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IEM ear buds: generic vs. custom fit

petesenkowski

petesenkowski

Supporting Member
Feb 10, 2007
135
16
Atlanta, GA
#1
OK, I'm apologizing in advance for starting yet another IEM thread, but I haven't seen this particular issue addressed; I asked the same question in a thread dealing with IEM custom bud fit, but did not get an answer.

Is there ever a case where generic ear buds are a better choice than custom fit? I use FutureSonics IEMs with the generic earbuds. I've considered getting custom earbuds but I play in a contradance band: wait for caller to teach dance for 5-10 minutes, play a tune for ~10 minutes, repeat about 12 times per night.

While we're waiting between tunes, the sound man mutes the system (except for the caller's mic), the band chooses the next medley and discusses arrangements off-mic, and I remove my buds to take part in the discussion.

I'm always removing and replacing the buds in my ears. This is no problem with the generic buds; would this process make using custom buds unworkable?

Thanks,
Pete
 
#2
petesenkowski said:
OK, I'm apologizing in advance for starting yet another IEM thread, but I haven't seen this particular issue addressed; I asked the same question in a thread dealing with IEM custom bud fit, but did not get an answer.

Is there ever a case where generic ear buds are a better choice than custom fit? I use FutureSonics IEMs with the generic earbuds. I've considered getting custom earbuds but I play in a contradance band: wait for caller to teach dance for 5-10 minutes, play a tune for ~10 minutes, repeat about 12 times per night.

While we're waiting between tunes, the sound man mutes the system (except for the caller's mic), the band chooses the next medley and discusses arrangements off-mic, and I remove my buds to take part in the discussion.

I'm always removing and replacing the buds in my ears. This is no problem with the generic buds; would this process make using custom buds unworkable?

Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...
The biggest difference I have found between custom molded IEM's and the generic ones is the degree of isolation they provide. With the custom molded ones, you pretty much have to send anything you want to be able to hear through them, while with the generic ones they leak enough to where you can hear somewhat what is going on around you. Another result of that is that you can run the custom ones at lower volume since they have less competition from the leakage. You can put the custom ones in and out pretty much the same as you can the generic ones.
 
#3
I think its a good investment to get your universals to custom fit.. There are more pro's than con's specially if you go with the IEM builders that reshell universals.

It takes a lot of time too.. 2 weeks for a main builder in Florida and pretty much there is a chance your first fit will have some problems.

The price really wasn't that bad at all. Considering what customs usually cost, you will save a lot of money if you really love how your universal sound like.

Pro's:
Bigger sound stage
Greater Isolation
You don't have to replace buds every 3 months(if you use foam buds).
Better sound response(debatable).
Custom's doesn't pop out at all because its almost hooked to your ears.
Cheaper than buying a straight custom.

Con's:
Might change the signature sound of your universal.
No assurance that you'll have a good fit.(You can bring it back and they will fix it.)

This is a guy coming from a UE TF3 so the fit of the universal vs the custom is a lot better since TF3 is bulky all in all.

Just make sure that you check out head-fi.org for some tips on where to get it reshelled.
 
#4
Thank you, Gordon and Infidelity, for your replies. In terms of the pros and cons that you've mentioned, these are the issues that apply to my situation:

Isolation: the double flange buds I'm using now work quite well; they cut the stage sound to comfortable levels, but still allow a reasonable amount of ambient sound. Our stage isn't particularly loud -- it ain't rock'n'roll -- and I like to be able to hear the caller who is in the mains but not in the monitors.

Bass Response: My current buds are OK, but I notice an improvement in bass sound if I push the buds farther into my ears; I just can't get them to stay there. The custom fit buds would be better, but some better generic foam buds (better than the cylindrical foams that came with the Atrios) might be good enough.

Fit: My double flange buds actually fall out of my ears several times a night; the custom fit buds would obviously be better, but again, some better generic foam buds might be good enough.

Ease of installation and removal: This could be the deal breaker for custom fit plugs. As I said in the OP, I remove and install the buds about 15 times in a 3 hour gig. Do others have similar requirements? I've read in other IEM threads that many church musicians are IEM users; do you remove the IEMs to listen to the service when you're not playing? Gordon said that the custom fit buds are as easy to install as the generic buds; do others share this experience? Can you install custom fit buds in about 10 seconds once you get used to them? Will constant removal and installation of custom fit buds irritate your ears? Might non-custom buds like complyfoams be good enough not to fall out of my ears and to get better bass response than my double flange buds?

Thanks for putting up with my questions. My IEM setup is not fancy; it's the hard-wired "more me" personal monitor scheme, and I'm the only one on stage without wedges, but I'm willing to pay for custom fit buds for improved sound -- and to keep the dang things from falling out. I had always considered custom fit ear buds as "set them and forget them", but if they're feasible to use with the constant removal and quick re-installation, and if the increased isolation is not too weird, they might be worthwhile for me.

Thanks,
Pete
 
#5
Well I have a fair amount of experience with Future Sonics both with custom molds and without so I will try to relay my thoughts for you.

Custom molds are definitely more comfortable and seal somewhat better. In my experience they are a little more difficult to get in and out since they are an exact fit for your ear. Therefore when using the custom molds I usually don't like to take them in and out.

The generic tips on Atrios will seal very well provided you choose the right one for your ears. The only drawback is they have to be seated fairly deep in your ears to seal properly and this can sometimes be uncomfortable for long periods of time. Sometimes mine will ache a little or itch and I have to pull them out for a second and scratch! IMHO they are easier to get in and out though.

Inserted correctly good sound quality can be had either way.

I would say if your Atrios fall out on their own, then you either don't have the right size tip for your ear or you don't have them inserted deeply enough.

Hope this helps.
 
#6
Inserting and removing the custom buds are a snap. You just roll them in/out of your ears. It takes a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you do it's not an issue at all. I had a pair of Ultimate Ear's Triple fi's and had them remoulded into customs. I find them easier to put in/take out in the customs form - no pinching of the foams or jamming them in to make sure they're in far enough.
 
#7
Customs are easier/quicker to insert than the universals, but I was using comply foam tips, so they need time to expand to seal before you can let them go. Flange tips would be pretty quick. Screw them in and go.

I can still wiggle my ears to the point where I can break the seal enough to hear when needed.

I'm also in the remolded triple fi 10 club.

Randy
 
#10
I have some custom molds (etymotics). They fit great, but I do notice that it is bothersome to remove and replace them a lot. This might be a personal thing, my ears are picky. The comply or foam tips I think are much more comfortable for long term use, but more annoying to remove and replace and the isolation is a fraction of what the custom silicone tips provide.
 
#12
I have Shure 425s. Originally I used them with the packaged generic foam buds and then ultimately got custom molded sleeves. The custom molds have not negatively affected the sound, but have improved fit and isolation significantly. I would highly recommend custom molds if you can afford it. For me, they made a reasonably high-end IEM noticeably better.
 
#13
I loved the first set of custom IEMs I had; they were made of dense silicone and popped in and out very easily. They sealed extremely well and sounded great. My sister's dog ate them.

I got new ones from the same company and they are hard plastic (they discontinued the other design). They sound as good or better, seal just as well, but they aren't as comfortable. If I pop them in and out a lot in a short period of time, my ears get a bit sore.

Get the soft plastic/silicone ones if you can if you are doing a lot of in and out.
 
#14
KCLRbass said:
I have Shure 425s. Originally I used them with the packaged generic foam buds and then ultimately got custom molded sleeves. The custom molds have not negatively affected the sound, but have improved fit and isolation significantly. I would highly recommend custom molds if you can afford it. For me, they made a reasonably high-end IEM noticeably better.
Click to expand...

Do you have a picture of your SE425 with the custom mold sleeve?
 
#18
MNAirHead said:
Dumb question --- why not add an omni mic- solves the stage chatter issue
Click to expand...

I don't know how effective this would be. The caller is on the PA trying to teach a dance to 100 chattering dancers while three or four musicians put their heads together (almost literally) to pick the tune medley and briefly discuss the arrangement. What would an omni mic actually capture?

Usually the band leader looks at the caller's dance card to choose the tune from our set list and decides on the choice a minute or so before we play; then the discussion -- usually just a confirmation of a previously determined arrangement -- takes place.

With my current buds, I sometimes leave them in for most of the time between songs to act as earplugs, albeit with a small amount of bleed, and just take them out to find out the tune choice and confirm the arrangement. I could probably even do this with the current buds in my ear, but if I get custom fit buds with more isolation, this might be difficult.

Thanks,
Pete
 
#19
TimmyP said:
Do you need isolation? If not, and you don't mind looking a little peculiar, get some Grado headphones. Although your mix may get tricky owing to comb filtering between what you hear naturally and what's coming from the phones.
Click to expand...

This was actually my original choice, but I could not get past looking peculiar so I moved on to the Atrio IEMs. The iGrados are great though; I still use them to listen to music on my computer. I actually prefer the limited isolation.

Thanks,
Pete
 

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