Klipsch buds use gel cushions for the right fit

(Credit: Newlaunches)

We've complained before about the plight of our misshapen ears and the resultant problems with headsets that fit, and if we were a decent lot we'd stop whining. But we're not, and we won't.

At least, not until we find a pair of headphones that solves the problem, which is why we're intrigued by a new pair offered by Klipsch. A line of three models known simply as Custom 1, 2, and 3 feature buds with gel cushions intended to snuggle up to even the most aberrantly configured aural canals. The high-end Custom 3 also has built-in tweeters and woofers that provide a "studio reference acoustic experience."

And they indeed had better be that good, at the prices Klipsch is charging. The top model goes for nearly $300 on the U.K. market, according to Newlaunches, though Crave UK reported that they can even go to nearly $400. That, by the way, was before we knew of their possible availability in the States, as well as the gel cushions--which of course is all that matters because they're useless if they can't stay in our ears.

[YpoCaramel]

Generally the "hot" thing in the IEM world right now are Comply material (i.e. JVC mushroom) tips, which Westone has always used and Shure recently adapted as its default tip. I wonder how these gel types work.

[YpoCaramel]

Generally the "hot" thing in the IEM world right now are Comply material (i.e. JVC mushroom) tips, which Westone has always used and Shure recently adapted as its default tip. I wonder how these gel types work.

[mafaneh82]

I bought the Custom 3s about 2 months ago, but returned them within three weeks of my purchase. I may be an exception, but since I have relatively small ear canals, I have been struggling in finding the "perfect fit" from different IEMs, so I decided to buy the Custom 3s. When I first got them, and after trying the different eartips provided, I settled with the double-flange tips. They were still somewhat difficult to fit, and I had to force them deep in my ears to keep them in place and provide a good seal. Finally, I was able to get used to their fit, but I still found them pretty uncomfortable due to the flanges' edges pressing on the circumference of my canals, and they would still even slip out occasionally. That all still did not get me to the point of returning them, but when the bending wire around the earphones (the one that's supposed to be bent around the ear to assure the fit and keep the earphones in-place) broke in less than 3 weeks, I gave up on them and sent them back to Amazon for a refund. I then decided on giving the Westone UM2s a try, and boy, I didn't regret it at all! Those are the most comfortable IEMs I've ever seen, and they also provided the most amazing sound quality among all the IEMs that I tried (Super.fi 5 Pro, Shure e2c, Shure SE310, Shure SE420 and Klipsch Custom 3) .

[dowlingwj]

At last! Ithought, an obvious solution; why havn't we seen this before? Then I read more and was appalled at the price and what are those U shaped tubes projecting from the egge shaped bits which would appear to project beyond the ears?!
In all they appear to be, at best, a clumsy solution to the age old problem with head phones.

Having launched the idea of mouldable earpieces why not mould to the individual's entire ear allow adequate ventilation, include radio receivers for remote pickup from any device similar to Blue Tooth etc and or allow the individual to write their own specification. Then they would be worth the price!
Cheers
Bill