MY IN-EAR JOURNEY : I ’ ve been using in-ears for a very long time . Over the years , I ’ ve had at least a half dozen versions from a handful of companies , some better than others . My story has been complicated because my ears move a lot . My Dad had a gift of wiggling his ears , and I ’ ve somehow inherited that gift , for better or worse . When I smile , my ears change shape . I ’ ve had a lot of custom molds made . Some with my mouth smiling big , but then they will hurt if I ’ m not smiling . I ’ m continually pushing in the molds to get them to seal for bass and sheer stage volume . My live playing has mostly been in arena settings , and it ’ s super loud on stage .
Also , in tracking sessions in the room with the drummer , it can get painfully loud after many hours . I ’ ve always wanted to reduce the volume since my hearing is very sensitive . I ’ m also a recording engineer and must protect my hearing . I ’ ve had countless headaches from molds that didn ’ t fit correctly , and many times , I had to have them re-done several times . It ’ s not an uncommon issue because the manufacturer depends on the audiologist or sales rep to make the impressions . Also , our ears constantly change over time and are even stretched by the earbuds themselves . One well-respected company kindly did its best to help me , over and over , and I always felt awful when I had to tell them they still weren ’ t sealing correctly for me . Eventually , as a professional , you just do your best . I found these soft Band-Aid-like things called “ Comply Foam Soft Wraps .”
You can wrap them around the shell to make a tighter fit . They mostly last for one day or so and then fall off . They can get expensive but will do the job . I also know guys who have taken the universal fit foam , stretched and wrapped it around the shell somehow . Fortunately , there are other solutions out there .
SENSAPHONICS : Sensaphonics was one of the original in-ear companies in the business . They came up with the unique idea of making flexible silicone molds . With my wiggly ears , I ’ ve found soft silicone in-ear monitors far superior to hard-shell molds . They can go deeper into the ear canal because they are flexible . That also gives a better chance for a complete seal . They also require fewer drivers due to how well they seal . The competition making hard-shell molds tells you that if silicone molds break , they must be replaced and can ’ t be repaired . Indeed , they aren ’ t glued together like hard-shell molds . You can usually send those in and have a driver replaced and have the shell glued back together . You can ’ t do that with silicone . That was a concern of mine as well .
However , I have been using a silicone pair many hours a week for five years . They still work , but I ’ ve recently lost some high-end due to constant moisture and got a new pair . Still , that ’ s a terrific long run for in-ears . They ’ re an excellent choice for people like me , whose ears and jaws move a lot . They typically run about $ 1,000.00 for their most popular model . Their advanced monitoring with a built-in microphone for audience response can run about $ 2,500.00 . Fortunately , Sensaphonics also makes sleeves for generic earbuds . They have versions that fit ASI Audio , Shure , Etymotic , and Apple Air Pod and Air Pod Pro . These will take your generics to the next level of fit and seal . There is more bass response and a snug fit . I got a pair for the plane or a backup , just in case .
TAKEAWAY : Most in-ear manufacturers are making hard molds . They are generally durable and work well for most people . Sensaphonics makes silicone molds . The generic molds for the above companies make a big difference . I noticed they do a better job of sealing and also don ’ t fall out as easily as generics can . I went with the Shure SE 425 monitors at Sweetwater . They sell for $ 269.00 . I then had Sensaphonics make me a pair of sleeves for that model . Those sell for $ 175.00 . For less than $ 500.00 you can get custom-molded sleeves and earbuds . If you break your Shure monitors , it ’ s an easy fix . If you have wiggly ears , this could be the answer for you . It ’ s an excellent upgrade for any of the generic models mentioned above .
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