More IEM questions. But really...

[two fingers]

I'm really looking forward to your feedback @Joe Nerve

Me too. And, Joe, if you get a sec to work with your mix, I experimented more with mine over the weekend. We had two shows on two very different stages. Once again I turned my body pack WAY up, and turned each channel way down. It really helps to filter out a bunch of stage noise (like drums bleeding into vocal mics and whatnot).

 

[Geri O]

So Friday marked day 13 of their average 10-13 day production timeline.

I don't want to sound impatient... but I am .

Have another 3 wedding weekend next week and hoping to get them before.

Just venting.

In the meantime, I've been going hard on ramming my current IEMS down my ear canal and found that by twisting and playing around with them once they're in I can get a better seal than I was. I used to be afraid of going too deep and damaging my eardrum, but after having the molds made, well... I got a little gutsy.

I'm really hoping these monitors make a difference.

I'm not in the habit of flinging $1300 out the window, which will essentially be what I did if they don't isolate any better than what I'm using now.

Ahh, I remember that impatient feeling very well, even though it was over 6 years ago…

I’m fairly sure that even though the seal improved when you inserted you current IEMs deeper, your newer ones with the custom molds will seal more effectively and sound better.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Delivery due Thursday. So long as my wife doesn't have a baby and can sign for them, I should be good to go for the weekend.



And no.

She's a homebirth midwife. She has a lot of babies.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Delivery due Thursday. So long as my wife doesn't have a baby and can sign for them, I should be good to go for the weekend.



And no.

She's a homebirth midwife. She has a lot of babies.

How are they?

 

[two fingers]

How are they?

I would venture a guess he's doing a gig right now. And he'll likely have one tomorrow night as well.

 

[Joe Nerve]

How are they?

I would venture a guess he's doing a gig right now. And he'll likely have one tomorrow night as well.

The guess is correct. Played tonight, and will be playing tomorrow and Sunday.

Sadly, the full, accurate review is going to have to wait. There are issues.

My right monitor doesn't seal properly. I'm going to have to have it redone, and I have no idea how long that's going to take, nor what it will entail. As for tonight though...

The left ear seals like nobody's business. I definitely get more isolation than with the foam tips, but it was hard to get a consistent level/balance with the right not sitting correctly. Every now and then it would kinda go into place and sound great, but for most of the night it was a bust. I think I had them too loud, also, to compensate for when it was popping out of place.

Sooooo... the few times they sat properly it sounded pretty awesome. All the instruments had their own space and were very clear and defined. I liked that... but my ears are presently ringing like crazy, and I'm starting to get concerned. I have the fear that my live musician days might be coming to an end, if I want to hold onto the hearing I have left. Its getting pretty bad.

Right now, honestly, I'm not sure the difference between these and my other monitors were worth the $1300 investment, but I'm going to hold off on saying that for certain. I want to get the right one properly fitted, and get a little more used to them.

Wish I could say more, but that's the best I've got.

Monday I contact JH and see what happens. Tomorrow I fiddle with them a little more. There were no horns or extra monitor tonight. Not sure yet what's in store tomorrow.

I'll be back!

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I would venture a guess he's doing a gig right now. And he'll likely have one tomorrow night as well.

AHHH!!! Gotcha. Makes sense.

The guess is correct. Played tonight, and will be playing tomorrow and Sunday.

Sadly, the full, accurate review is going to have to wait. There are issues.

My right monitor doesn't seal properly. I'm going to have to have it redone, and I have no idea how long that's going to take, nor what it will entail. As for tonight though...

The left ear seals like nobody's business. I definitely get more isolation than with the foam tips, but it was hard to get a consistent level/balance with the right not sitting correctly. Every now and then it would kinda go into place and sound great, but for most of the night it was a bust. I think I had them too loud, also, to compensate for when it was popping out of place.

Sooooo... the few times they sat properly it sounded pretty awesome. All the instruments had their own space and were very clear and defined. I liked that... but my ears are presently ringing like crazy, and I'm starting to get concerned. I have the fear that my live musician days might be coming to an end, if I want to hold onto the hearing I have left. Its getting pretty bad.

Right now, honestly, I'm not sure the difference between these and my other monitors were worth the $1300 investment, but I'm going to hold off on saying that for certain. I want to get the right one properly fitted, and get a little more used to them.

Wish I could say more, but that's the best I've got.

Monday I contact JH and see what happens. Tomorrow I fiddle with them a little more. There were no horns or extra monitor tonight. Not sure yet what's in store tomorrow.

I'll be back!

Thanks for the update! Please keep us in the loop.

@scubaduba, you might be interested in what I have to say here. I just got my Sensaphonics IEM's and ear plugs yesterday. Was supposed to put them through the paces this weekend (Fri, Sat,) but the drummer/leader in a band got Covid so I'm off the next two weeks.* I might make a few calls to see if I can sub somewhere, but more than likely I'm not making money the next four weekend nights. Still have the ol' trusty church gig, though!

I'm in the same boat as you. Wellll.....Sorta. I tried and tried and tried and tried (and tried) last night to get a good seal with both the IEM's and the ear plugs. But notta. Nuttin'. The ear plugs are pretty much a big miss. Useless. The IEM's do kinda seal? But not that well. I had The Wife push on them while I had them inserted and I was like "WOW! THIS is how I imagined them working!!" When she pushed on them the seal was, well....Sealed! And the tone was magnificent. But sadly, The Wife did not seem to eager to accept my request for her to repeat this procedure on all my gigs. Email has already been sent to Sensaphonics. Wait and see time for the ol' DG.

Like you, @Joe Nerve, I'm into this thing for some, what is to me at least, serious cash. $1,080. And I'm not very pleased with the outcome. I did everything correctly and the products do not work as they should. Hopefully it'll all get sorted out.

**EDIT** Not trying to bash Sensaphonics. At this point I’m frustrated. Prolly have to start over again with molds, etc etc. And, like Veruca Salt, I want it NOW!!

*Get vaccinated if you have not been.

 

[two fingers]

The guess is correct. Played tonight, and will be playing tomorrow and Sunday.

Sadly, the full, accurate review is going to have to wait. There are issues.

My right monitor doesn't seal properly. I'm going to have to have it redone, and I have no idea how long that's going to take, nor what it will entail. As for tonight though...

The left ear seals like nobody's business. I definitely get more isolation than with the foam tips, but it was hard to get a consistent level/balance with the right not sitting correctly. Every now and then it would kinda go into place and sound great, but for most of the night it was a bust. I think I had them too loud, also, to compensate for when it was popping out of place.

Sooooo... the few times they sat properly it sounded pretty awesome. All the instruments had their own space and were very clear and defined. I liked that... but my ears are presently ringing like crazy, and I'm starting to get concerned. I have the fear that my live musician days might be coming to an end, if I want to hold onto the hearing I have left. Its getting pretty bad.

Right now, honestly, I'm not sure the difference between these and my other monitors were worth the $1300 investment, but I'm going to hold off on saying that for certain. I want to get the right one properly fitted, and get a little more used to them.

Wish I could say more, but that's the best I've got.

Monday I contact JH and see what happens. Tomorrow I fiddle with them a little more. There were no horns or extra monitor tonight. Not sure yet what's in store tomorrow.

I'll be back!

Until they get the right one hammered put, try these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O66Q5XU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_84DG6EMZ3JYX0VG1DS15

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Until they get the right one hammered put, try these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O66Q5XU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_84DG6EMZ3JYX0VG1DS15

Hey, thanks! I do have my trusted Shure 535’s with Comply tips, though. And the Sensaphonics are silicone, I think?

But I have a set of old Westone molded plugs that these may be good for. I’m going to try this product out with the plugs.

 

[scubaduba]

Wow so JH that @Joe Nerve ordered and Sensaphonics that @The Diaper Geni ordered don’t seal well. I assume both had molds made from reputable audiologists. I wonder what percentage of people have to have their IEM’s reworked (regardless of IEM manufacturer).

 

[SLO Surfer]

My right monitor doesn't seal properly. I'm going to have to have it redone, and I have no idea how long that's going to take, nor what it will entail.

If I recall correctly, your first set of molds had to be redone as well. I highly recommend finding an audiologist on this map for your next mold(s).

 

[Geri O]

The guess is correct. Played tonight, and will be playing tomorrow and Sunday.

Sadly, the full, accurate review is going to have to wait. There are issues.

My right monitor doesn't seal properly. I'm going to have to have it redone, and I have no idea how long that's going to take, nor what it will entail. As for tonight though...

The left ear seals like nobody's business. I definitely get more isolation than with the foam tips, but it was hard to get a consistent level/balance with the right not sitting correctly. Every now and then it would kinda go into place and sound great, but for most of the night it was a bust. I think I had them too loud, also, to compensate for when it was popping out of place.

Sooooo... the few times they sat properly it sounded pretty awesome. All the instruments had their own space and were very clear and defined. I liked that... but my ears are presently ringing like crazy, and I'm starting to get concerned. I have the fear that my live musician days might be coming to an end, if I want to hold onto the hearing I have left. Its getting pretty bad.

Right now, honestly, I'm not sure the difference between these and my other monitors were worth the $1300 investment, but I'm going to hold off on saying that for certain. I want to get the right one properly fitted, and get a little more used to them.

Wish I could say more, but that's the best I've got.

Monday I contact JH and see what happens. Tomorrow I fiddle with them a little more. There were no horns or extra monitor tonight. Not sure yet what's in store tomorrow.

I'll be back!

That really is a bummer….

You might give these things a try. My 64 Audio Quads weren’t sealing so well, but I didn’t want to wait another month or so getting them redone. So the tech at 64 Audio suggested these Comply Comfort Strips and I’ve used them ever since. Easy solution that worked for me. I get them from Amazon

However, the molds should fit properly.

https://www.complyfoam.com/products/soft-wraps

 

[jad]

Joe, sorry to hear that the fit needs to be tweaked. I'm waiting for delivery of a set of Alclairs. I've grown pretty frustrated with universals coming loose all the time. It seems like I'm constantly jamming them back in my ears. I've tried a wide variety of comply and silicone tips. My audiologist took 2 sets of impressions, both of which I sent in. One impression had a slight void in the outer ear. I'm hoping that by sending in a couple of examples I get a good fit first time, but I suppose I should be prepared for a little back and forth if necessary.

 

[scubaduba]

@jad What model did you order?

 

[jad]

@jad What model did you order?

Tours. Using universals has taught me that I’m not super picky about how my IEMs sound for live gigs. One of my personal guiding principles is that being in a band has to pay for itself, and I don’t want to sink 10 gigs of income into expensive IEMs, so I’m compromising a bit.

 

[s0c9]

I had The Wife push on them while I had them inserted and I was like "WOW! THIS is how I imagined them working!!"
.
.
I did everything correctly and the products do not work as they should. Hopefully it'll all get sorted out.

No offense intended, but these kind of comments (the bolded part) give folks the wrong impression about IEM's and those who make them. The vendors reputation is based on them working properly, and all they have to go on is your ear impressions.

This is NOT YOUR FAULT!!

"impression" being the key word here, as your OP about lack of seal indicates the audiologist didn't make good/perfect impressions! Wife pushing on them tells me the impressions did not cover the 2nd bend in the canal.
Based on my experience this goes back to the old computer adage.. "garbage in, garbage out".
If the impressions don't CLOSELY match your actual ear structure, they are NOT going to fit properly. Maybe one ear impression was good, the other not? idk.
But nothing JH, 64Audio, Alclair, Alien Earz or any other vendor can do will fix that, UNTIL you TRY them.

I've seen (and read) numerous instances (over the last 10 yrs of being IEM) where refits were required and every single instance was due to poor impressions.
That is NOT your fault nor the vendors!
No-one who gets impressions made can tell if they are a perfect replica of their canals.
You rely on the audiologist and their experience.
I guess I've been lucky with the sets I have had made.. going to an audiologist used by a mega-church! idk. But I've only had a problem with my 1st set (different audiologist), none with the rest!

Looks like a refit is needed (or use @Geri O's suggestion).
Hopefully, you WILL get it all sorted out soon.

Best of luck with it.
Keep us posted pls!

 

[JRA]

I have the fear that my live musician days might be coming to an end, if I want to hold onto the hearing I have left. Its getting pretty bad.

yikes --- hang in, joe!

the few times they sat properly it sounded pretty awesome.

to me, that would be a good sign, i.e., if one ear is good-to-go all i'd need to do is get the other (R) seal issue fixed. @s0c9 has it right, joe.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

No offense intended, but these kind of comments (the bolded part) give folks the wrong impression about IEM's and those who make them. The vendors reputation is based on them working properly, and all they have to go on is your ear impressions.

This is NOT YOUR FAULT!!

"impression" being the key word here, as your OP about lack of seal indicates the audiologist didn't make good/perfect impressions! Wife pushing on them tells me the impressions did not cover the 2nd bend in the canal.
Based on my experience this goes back to the old computer adage.. "garbage in, garbage out".
If the impressions don't CLOSELY match your actual ear structure, they are NOT going to fit properly. Maybe one ear impression was good, the other not? idk.
But nothing JH, 64Audio, Alclair, Alien Earz or any other vendor can do will fix that, UNTIL you TRY them.

I've seen (and read) numerous instances (over the last 10 yrs of being IEM) where refits were required and every single instance was due to poor impressions.
That is NOT your fault nor the vendors!
No-one who gets impressions made can tell if they are a perfect replica of their canals.
You rely on the audiologist and their experience.
I guess I've been lucky with the sets I have had made.. going to an audiologist used by a mega-church! idk. But I've only had a problem with my 1st set (different audiologist), none with the rest!

Looks like a refit is needed (or use @Geri O's suggestion).
Hopefully, you WILL get it all sorted out soon.

Best of luck with it.
Keep us posted pls!

Good points. I went to a Central Ohio branch of a North East Ohio audiologist listed on the manufacturers site. The CO audiologist had contacted the NE branch listed on the site and had gotten instructions/tips on getting a good impression for the manufacturer. And the mold went past the second bend, according to the audiologist.

I hope you are correct an do all that is needed is another impression. And time. And patience.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

No offense intended, but these kind of comments (the bolded part) give folks the wrong impression about IEM's and those who make them. The vendors reputation is based on them working properly, and all they have to go on is your ear impressions.

This is NOT YOUR FAULT!!

"impression" being the key word here, as your OP about lack of seal indicates the audiologist didn't make good/perfect impressions! Wife pushing on them tells me the impressions did not cover the 2nd bend in the canal.
Based on my experience this goes back to the old computer adage.. "garbage in, garbage out".
If the impressions don't CLOSELY match your actual ear structure, they are NOT going to fit properly. Maybe one ear impression was good, the other not? idk.
But nothing JH, 64Audio, Alclair, Alien Earz or any other vendor can do will fix that, UNTIL you TRY them.

I've seen (and read) numerous instances (over the last 10 yrs of being IEM) where refits were required and every single instance was due to poor impressions.
That is NOT your fault nor the vendors!
No-one who gets impressions made can tell if they are a perfect replica of their canals.
You rely on the audiologist and their experience.
I guess I've been lucky with the sets I have had made.. going to an audiologist used by a mega-church! idk. But I've only had a problem with my 1st set (different audiologist), none with the rest!

Looks like a refit is needed (or use @Geri O's suggestion).
Hopefully, you WILL get it all sorted out soon.

Best of luck with it.
Keep us posted pls!

Also it’s my intention to bash the manufacturer. They have LOTS of satisfied users and the brief moment I heard how (I imagine) they should sound, they sounded incredible.

But it is frustrating to research and follow, as best one can, the instructions provided by the manufacturer and have it come up short.

 

[KJMO]

Wow so JH that @Joe Nerve ordered and Sensaphonics that @The Diaper Geni ordered don’t seal well. I assume both had molds made from reputable audiologists. I wonder what percentage of people have to have their IEM’s reworked (regardless of IEM manufacturer).

It's just like everything else: you have to be a good consumer. There is only one audiologist in my area that does a good job, but many who do it. Most of my band has Sensaphonics, and they are very happy with them. Two used the sleaves for their Shure in-ears, but everyone is happy with them. Enough, that I'll probably do the same here soon. Total cost was only around 250 (audiologist and sensaphonic), so that's not bad at all. I would just use my shure se425's as I'm happy with the sound I get from those (and they are durable). Like people have said though, seal is the deal. You have to be able to turn your IEMs down relatively low, or they aren't working.
All said though, hours of monitoring even at moderate levels are going to take it's toll. You have to figure out your own cost/benefit analysis to decide what's worth it. I'm currently trying to make it until I die on what I have left, and who knows if I'll make it. But if you don't use your ears for anything you enjoy, why have them? Actually, my whole body is like that right now. I'm down to my reserve tank and I can't even see the gas station yet.