UM56 custom molds for e4c's

[thebrain]

Hey everybody, I just got my impressions done at my local audiologist for my custom tips for my e4c's. It was a very quick and painless process. But if you have dirty re: super waxy ears it could be a little less comfortable for you as the audiologist removes this (and its deep in there) before the molds.

So in about a week I will be posting impressions (comfort, sound, isolation) with the new tips. I will be happy to answer any and all questions regarding the molds, the process, price, etc, because I had TONS of questions like this before I bit the bullet on these.


For reference, it sounds like the whole process costs a little less that $130 ($112 for custom tips, $10 for different color-got black to hide earwax, and another $5-7 bucks for 2 day shipping (standard). UM56 custom tips are fairly universal as they attach to the sound tube like regular shure/ety tips, which means they are compatible with e2,e3,e4,e4,e5,e500 and others. So you can upgrade you 'phones and keep your customs....Nice

Also don't think there isn't in audiologist near you just cause your not in a big city. I live on the Oregon coast, and there were two offices within 15miles in a small town. You might be surprised. Westone.com has a good locator.

THEBrain

 

[radioactive28]

Any pictures? I'm trying to find out how much the e4c/UM56 combo will stick out from the ears.

 

[fongalv]

Heres mine:

Ive since changed to e4s then to e500s and they(e500s) are even more snugly.

There are some others you can check out here and here.

 

[pretzelb]

I just started lurking around here again a few weeks ago and I'm starting to see more on the custom molds. This is interesting stuff to me. Can you really just use them with something from the Shure line with no problems? Does is affect the sound or isolation at all?

My high end iem is still only the Shure E2C but I wouldn't mind paying some money for a more comfortable fitting mold to see if it makes me enjoy them longer. Especially if it means I can re-use them on another iem.

 

[fongalv]

AFAIK, the Westones Style 56 fits their UM1/2 series and the entire Shure line(less the e2c).

Ive had then for a little over 6 months and I really like what they did to the IEMs SQ. The sound definitely changes since they actually reposition the drivers further from the ear drums. As for isolation/comfort:
Isolation:
tri-flange>custom moulds>>>foamies

Comfort:
Foamies>custom moulds>>>triflange

 

[Julien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... For reference, it sounds like the whole process costs a little less that $130 ($112 for custom tips, $10 for different color-got black to hide earwax, and another $5-7 bucks for 2 day shipping (standard). UM56 custom tips are fairly universal as they attach to the sound tube like regular shure/ety tips, which means they are compatible with e2,e3,e4,e4,e5,e500 and others. So you can upgrade you 'phones and keep your customs....Nice ...

It only costs about $130 for custom molds? I thought it was more than that. I will have to look into getting some for my E500's.

 

[grayfoot]

Thanks for the info. This is just what I needed.

I went to the westone site and it shows that the UM56 will fit all sure models except the E2. The E2 uses a modified version of the same product. Also for what it's worth the E1 is on the list. Is there something new or did I get this wrong?

 

[jinp6301]

question, people always say how good custom IEMs are. If thats true how does the E4 with custom molds compare with the e500s (Universal fit) since theyre about the same price

 

[fongalv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayfoot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the info. This is just what I needed. I went to the westone site and it shows that the UM56 will fit all sure models except the E2. The E2 uses a modified version of the same product. Also for what it's worth the E1 is on the list. Is there something new or did I get this wrong?

Oh yes...sorry I had them mixed up. The e2 has a larger bore or something to do with the different drivers. For that matter, its entire Westone UM series and entire SHure line(less e2c). Made correction in my earlier post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinp6301 /img/forum/go_quote.gif question, people always say how good custom IEMs are. If thats true how does the E4 with custom molds compare with the e500s (Universal fit) since theyre about the same price

I have personally used the same molds for e3c, e4c, and currently e500. If you would like absolute numbers, IMHO the molds improved the sound of the stock buds by about 30%(conservative number). In fact of anyone remembered my previous posts, I had some problems adjusting when I moved from e4->e500, but none e3->e4. To me, they are VERY different in SQ and I really cannot compare them because in certain ways I miss the e4c, but in several more ways I prefer the e500.

I understand that there have been many reports/reviews that the e500 is the e4 improved on all extents, but to my ears, thats just not so true. However, I would agree that the e4 has definitely the same sound signature as the e3 but improved in ALL extents.

Hope I helped.

 

[Pete7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinp6301 /img/forum/go_quote.gif question, people always say how good custom IEMs are. If thats true how does the E4 with custom molds compare with the e500s (Universal fit) since theyre about the same price

Custom tips don't turn a universal IEM into a custom IEM, rather a universal IEM with custom tips. There still is a huge difference compared to a custom IEM, believe me. Custom tips make a very nice improvement, but not to the level of a custom IEM. I went from UM2/UM56 tips to ES2's and there was a major improvement in comfort, isolation, and SQ; a lot more than I had anticipated.

 

[fongalv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Custom tips don't turn a universal IEM into a custom IEM, rather a universal IEM with custom tips. There still is a huge difference compared to a custom IEM, believe me. Custom tips make a very nice improvement, but not to the level of a custom IEM. I went from UM2/UM56 tips to ES2's and there was a major improvement in comfort, isolation, and SQ; a lot more than I had anticipated.

Arh...thats what I want to hear(pun intended) for it seems like the next logical step for me.

 

[Pete7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fongalv /img/forum/go_quote.gif Arh...thats what I want to hear(pun intended) for it seems like the next logical step for me.

Sorry...Funny thing was, I didn't get the ES2's just for the sake of upgrading,although I will admit I was curious. I genuinely liked the sound of the UM2/UM56 combo, even more than E500/UM56. Problem was, I broke 2 pairs of UM2's because of those custom tips. I found it a little difficult to situate those tips just right in my ears, and adjusting them while in caused the stems of the UM2's to weaken up. Twice, a stem actually broke off the UM2 into a custom tip. I figured I'd actually save myself quite a bit of money if I went with the ES2's. Just one piece. Haven't busted anything yet...

 

[Julien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...For reference, it sounds like the whole process costs a little less that $130...

On the Westone site the UM56's are listed at $112 and this price INCLUDES the ear impressions?

 

[Julien]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julien /img/forum/go_quote.gif On the Westone site the UM56's are listed at $112 and this price INCLUDES the ear impressions?

Anyone use custom molds and can answer?

 

[Low Fidelity]

i'm not sure if that price includes the ear impressionsm but i'm betting it doesn't.

You should contact a westone authorized audiologists in the first place, have your impressions impressed there and then have him/her check the fit after they are made. I'm betting they will charge you for the appointment, but they might include the price of impressions in that visit if you chat them up a bit when you call the audiologists for the appointment.

Just a note, Sensaphonics wants around the same price for their custom sleeves (sensaphonics is a different style of sleeve are are made to work with only 1 kind of shure earphone) and that price does NOT include the impressions and fit checking, even if you go to a sensaphonics audiologists.

Most audiologists are like other professionals and are literally "self employed." You're paying for thier years of schooling, experience and attractive assistants when you sit down, lean back and read a 6 month old Womens Day.

I think the fun part might be finding a way to get your employer or insurance to cough up a bit by "needing custom fit industrial hearing protection" and then when you make the appointment, "hey, by the way, since i'm here, i'm thinking about picking up some westone um56's for some earphones..."