Etymotic hf2 Custom Fit buds bundle ACS' customized ear-mould service

Eytmotic's $180 hf2 earbuds with in-line controller for iPods and iPhones have been around for awhile. In that time, they've racked up plenty of gold statues and plaques to backup their claim of delivering "the most accurate, unaltered sound of any earphone or headset today." Now Etymotic has teamed up with ACS (Advanced Communication Solutions) to deliver silicon sleeves custom-moulded for your inner-ear to ensure a perfect, comfy fit while further isolating you from the ambient noise around you; a trick that allows you to pickup audio detail at lower volumes and thus spare your hearing. Of course, ACS' 15 minute customization service is available for other buds as well, but offering it within the hf2 Custom Fit bundle as a £90 (about $130) voucher redeemable at any of 300 approved ear impression outlets in the UK is a pretty shrewd move.

[Via Tech Digest]

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[Dataslave Posted Apr 24th 2009 9:37AM]

You've been able to do custom ear molds for some time at an audiologist for Shure earbuds, and others. Its definitely nice to see the whole thing as a package deal though.

[flosofl Posted Apr 24th 2009 9:43AM]

I got the Sensaphonics custom sleeves for my SE530s (they're right in Chicago, so it was pretty easy). They are a marked improvement over the foam inserts. Regardless of brand, if you are able to get fitted for custom sleeves with your particular set of phones I *highly* recommend it.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 24th 2009 9:39AM]

I couldn't buy headphones this expensive unless they came with a cord repair guarantee for 3 years.

But, once iphone 3.0 comes out and someone makes a lightweight bluetooth behind ear headphone - I won't need these.

[Ephemeral Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:12AM]

Yep, and guess what, it'll sound awful like every bluetooth headphone that has to be compressed again to transmit, and cost much more because wireless headphones are 'in' and 'hip'.

[fincan Posted Apr 24th 2009 12:16PM]

+1 for the cord repair. My Shure 530's have stripped cords and I had to fixed them with electrical tape..

[flosofl Posted Apr 24th 2009 3:46PM]

Um, Shure's got a 2 yr. warranty. And they're pretty liberal when it comes to repairs. I had a cord issue with my previous set (e3c) about 18 mos after I bought them. I filled out the form, did *not* include credit card info (it's also a repair order form) and 7 days later I had a brand-new in the box set at my door.

[UnixSystemsEngineer Posted Apr 24th 2009 5:10PM]

Shure replaced my e2c's with a fraying cable. Shipped a brand-new pair second day air. To France. They probably spent more on shipping than they did giving me a brand new pair. Killer customer service.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 27th 2009 1:11PM]

SLEEK AUDIO (www.sleek-audio.com) makes a wireless adapter for their head phones and it works with there Custom monitors too. The nice thing about Sleek's is that if the battery dies you just unplug the wireless unit and plug the cable back into the head phones until it is charged. Coolest ear phones I have ever owned!

[VeganFreak Posted Apr 24th 2009 9:41AM]

For now I just want to get Etymotic's ear plugs. My ears scream in pain every time I pass through the Chicago subway tunnels, to the point I have to cover my ears. The thing is, nobody else seems to mind. Might have to do with the fact that I'm a self proclaimed audiophile, and listen to everything on "low" volumes.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:19AM]

I'm right there with you-- people don't know how much damage is happening to their ears while riding the CTA. Sometimes I just put my Etys in for the noise isolation, because it looks less crazy than wearing ear plugs while riding the train.

We have a lot of Chicago readers here!

[gadgetguiqe Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:41AM]

I ride the BART in San Francisco every few weeks and it is also very loud. I wear plugs, usually foam or my UE customs. I usually see several other people with plugs and and few with full-seal cans. What kills me are the guys wearing Apple standard earbuds. If they are listening to music over the noise of the BART they are killing their ears.

[Packgrog Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:31AM]

Ugh. Great idea to have iPhone friendly IEMs, but Etymotics armature drivers are unpleasantly bright. Very detailed, sure, but too bright. Coupling this with the lousy microphones in portable devices of any kind, this will likely be uncomfortable to listen to,

[lecti Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:33AM]

Good sound, HOWEVER, the set may have a very serious quality issue with connectors (sound cuts out after a few months of use). I haven't heard back from them since I've sent them the $180 headset, shipping paid by me. I feel like a sucker, but you shouldn't - I suggest not buying this product.

[chse Posted Apr 24th 2009 10:40AM]

"custom-moulded for your inner-ear" ???!!! Ouch - I would rather not - this one connect right in your cochlea?

[Love It Posted Apr 24th 2009 11:45AM]

I'm starting to feel that "Top of the class in science" badge that you've got was actually made by your mother to make you feel better.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 24th 2009 11:12AM]

Just spent $180 (or the Euro equivalent) on my second set of hf2 earphones after my dog chewed my first beyond repair.

They delivered to me here in Ireland yesterday & then today I see the post about the custom fit. Anyone know if I can get the custom fit thingy done anyway even though I have the earphones?
Is it a simple case of getting my an impression of my ears and then sending it off somewhere? (I love the hf2s and would just want the custom fit endings for the headphones)

Thanks !

[blash Posted Apr 24th 2009 11:28AM]

$130 to get a mold? Who the hell is charging you guys that much?

Hearing aid molds are cheap, like $40 or something - I've already got mine from my old hearing aids, I just need to take it in to my audiologist so she can appropriately cut down the tube leading out of the mold and plug the air hole so they'll work nicely with my new SE530's

[JaxDaxter Posted Apr 24th 2009 12:31PM]

I've heard of this before, admittedly only a few days ago. [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2009/04/in_search_of_audio_perfection.html]Here[/url] you can see a blog done by the BBC, but there is also a video which shows how the moulds are set, which is interesting

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 24th 2009 12:53PM]

Not to nitpick, but "silicon sleeves custom-moulded for your inner-ear" would not be comfy at all. Silicone sleeves, on the other hand, would be.