Slide show: Getting fitted for LiveWires custom earphones

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

It's rare to get the opportunity to review custom-molded earphones. Custom ear products are usually just too expensive to be relevant to most people, and the ear-impression process can be an inconvenience. But when John Diles from LiveWires offered to come by CNET and take the ear impressions onsite, it was a tough proposition to pass up. (Click here to view a slide show of my custom earphone fitting, but be warned! These photos are not for the squeamish.)

I've had the earphones for over a week now, and they sound fantastic. At $249, they're less than half the price of similar custom products offered by UltimateEars or Sensaphonics. You can read my full review of the LiveWires over on CNET.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

If you're considering getting customs, but you're wondering what the ear impression process is like, then take a look at our slide show. If you think these photos are gross, you should see what we left out. Let's just say that John brought his own ear canal videoscope. Yikes!

Ears are really weird.

[laweardoc]

Good idea but gross???

These look like a great idea since the usual buds always fall out of my ears. But,
if you think those pictures, or the process, are "gross" or not for the
"squeamish," then, brother, you have led a truly sheltered life. I'm a doctor, and
an ear doctor at that, and I know.