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How To Make Custom Silicone Ear Molds for Your IEMs

Rope

Well-Known Member
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:text-link:

Radians

For those into shooting sports, these are the ultimate for hearing protection, and if you desire, you can add a baffle that will filter out high energy noise (gun blast) but will allow you to hear what people are saying about you shitty shooting. :text-lol:

Rope
 
Wish I'd seen that five years ago. My band had gone to in-ear monitors, mine were okay but were universal, and every time I smiled I'd break the seal (and with my last band, I smiled a lot!) Custom IEMs, at that time, were around $700 and I never took the plunge. :text-goodpost:
 
From 1988 through 1996, I shot trap and sporting clays like a mad man. In fact in the 1992/1993 trap year, I shot 18,600 registered targets. During that period of time, audiologists would attend larger trap meets and sporting clay events. Some were actual participants, and would offer fellow shooters discount prices for custom made hearing protection. I paid $280.00 for a custom fit baffled set, best money I ever spent, well, except for the Antonio Zoli shot gun I picked up from a shooter in need.

The secret to making the molded ear inserts fit correctly and not break seal, is by keeping your mouth open while inserting the silicon material in your ear and have it remain open until they cure. Then when you smile, laugh, or talk the seal will remain intact, when your mouth is closed, the fit is snug.

Rope
 
Keep mouth open for 10 minutes. Fun.

I didn't look at how much the Radian is but I'm afraid. If not too much I might consider.

For work I'm content with silicone plugs or full size. Even my Etymotic ER4 make great plugs with the benefit of music.

Etymotic makes some fancy models but I have no idea of their value.

http://www.etymotic.com/hp/#
 
GreatDane said:
Keep mouth open for 10 minutes. Fun.

I didn't look at how much the Radian is but I'm afraid. If not too much I might consider.

For work I'm content with silicone plugs or full size. Even my Etymotic ER4 make great plugs with the benefit of music.

Etymotic makes some fancy models but I have no idea of their value.

http://www.etymotic.com/hp/#

Females find them easy to mold.


Price

Rope
 
I just ordered some TAN ear mold material. I want to try this.

The only reason I haven't had professional molds made is the time it takes to get them done. I had them back in my music making days and LOVED them. But the new IEMs have that good squishy foam inserts which is 80% as good as a true custom mold. So I just put off getting custom molds made. I can do this while watching TV.
 
Flint said:
But the new IEMs have that good squishy foam inserts which is 80% as good as a true custom mold.
Are you referring to the Comply foam tips?
 
Not that brand. I use the Shure "Soft Flex" foam sleeves - size M, to be exact.

I have used the Comply models, but I prefer the Shure style as it is smoother and they tend to last longer. Everyone is different, though. I heard from one live sound engineer with decades of experience his view that what works best for people is more about how they generate ear wax than the shape of their ears. He also thinks the amount of influence the position of one's jaw has on the shape of the ear canal is also a cause of the extreme variation of users' taste in IEM sleeves. But, he said that only a very few number of people don't like the customer silicon molds.
 
Rope said:
GreatDane said:
Keep mouth open for 10 minutes. Fun.

I didn't look at how much the Radian is but I'm afraid. If not too much I might consider.

For work I'm content with silicone plugs or full size. Even my Etymotic ER4 make great plugs with the benefit of music.

Etymotic makes some fancy models but I have no idea of their value.

http://www.etymotic.com/hp/#

Females find them easy to mold.


Price

Rope

Hot damn, 8 bucks. Much less than I expected
 
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