custom fit ear monitors

[Alan R]

I need to source a set of in ear custom fit monitors to play music from my ipod while on the bike. I have conducted a search on the forum and to be honest I don't feel as though I am any wiser than I was before. A search on the internet tends to direct me to firms that supply the kind of devices 'artistes' use on stage which confirms my suspicions that I don't know really what the things I want are called. So I came to the conclusion that the best course of action is to describe what I want here and draw on the experience of people who may have found an acceptable solution to the issues of listening to music on a bike.

So.... what I want is:-
wind noise attenuation - Arai RRX7 helmet - light but noisy as a noisy thing;
low profile fitting so they aren't pressed by the helmet lining;
good sound quality - what ever that means;
cleanable and reasonably robust.

I do take care of my gear and expect to get a good service life from stuff I buy so price is not the main priority for me.

A last point, I'm not looking for in helmet speakers.

Any guidance will be appreciated.
Thank you
Alan R

 

[itspilsbury]

I know exactly what you want, both my wife and I have them and use them all the time, she plugs hers into her iPhone to listen to music, I plug into my Autocom to listen to music off my Garmin 660. Just give me a few mins to find a link to what I would recommend. Ian

 

[itspilsbury]

We tried alsorts and everything just was not up to it, crap in other words.
Eventually we found this guy, Mick Wheeler who visits Rainbow BMW every month. I had some of his Featherweight earplugs with OTS ear monitors, not cheap, but you will not find better. £165. They were so good that I ordered a pair for my wife. Had them for about a year now and never had any issues. Cristal clear sound and very good ear protection.
They are proper ear moulds with audible air tubes down to the speakers. This prevents breakage like others that have the speakers in the earplugs and electric wires coming out, the airtubes are very good.

http://web.me.com/mick_wheeler/Custom_Ear_Plugs/Welcome.html

I would suggest looking at his site and speaking with him, he comes highly recommended by me and a lot of other people.
All the best,
Ian

 

[Micky]

Many thanks Ian

The web site might go down in the next couple of days while I move the hosting from Mac's MobileMe to Internetters

Here to help Alan ... PM or email for any further info that you might require

 

[GSTourer]

Micky,

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but..............Are they compatible with an Autocom system, ie plug fitting etc?

Thanks.

 

[newboy]

Read here
Called "Green Leopard"

Mick's site

 

[GSTourer]

Read here
Called "Green Leopard"

Mick's site

I have....and couldn't see anything re compatibility.

Thanks all the same.

 

[Blackal]

I've had Ultimate Ears.

The speaker cables were particularly fragile, and found the plugs to be a bit hard for comfort.

Attempted to get new plugs last year, and found their whole process to be a waste of time (mine). They also charge a whopping premium for "fast" turnaround (can't remember if that was 2 or 3 weeks).

I wasted a week, waiting for UE to get back to me with an appointment date for impressions to be taken - then found out that they couldn't get in touch with their appointed aurologist, then wasted more time waiting to find out that he was on holiday - "but he might be back in time to get your impressions taken sir"........

Nope - total waste of time.

Decided to go for a pair of monitors from Mick Wheeler

http://web.me.com/mick_wheeler/Custom_Ear_Plugs/Welcome.html


Mick picked up my e-mail enquiry while he was on holiday, arranged a date for impresseions to be taken, (a Saturday, in Rotherham) - and he had the finished article out to me on Monday, special delivery.

No premium for 1-day service, and plugs that are far more comfortable than Ultimate Ears.

The speaker units are in the Y-piece, so they use thin, coiled air-tubing to the ear-plugs. Far more robust than cabling, and easily repairable if the worst happens.

Sound quality is more than sufficient for listening to Ipods, Satnav and whatever - on or off a bike.

Can't praise his product enough, and wouldn't even entertain Ultimate Ears again.

Just my experience

Al

 

[Harlequin25]

I could try this company. I have just had a set made up and they work really well. http://www.ultimateear.com/

 

[pablo666]

I've had Ultimate Ears.

The speaker cables were particularly fragile, and found the plugs to be a bit hard for comfort.

Attempted to get new plugs last year, and found their whole process to be a waste of time (mine). They also charge a whopping premium for "fast" turnaround (can't remember if that was 2 or 3 weeks).

I wasted a week, waiting for UE to get back to me with an appointment date for impressions to be taken - then found out that they couldn't get in touch with their appointed aurologist, then wasted more time waiting to find out that he was on holiday - "but he might be back in time to get your impressions taken sir"........

Nope - total waste of time.

Decided to go for a pair of monitors from Mick Wheeler

http://web.me.com/mick_wheeler/Custom_Ear_Plugs/Welcome.html


Mick picked up my e-mail enquiry while he was on holiday, arranged a date for impresseions to be taken, (a Saturday, in Rotherham) - and he had the finished article out to me on Monday, special delivery.

No premium for 1-day service, and plugs that are far more comfortable than Ultimate Ears.

The speaker units are in the Y-piece, so they use thin, coiled air-tubing to the ear-plugs. Far more robust than cabling, and easily repairable if the worst happens.

Sound quality is more than sufficient for listening to Ipods, Satnav and whatever - on or off a bike.

Can't praise his product enough, and wouldn't even entertain Ultimate Ears again.

Just my experience

Al

Plus 1, I had UE Ultimate ears, and cable broke, repaired and broke again so have given up with them and am sourcing air tube type from Mick. Sorry to those on here that endorse UE, but my experience was just all bad apart from meeting and dealing with their rep from on here who was a gent, just a shame the company is pants.

 

[Micky]

Micky,

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but..............Are they compatible with an Autocom system, ie plug fitting etc?

Thanks.

No hijack GST, no probs .... genuine query

My sound monitors are just that, 3.5mm plug for iPhone/iPod/MP3 for listening to music/Gps You need an adapter cable to connect to Autocom. There's no provision with my monitors for microphone for answering 'phone calls or bike to bike, rider to pillion...... so if you're wanting speech also I'd go for helmet speakers/microphone as in Autocom headset. Along with earplugs with filters, you can then hear the headsets clearer and at a lower volume than you would without earplugs

10% discount for registered Tossers
Full money back guarantee .... not been taken up on that yet

 

[GSTourer]

No hijack GST, no probs .... genuine query

My sound monitors are just that, 3.5mm plug for iPhone/iPod/MP3 for listening to music/Gps You need an adapter cable to connect to Autocom. There's no provision with my monitors for microphone for answering 'phone calls or bike to bike, rider to pillion...... so if you're wanting speech also I'd go for helmet speakers/microphone as in Autocom headset. Along with earplugs with filters, you can then hear the headsets clearer and at a lower volume than you would without earplugs

10% discount for registered Tossers
Full money back guarantee .... not been taken up on that yet

Micky,

Thanks for the response.............I don't need them for anything other than listening to music and directions on my Zumo 550 which is 'piped' through my Autocom. I currently have the Autocom speakers and use foam earplugs and have just removed the mic from the Autocom speaker setup.

You appear to be saying that Autocom do a lead with a DIN type plug one end and a 3.5mm plug on the other if I understand you correctly which will then enable me to use your setup??

Thanks again.

Answered my own question........lead 2129 or 2130.

 

[digga]

I wouldn't bother with the UE again!!

Cable pulled out of the plug once - repaired
Cable snapped - ended up cutting the other cable off. Very expensive standard moulded plugs now. I now have 2 prs of standard plugs.
I did consider riding up to Rainbow in Rotherham next month to see Mick, but I've spent far too much on earplugs already.

I find the UE all day comfortable

 

[itspilsbury]

Answered my own question........lead 2129 or 2130.[/QUOTE]

I used one of those and then changed to part number 2091... which surprisingly is even cheaper in price than 2129 or 2130. With this part you remove the speakers from within the helmet permanently so really easy to install, and it works excellently.

look at:

http://www.chainspeed.co.uk/products/AUTOCOM-In%2dEar-Speaker-Loom.html

it doesnt say so on their site but the mic plugs into the new helmet loom 2091 as normal.

Ian

 

[GSTourer]

Answered my own question........lead 2129 or 2130.

I used one of those and then changed to part number 2091... which surprisingly is even cheaper in price than 2129 or 2130. With this part you remove the speakers from within the helmet permanently so really easy to install, and it works excellently.

look at:

http://www.chainspeed.co.uk/products/AUTOCOM-In%2dEar-Speaker-Loom.html

it doesnt say so on their site but the mic plugs into the new helmet loom 2091 as normal.

Ian [/QUOTE]

Thanks Ian.

Ian (coincidence)

 

[boarder]

Plus 1, I had UE Ultimate ears, and cable broke, repaired and broke again so have given up with them and am sourcing air tube type from Mick. Sorry to those on here that endorse UE, but my experience was just all bad apart from meeting and dealing with their rep from on here who was a gent, just a shame the company is pants.

+2 riding round with one earpiece on and other broke (again) haven't got the will nor the inclination to give UE any more money.

Would give this Mick a try but all the links seem to be down.

 

[GSTourer]

+2 riding round with one earpiece on and other broke (again) haven't got the will nor the inclination to give UE any more money.

Would give this Mick a try but all the links seem to be down.

I think he mentioned in an earlier post that links would be down temporarily sometime as he is changing server.

 

[Micky]

Would give this Mick a try but all the links seem to be down.

You can PM me for any information, or email to [email protected]

 

[SkyGod]

Ive had a pair of Mickey`s monitors for 2 years now and they are the bollox

 

[Alan R]

Thank you for all the contributions to this thread. The information and experiences posted are exactly what I was hoping for. I can now make a choice and move forward.
Alan R