Saraband
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2017
- Posts
- 31
- Likes
- 29
I received my U18s yesterday. First of all, I want to thank all the contributors to this thread. It's been really informative for me, and having never heard any of the newer TOTL IEMs, the impressions everyone has shared have been invaluable in helping me make my decision. I think I'm still adjusting to the U18. The sound is so transparent and pinpoint accurate, it's kind of shocking. My previous earphones are the w3, w30, and SE846, so this is a huge step up for me.
I'm having some issues with the fit, however, and that's been frustrating. I've never had problems with universals, so this is surprising, especially since most of what I've read has been very positive about the ergonomics. For all my previous IEMs, I'd just use whatever medium silicone tips I had, and I never gave it a second thought. For the U18 though, none of the stock silicones nor SpinFits have come close. I can't get a seal, and the U18s practically fall out of my ears. I've never liked foam, but the tips that come in the package (I believe they're Comply?) are the best so far. They're pretty comfortable, and the isolation is very good but falls short of great. The sound is really unbelievable with them on, and the bass really comes alive and starts to growl. I also have a set of Symbio tips (normal bore), and they're a distant second to the comfort and isolation of the Complys, but still much better than any of the pure silicones. I have a set of Symbio wide bores coming any day, so perhaps they will work a little better. I suppose what I don't like about the Complys is that they don't seem durable and they're always deforming and gathering dirt/wax, but maybe I just have to accept that going forward I might be a foam person.
In addition to the tips, I think the U18 housing is also a little uncomfortable. I'm hopeful that my ears will adjust though. At first, the SE846 felt too big, and I didn't like the way they seemed to force my ears open, but over time I became used to how they felt, and eventually, they became easily as comfortable as my Westones. I also think that the fact that they were a little fatter helped with the isolation. The U18s, however, lack the more organic/bulbous shape of the SE846, and that has been a little irritating.
Anyway, I'm still hopeful, and I have a few questions about tips. I think that if the Symbios protruded a little farther out, they might work very well. Has anyone had luck with adding a little ring at the base of the stem to prevent them from being pushed all the way down? I think I could, for example, cut a little ring out of the center of the SpinFits, but I'm not sure how I'd do this. With an Exacto knife? Also, can anyone recommend silicones that are taller than SpinFits? I'd use my Westones, but the stem of the U18 is too wide.
Thanks!
I'm having some issues with the fit, however, and that's been frustrating. I've never had problems with universals, so this is surprising, especially since most of what I've read has been very positive about the ergonomics. For all my previous IEMs, I'd just use whatever medium silicone tips I had, and I never gave it a second thought. For the U18 though, none of the stock silicones nor SpinFits have come close. I can't get a seal, and the U18s practically fall out of my ears. I've never liked foam, but the tips that come in the package (I believe they're Comply?) are the best so far. They're pretty comfortable, and the isolation is very good but falls short of great. The sound is really unbelievable with them on, and the bass really comes alive and starts to growl. I also have a set of Symbio tips (normal bore), and they're a distant second to the comfort and isolation of the Complys, but still much better than any of the pure silicones. I have a set of Symbio wide bores coming any day, so perhaps they will work a little better. I suppose what I don't like about the Complys is that they don't seem durable and they're always deforming and gathering dirt/wax, but maybe I just have to accept that going forward I might be a foam person.
In addition to the tips, I think the U18 housing is also a little uncomfortable. I'm hopeful that my ears will adjust though. At first, the SE846 felt too big, and I didn't like the way they seemed to force my ears open, but over time I became used to how they felt, and eventually, they became easily as comfortable as my Westones. I also think that the fact that they were a little fatter helped with the isolation. The U18s, however, lack the more organic/bulbous shape of the SE846, and that has been a little irritating.
Anyway, I'm still hopeful, and I have a few questions about tips. I think that if the Symbios protruded a little farther out, they might work very well. Has anyone had luck with adding a little ring at the base of the stem to prevent them from being pushed all the way down? I think I could, for example, cut a little ring out of the center of the SpinFits, but I'm not sure how I'd do this. With an Exacto knife? Also, can anyone recommend silicones that are taller than SpinFits? I'd use my Westones, but the stem of the U18 is too wide.
Thanks!
