Sound isolating headphones (in ear)

[Domomojo]

Hi,

I am looking for good sound isolating headphones.
The quality of sound is not so much an issue. My priority
is a high level of isolation. I ride the NYC subway everyday so
I need headphones that block the deafening sound of screeching
train brakes. I am aware of the Shure and Etymotic models but
before I spend that much money I purchased the lower end
Sony EX51LP which seemed similar to the Shure models.

Although the Sony EX51LP work somewhat they don't block noise
at an acceptable level. Does the ear plug like "baffle" design
of the Etymotic provide a higher dB reduction? I have also found
these "microbuds" at http://www.sensorcom.com/.
Perhaps their "silicon eartips"
http://www.sensorcom.com/productdetail.asp?ID=179
would fit on the Sony headphones?

I know of the need to insert these type of in-ear monitors in a proper
fashion. I am inserting the Sony's properly, but the noise still
gets through. Is there any in-ear type headphone that gives the same
level of isolation as a good ear plug?

Also, has anyone had the custom ear tips made by getting a mold taken
by an audiologist?

Thanks!
D

[Todd H.]

"Domomojo" > writes:

> Also, has anyone had the custom ear tips made by getting a mold taken
> by an audiologist?

I have custom earplugs documented here--the process is identical for
getting custom molds for in-ear systems:
http://toddh.net/music/ear/

and what's more that a set of custom molds is remarkably cheap--like
$60 a pair.

The Shure E1 and E5 in-ear headphones are ones to check out. The E5
is very very good, but pricey. Etymotic sells some too that are
reportedly excellent. http://etymotic.com/

I need to get round to getting some myself...

Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice."

[Arny Krueger]

"Domomojo" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I am looking for good sound isolating headphones.
> The quality of sound is not so much an issue. My priority
> is a high level of isolation. I ride the NYC subway
everyday so
> I need headphones that block the deafening sound of
screeching
> train brakes. I am aware of the Shure and Etymotic models
but
> before I spend that much money I purchased the lower end
> Sony EX51LP which seemed similar to the Shure models.
>
> Although the Sony EX51LP work somewhat they don't block
noise
> at an acceptable level.

How is the bass? If the bass is a little thin, then maybe
you aren't getting a good enough seal around the tips, and
you need to use a larger tip.

> Does the ear plug like "baffle" design
> of the Etymotic provide a higher dB reduction?

I don't think so.

>I have also found
> these "microbuds" at http://www.sensorcom.com/.
> Perhaps their "silicon eartips"
> http://www.sensorcom.com/productdetail.asp?ID=179
> would fit on the Sony headphones?

Perhaps.

> I know of the need to insert these type of in-ear monitors
in a proper
> fashion. I am inserting the Sony's properly, but the noise
still
> gets through. Is there any in-ear type headphone that
gives the same
> level of isolation as a good ear plug?

You can get something like 20 dB of noise reduction with
earphones. If you're riding the subway and your ears are
sensitive, this may not be enough. The next step might be to
wear conventional headphone-type hearing protectors over
your earphones.

> Also, has anyone had the custom ear tips made by getting a
mold taken
> by an audiologist?

[B. Peg]

> "Domomojo" wrote:
> Although the Sony EX51LP work somewhat they don't block noise
> at an acceptable level. Does the ear plug like "baffle" design
> of the Etymotic provide a higher dB reduction? I have also found
> these "microbuds" at http://www.sensorcom.com/.
> Perhaps their "silicon eartips"
> http://www.sensorcom.com/productdetail.asp?ID=179
> would fit on the Sony headphones?

I had some made by Sensaphonic's that worked well for my Etymotic's.
However, they only sit deep in the ear canal and do not block ambient sound
as well as the larger musician-type ear monitor's that also cover the outer
helix of the ear, imho.

> Is there any in-ear type headphone that gives the same level of isolation
> as a good ear plug?

You might want to try something like the Westone's made for motorcyclist's.
http://www.westone.com/mh1.html. Mine seem to have a sound similar to the
Shure's, but you'll need an impression for them to be made. Mine are the
Westone's RM-1's (not on their website), which was a special design by the
outfitter who claims they are a Chinese version of the Shure receiver
("receiver" is what audiologist's call the "driver," fwiw). Sound is pretty
good and you cannot hear someone talking to you with them in if the fit is
correct. I also had great success in getting them serviced by Westone as
well (they actually answer their e-mails and may even call you!). No
complaints with the Westone's.

> Also, has anyone had the custom ear tips made by getting a mold taken by
> an audiologist?

This one is up for debate. I've had impressions in my town quoted from $15
up to $300 (!?) for a pair of silicon impressions that are to be mailed off
in a box. I'd call your audiologist first and explain what you are doing
and get an estimate for the impressions. There is also the
open-mouth-verses-closed-mouth argument going on as to making the
impressions. As mentioned, I had some made for the Etymotic's and they
spiraled in and fit really well (I needed a vinyl adapter insert from
Etymotic's to make them fit tight). They never fell out accidentally.
Sound was improved above what the foamies and flanged sleeves they provided
sounded like (fwiw, I have a bent-ear canal that pinched off the Etymotic's
triple-flange ear plug so I needed to get the sleeves made). Unfortunately,
I lost the damn things as well as some other audio stuff I cannot find!
>:o(

I do have a pair of $750 Sensaphonic ProPhonic 2X dual-driver ear monitor's
that are 'supposedly' the cat's meow for comfort and sound (honestly, my
cheaper Westone's sound better to me as they seal pretty darn good so I can
listen to them at far lower volume levels, and they are now more comfortable
too although they have yellowed a bit over time as they are a soft acrylic).
However, I also got some off-line static from someone who had less than
stellar performance with the Sensa's as they leaked and sounded bad. Turned
out he said the audiologist blamed Sensaphonic's for trimming his impression
too much and there was a visa-versa argument that they weren't well done to
begin with. So both point their fingers at one another and the customer
loses so I cannot recommend the higher-end jobbies as it is pretty much a
double-bladed crap shoot. If a high-end phone doesn't fit, they are totally
worthless - and you already know that applies to the cheaper $20 phones as
well. As one mentioned in the Headwise audio-board forum, "If you can throw
away $800 for a pair of custom in-ears, then it shouldn't matter...much...if
they don't fit and you can discard them." Yeah. Maybe they'll redo them
once, but if that sequence fails, what are you left with?

Luckily, I have parents who both wear hearing aids. To look at all the
hearing aids in their collection makes me wonder how many thousands of
dollars they have invested in those things. Most complaints are "They don't
fit right" or "It never has worked right" -- and these are $3500 aids! One
audiologist told me, while I was getting impressions made, that the human
head constantly changes shape and aids become ill-fitting in a couple of
years or so anyhow. So may your $700 canal phones! Another complaint,
although I haven't experienced it personally, was that the in-ears can
crackle due to sweat getting in them. Luckily, hearing aid shops sell
driers of various types to alleviate that problem if you have sweaty ears
during the summer months.

Fwiw, there are triple-driver, er..receiver, in-ear units appearing,
although at higher prices.
http://www.westone.com/music/elite.html#es3 and I think Ultimate Ears has
one as well. Before I'd drop that much cash, I'd consider flying to the
joint and guaranteeing them to fit - and work well - before I left. You
cannot get your money back on customs. Also, the "Client List" on the
Ultimate Ears website is pretty impressive (so is Sensaphonic's), but if you
look at the address for Ultimate Ears they are located in Las Vegas and no
doubt the people on their list have performed there as well. Go figger.

Aside, I do see that Siemen's is coming out with an in-ear laser scanner
that allows people in the hearing aid profession to get more accurate molds
made for aids. Maybe that will spill off into the musician and audiophile
in-ear monitors as well. Hope so.

Good luck! (and it is too)

B~

[Domomojo]

Thanks for the reply everyone. Todd, your website was very informative.
I appreciate the long reply B. Peg.

Have a good day.
D.