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Does that mean that the SQ and the signature of a 6 driver CIEM will be able to sound the same on a universal shell if they adjust the output and tuning? Because I ordered a universal fit of a 6 driver CIEM and was told by the manufacturer that the only difference will be since the CIEM outputs deep into your canal, the universal version difference will be depending on how deep they fit inside your canals. Hence usually there will be slightly less bass and more treble on the universal compared to the CIEM.
It's quite possible to get an universal version of a CIEM to sound pretty close, but they won't sound exactly the same. They can tune the driver to sound as close as possible to spec at the port, but there are a few basic problems.
First is the design of most CIEMs are also calibrated around having multiple sound tube for the different drivers, and most of them have at least two to three tubes that opens straight into your ear. These type of design ensures separation of the bass/mid/treble drivers as much as possible until the sound reaches your ear. When you design a universal IEM, there is usually one sound tube, or you have to do some very clever design to create multiple and discreet sound tubes inside a very small circumference (for a good example, look at the design of the UE 900). It doesn't make it impossible to make an universal version of the CIEM, but it's just more complicated than most people would give the credit for.
Second, even if they were able to redesign the sound port/tube routing, and also tune the drivers accordingly, you still only have control over 90% of the sound delivery. If you use a comply tip, silicone tip, or one of the new Westone's star or tru-fit tip, they will all sound slightly different. So you can get pretty close, but it's never 100%. In a way, it's really a matter of psychology. Some people are completely okay with tweaking their sound, try a different tip, get a different sound, switch different tips when they listen to different genre, etc. Other people (like me) just wants one sound signature that will always perform and behave consistently.
In my personal experience, I had the chance to listen to the demo versions of the UE product line. My UE-18 Pro certainly doesn't sound 100% the same as the demo unit. I tried the demo unit with a comply tip, and the sound was a little warmer, a little more bassy, also a little less detail and clarity, a little less sparkle in the trebles. Given that, the custom version is 99% of what I expected after hearing the demo unit.
So even though they were different, they were not night and day differences, and certainly not different enough for me to have changed my purchase decision either way. Furthermore, if they actually did sell an universal version of the UE-18 Pro just like the demo unit, it would still easily be one of the best IEM on the market.
My personal opinion is that the need for CIEM now is really centered around performance consistency and comfort. My custom IEMs are the most comfortable headphone I have, in-ear, full-size, and otherwise. There are no other headphone I can wear for as long as my CIEMs. Fussing around with universal IEM's tips, fit, and sound signature was also something that's always driven me nuts. So for those of us who are truly OCD with our headphones, CIEM is probably still going to be the "best IEM" for reasons beyond just the sound.
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