The pinnacle of the world of portable audio technology is considered to be custom headphones (they are also “custom”). Made from the impressions of the user's ear canals, often tailored to the desired sound, they are the very “thing for centuries” that symbolizes the end of the search for oneself in the world of personal audio and the achievement of nirvana. In this article I will tell you a little and show you what it looks like, why it is done and where to turn if you want to achieve enlightenment.
Even five years ago, it was expensive to acquire castes not only for money, but also for time. All the laboratories involved in their manufacture were located abroad, so it was necessary to undergo an exciting quest for making molds and sending them abroad. At the same time, the chances of getting at least something in return were not always 100% due to the “excellent” work of postal services. Now the situation has changed radically, since the Ambient Acoustics laboratory has been working in Kiev for the manufacture of custom monitors (custom IEM) for everyone from the CIS countries. Recently they have updated their line of models and presented interesting new items.
Before you talk about new models, a few words about custom bridges in general.
The very idea of custom headphones, like many other ideas in the world of personal sound, came from the world of hearing aids: it was there that they began to actively use miniature emitters based on a balanced anchor (here I talked in detail about what it is) and it was in hearing aids began to do nozzles on the basis of ear canal casts.
The point is very simple: eager ears hung with noodles filled with special quick-setting material that fills the ear canal. After 10 minutes, in the hands of specialists there is a cast of the music lover's ears. After that, this cast is processed, for durability, a special coating is applied to it, and it is used to make a casting from photopolymer (more often) or silicone (less often), which serves as the body for future headphones. Inside this case, emitters and a crossover (the so-called filter that separates the frequencies for which individual drivers will be responsible) are mounted, the case is sealed, and the headphones are ready.
In addition to such “complete” IEMs, it is possible to manufacture attachments for ordinary headphones, as well as “customization”, when the stuffing of conventional reinforcing headphones is transferred to the case created using ear casts (a great way to liven up your favorite old headphones).
What are the advantages give custom headphones?
First is comfort. Having gotten used to them a little (sometimes the truth requires an extra fit, but this is rare), you will realize that they can be worn for a very long time without the slightest discomfort.
Secondly, excellent sound insulation. Even not just great, but the maximum achievable in headphones - CIEMs “sit down” tightly, and due to this they do not give extraneous noise the slightest chance to prevent you, which allows you to listen to music even in the noisiest conditions without turning the volume down, and thus protect hearing.
Thirdly, high-quality sound. Most often, custom-made acoustics engineers with a wealth of experience are engaged in custom manufacturing. The high price of products makes it possible not to save on details and materials, and thus achieve very impressive results. Most often, custom become the final step in the chain of upgrades for most music lovers, because they have not yet invented the best sound quality in portable audio.
Fourth, they are beautiful. There is a wide range of possibilities with which you can express your individuality, ranging from the selection of the color scheme of your IEM (there is a wide choice of materials: transparent, not transparent, glowing in the dark) and ending with drawing patterns on the covers and using any strazikov.
From the bare theory I will pass to practice and I will tell about new models of Ambien Acoustics. I already visited them last year and shared my impressions of the visit in this article.
The new model range of the company has declined. Instead of 7 models with the number of drivers from 1 to 4, only 5 remained, and they are clearly specialized for their tasks. The second, and most importantly, the difference is that in new models, acoustic filters are more used instead of electric crossovers, and thanks to this, the headphones show better dynamics and sound control.
A small clarification: the photos below show not the final custom monitors, but the so-called “universal samples” - monitors made for sound testing. Therefore, they have other sound guides, and nozzles are put on them.
Model Ambient Monitor 1 is a kind of "entrance ticket" to the world of custom headphones. Their sound is very even, with a bias in analytical, although there is some lack of detail, especially in the field of low frequencies.
Ambient Monitor 2 - Vocal Edition - model with two drivers, optimized for vocals. A very fast emitter, giving emphasis to the MF and early HF, makes them indispensable for vocal music lovers and voice professionals. Although, for example, I liked the sound of brutal styles with this model: there is no porridge on the low frequencies, guitars, vocals and all other instruments are perfectly distinguishable at medium and high frequencies.
Ambient Monitor 3 - Reference Edition , expected with 3 drivers in each earphone, is a monitor model that is tuned to the most even sound, of course, taking into account the uneven perception of our hearing. There is no musically bass, there is no emphasis on the HF - what is in the record, then you will hear. Headphones for lovers of analytic listening to recordings, listening to various nuances of music, individual instrumental parts.
Ambient Monitor 4 - Music Edition - the antithesis of previous monitors, a musical model, designed to maximize the dense sound. 4 emitters in each ear allowed to achieve an emphasis at low frequencies, and not to the detriment of the rest of the frequency range. This model is distinguished by the fact that the low-frequency accent is made in the lower and infra-bass areas. The sound of the headphones is designed so that their sound is perceived as open and airy as possible, it is adjusted to the human perception of "ordinary" sounds.
Absolutely new model are Ambient Monitor 6 - HiRez . Using an incredible number of drivers (yes, 6 for each ear) and a 4-band crossover, Ambient Acoustics managed to create a model that sounds at the maximum possible frequency range: from infras to ultrasound. Their sound presentation is similar to the “enhanced” version of the AM4, with an even more pronounced effect of physicality and density of sound.
In addition to headphones, Ambient Acoustics offer other interesting solutions, such as ear plugs. Made from individual silicone earplugs, ear protection is much better. There are also various specialized models, for example musical, evenly lowering the sound on the entire frequency range and “hunting” with active noise cancellation. Developments in the field of wireless sound.
Active noise cancellation plugs - working prototype
Custom Headpiece
Separately, the price of Ambient Acoustics products is pleasing: custom monitors are not cheap, but AA are not inclined to take premiums for the brand, so their price tag is noticeably lower than the majority of “famous” competitors, without compromising quality. You can get acquainted with the prices . Well, it’s not worth talking about the fact that they have much higher efficiency.
The article is based on materials .
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