[Nicholas B]

Hello All:
 
I just got a pair of Westone pro 30s, and have been considering getting custom molds done.  There is friendly audiologist around the corner from where I work who has offered to make impressions for a very reasonable price.
 
Is there any conventional wisdom regarding doing this?  I read in the Basic Guide To In Ear Canalphones, "~~custom molded tips can also be ordered to fit universal IEMs (IEMs that are designed to use soft plastic or foam tips)."
 
I wish I could swing true customs, but I can't.  Just wondering if doing custom molds would increase sound quality over foam, and whether there is a downside.
 
Thank you very much.
 
Nick

 

[Nicholas B]

  Hello All:
 
I just got a pair of Westone pro 30s, and have been considering getting custom molds done.  There is friendly audiologist around the corner from where I work who has offered to make impressions for a very reasonable price.
 
Is there any conventional wisdom regarding doing this?  I read in the Basic Guide To In Ear Canalphones, "~~custom molded tips can also be ordered to fit universal IEMs (IEMs that are designed to use soft plastic or foam tips)."
 
I wish I could swing true customs, but I can't.  Just wondering if doing custom molds would increase sound quality over foam, and whether there is a downside.
 
Thank you very much.
 
Nick

 
Nothing?

 

[189906]

With custom molds you'll get the best sound quality, comfort and isolation. If it'll be a drastic increase in sound quality will depend on how well the regular tips fit in your ear. You should do it, the comfort and isolation is worth it.

 

[davidcotton]

  Hello All:
 
I just got a pair of Westone pro 30s, and have been considering getting custom molds done.  There is friendly audiologist around the corner from where I work who has offered to make impressions for a very reasonable price.
 
Is there any conventional wisdom regarding doing this?  I read in the Basic Guide To In Ear Canalphones, "~~custom molded tips can also be ordered to fit universal IEMs (IEMs that are designed to use soft plastic or foam tips)."
 
I wish I could swing true customs, but I can't.  Just wondering if doing custom molds would increase sound quality over foam, and whether there is a downside.
 
Thank you very much.
 
Nick

Westone themselves offer a dedicated custom tip for their universal range called the um56.  Whether it'll fit the new pro line you'd have to email/call to find out.  Downsides are that you could need to send them back for a refit at least once.

 

[Nicholas B]

  With custom molds you'll get the best sound quality, comfort and isolation. If it'll be a drastic increase in sound quality will depend on how well the regular tips fit in your ear. You should do it, the comfort and isolation is worth it.

Thanks Korki.  I am off to see my friendly neighborhood audiologist this morning.  There seems to be no real downside.
 
Nick

 

[Nicholas B]

 
Westone themselves offer a dedicated custom tip for their universal range called the um56.  Whether it'll fit the new pro line you'd have to email/call to find out.  Downsides are that you could need to send them back for a refit at least once.

Hi David:
 
The other downside is the $160 price tag. Yikes!  I am hoping for something more reasonable by having ear molds done in my town.  I'll post my experience.  Thanks for responding.
 
Nick

 

[Kyle76]

InEarz (Fisher Hearing Technology) does remolds for $90. They have gotten very good reviews for the product and customer service. There is a lengthy thread on them here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/464570/inearz-fisher-hearing-custom-remold-owners-thread

 

[Nicholas B]

Thanks Kyle.  That sounds a lot more reasonable.

 

[Nicholas B]

InEarz (Fisher Hearing Technology) does remolds for $90. They have gotten very good reviews for the product and customer service. There is a lengthy thread on them here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/464570/inearz-fisher-hearing-custom-remold-owners-thread

I just checked their website, and their new price for re-molds is $150.  So quite a bit up from $90.  And on par with the Westone MU56.  I guess one pays a premium when you want to run with the big dogs. I am waiting for a call back with a price from my friendly neighborhood audiologist.  Perhaps that will be more reasonable.
 
Nick

 

[Ivabign]

It is $150 for remolding a custom IEM (making a new CIEM from an old CIEM) - otherwise it is $95 to manke a CIEM from a Universal IEM

 

[Kyle76]

It is $150 for remolding a custom IEM (making a new CIEM from an old CIEM) - otherwise it is $95 to manke a CIEM from a Universal IEM

 


That's my understanding as well, though apparently I was off on the price. The website is misleading, and it's a pretty poor website overall. Kaysen said they are working on a new one. I guess CIEM's are harder to disassemble, thus the higher price for remolding them?

 

[tomllm]

I've just had my UE900s reshelled by Cosmic Ears (I'm in the UK) - the crap connectors on the earpieces were just driving me round the bend.
 
First of all...  I don't think there's an improvement in isolation.  In fact, I think they isolate slightly less.  Bear this in mind.  I actually don't mind it at all, for the following reason:

Everything about the IEM has been improved.  Credit mostly to Phil of CE for this - he made his own crossover to replace the rather rubbish one in the stock UE900.  Better bass, better treble, improved soundstage, amazing clarity.  I would thoroughly recommend reshelling, providing you get damn good moulds to begin with.  The only downside is that I now hanker after a proper top tier CIEM.

 

[Nicholas B]

I guess I bit the bullet...
 
Just got back from the audiologist.  He took impressions that he will send out to have proper ear molds made.  Total cost was $150, and includes a good warranty.  They should be back in about 10 days.  Then it's back to have them fitted and adjusted, if necessary.  I am glad I did it.
 
In the past, I have gone a much less expensive route.  Here is what they look like:
 

 
Not exactly low-profile, are they?
 

 

 
 
I think what I am getting this time will be closer to:
 

 
I will keep you posted.
 
Nick