Starting to hate IEMs...is customs really the answer?

[TobaccoRoad]

My main complaint is that iems are nowhere near the performance of full-size cans. In terms of comparing to the live sound it doesn't come close. To make the matters worse, earphones are generally for portable use. The background noise in NYC is just too much for any iems to handle..no matter how good the isolation is. Let me know if you don't agree, but even if the noise is isolated almost completely, the sonic difference between being outdoors and at home is vast. I think this is where I'm losing most of the value. I've tried almost every universals except the Turbine Pros (which seems to be the FOTM), and I've had good seal on every one of them, but they're all the same. It just sounds "different"..as if the overall clarity is recessed or something.
 
This makes me wonder, should I consider going customs? I've never tried it before, obviously because you can't return for a refund and the extra charge for mold (very expensive in my area). Even if it doesn't cut it on isolation, they would surely outperform full-size cans like HD600 and D2000 right? (except soundstage ofc. I lol everytime iems and soundstage are mentioned in the same sentence)
 
One last favor, I haven't visited the portable section in a while, so I'd like to know some of the popular iems I haven't heard or tried. I remember when iems like IE8, UM3X, and RE0 were FOTMs. I also remember when Triplefis had that big sale, but after that my memories are pretty dim.

 

[qusp]

yes, my customs do indeed outperform my balanced HD600 and my balanced woody D2000. and believe it or not, with quality amp and source, there is most certainly a soundstage, its more intimate than HD600 and of course any headphone will not meet the true definition; only speakers can, though I have heard some DSP come pretty close. however, imaging, instrument placement and accuracy within that soundstage is unparalleled IMO.
 
I use mine on public transport often without issue, I mean Brisbane is no NYC, but any other headphone doesnt cope. with the right tips other IEMs like UM3x and ety give isolation almost on par with customs; in fact ety are the same. Comfort is another factor that puts them worlds apart, even my westones which are pretty damn comfy pale by comparison.
 
sorry I dont really follow the FOTM in universals, after getting JH13 I lost interest a bit in that, i'm pretty darn satisfied and that is saying something, I would always be fidgeting before, looking for something better and even JH16 didnt hold much draw; the only thing that has me listening now is JH3a system, but I will wait for the technology to mature a bit.
 
now those apparently have a pretty insane soundstage, which makes sense. the only thing missing WRT speakers with soundstage is air movement at louder volumes and the physical slam, with DSP there is no reason an IEM cant match speakers in every other way

 

[Vergex2]

I'm pretty sure JHA Pros don't hold a candle to Etymotics in terms of isolation. If an Ety or similar IEM can't provide enough isolation, you should probably reconsider portable music altogether.

 

[Bennyboy71]

SM3 are the most comfortable iems I've ever used, not to mention the best sounding. They are not cheap though, at 300 quid. I can't in all honesty justify spending over a grand for customs - I'd be too scared to even look at them, let alone go outside and wear them. 
 

 

[qusp]

Quote:

I'm pretty sure JHA Pros don't hold a candle to Etymotics in terms of isolation. If an Ety or similar IEM can't provide enough isolation, you should probably reconsider portable music altogether.

depends on the fit of both and what tips are used on the ety. I got a rather deep impression done for mine so isolation is excellent and I found etys only useable at all with black shure foams, as the microphonics are just nuts with triple flange. probably overall ety are better with deep insertion and triple flange, but you wouldnt catch me dead using them like that.

 

[ClieOS]

Even average custom earplug can only give you -30dB or so isolation (NRR rated), pretty much the same as a very well fitted custom IEM or an ER4 on tri-flanges. A Shure SE530 on olive is around -30dB as well. I really doubt by going custom you can get more isolation than what some of the current IEM can provide. For reference, which are those 'almost every universals' we are talking here?

 

[zappp]

Unless you look at headsets for drummers or helicopter pilots, most IEMs provide better noise isolation. From that, customs are a further notch up. Still, at one point noise could be too much to actually enjoy music, even with the finest custom IEM.
 
For myself I can confirm that RE0 deserve they hyp and the FOTM fame (or make that FOPTP3Y*), at least in their current price range. They are on par if not superior to many mid-fi full size headphones (AKG K271, for instance) or older competitors (ER4s). Perhaps you have not really tried all IEM, or maybe only those available from a local electronics store. Or you did not achieve a good fit (wrong tip, too deep insertion, too loose insertion etc.).
 
 
 
*Favour of the Past 3 Years

 

[Ypoknons]

I've basically given up on portable critical listening anyways. Doesn't fit into my lifestyle, and is incredibly hard in both of my beloved and crowded metropolises - NYC & Hong Kong. I'm interested in trying the Chinese-made customs sometime if my lifestyle went super-mobile again though ...  or a Jerry Harvey creation if I picked up some cash. 

 

[RedSky0]

I dunno, I find the isolation I get with ER4Ps is great and sufficient to listen to music at a quiet level and pick out most of the detail on a bus/in a crowded street. I don't so much get noise as much as a pretty quiet background hum (in Brisbane also though, so your metropolises might louder).

 

[Bennyboy71]

You won't get anything that isolates like the Etys, but that deep insertion comes at the price of soundstage in my view.

 

[Ypoknons]

The last time I was in Brisbane was about 10 years ago, but I'd think Hong Kong and NYC are really, really loud in comparison due to sheer density. I guess it's possible, but the main reason I'm not a music student or addict, I can wait until I get home *shrug*

 

[TobaccoRoad]

 
 
Quote:

depends on the fit of both and what tips are used on the ety. I got a rather deep impression done for mine so isolation is excellent and I found etys only useable at all with black shure foams, as the microphonics are just nuts with triple flange. probably overall ety are better with deep insertion and triple flange, but you wouldnt catch me dead using them like that.

 
I agree that ER4P probably had the best isolation, but I just couldn't stand the microphonics, even with the foam tips, the shirt cliffs, etc. I also didn't like the fact that foam tips made the etys stick out of my ears more than the flanges, kind of weird considering foams can actually go deeper than flanges. Anyway I ended up selling ER4P because of their lack of bass and microphonics.
 

 

[TobaccoRoad]

Quote:

Even average custom earplug can only give you -30dB or so isolation (NRR rated), pretty much the same as a very well fitted custom IEM or an ER4 on tri-flanges. A Shure SE530 on olive is around -30dB as well. I really doubt by going custom you can get more isolation than what some of the current IEM can provide. For reference, which are those 'almost every universals' we are talking here?

I tried SE530, Triplefis, W3, IE8, X10, ER4P, Turbines, some of the lower models of the listed ones, and some cheap ones like V-Moda, Bose, etc. Probably not close to having all the universals obviously, but it's what I can come up with based on what I tried.

 

[JxK]

Most of the earphones you mentioned have a slightly warm sound, etys exempted of course. Maybe equalizing them down a few db between 100-300 Hz would help with clarity.
 
As for isolation, ety + shure olive = 42db, which is quite high. If you do want customs, then I would recommend going for a silicone shell as they isolate much more than acrylic. Shigzeo has a review of the ACS T1 here if you're interested.

 

[Hawaiiancerveza]

I'm starting to hate them now because one of my ear canals is smaller than the other and it seems like things get muffled easily in my left ear with IEM....I use the Sm3 v2 at the moment.  I love the sound but hate the comfort now....