Also any ideas of a portable amp/DAC that works with iPhone for these? Thanks again all
Lots of choices!
First of all, the iPhone has a more than baseline DAC to start off with, and an amp more than powerful enough for IEMs. I believe the iPhone 6 has a 2.4 ohm output impedance?
Off the top of my head, there's the Creative E3 and E5 (haven't heard but they support the Apple camera connection kit or AAC Bluetooth for digital connections, E3 is on Massdrop last time I checked and I'll be getting an E5 for review soon, uses a desktop opamp), Cozoy Astrapi, Beyerdynamic A200, the FiiO stuff should work with the Camera Connection Kit too... Most battery powered DAC/Amp combos should work with the CCK now.
I've gotten quoted for ear impressions twice. Once in Washington DC, and once in Washington state. Both times the quotes were $50 for both ears. I would expect it to cost roughly that much.
In Pittsburgh, the recommended audiologists for Westone and Jerry Harvey Audio offered either $75 per ear (so $150 for a set), another guy would only do impressions in sets of two (so $100 for four impressions). I went on a trip through Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, and the 5 places I called along the way offered a pair for $50 (one really nice sounding audiologist offered to do a pair for $25). I also had someone suggest audiologists in Costco/Super Walmarts/Sears, but I don't know how good/bad they would do (probably fine? They put the tip in deep, but the foam does all the rest of the work).
I'd suggest calling first to schedule a time, and see if they'll clean your ears or how you can get your ears cleaned beforehand. With my insurance, having MedExpress clean my ears beforehand was $20, no insurance would've been over $200, BUT I feel comfortable that I could've cleaned them almost as well myself with a kit from Walgreens. What flushes out is pretty gross... Want a picture?
Also, follow the CIEM maker's instructions for bite block/no bite block/smaller bite block. I think Piotr recommended about a 1 inch block? I would recommend grabbing a napkin or tissue, because you'll drool like a hungry St. Bernard (especially if your audiologist is cute like mine was, embarrassing moments in audio!!!). It will also be the quietest you've never heard anything in your life, and the foam pushes out mildly from inside your (deeper than you thought) canal.