Iem tip rolling / tip advice thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by rhythmdevils, Jun 11, 2020.

  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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  2. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    How resilient are they? The Azla crystals are too resilient to have a snug fit for their big size and the AE ones that RD linked above are too stiff to be comfortable, somewhere between the two would be perfect for me.

    I think the best way to find the perfect fitting tip is to get every one under the sun and compare them all side by side.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2022
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @nishan99 Hard for me to say, since I can’t get proper fit with L (too small) or XL (way too big) Spring tips. I do like that the material is of the tip is kind of a combination of traditional soft/pliable silicone tips but just slightly tacky feeling for grip.

    The Crystal tips remind me of the old Aurisonics Tru-Seal tips, which would hold really well until they heated up and started to temporarily deform and lose their tackiness. Since I can’t get the right fit with the Springs, I can’t say what happens over time when they heat up.
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I just found these super funky new Acoustune tips on MTMT Audio's website and bought them to try out.

    [​IMG]

    First impression is really good! They have very thin, flexible silicone that gives them a really comfortable fit, you almost can't feel them in your ears, and so far they hold better than Azla Crystal tips because they fit the contours of the ear canal better than a circular shape, and have a large surface area that creates suction, though it's never uncomfortable due to a seal.

    They almost feel more like a custom mold for universal iems. Which is something I've wanted.

    Highly recommended for people who are looking for tips to keep iems in their ears! We'll see how they work after some time though, often tips work great at first and then start to slip out. I'll report back after I use them for a while.

    they also have a very deep fit, down tuning the iems which is a plus since so many iems have treble peaks. these would be great tips for the CFA Ara. They're slightly darker and bassier than the Azla Crystal tips for reference.

    Praying that they keep this level of holding power....
     
  5. Tekker

    Tekker Facebook Friend

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    Not a fan of the JVC Spiral Dot ++. The material is stiffer than the regular Spiral Dot, and tends to vacuum seal than unseal, rather than keeping a consistant seal like the regular Spiral Dot.
     
  6. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    @Tekker
    Regular spiral dots, the originals, are the stiffer ones.

    Spiral dots + came with iems like FD01 and FDX1. They are gummy and soft. Even the stem is the same gummy and soft material. I do not believe you can buy these separately.

    Spiral dot ++ are the newer (relatively) version. They are same gummy soft material of + but have a stiffer silicone for the stem. In other words it should have a stem like the original and the rest of the tip like the +.

    I have all 3 kinds. So unless there is new versions that I haven’t read about, sounds like you have the originals.
     
  7. Tekker

    Tekker Facebook Friend

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    Nope. I have these. The material is clearly harder than my regular Spiral Dots, and they indeed have a stiffer blue stem as well.

    I don’t know why they are so crazy expensive, and you only get 2 sets. I consider this a loss for me, atleast I tried and now I know to stick with the regular Spiral Dots (FX9L)
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Tekker

    Tekker Facebook Friend

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    After more usage, the tips themselves are soft enough, but the stiff stem makes a soft, precise seal very hard with them
     
  9. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

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    As a headphone and speaker guy just getting into IEMs, I have a perhaps basic tip question:

    Is there any generalizable effect of the tip’s opening diameter on sound? For example, I’ve noticed that most 4mm-opening tips will fit a 5mm nozzle. Does that really matter in terms of sound? My only reference point is from headphones, where pads with larger or smaller openings can impact cup reverb, etc. Basically, is it worth making sure one matches sizes between nozzle and tip opening diameter, or if the tip fits is it fine?
     
  10. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    Reducing the diameter from 5mm down to 4mm won't have any noteworthy effect on sound. Technically, it's a reverse horn which is supposed to cut down on treble extension. But ime it's nothing to be concerned about with IEMs, unless you reduce the diameter more severely, e.g. from 5mm to 2mm.
     
  11. caute

    caute Lana Del Gayer than you

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    To preface this question, I know nothing about IEMs. Between the spiral dots, spinfits and Xelastec, which is best for the 7hz Timeless? Is it just about getting a proper seal or do one of the tips sound between with the Timeless? Or another brand?
     
  12. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    The Symbio W Peel work very well for me with the Timeless.

    With several IEMs I've found that stock tips work best. Most recently, after trying many tips with the Zen Pros, I'm finding the stock thin sticky rubbers do the best job.
     
  13. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Lots of things to consider with tips, and since each ear is different, it’s really hard to give recommendations for someone else’s anatomy.

    That being said, seal is the first priority. Housing shape, nozzle length and angle will all affect your ability to get a seal, so a tip that gives you great seal on one iem may not work so great on the next. Without a good seal, everything will be bright and really lean .

    After seal is depth of fit. If the iem has a bright peak, you might want to fit it deeper. This will move the resonance peak you are experiencing to be a little higher in frequency response and a little lower in amplitude. Longer shaped tips or double and triple flange can help with this Or simply putting a smaller tip on and pushing the iem deeper in the canal can work too.

    Lastly, also consider comfort. Typically softer tips are more comfortable but they can become so soft, they prevent you from achieving a good seal.
     
  14. Tekker

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    I’ve also noticed the transients going from rough to soft, if I fit my IEMs in different positions at the same depth..
     
  15. luckybaer

    luckybaer Friend

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    I’ve never been a fan of silicone tips. From the early days of my Shure ER4C to ATH-CK7, I never could achieve a good seal. I gravitated towards foam tips - Comply if I had to go aftermarket. They sealed well, were comfy, and stayed in.

    @rhythmdevils got me rethinking silicone tips, so I swapped foam for silicone on Kato and EDC3. I managed a good seal, and didn’t lose much in the low end, all while gaining a little more clarity and separation. The old adage about a good seal holds true. I’m lucky the silicone tips provided with those IEMs seal well. I’ll try foam with Blessing2 and Oracle MkII, but I will no longer assume silicone tips won’t work for me.
     
  16. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    So I recently picked up a set of used Andromedas, and wow I can see why these things are so well liked in the community. I had not given that much thought to tips with the FDX1s I was using previously, just find the right silicone size and enjoy. The Andros are waaay more sensitive to fit and positioning. I guess this is why custom fit IEMs are a thing.

    So I eventually have found foam tips seem to seal much better for me. Ordered some Comply T400s and am very happy with the fit now, but the only ones I could get have the "Tech Defender" or wax guard which definitely affects the sound. Wondering if anyone has any experience with removing that little membrane? Can I just push it out with something, or will it rip? If nobody has done this then I guess I will sacrifice a set in the name of research LOL.
     
  17. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Just use a pair of tweezers to pull out the ear wax guard, if so inclined. It will not go back, i.e., it is a destructive modification. Be sure to try some SpinFit CPxxx and Azla SednaEarFit Zelastec tips, as both of those are preferred to the Comply tips, IME.
     
  18. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    Thanks! Much appreciated. I already assumed it would be non-reversible in any case.

    If you had asked me a year ago my opinions about tip rolling I would have looked at you with a blank stare LOL. Live and learn eh.
     
  19. luckybaer

    luckybaer Friend

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    I'm beginning to appreciate silicone tips. I have found it worthwhile to try both silicone tips and foam tips with my IEMs, and I can't definitively recommend one material over the other. It is too dependent on the IEM - sound signature, probably nozzle diameter, and likely length of nozzle, too.

    @shotgunshane is spot on when he says it is hard to make a recommendation because there are so many variables, but in general, for my ear anatomy, I've found the foam tips to produce a more consistent seal, better isolation (likely due to the seal, maybe because of material?), and better low-end impact.

    Silicone tips are a slightly more comfortable for my ears - they don't push out on my ears - my ear canals must be pretty wimpy to get fatigued with foam tips! Silicone tips also brighten the sound - sometimes too much, but in some cases, a slight loss of low-end impact is a fair price for more perceived clarity and better high-end extension.
     
  20. Pyotr

    Pyotr Acquaintance

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    This is exactly my experience with foam tips, at least on the OG Andromeda. Foam tips provided better isolation and attenuated the sharp HF peaks, but at a loss of clarity and tightness, also tended to push them out over time, even if I was using a proper size. Stock silicone tips fit much more easily and provided a clearer and tighter sound, but at the expense of a somewhat harsher treble. I think that's why I love the Spiral Dots for OG Andro, provides a clear/tight sound while also attenuating the peaks slightly. It can still be a little sharp at loud volumes with compressed recordings, but still much more preferable to Comply/Marshmallow tips. Foams have never really fit me that well anyway, and it's annoying to have to compress it and hold it in my ear while waiting for it to expand and seal.

    But I agree it is highly dependent on the earphone shape and sound signature, and every ear is different, so that's why tip rolling is an annoying but necessary task with every new IEM so you can find the best tip that gives the best performance for your ears.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2022

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