[64Audio]

hey folks, new to head-fi here as I was told it's better to ask in this official 64 audio thread than to expect an answer from the company email

I'm new to the world of custom IEMs and am trying to do as much research as possible since I can't backtrack and resell or return if it doesn't end up working for me (plus they cost a fair amount). My question is around occlusion and the apex module. I've searched this thread for "occlusion" and didn't really come up with any answers that gave me confidence either way.

TLDR: does anyone here have custom 64 audio IEMs (I'm looking at A3e) and is a vocalist/podcaster/live streamer/anyone that speaks a lot into a microphone while monitoring and how much do the apex modules help with occlusion? Would there be differences between modules? ie. using an mX over an m20?

More context... I love wearing IEMs way more than headphones and I work from home but I talk all day for my work. In my spare time I like to do a bit of singing as well but nothing professional whatsoever... just have a mic and an app, so I don't have any of the tools or knowledge to do anything fancy to mitigate the occlusion effect.

I recently bought a pair of open back headphones, which functionally gives me everything I need, albeit monitoring my voice became more of simply listening to my voice through the acoustics of the small room I'm in rather than monitoring through the cans. Then I remembered in my research that some people had said getting custom IEMs could help, since the fit would be perfect... and as an additional step beyond that, I was wondering if the apex modules would act sort of like open back headphones but for IEMs (I've read posts here saying that is NOT how much ambient noise they let in nor do I expect or want it to). But I don't know enough about the physics to know if even letting in SOME ambient noise is enough to relieve the occlusion effect, or if that's not how the filter works...

Thanks in advance for all the help!!

definitely noticeable improvement in occlusion effect with our apex modules compared to traditional CIEMs. It'll lessen the more open you go, from our m20 down to our mX module. When using them in a quiet environment you can also just remove the module, that'll reduce the occlusion effect the most, but definitely not as much as open back headphones.

If you're planning on removing the module or using one like the A3e I would suggest figuring out how to EQ your IEMs based in whatever operating system you're using. You'll lose a significant amount of bass but if you can EQ it back in you should be good to go.

 

[64Audio]

hey folks, new to head-fi here as I was told it's better to ask in this official 64 audio thread than to expect an answer from the company email

I'm new to the world of custom IEMs and am trying to do as much research as possible since I can't backtrack and resell or return if it doesn't end up working for me (plus they cost a fair amount). My question is around occlusion and the apex module. I've searched this thread for "occlusion" and didn't really come up with any answers that gave me confidence either way.

TLDR: does anyone here have custom 64 audio IEMs (I'm looking at A3e) and is a vocalist/podcaster/live streamer/anyone that speaks a lot into a microphone while monitoring and how much do the apex modules help with occlusion? Would there be differences between modules? ie. using an mX over an m20?

More context... I love wearing IEMs way more than headphones and I work from home but I talk all day for my work. In my spare time I like to do a bit of singing as well but nothing professional whatsoever... just have a mic and an app, so I don't have any of the tools or knowledge to do anything fancy to mitigate the occlusion effect.

I recently bought a pair of open back headphones, which functionally gives me everything I need, albeit monitoring my voice became more of simply listening to my voice through the acoustics of the small room I'm in rather than monitoring through the cans. Then I remembered in my research that some people had said getting custom IEMs could help, since the fit would be perfect... and as an additional step beyond that, I was wondering if the apex modules would act sort of like open back headphones but for IEMs (I've read posts here saying that is NOT how much ambient noise they let in nor do I expect or want it to). But I don't know enough about the physics to know if even letting in SOME ambient noise is enough to relieve the occlusion effect, or if that's not how the filter works...

Thanks in advance for all the help!!

by the way, our standard for answering emails is always within 24 business hours. You can count on reaching someone at 64 Audio very quickly and easily. You can also call us.

 

[clixkk]

definitely noticeable improvement in occlusion effect with our apex modules compared to traditional CIEMs. It'll lessen the more open you go, from our m20 down to our mX module. When using them in a quiet environment you can also just remove the module, that'll reduce the occlusion effect the most, but definitely not as much as open back headphones.

If you're planning on removing the module or using one like the A3e I would suggest figuring out how to EQ your IEMs based in whatever operating system you're using. You'll lose a significant amount of bass but if you can EQ it back in you should be good to go.

Wow thanks so much for the immediate response! If I may ask a follow up question regarding the apex modules... I can definitely see how removing the module entirely will lose a ton of bass, but does that also happen going from m20 to mX modules?

 

[Aetherhole]

hey folks, new to head-fi here as I was told it's better to ask in this official 64 audio thread than to expect an answer from the company email

I'm new to the world of custom IEMs and am trying to do as much research as possible since I can't backtrack and resell or return if it doesn't end up working for me (plus they cost a fair amount). My question is around occlusion and the apex module. I've searched this thread for "occlusion" and didn't really come up with any answers that gave me confidence either way.

TLDR: does anyone here have custom 64 audio IEMs (I'm looking at A3e) and is a vocalist/podcaster/live streamer/anyone that speaks a lot into a microphone while monitoring and how much do the apex modules help with occlusion? Would there be differences between modules? ie. using an mX over an m20?

More context... I love wearing IEMs way more than headphones and I work from home but I talk all day for my work. In my spare time I like to do a bit of singing as well but nothing professional whatsoever... just have a mic and an app, so I don't have any of the tools or knowledge to do anything fancy to mitigate the occlusion effect.

I recently bought a pair of open back headphones, which functionally gives me everything I need, albeit monitoring my voice became more of simply listening to my voice through the acoustics of the small room I'm in rather than monitoring through the cans. Then I remembered in my research that some people had said getting custom IEMs could help, since the fit would be perfect... and as an additional step beyond that, I was wondering if the apex modules would act sort of like open back headphones but for IEMs (I've read posts here saying that is NOT how much ambient noise they let in nor do I expect or want it to). But I don't know enough about the physics to know if even letting in SOME ambient noise is enough to relieve the occlusion effect, or if that's not how the filter works...

Thanks in advance for all the help!!

Welcome to head-fi!

In my experience with my A12t, the different modules do help with occlusion but you are still going to experience more (much more) than the open backs. You’re right, the mX vs the m20 will allow more sound to come through, whilst changing the tuning of the IEM.

 

[clixkk]

Welcome to head-fi!

In my experience with my A12t, the different modules do help with occlusion but you are still going to experience more (much more) than the open backs. You’re right, the mX vs the m20 will allow more sound to come through, whilst changing the tuning of the IEM.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the answer! I am definitely not expecting it to sound like the open backs... that's basically zero occlusion and I'm just hearing my own voice naturally in the room!

I have played around with this though and I don't know if this is something anyone else has stumbled across... with my current (non-custom) IEMs, if I even just lightly hold and push them in my ear, the occlusion effect almost goes away entirely and I can very clearly hear my voice through my mic and not vibrating in my head... is that the ideal effect I can be expecting with "lessened occlusion" using the apex modules?

 

[64Audio]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the answer! I am definitely not expecting it to sound like the open backs... that's basically zero occlusion and I'm just hearing my own voice naturally in the room!

I have played around with this though and I don't know if this is something anyone else has stumbled across... with my current (non-custom) IEMs, if I even just lightly hold and push them in my ear, the occlusion effect almost goes away entirely and I can very clearly hear my voice through my mic and not vibrating in my head... is that the ideal effect I can be expecting with "lessened occlusion" using the apex modules?

that is definitely true. whether with custom or universal, if you touch the IEM while speaking you'll notice a reduction in the occlusion effect. this works even just by slightly touching it with your fingers or another object. assuming this happens because those small vibrations you hear in your head are able to transfer out.

 

[clixkk]

that is definitely true. whether with custom or universal, if you touch the IEM while speaking you'll notice a reduction in the occlusion effect. this works even just by slightly touching it with your fingers or another object. assuming this happens because those small vibrations you hear in your head are able to transfer out.

Interesting stuff... so the apex modules should be able to give the same effect then? (to varying degrees depending on the module I would assume)

 

[64Audio]

that is definitely true. whether with custom or universal, if you touch the IEM while speaking you'll notice a reduction in the occlusion effect. this works even just by slightly touching it with your fingers or another object. assuming this happens because those small vibrations you hear in your head are able to transfer out.

 

[64Audio]

Interesting stuff... so the apex modules should be able to give the same effect then? (to varying degrees depending on the module I would assume)

no the apex modules reduce occlusion because they allow a controlled leak of air pressure out of the ear canal. this touching effect is different. even with the apex modules completely out there's still occlusion, and it is further reduced when you touch the outside of the iem

 

[clixkk]

no the apex modules reduce occlusion because they allow a controlled leak of air pressure out of the ear canal. this touching effect is different. even with the apex modules completely out there's still occlusion, and it is further reduced when you touch the outside of the iem

hmm interesting... I'm trying to wrap my head around what it would sound like, and if that's worth spending the money on getting impressions and then getting customs. Is there any way to describe what "less occlusion" would be like, if not to the extent of the touching effect?

 

[64Audio]

hmm interesting... I'm trying to wrap my head around what it would sound like, and if that's worth spending the money on getting impressions and then getting customs. Is there any way to describe what "less occlusion" would be like, if not to the extent of the touching effect?

I guess the only way of demonstrating "less occlusion" would be to put your fingers all the way in both ears and making a low humming sound. And as you slowly start to back your fingers out of your ears you'll hear less and less of that occlusion effect until your fingers are completely removed and you hear no occlusion.

 

[clixkk]

I guess the only way of demonstrating "less occlusion" would be to put your fingers all the way in both ears and making a low humming sound. And as you slowly start to back your fingers out of your ears you'll hear less and less of that occlusion effect until your fingers are completely removed and you hear no occlusion.

Amazing, thanks! Apologies for taking over this thread with my own personal conversation here but this has been very helpful.

 

[Nick24JJ]

Hey @64Audio , when you'll find a minute, I'd appreciate a response to my post here

Thank you

 

[64Audio]

Hey @64Audio , when you'll find a minute, I'd appreciate a response to my post here

Thank you

we don't have that Graphene Hybrid 7N OCC cable you mentioned

 

[Nick24JJ]

we don't have that Graphene Hybrid 7N OCC cable you mentioned

I know. I asked if you know what is the difference between your cable and that Graphene Hybrid.