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Best universal fit IEMs???

JCRob

JCRob

Sep 14, 2010
238
0
www.jazzchrist.com
#1
OK guys, I couldn't find an updated thread about universal fit IEMs, so mods feel free to point me out in the right direction if I'm wrong...

Which are the best?? I've come across a couple of websites that talk about EarSonics SM3 V2, Westone W4 and UM3X / UM3X RC, some Monster Cable, etc...

As a bassist I'm looking for the best sound money can buy in that realm, without getting into the custom fits.

Any inputs will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
#2
JCRob said:
OK guys, I couldn't find an updated thread about universal fit IEMs, so mods feel free to point me out in the right direction if I'm wrong...

Which are the best?? I've come across a couple of websites that talk about EarSonics SM3 V2, Westone W4 and UM3X / UM3X RC, some Monster Cable, etc...

As a bassist I'm looking for the best sound money can buy in that realm, without getting into the custom fits.

Any inputs will be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10's. Get them on Amazon or eBay for under $200. They are three way buds and are the only non custom bud I've used that really reproduce the 5 string and the kick with manliness. I bought mine as open box deal on eBay. Then I bought my back up pair on Amazon. Both were open box deals, no issues. They are not petite buds, they are big, but they so do the job.


There are many UE Triple Fi fans here on TB!
 
#4
Keithwah said:
Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10's. Get them on Amazon or eBay for under $200. They are three way buds and are the only non custom bud I've used that really reproduce the 5 string and the kick with manliness. I bought mine as open box deal on eBay. Then I bought my back up pair on Amazon. Both were open box deals, no issues. They are not petite buds, they are big, but they so do the job.

There are many UE Triple Fi fans here on TB!
Click to expand...

Also, how do they sound compared to the Westones UM3X or other alike?? These are the only ones I've tried.
 
#5
JCRob said:
Also, how do they sound compared to the Westones UM3X or other alike?? These are the only ones I've tried.
Click to expand...

No clue between the Westones and the UE's, but the UE's were recommended by a pro monitor engineer buddy who got them from the guys in Nickelback (when he was working on the road running their wireless rig) who uses them. The one thing I found was that they reproduce low end so well, they have inexpensive replacement cables and that when used with Comply foam inserts, seal the planet off. Being that a large number of touring pros are using them, let's just say that they could have been using Westones but weren't.


As most Triple Fi users will attest, the next move from a Triple Fi is to go with custom molds. But honestly, my guitarist had Alien Ear triple driver customs and now uses the UE Triple Fi's because they sound that much better.
 
#6
my westone UM3Xs smoked the older UE super fi5s i had, in terms of balance, natural high end (and staying in my damn ears). haven't heard the newer UE stuff.

my bass player really likes the new triple-driver shure 535s.
 
#7
I use Future Sonics with Comply foams. They are a single driver design, and they work great for me. Plenty of bottom end for me, in fact the kick drum vibrates my chest cavity. Never tried three-ways, but a lot of guys on TB say single drivers work just as well.
 
#10
Keithwah said:
No clue between the Westones and the UE's, but the UE's were recommended by a pro monitor engineer buddy who got them from the guys in Nickelback (when he was working on the road running their wireless rig) who uses them. The one thing I found was that they reproduce low end so well, they have inexpensive replacement cables and that when used with Comply foam inserts, seal the planet off. Being that a large number of touring pros are using them, let's just say that they could have been using Westones but weren't.

As most Triple Fi users will attest, the next move from a Triple Fi is to go with custom molds. But honestly, my guitarist had Alien Ear triple driver customs and now uses the UE Triple Fi's because they sound that much better.
Click to expand...

Yeah, maybe the TF10 are the best buy in price/quality ratio. Do they come with the comply foams, or you have to purchase separately?
 
#11
JCRob said:
Yeah, maybe the TF10 are the best buy in price/quality ratio. Do they come with the comply foams, or you have to purchase separately?
Click to expand...

They do come with one pair. I think it's either the medium or large foam tips. I ordered some smalls from comply or amazon, about $16 or so for a set of three. The ones that came with we're very snug on me but really sealed out the stage almost completely. I liked the smalls better as they were snug enough. But weird how those dopey foam tips just waste the double and triple flange ear tips. I have some Audio Technica EP-3's which were the single drivers that came with my AT IEM system and as bummed as I was using them for bass use, they actually sound great with comply's and my MP3 player. So I still think a good set of single drivers is fine for general purpose, I just don't think you'll find a set that handles the bottom end off the shelf like the UE's.
 
#12
i wish i hadn't bothered buying single-driver IEMs first, they were OK but not even close to the double drivers that quickly replaced them. buying too cheap is false economy.
 
#14
Keithwah said:
They do come with one pair. I think it's either the medium or large foam tips. I ordered some smalls from comply or amazon, about $16 or so for a set of three. The ones that came with we're very snug on me but really sealed out the stage almost completely. I liked the smalls better as they were snug enough. But weird how those dopey foam tips just waste the double and triple flange ear tips. I have some Audio Technica EP-3's which were the single drivers that came with my AT IEM system and as bummed as I was using them for bass use, they actually sound great with comply's and my MP3 player. So I still think a good set of single drivers is fine for general purpose, I just don't think you'll find a set that handles the bottom end off the shelf like the UE's.
Click to expand...

I tried the UM3X with foam, and must say they sounded very good. Although, is a safer bet to go with a pair that is at least a hundred less, and that has great reviews like the Triplefis.
 
#15
i have the triple.fi's and they are very good. there are better options out there from westone, etc but these can be found for pretty cheap now ($150) and for that price there really isn't much competition. a few things to note op, the ear pieces are very large and if you don't have large canals, you may have a problem. also, do yourself a favour and get some comply foam tips as the tips provided are garbage.
 
#16
rashbeep said:
i have the triple.fi's and they are very good. there are better options out there from westone, etc but these can be found for pretty cheap now ($150) and for that price there really isn't much competition. a few things to note op, the ear pieces are very large and if you don't have large canals, you may have a problem. also, do yourself a favour and get some comply foam tips as the tips provided are garbage.
Click to expand...

Once I get a pair off eBay, I'll get the comply foams immediately!!!

Thanks for your input.
 

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