Recommended custom in ear phones?

[MP1968]

Am considering whether to shell out for custom in ear phones, budget up to £600. Does anyone have any experience of these, any recommended brands, etc.? I'm finding it difficult to find reviews on the web.

Possible manufacturers appear to include ACS, Sleek Audio, Unique Melody, 1964 Ears, JH Audio. For ease of ordering a British company may be better? I'm in the UK.

These will be used for listening to my iPod on the move, mostly on trains. I may decide to add a portable amplifier (like a Fiio): any advice on these would also be appreciated, as there are a number of different types.

Are custom in ears really worth it for this type of listening, compared to 'standard' ones like the Grado GR10 or Sony XBA-4iP?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[andrew_cawood]

This is a useful reference point, they mention the Westone ES5s and Ultimate Ears and also cover a few amps specifically for IEMs

http://www.head-fi.org/a/2012-head-fi-holiday-gift-guide-in-ear

Would love to go this route when funds allow, let us know how you get on....

 

[mykspence]

Are custom in ears really worth it for this type of listening, compared to 'standard' ones like the Grado GR10 or Sony XBA-4iP?

Many thanks for your help.

If you're not sure about splashing out on the top line iem's, have you considered custom sleeves for Senn IE8, Klipsch etc? IME IE8 are mediocre in ears, but with ACS custom sleeves they became exceptional at an all in cost of less than £300. As a bonus there's no need for an amp when used with my iTouch, until someone makes one that takes a digi signal from the 30pin connector maybe.

"To complete this form, please complete the word verification below." Seriously? Sick of this BS now! SORT IT OUT!

 

[Jason36]

Am considering whether to shell out for custom in ear phones, budget up to £600. Does anyone have any experience of these, any recommended brands, etc.? I'm finding it difficult to find reviews on the web.

Possible manufacturers appear to include ACS, Sleek Audio, Unique Melody, 1964 Ears, JH Audio. For ease of ordering a British company may be better? I'm in the UK.

These will be used for listening to my iPod on the move, mostly on trains. I may decide to add a portable amplifier (like a Fiio): any advice on these would also be appreciated, as there are a number of different types.

Are custom in ears really worth it for this type of listening, compared to 'standard' ones like the Grado GR10 or Sony XBA-4iP?

Many thanks for your help.

I asked this question myself on here a while back and got very few responses.........personally I would say that Custom IEM's are good if you want an excellent fit (I always struggle with fit on universal IEM's) and better sound isolation (meaning that you don't need to have the music so loud). Most of the brands you have mentioned above are reputable and offer excellent products.....you will also need to decided however whether you want single driver, dual drivers, triple drivers, quad drivers etc etc.

Most Custome IEM's will be able to be driven adequately directly out of an iPod / iPhone or other portable device, however they do tend to benefit from additional amping (I find that my 4.Ai have a better soundstage and bass sponge when amped)

Another brand to look into is Heir Audio.....they are a fairly new company but are producing some excellent products. they also offer two universal IEM's based on their custom models, the 4.Ai and 3.Ai (have a look at one of my previous threads on here....."the heir 4.ai have landed"

Also for lots more advice and pictures have a look at www.head-fi.com. There are a lot of guys on there that use and own custom IEM's and also lots of reviews on most of the makes you have mentioned.

Jason