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pccisfubar
60
Nov 2, 2017
I have some (now discontinued) UE TripleFi 10s that I had re-shelled as CIEM's. Those things are 15 years old and still my go-to IEMs as far as sound quality, resolution and isolation. They are triple drivers, so this one adds an extra bass driver. A quick search at Head-Fi shows folks selling these used for more than this drop price. I need another set of IEM's like I need a hole in my head, but I'm considering grabbing them and having them on stand-by for if/when my CIEMs finally crash.
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clarkkent
103
Nov 2, 2017
pccisfubarThat reminds me, I have a set of TF-10 that I don't use often, because they don't fit my ears well. I read a little about reshelling but forgot about it until now. Where did you get yours done at?
pccisfubar
60
Nov 2, 2017
clarkkentFischer Audio in Florida.... Sarasota I think.... you'll have to get your molds done at an audiologist and then send everything in. I got it on a group-buy with Head-Fi long time ago.
clarkkent
103
Nov 2, 2017
pccisfubarI think I read the thread about the group buy. Thanks for the info, I'll take a look!
pccisfubar
60
Nov 2, 2017
clarkkentYou'll have to search back around mid 2000's. Like I said, it was some time ago!
hernandoco
242
Nov 2, 2017
pccisfubar+1 to this. I had a TF10 laying around that I decided to reshell. I also went with Fischer. I believe they are also known and currently known as Inearz. Turn out great the first time around. Didn't need to send back for any additional adjustments. It just fit and sounded great.
I suggest using their detachable cable system instead of using your existing cable and having them retrofit it into their mold. My cable is pretty loose and I wish I had gone with their cable. My coworker went with their cable and the connection is solid and feels a lot less fragile then my setup. Although, I've never ran into issues so far *knock on wood*.
pccisfubar
60
Nov 4, 2017
hernandocoYeah, they did a great job on mine as well. No fitment issues at all, and the most clear acrylic anyone has ever seen.... absolutely no air bubbles in the molding at all. Also had a set of SuperFi 5's re-shelled for my wife during the same group buy, but she didn't like the way her's fit and we never got around to getting them refit during the grace period. She will still wear them on occasion, just not for long periods of time.
I had them replace the sockets (can't remember if the cable was detachable in original format) but didn't have them recessed (wish I had done). I've tried a Westone cable, a custom Starlight by BGT Audio and recently AAW Capri that is a lightning cable with built in DAC/Amp specifically for iPhone use (from one of the other crowdfunding sites) The Capri has slightly thicker pins, so I don't think I'll be able to go back to the other cables now, but haven't really tried it, as they were starting to get loose anyway (again why I would have them recess the sockets on next go round)
Thanks for the update on the company name, though. May have them re-shell these whenever we get them in.
Siggystyle
34
Nov 4, 2017
hernandocoI am currently using my Trip-Fi10s, and a hold over while my SE535LTDs are on their way back for warranty "re-shelling" (after about 18mos of CONTINUED VAST usage, the left IEM adhesive just gave)... The shell just gently split right in half when I tried to remove from my ear last week... Freaked me out... The sound and everything was still great, and all internals were unscathed, even the shells look flawless, but they just came apart... Anyway, I haven't heard back from Shure to even know that they were received yet, so still waiting to see what the story is on what could have happened... My TF10s have always sounded great, but I am not a fan of how bulky they are and switched to the Shure line about 3 sets of IEMs ago (all Shure sets), and kept these on backup for when any particular set fails or need work done (or even while awaiting a new set)... I am not very knowledgeable in the "custom" arena, but I didnt even know that it was possible to re-shell the TripFi10s, and especially into an IEM that would fit into the ear so well... What is the ballpark pricing for such a procedure (including the molds/services/labor/shipping)?? And are there any particular suggestions to keep in mind to make the TripFi10s even better sounding and/or fitting that I should pay special attention to, or maybe options to elect for in process, given your experiences?? What is the current specialist company that you suggest to perform this service again (current name for looking up and inquiry)?? I appreciate any help on this as I would live to use this set on as my IEMs on a more regular basis, and use until my SE535LTDs are returned (and even then, I would like to have a couple pair to utilize for certain listening experiences)!! Thanks again in advance for any advice!!
pccisfubar
60
Nov 5, 2017
SiggystyleYou can look up the topic at Head-Fi.org and get more info there than you could possibly want. Pretty much any BA type IEM could potentially be re shelled because all they are doing is taking the guts out (like you saw in your cracked Shures) and putting them in a different housing that is baed on a custom mold of your ear. The sound doesn't change other than you will be getting much greater isolation than is possible with foam or silicone or whatever type tips you prefer on a universal IEM.
That said, the most important thing to do is get good molds. Any audiologist or office that makes hearing aids should be able to do the work and whichever company you chose to do the re shell will likely have instructions on how they want the molds to be. They may even have a list of shops in your area that they want you to use.
The only couple of pearls I can add to the mold process is, first, don't go get the molds if you're sick, have an ear infection, or anything where your ears aren't normal because of swelling. Your CIEM's will be too loose when the swelling goes down and you will have wasted money.
Second, some of the audiologists will take the molds with a bite block in between your teeth because the shape of your inner ear canal changes when you open your jaw (just stick your fingers in your ears and open and close your mouth and you'll feel what I mean.) That's a great start, but my guy had me open my jaw as wide as possible and then move my jaw left and right, open, close, basically acting like Jim Carrey for 30 seconds while the silicone set. (stick your fingers in your ears again and try it that way and you'll feel the difference there, too) That made the part that actually goes into your ear canal a bit smaller than it would have been if I'd just used a bite block, so it is much more comfortable in the real world. You still get plenty of sound isolation because the rest of the mold is shaped to match the rest of your ear.
You'll have to call around on prices - I think our molds were around $100 and the group buy on the re shell service was also about that, so you're adding at least another $200 to the price of whatever your IEM's cost you. Not cheap, but if you've got a $400 set of IEMs that you love but that you can't even use because the casing is broken, then its not such a bad deal. Also, if you have a bunch of them that you'd like done, you can use the same molds for all of them and maybe even work out a discount by having multiple IEM's done at once.
Siggystyle
34
Nov 5, 2017
pccisfubarGreat advice and suggestions... I will certainly move forward to figure out how to do this with my TripFi10s and depending on how the SE535LTDs come back, possibly look into those as well (to prevent that cracked shell issue from happening again, and creating better sound isolation)... That said, I wear my IEMs A LOT and for VERY long periods of time sometimes... I always thought that the foam tips would provide the most comfort possible... Are you stating that the custom molds will provide better all day comfort as well?? Given a proper mold of course??
pccisfubar
60
Nov 5, 2017
SiggystyleThey do for me, but I don't wear anything that long... a few hours tops. But in those few hours, the CIEM's are far superior from a comfort standpoint than any other IEM's I have. The only real drawback is that the seal is so good, you'll have to remove one to hold a conversation with someone, so they aren't ideal if you'll be in an interactive setting. And because they sit flush in your ear, the only real way to get them out is to use the cable, which is why I'd suggest getting recessed sockets so that there is less strain over time at the pins than on a non-recessed socket like I have. MMCX connectors are different and may be more sturdy in that regard provided the cables you want come with that style termination. Best of luck.
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