 5s but after having a look around, I think I'd like to drop a little extra cash on some custom molded IEMs and I just can't decide so I have come to ask for some advice.. Here are the contenders at the moment:

FreQs - SuperFreQ
These are my absolute favourite right now, I think they are awesome looking and the price is unbelievable for triple driver IEMs and I have heard good things about them but their website says they're closed till the new year.. Are they worth waiting for?

LiveWires
Again, these are within my budget and seem to be pretty popular around here but the colour combinations seem pretty limited.. Not sure if I really care but the other thing I don't love is that they only have one model available and I would love the option of ordering some single-driver customs for my girlfriend at the same time (if she wants them).

AlienEars
I have not seen these reviewed anywhere, really, which concerns me a little bit but their website is here. Their prices seem pretty good, $300 for triple drivers and $110 single drivers for my girl if she wants them. Has anyone ever heard of these ones? They claim to have a lot of experience and good prices but I am concerned that I havent seen any buzz about them anywhere.. Thoughts?

Ok, I'm writing an essay so I will close with a question - I am planning to use these with my iPod while I'm out and about at uni and the like and also while I'm studying so I want good sound isolation (which all of them will give me) but my question is will I notice a significant difference between triple and dual driver 'phones? The only experience I have really had with high end audio equipment is in car stereos where 3-way speakers can sound tinny and worse than 2-ways, is it the same with earphones? I guess if they are crossed it won't be the same but I still dunno if it's worth dropping the extra cash for a 3rd driver if I'm only gonna be listening to my iPod for studying and flying and stuff..?

Anyway, thoughts/comments/opinions/suggestions would be most appreciated

Thanks
Ollie

 

[Stikk]

No replies?

Ok, maybe I should be a little more specific about my music tastes.. Like I said, I loved the sound of my MDR-V700DJs but I highly doubt I will get the nice bass that they used to give me in earphones but I do like my bass so in that respect, I guess I'm looking for some good bass but nothing that drowns out the mids/highs. I listen to R&B/hip hop mostly, a little bit of old school rock like Queen and The Eagles etc, also all the quality music the 90s produced like MJ and Vengaboys (kidding!) but yeah, just the average 21yr old's taste in music, I guess.

Anyone have anything for me?? Please? I really can't decide!!

Oh, an on another note, I read a couple of people raving about the SoundMagic PL30s this morning so I bought a pair off ebay today. They were only $50 so whatever, I realized even if I decide on a pair of customs in the next week I won't have them for like 6 weeks so I will need something to keep me going.

 

[Lifter59]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stikk /img/forum/go_quote.gif No replies? Ok, maybe I should be a little more specific about my music tastes.. Like I said, I loved the sound of my MDR-V700DJs but I highly doubt I will get the nice bass that they used to give me in earphones but I do like my bass so in that respect, I guess I'm looking for some good bass but nothing that drowns out the mids/highs. I listen to R&B/hip hop mostly, a little bit of old school rock like Queen and The Eagles etc, also all the quality music the 90s produced like MJ and Vengaboys (kidding!) but yeah, just the average 21yr old's taste in music, I guess. Anyone have anything for me?? Please? I really can't decide!! Oh, an on another note, I read a couple of people raving about the SoundMagic PL30s this morning so I bought a pair off ebay today. They were only $50 so whatever, I realized even if I decide on a pair of customs in the next week I won't have them for like 6 weeks so I will need something to keep me going.

I have never heard of Alien Ears before (they seem to be located in FL) and there is VERY little information on their website about the products they sell - no performance specs, sound isolation info, etc.....

If you are looking for customs in the lower price range - the Freq's may be your best bet. There are literally hundreds of posts about them - do a little searching across the forums and I am sure you will get more than enough info. If not, post a specific question and I am sure somebody will have the answer. I can't speak to them personally as I went down the UE path instead....

 

[trickywombat]

Hi Stikk. Welcome to Head-Fi

With the customs you listed above, I only have personal experience with the Livewires. Clarity is the first thing that comes to mind when describing the LW. The detail out of the LW is incredible. Treble is clear but not sibilant or unduly harsh - LW tends to present things the way it was recorded.

"Good bass" means different things to different people. Some people would say the bass on the LW is great. It has great bass extension - if the original recording has a deep bass, it will reproduce it. If the recording does not, the LW won't reproduce it.

Thus, the LW may be problematic for hardcore Hip Hop fans. If you're looking for the bass bazooka subwoofer bone-shaking effect, the LW will disappoint you - the bass will go deep but the LW won't add any boom to it. You'll basically here a low frequency sound, but it won't have the impact some crave. Short of using speakers, an approximation of such a bass will come from IEMs like the UE 11 Pro, Atrio M5/8 (custom sleeves available) or UE SF5 EB.

For old school rock like Queen and The Eagles, the LW will work splendidly, especially with equalization to tailor your sound. Actually, if you are interested in tailoring your sound, many here on Head-Fi are very happy with Sleek SA-6 IEMs which I've never tried.

Also note that custom IEMs are not necessarily the pinnacle of the portable listening experience. There are problems with fit, isolation, comfort just like regular IEMs. And if the ear impressions are not done right, good luck. Everybody has different ears, and you'll find at least 2 threads on Head-Fi with many mostly legitimate gripes about the custom IEM experience. Westone IEMs can erase the comfort advantage of customs, Ety flanges out-isolate any custom IEM. The bass of my Atrio can go toe-to-toe with my UE 11 pro.

A poorly-fitted custom IEM is way, way worse than an ill-fitting universal. With the universal, there are tricks you can try to make it fit, with a custom - you're screwed.

I don't mean to discourage you from getting custom IEMs. I think they're great - I have 2 pairs and am considering a third. However, they have limitations and trade-offs just like any product. Customs are a great option if you have issues with fitting a universal product, or you come across a custom with a sound signature you can't find in a universal.

Price-wise, the LW is a bargain, especially compared with the TF10. Customs have no re-sale value, but if you get a good pair that fit well, you'll never think of getting rid of it. Plus, if they get stolen at school, at least you'll have the satisfaction that they're worthless to the thief.

Every custom IEM has a very different sound signature. My advice to those who have just started out with headphones is to try different headphones long term. Over time, you will discover what you want most out of your headphone (e.g. soundstage, detail, bass, vocal) and the sound signature you like. Universal IEMs allow you to do this - if you don't like it, sell it.

This is important because everything involves a trade-off: you gain something with one product, you lose something in return. Over time, you will figure out what compromise you can live with the most and the sound signature you like. This will then make pursuing that ideal earphone easier and safer.

 

[Stikk]

Thanks trickywombat, I am assuming by your user name that you are a fellow aussie?

You gave me a few things to think about there, I think I really do want a pair of customs because I have NEVER had a pair of earphones that have fitted well. I mean, I haven't really been using the premium ones I am looking at now but I have tried in-ear ones before (cheaper ones) and they never fit my ears right, they always fall out and sound terrible.

Unfortunately my budget really will not stretch to the UE cutoms, starting at $600US they're just too expensive but one day, when I have finished my degree, I am sure I will invest.

I don't have a problem with the LWs not boosting bass, I guess all of these units are designed to reproduce the sound as it was recorded. I guess at the moment the toss up is between the LWs and these "alien ears" ones. I emailed the guy and he seems very nice and knowledgable so I dunno, they seem legit and have more than 300 positive feedbacks on ebay..

Another option, i guess, is just to buy the cheapest "alien ears" ones and at $110 they won't break the bank and will be a way for me to get my feet wet in the world of customs? Hrmm, I dunno, I guess I'm thinking out loud. The guy at alien ears said they gurantee a fit as well which is good.

Why did the FreQ place close down? I love those earphones, they look awesome and everyone seems to like them but I don't think I can wait till next year..

 

[Lifter59]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stikk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks trickywombat, I am assuming by your user name that you are a fellow aussie? You gave me a few things to think about there, I think I really do want a pair of customs because I have NEVER had a pair of earphones that have fitted well. I mean, I haven't really been using the premium ones I am looking at now but I have tried in-ear ones before (cheaper ones) and they never fit my ears right, they always fall out and sound terrible. Unfortunately my budget really will not stretch to the UE cutoms, starting at $600US they're just too expensive but one day, when I have finished my degree, I am sure I will invest. I don't have a problem with the LWs not boosting bass, I guess all of these units are designed to reproduce the sound as it was recorded. I guess at the moment the toss up is between the LWs and these "alien ears" ones. I emailed the guy and he seems very nice and knowledgable so I dunno, they seem legit and have more than 300 positive feedbacks on ebay.. Another option, i guess, is just to buy the cheapest "alien ears" ones and at $110 they won't break the bank and will be a way for me to get my feet wet in the world of customs? Hrmm, I dunno, I guess I'm thinking out loud. The guy at alien ears said they gurantee a fit as well which is good. Why did the FreQ place close down? I love those earphones, they look awesome and everyone seems to like them but I don't think I can wait till next year..

OK - did a little digging and found some review info under their website name - hearyourself.com.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/hea...review-151043/

Hope this helps...

 

[Stikk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifter59 /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK - did a little digging and found some review info under their website name - hearyourself.com. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/hea...review-151043/ Hope this helps...

Helps?! Hell yeah it helps! Thanks so much, Lifter 59, I haven't been able to find anything people have said about their products!!

 

[boomy3555]

Hey There,

I just got a pair of Hearyourself.com tripple driver C-3's for $350.00 US. They fit perfectly if you get the impressions right. Some manufacturers will not let you do your own impressions but Hearyourself even includes a very easy to use impression kit. The turn around time was very quick and they will make them in any color you want. Right and left can even be different colors. I chose a light blue clear color on both right and left with the black cord.

The sound is much more natural than dynamic driver universals such as sennheiser cx300's . Senns are considered very "Punchy" compared to high end customs. How you like your music delivered to you brain can be as subjective as the genres of music you listen to. My musical tastes run all over the spectrum. From classical "Holst, The Planets" to "boston",Savage Garden", and everything in between. Yes even including the BeeGee's and Brittany Spears.

When I first fit them into my ears they felt a little strange. The fits was as promised, "perfect". The sound attenuation seal was so good, I decided to get a Shure PTH (push to hear) inline microphone device so I could talk to others around me. The pressure change made me a little nausious at first but I got used to it in just a few minutes. The bass is amazing, the mids and trebles are very clear with no runn-off or tinny sound. They run O.K. directly off of my Ipod Shuffle. A little better off of my Ipod 80gb video, But best off of my "Headrrom", "Total Bithead" mobile amplifier.(HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears)

The Hearyourself's Offer the widest frequency response range of all of the Custom modled In-Ears.(10hz-16Khz) and they say that there are only two companies that supply most of the balanced armature drivers used in all most custom molded In-Ears so I can't tell you why some are so much more expensive than others.There is of course no way to actually try them without buying because of the custom molds so since I didn't have $850.00 US to shell out for the Ultimate Ears UE7's (Ultimates Ear's closest match),I can't speak to any differences.

Depending on your budget limitations my suggestion would be to buy the Hearyourself.com's for the price. If you have unlimited funds go for the Ultimate Ears Just in case they are so much better. But ultimately if you don't listen more than two hours a day, Get some Senheiser CX500's for $70.00 US from Amazon and try the different tips until you get the best fit.

The Senn's are my absolute favorite universals in the most moderate price range.