Poor man's IEMs - custom moulds or more drivers?

#21
If you're going to go for custom fit, I'd recommend getting commercially built IEMs around an audiologist mold—rather than trying to retrofit universals with a half-mold.

If you're handy with DIY, you can learn to cast. Or if you can find a shop that will reshell a particular model of universal IEMs that you know well and like, OTOH, that can be a worthwhile upgrade. (A few places used to reshell the UE TripleFis, for example.) But I generally wouldn't dink around with half-measures trying to turn universals into something they're not. They work for a lot of people; and if you're one of them, you'll like having the option.

But if you try universals and have trouble getting a comfortable seal, then I'd start shopping in earnest for customs.
 
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#23
TheHiltz said:
For those of you who have the KZs (I'm looking at the AS10s), am I correct in assuming I can fit custom moulds on them? Can any IEM that accommodates different size tips also accommodate a custom mould?
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There is this stuff which works I have tried it but dont really like it (it turns out a bit too rough and messy for my taste, but maybe I need more practice). Definitley qaulifies as "poor mans IEM"

Radians Safety - Radians Custom Molded Earplugs

EDIT: Plenty of DIY interweeb info for the radians product.

But.. this morning I discovered that Westone (one of the " high end , traditional" IEM manufacturers) sells silcone kits!
Westone Hearing Health Care - ADCO Economy Kit

Still affordable buy my post Christmas credit card is hurting so Ill have to wait a bit before trying this stuff with the KZs , but I will.
 
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#24
Plenty of great advice and knowledge within this thread.
To the OP... One [generally] doesn’t start learning bass on a $2000 bass. You start cheap(er) and work your way up to the better, more expensive models. Same is mostly true with IEM systems. Education is key to understanding that issues you experience might NOT be equipment but user related ;)

I started my IEM journey 7+ yrs ago, wired with analog consoles, headphone amps and dirt cheap buds. I didn’t know any better. Along the way I learnt a great deal - including that I have small canals and can’t use universal buds - and my current rig (Senn G3 IEM, 64Audio A8’s) is far from cheap, but well worth it given I have averaged 80+ weekend warrior gigs per year over the last 5 yrs.
Ymmv.
 
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#25
s0c9 said:
To the OP... One [generally] doesn’t start learning bass on a $2000 bass. You start cheap(er) and work your way up to the better, more expensive models. Same is mostly true with IEM systems. Education is key to understanding that issues you experience might NOT be equipment but user related ;)
Click to expand...

Yup, I have some learning and trying to do. I'm just wishing my experience with IEMs worked in parallel to my experience with basses and bass playing, because now I'm finding myself on higher profile gigs trying to figure out how the hell an IEM will work for me (I've somehow managed up till now to work in genres that don't generally use IEMs). I want to avoid a situation where a bad or inappropriate IEM system will affect my playing on a gig because I can't hear properly.
 
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#27
TheHiltz said:
Yup, I have some learning and trying to do. I'm just wishing my experience with IEMs worked in parallel to my experience with basses and bass playing, because now I'm finding myself on higher profile gigs trying to figure out how the hell an IEM will work for me (I've somehow managed up till now to work in genres that don't generally use IEMs). I want to avoid a situation where a bad or inappropriate IEM system will affect my playing on a gig because I can't hear properly.
Click to expand...
My only advice [FWIW] is this:
  • Customs are [generally] better than universals. Better seal.
  • Bass players should get dual (I prefer triple) or better driver count.
  • Don't CHEAP out on your buds when you decide to buy.
  • Start with a mid-priced set of buds to ensure you get used to them.
  • Don't show up to a gig having never used IEM's and expect to get a perfect mix (and perfect feel) first time out.
  • Practice using them BEFORE your gig so you are comfortable with them.

Keep us posted pls.
 
#31
Another vote for ZS6's to start with.

Get the upgraded cable if you do go for these as it is more flexible than the stock cable. (Don't get the cable with a mic in it, it is unnecessary clutter and my IEM pack didn't work with the extra contact on the jack.)

I started out with KZ ZS5 and tried every silicon bud I could get my hands on finally ending up with triple flange buds.

They were ok (and cheap) but when I read about the ZS6 in this thread KZ ZS5 quad driver testing update. Probably the least expensive quad driver on the market. $20 I got serious IEM GAS and bought a pair.

The triple flange buds sealed ok but were not as comfortable as I would have liked so I tried memory foam buds, which seal just fine and are very comfy.

For my current band I cannot see me needing anything more, and the chances of me getting in a band where I would need anything better are pretty remote.
 
#32
Pat C. said:
For the KZ's or the Shure's?

I have Shure brand foam tips for my SE215's, are the Comply models much better?
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Hmmm I dont know. Maybe I answered too quickly!
I do know they seal really well with the KZs (better that the silicone or the triple flange IMO).

EDIT: Here are the dimensions (from the comply website) of the large T500s which I use. I need to squeeze them before I insert into my ear and hold them inplace while they expand.

Specifications:
Colors: Black, Platinum, Blue, Red

Length/Height: 10.67 mm ± 0.65 mm (0.420" ± 0.025")

Width/Diameter at proximal end (end attaching to device):
Small: 10.67 mm ± 0.50 mm (0.420" ± 0.020")
Medium: 12.45 mm ± 0.50 mm (0.490" ± 0.020")
Large: 13.97 mm ± 0.50 mm (0.550" ± 0.020")

Isolation T-500
 
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#33
my KZ ZS10’s sound way better than my SE 215s, as does my TRN V80’s... both at half the price of the Shures. expense doesn’t always mean better... especially not when it comes to chinese IEMs! hahaha
 
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#35
I needed IEM's for a band I joined last year. My original plan was for Custom molds, but someone talked me into trying out the UM Pro 30s first... They are great sounding, and have a great seal with a large selection of rubber and foam tips. They cancel better than my custom molded DB Blocker earplugs from work. I do agree for bass, 3 drivers is pretty much the minimum you want.
 
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#36
opps! i meant ZS 10’s. custom molds? i’d check with your local audiologists. also, to my ears, the TRN V80’s sound and feel better than ZS 10’s. one less driver, but also less harsh in the mids.
 
#37
Roxbororob said:
Have you tried the Foam tips (if not you should)?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I ended up ordering some KZ AS10s (by recommendation on this thread and a number of positive YouTube reviews), and a set of the Comply T-500s. At $67 USD a pair, I felt ok upgrading to 5 drivers. Jury's still out on whether I can get custom moulds that would fit the AS10s (my plan was to bring the phones to the audiologist), but it doesn't matter because at this point I don't have time for them to be made before rehearsals for this gig start - Comply foam tips it is.

I'll let y'all know how it goes! Thanks so much for the advice!
 
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#38
I just got new IEM from a company called Aclair. They are 5 driver custom mold geared towards bass players and they are amazing. $650 for the molds and shipped to my door.
 
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#40
Pat C. said:
I've never heard of custom molds for that brand. Are they out there?

I've found that the biggest detriment to the sound of my se215s is the poor seal with universal tips.
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In a nutshell, THIS was my issue.. . for YEARS. Every time I opened my mouth, sang, turned my head.. the seal would "go". I tried [quite literally] every tip on the market, from comply to off-brands, foam to rubber... you get the picture.
It wasn't until I went to an audiologist (hearing test) who works with a local megachurch, was talking about using IEM's and my "seal issues" that I was informed that I had small canals and universal fit would probably never work for me. :crying:
That's why I went to customs.. and they are FAR better than ANY universal I have tried.
YOU may have a similar issue based on the bolded text above.
If you have insurance coverage, get a hearing test done. Pick one that works with large churches as they have IEM experience. Discuss the challenges with them.
Might save you a ton of $$ and anguish :)
 
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