dj nellie
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2009
- Posts
- 882
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- 24
I've been reading the posts on Head-fi for a few months now, but this is my first post. Thanks to the insightful posts, I now own a pair of Westone 3s in addition to the Shure Se530s that I already had, and I'm absolutely loving them.
After I bought the SE530s, I was never totally satisfied with the sound I got with any of the stock tips or the Comply and yellow foam tips I bought. I get a perfectly comfortable fit with every tip, but my main complaint about the 530s is that the sound seems veiled and slightly dark--I can never get the right amount of bass impact and treble energy.
So after spending weeks reading the helpful posts on this site, I decided to get fitted for a pair of UM56 tips. I hoped that they would solve my sound quality issues and provide the "perfect for every situation" tip: perfect for sound quality, comfort, sleeping, working out, etc.
Unfortunately, I have been through several refits on both sides and still am not totally satisfied. The first set came back with the left tip only sealing if I lowered my head, and the right tip was too short to deeply seal. The next two sets were slightly improved, but with the same basic problems of needing constant adjustment and rotation to maintain a seal.
The main problem, at least with the longer left tip, is that merely opening my mouth (to yawn or eat) or turning my head right will dislodge the seal, and I hear air rushing in. The seal will generally return eventually, but it's very annoying and not what I expected. The right tip won't dislodge when I open my mouth, but its shortness means I only get about 70-80% of the isolation I get with the stock tips.
So my question, to those of you who own UM56 or other custom tips: Is this normal? It doesn't seem like custom tips can give and take in the way that foam or tri-flange tips can, to compensate for changes in the shape of the ear canal when you open your mouth or turn your head. The sound quality has definitely improved--the highs have brightened and the overall sound seems to have opened up. But without a comfortable fit that stays secure, it's not worth it to wear them.
I've already been through several refits, and I feel like I'd be unreasonable to ask for another, but I want to confirm what other users experience. I know that posters like HeadPhoneAddict and qusp seem 100% satisfied with their UM56, so I want to know if they have any of the problems I have. On my Westone 3s, the fit is slightly better, but the problems are basically the same. Not to mention, I find the sound quality better with standard P-series Complys--better bass and soundstage at least.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!
After I bought the SE530s, I was never totally satisfied with the sound I got with any of the stock tips or the Comply and yellow foam tips I bought. I get a perfectly comfortable fit with every tip, but my main complaint about the 530s is that the sound seems veiled and slightly dark--I can never get the right amount of bass impact and treble energy.
So after spending weeks reading the helpful posts on this site, I decided to get fitted for a pair of UM56 tips. I hoped that they would solve my sound quality issues and provide the "perfect for every situation" tip: perfect for sound quality, comfort, sleeping, working out, etc.
Unfortunately, I have been through several refits on both sides and still am not totally satisfied. The first set came back with the left tip only sealing if I lowered my head, and the right tip was too short to deeply seal. The next two sets were slightly improved, but with the same basic problems of needing constant adjustment and rotation to maintain a seal.
The main problem, at least with the longer left tip, is that merely opening my mouth (to yawn or eat) or turning my head right will dislodge the seal, and I hear air rushing in. The seal will generally return eventually, but it's very annoying and not what I expected. The right tip won't dislodge when I open my mouth, but its shortness means I only get about 70-80% of the isolation I get with the stock tips.
So my question, to those of you who own UM56 or other custom tips: Is this normal? It doesn't seem like custom tips can give and take in the way that foam or tri-flange tips can, to compensate for changes in the shape of the ear canal when you open your mouth or turn your head. The sound quality has definitely improved--the highs have brightened and the overall sound seems to have opened up. But without a comfortable fit that stays secure, it's not worth it to wear them.
I've already been through several refits, and I feel like I'd be unreasonable to ask for another, but I want to confirm what other users experience. I know that posters like HeadPhoneAddict and qusp seem 100% satisfied with their UM56, so I want to know if they have any of the problems I have. On my Westone 3s, the fit is slightly better, but the problems are basically the same. Not to mention, I find the sound quality better with standard P-series Complys--better bass and soundstage at least.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!