Review ACS T1 Custom-Fit IEM - say hello TMA!

[shigzeo]

Welcome to TouchMyApps forums!

I have both and use both earphones and love each. You won't get a better or worse earphone if you choose either on, but both seem to have strong suits.

For instance, the t1 is a better musician monitor. It is flexible, isolates more, and has a more durable cable.

The em3 pro is excellent, and with inset cabling, is strong, but it is acrylic. Good fit will mean that isolation is almost as good as the ACS, but only silicon allows singers to have full isolative peformance.

The em3 pro is perhaps a more complete audiophile crossover, while the acs is perhaps a better musician and audiophile monitor. I think each repesent the top of their category, but are suited for different applications.

[Gorman]

Considering I'll often use them on a train, I think I'll go with T1s. Isolation is important and I want to see/hear if it's better than acrylic.

One thing: is the customized logo durable, does it have protective varnish or does it fade away in time? Also, I've seen a version with all black but transparent tips (helpful for cleaning). Is this version all one piece or is it two glued together (in which case I'm not interested)?

Is the cable customizable as far as length is concerned?

[Gorman]

Also, http://dxcstore.wordpress.com/2010/0...n-ear-monitor/ this guy goes to great lengths describing the isolating quality of Sensas. Sensaphonics quotes -37db noise attenuation, ACS the standard (for IEMs) -26db. Since you have both... Do Sensas isolate that much more?!?

[shigzeo]

Yikes, I replied to this back at a hotel in Los Angeles and it looks like it didn't get through - sorry.

Both earphones are great. You won't go wrong in both silicon of the EM3Pro or the Silicon of the T1, but you should know what you want from the earphones. The EM3Pro is a better guitar, drum earphone than it is for vocalists as it doesn't accomodate a moving jaw as well as silicon. The Silicon DOES isolate better, but exerts more effect on the sound, usually warming it up and slightly blurring the sound.

The EM3Pro is easier to drive: nearly no impedance issues with modern players or stage amps - so you have the same sound from any source.

The T1 is a much better companion to exercise and with perfect fit, its bass just throbs. Both are excellent.

[Gorman]

I decided to go with T1s. Sent my impressions and while they get there (should be on Monday) I'm still deciding on colour.

I asked whether it's possible to do glossy black outside and smoky black ear canal. I would like to have a mild transparency on the ear canal, for better cleaning purposes, but I'm scared of the clear option...

I kept my UE-10 Pro for almost six years and... clear silicone not yellowing due to earwax in several years... I wouldn't bet on it.

[shigzeo]

When you get them, post pics. Did they say they'd be willing to do glossy outside and smoky interior? If so, great deal!

[Gorman]

No, they suggested that they are afraid that the two silicons might not bind correctly. So in the end I decided to go with all smoky grey.

I think this is how it will be: http://www.acscustom.com/us/images/stories/t1-1.png

[shigzeo]

That sounds fair enough. I'd hate to get a custom earphone that falls apart! I think my T1 was one of the first to get graphics, so I'd imagine things have improved a bit since then. Hope you enjoy, and do tell when you get them back! I think Flickr is a great place to post images that the world can see and you can link here without the member limitations.