[calipilot227]

Hey guys,
 
I decided I've fooled around long enough with universals. I've tried almost every style of IEM (shallow vs. deep insert) and can't seem to find one that fits my ears, particularly the right one. So I've decided the only logical route would be customs.
 
However, I do realize there are many options. I would like to keep it under $500, including the impressions. I have narrowed it down to two options:
 
1: Buy a UE TF10 (~$150) and send it in to Fisher Hearing to be reshelled (~$100). Add in Westone cable ($40) and impressions ($30). Total cost: $320
 
2: Order a 1964-ears Triple ($400) plus $30 for impressions. Total cost: $430
 
Is it worth the extra $110 for the 1964-T? I like the sound signature of the Triple.fi 10, but I found myself wishing at times for a less-recessed midrange and overall a more refined sound. Are entry-level customs that much better than universals?

 

[eclipes]

universals and customs are tuned differently, reshelling a universal will never be on par with full customs. So either be happy with the TF10 or sell it for full customs. I think the only time I will ever reshell my universals (um3x) is if my warranty is over and the shell breaks. If not, its sounds best the way it is.

 

[calipilot227]

Quote:

universals and customs are tuned differently, reshelling a universal will never be on par with full customs. So either be happy with the TF10 or sell it for full customs. I think the only time I will ever reshell my universals (um3x) is if my warranty is over and the shell breaks. If not, its sounds best the way it is.

The main problem with the TF10 for me is I can never get it to seal properly in my right ear (although the same can be said for nearly every other universal IEM I've tried). But I do like the sound signature. Would reshelling kill the sound signature?
 
At this point, I think I'll just bite the bullet and make the jump to full customs. But I would like to hear some more opinions before I do so.
 

 

[eclipes]

reshelling universals is honestly 50/50 hit or miss. I've always wanted to reshell my um3x but reviews are half half which makes me quite nervous. Some say its sounds a whole new level, some say it sounds worse then their apply ibuds.. So its risk that you have to take, once you do it, you won't be able to revert back.

 

[kenman345]

If you send them to 1964, they can reshell them for about $200 and they sy that includes tuning the headphones so they are like they are in their original shelling.
Quote:

reshelling universals is honestly 50/50 hit or miss. I've always wanted to reshell my um3x but reviews are half half which makes me quite nervous. Some say its sounds a whole new level, some say it sounds worse then their apply ibuds.. So its risk that you have to take, once you do it, you won't be able to revert back.

 
 

 

[Sayajin]

I plan to reshell my old TF10's, mainly no more warranty and like to try that route before jumping something more full expensive, again I bought new pairs in case of what saying about hit and miss. I do at no point expect they would retain their same sound signature, but I'm curious to find out.
To me an entry-level custom might sound like a step better, so might worth it.

 

[sari0n]

I think that you would be much happier with the 1964 T's.
Unless you're a huge fan of the triple.fi 10 sound, the 1964-T's are technically a better earphone.  I used to be a huge triple.fi fan, and do actually have a pair that's been reshelled by fischer.  However, after having them for more than a year now and comparing them to many other headphones, I find the sound of the TF10 to be somewhat lacking, especially in the presentation and imaging.  In my opinion the TF10's are too rough with their imaging.  The overall presentation doesn't make very much sense to me, certain frequencies just stand out too much.  
 
I don't want to spend too much time describing what I think of the sound, but in a nutshell, you're not getting $300 sound, and with Fischer reshells unfortunately you're not getting $300 quality either.  
After having my Fischer reshelled TF10's for a year or so, I wish now that I had either not had them reshelled, or spent and extra $100 to get them done by UM.  
 

 

[rianchaos]

I think that you would be much happier with the 1964 T's.
Unless you're a huge fan of the triple.fi 10 sound, the 1964-T's are technically a better earphone.  I used to be a huge triple.fi fan, and do actually have a pair that's been reshelled by fischer.  However, after having them for more than a year now and comparing them to many other headphones, I find the sound of the TF10 to be somewhat lacking, especially in the presentation and imaging.  In my opinion the TF10's are too rough with their imaging.  The overall presentation doesn't make very much sense to me, certain frequencies just stand out too much.  
 
I don't want to spend too much time describing what I think of the sound, but in a nutshell, you're not getting $300 sound, and with Fischer reshells unfortunately you're not getting $300 quality either.  
After having my Fischer reshelled TF10's for a year or so, I wish now that I had either not had them reshelled, or spent and extra $100 to get them done by UM.  
 

The last part makes me wonder, what difference would it make if the reshelling was done by UM?

For about 300$, personally I wouldnt jump to customs yet. The customs that I like are UM miracle (900$) and UM Merlin (800$) but these are the pure customs. The other cuatom that I like is the reshelled TF10 plus 3 drivers by UM. This semi-custom has better bass and far better vocal than tf10, but they cost around 600$.

If Um can make the sound of the reshelled tf10 the same as the universal, or at least better in some aspects, then I would reccomend the reshelled tf10

 

[KimChee]

I'd say if you like the TF10 signature get it reshelled.  Best case scenario, sound signature remains about the same, and you know what you're getting.
 
Quote:

The main problem with the TF10 for me is I can never get it to seal properly in my right ear (although the same can be said for nearly every other universal IEM I've tried). But I do like the sound signature. Would reshelling kill the sound signature?
 
At this point, I think I'll just bite the bullet and make the jump to full customs. But I would like to hear some more opinions before I do so.
 

 

 

[sari0n]

UM tests the drivers and makes sure they're balanced, their craftsmanship is better, and the jacks are recessed.
I guess I got slightly unlucky with Fischer, but my customs arrived with a small crack and the artwork was the wrong color.  I had initially wanted a blue symbol on the left side and a red one on the right side, but I ended up getting blue on both sides.  I sent them back to get them refit and have the crack fixed, and got them back with no artwork on the left side and the blue symbol on the right side.  
The jacks for the cable weren't very tight and were somewhat uneven.  I mean there wasn't anything really wrong with them but they definitely weren't nicely built, I'd say they were below average at best.
Basically, I feel like Fisher remolds aren't an upgrade in terms of quality from the original TF10's.  If anything, the original casing is more solid and less likely to break.  The only advantage that the customs have are comfort and fit.
I don't really think reshelling universals is a great idea, especially with cheaper services.  I'll admit, it's somewhat of a novelty at first, and you always want to believe that it's an upgrade, but in the end I don't think it affects the sound that much.   The only reason for which I'd recommend getting a reshell is if your original casing is broken, you absolutely can't get a good fit with the universals, or you really need the extra isolation and comfort. 
Otherwise, in my opinion there is a pretty big gap between the sound of the TF10's and real customs, as well as the quality of Fischer's remolds vs other services.  I would much rather sell my TF10's and get real customs than pay $300 for worse sound and quality.