[Oomingmak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nirmalanow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Based on the reports on here, I would say we all must have weird ear canals. Everyone seems to have a different experience on what tips sound best. There is no such thing as normal

Ear canals can also be shaped differently from one another which makes finding a pair of tips that are ideal that much more difficult.

 

[tstarn06]

Was asked about my perception of the UM56s on the UM3X, since I had talked about getting them for a long time and finally have them. Well, they are the best tips I have used with the UM3X. They give the Westones another dimension, a little more detail, the bass seems more solid/extended. I am glad I got them, and at $115 including impressions, I got a very nice deal.

There is one weird issue, and I have talked to Westone about it. The UM56s, now and again, on either side, seem to slip off the sound tube and the driver housing just falls out. They are snug when I insert them, but all of a sudden, they just pop out. I have black otoblast material, which is the soft silicone. I contacted Westone, and they said it could be the hole was not bored properly. Might be. It doesn't always happen, but it does. And, now I can use the UM56 with the Image S4s as well (also an excellent match), the same thing happened today.

It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the impressions, of course, but the Westone rep said I should contact her and maybe see if they can do them again. Not sure how that will change anything, really. I may ask her to do them again and try them in vinyl, the harder material, and see if that makes any difference. I can just pay the difference if they cost more, I guess. I have to call Monday.

Finally, if you leave them on the UM3X, great. But when I take them off, say to use the Flex mediums, figuring out the angle is sort of a pain. I've decided to use the UM56 for sitting and listening (planes, trains, etc.) but the Flex sleeves for dog walking, my twice daily listening sessions. Just easier to remove them and the iso is a little less of an issue (hearing traffic, etc.).

But on balance, I am glad I got them.

 

[Nirmalanow]

Thanks for the impressions of the sound changes with the UM56. I just ordered a pair of UMX3 and if I like them, I will then try the custom eartips.

 

[Michael Jennings]

I've read most of this thread, trying to decide what tips to buy in addition to the complies that came with the phones. When posters refer to Shure "olives" do they mean the soft flex sleeves? Or what?

And since Shure doesn't offer packs with different sizes, does anyone have sizing advice? I'm using the large complies right now.

Other opinions on other tips much appreciated!

 

[tstarn06]

Olives are black foamies from Shure, hence the nickname. The model # is PA910. I happen to be selling a bag of 5 pair, under cost.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f44/fs...pa910m-450603/

The soft flex sleeves, which I am using along with my UM56, are more grey colored, made of silicone and rounded, not cone shaped like the olives.

Some love the olives with the UM3X, some the flex. I prefer the latter, but if you want to try the former, I have some.

 

[bakhtiar]

tstarn06. Thanks for brief description.

Refered to your 'another dimension',
beside the bass became sold with smoother mid, did you notice any changes in treble/high?

Nirmalanow : X2

, and I love the sound from the custom sleeves. It 'may' changes your view in audio listening as what tstarn06 pointed as 'another dimension'. I hope by the end of this year, I will have a pair of custom IEMs

, to complete my IEMs journey.


OT:
In almost a year, I got 3 pairs of IEMs, starting from the entry, mid and high end IEMs. Also I have 2 portable headpohones amps and the Sony X DAP as portable audio gears. I don't have many IEMs or audio gears like most of the head-fiers, but, all of my gears serving me very well in my 'IEM audio quest', after so many years with fullsized headphones. There are things that IEMs excel which make me able to appreciate sound/music at anywhere and anytime. IEMs 'isolatie' me from unwanted sound when commuting. They also 'sealed' me in audio 'nirvana' and make me relax and peaceful. Thank to head-fiers for helping me in the quest/advanture.

Today, my reference gears are, the UM3Xs + custom sleeves + iBasso D10. Next years, it might be, DAP-SPDIF-> D10 (+golden opamps combo) -> custom IEMs

Thank you.

 

[tstarn06]

Highs also lifted via UM56, sorry I forgot to note the treble improvement, as you have been saying all along. I do love the UM3X sound via the UM56. Good investment, esp since they also sound great on the Image S4s.

 

[qusp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Was asked about my perception of the UM56s on the UM3X, since I had talked about getting them for a long time and finally have them. Well, they are the best tips I have used with the UM3X. They give the Westones another dimension, a little more detail, the bass seems more solid/extended. I am glad I got them, and at $115 including impressions, I got a very nice deal.

congrats, they really do help out

Quote:

There is one weird issue, and I have talked to Westone about it. The UM56s, now and again, on either side, seem to slip off the sound tube and the driver housing just falls out. They are snug when I insert them, but all of a sudden, they just pop out. I have black otoblast material, which is the soft silicone. I contacted Westone, and they said it could be the hole was not bored properly. Might be. It doesn't always happen, but it does. And, now I can use the UM56 with the Image S4s as well (also an excellent match), the same thing happened today.

I guess you never saw my posts on this matter. unfortunately, it will likely continue to get worse and worse. seems westone hasnt designed UM56 for their own monitors. mine used to stay on my SE530 due to the ridge on the tube, but I would often have this problem with W3 and less, but still not rarely with UM3X. the problem is, they dont make the hole wide enough on the inside, so it squeezes the tip off the tube, they could solve this problem by having a small ridge like the shures. I ended up making my own one to keep them on, after a I got a new pair with the same problem. I would think the vinyl ones would not have this issue, but they are not as comfortable.

Quote:

It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the impressions, of course, but the Westone rep said I should contact her and maybe see if they can do them again. Not sure how that will change anything, really. I may ask her to do them again and try them in vinyl, the harder material, and see if that makes any difference. I can just pay the difference if they cost more, I guess. I have to call Monday.

yeah go the vinyl, they should cost the same

Quote:

Finally, if you leave them on the UM3X, great. But when I take them off, say to use the Flex mediums, figuring out the angle is sort of a pain. I've decided to use the UM56 for sitting and listening (planes, trains, etc.) but the Flex sleeves for dog walking, my twice daily listening sessions. Just easier to remove them and the iso is a little less of an issue (hearing traffic, etc.).

you'll get used to it, it becomes second nature after a little while

 

[Hsiu]

It happens to my UM56 too, it just squeeze the UM3s stem out of it. I am feeling that I make a bad decision going silicon. it is so problematic. It make UM3X sound really good. however I have to suffer heavy drum like sound when I walk as it transfer the impact of my footstep into lous sound like other silicon tip. also I cannot sleep with it as it make the earphone stick out so much. I have my phone flat to my ear using olive or complies. and my right piece was remade and heard nothing from audiologist for a month.

 

[Oomingmak]

For the record I have the otoblast (silicone) UM56 and the UM3X and have never had any problems with them.

 

[Nirmalanow]

Hi Bakhtiar,

I am also rediscovering the joys of iems, and really appreciate the isolation also. I recently ordered a pair of REOs from Head-Direct and am enjoying them. And as I said, I have ordered the UM3X and look forward to hearing them also. Thanks for your perspective on the sound of the custom eartips.

You might want to consider the Hifiman 801 as a DAP. Expensive, but it is getting good early reviews. I have one of them on order also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakhtiar /img/forum/go_quote.gif tstarn06. Thanks for brief description. Refered to your 'another dimension', beside the bass became sold with smoother mid, did you notice any changes in treble/high? Nirmalanow : X2 , and I love the sound from the custom sleeves. It 'may' changes your view in audio listening as what tstarn06 pointed as 'another dimension'. I hope by the end of this year, I will have a pair of custom IEMs , to complete my IEMs journey. OT: In almost a year, I got 3 pairs of IEMs, starting from the entry, mid and high end IEMs. Also I have 2 portable headpohones amps and the Sony X DAP as portable audio gears. I don't have many IEMs or audio gears like most of the head-fiers, but, all of my gears serving me very well in my 'IEM audio quest', after so many years with fullsized headphones. There are things that IEMs excel which make me able to appreciate sound/music at anywhere and anytime. IEMs 'isolatie' me from unwanted sound when commuting. They also 'sealed' me in audio 'nirvana' and make me relax and peaceful. Thank to head-fiers for helping me in the quest/advanture. Today, my reference gears are, the UM3Xs + custom sleeves + iBasso D10. Next years, it might be, DAP-SPDIF-> D10 (+golden opamps combo) -> custom IEMs Thank you.

 

[Nirmalanow]

Qusp,

Did you try the vinyl customs? Did that solve the problem of the earphones popping out? Are they as comfortable as the silicone?

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp /img/forum/go_quote.gif congrats, they really do help out I guess you never saw my posts on this matter. unfortunately, it will likely continue to get worse and worse. seems westone hasnt designed UM56 for their own monitors. mine used to stay on my SE530 due to the ridge on the tube, but I would often have this problem with W3 and less, but still not rarely with UM3X. the problem is, they dont make the hole wide enough on the inside, so it squeezes the tip off the tube, they could solve this problem by having a small ridge like the shures. I ended up making my own one to keep them on, after a I got a new pair with the same problem. I would think the vinyl ones would not have this issue, but they are not as comfortable. yeah go the vinyl, they should cost the same you'll get used to it, it becomes second nature after a little while

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nirmalanow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Qusp, Did you try the vinyl customs? Did that solve the problem of the earphones popping out? Are they as comfortable as the silicone? Thanks.

I had the vinyl UM56 for a year and a half and lost them at a head-fi meet this summer. They were very comfortable, sealed well, and never popped off.

I just re-ordered a pair of vinyl tips last week and they talked me into changing to the silicone because they last longer and should be more comfortable. I'll report back on them after I get them and use them a bit.

 

[Hsiu]

which one in this link is the soft flex sleeve people use with UM3X let me know plan to try it
shure soft flex

 

[tstarn06]

Thanks, qusp and HPA. The CSR from Westone said they must have been bored improperly, but now it seems more like a hit or miss deal (since some have had no problems, but I am certainly not alone). Is there any way to mod them to get the inside a little wider?

I don't feel like going back and getting new impressions, TBH.

What did you do qusp to get them to stay on?

The S4s do have a ridge on them, but they come off those too. Doh!