blsamuel:

...Is this the best way to clean out the ear gels?    I'm a little paranoid about scraping out the ear gel with a wire.  Should be fine if reasonably careful but seems like there's a lot of potential for damage to the ear gels....

...I should probably get in the habit of inspecting things after each use or before.  It seems that the ear gels are also good at attracting office dust that's always floating around when thery're sitting on my desk.  Maybe not quite a dust magnet but don't seem to repel it either.

Here is the best way to clean ear tips: 
1. Inspect the eartip daily for clogs in the airway
2. When clogs are found take the ear tip off the earphone.  This way the debris won't fall down in the body of the earphone and clog the damper or armature.
3. If you can not clean the airway thoroughly then you may want to soak the eartips in hot water.  This will loosen wax.  Just don't get water in the earphone itself.  If water runs down the nozzle it can block the air path and potentially damage some of the components.  You can then flush the airway with a syringe or even squeeze the eartip like a toothpaste tube to get the ear cheese out.  MMMMMmmmm....
4. Don't worry about the ear tip.  It is quite durable.  If you do tear one you can buy replacement parts at Klipsch or a local dealer that stocks them.  They are not available yet but will be soon. Tom you are late...

It sounds like you are thumpin to the beat.  I hope you enjoy your earphones!

 

Stick It In Your EAR!  Again

Another thought on ear protection (over ear)

http://www.pro-ears.com/shootingsportshearingprotection.htm

I've bought a pair of the Dimension 2's and love them.  I'll use them when I'm out cutting the fields, or working on the basement I'm finishing.  In fact, the wife will be gone and I'll have the Pro Ears on so I'll have to CRANK my single LaScala downstairs so it will be a nice  listneing level.  Wife then comes home, doesn't see me with the hearing protection on and just goes beserk with how loud it is...

I also KEPT them on one day when I KNEW the system upstairs was cranking (before I wired up a LaScala downstairs, I simply turned the upstairs Jubilees up MORE)

Anyways, we had a cd change and the NEW cd was very compressed or something...  all I know is it was freaking thundering loud so I kept them on to go turn it down.  Upon getting there, the needles on my McIntosh MC-2102 (100x2) were PEGGED and not moving until I turned it down.  I wasn't abusing it like that earlier, just a change of CD's and their signal strength (yeah right!!)

The Pro Ears, when I'm out cutting the fields, can be hooked to a cd player or something and allow that to pass through.

The thing that to me is most intersting about them, they have some kind of little microphone inside them.  If you have JUST them on your head (no cd hooked up) and have them turned on, they will let some sound through.  Their window of allowance is near the vocal range.  Truth be told, my wife has come up to me while I was sitting on my (operating) industrial backhoe.  She admonished me to turn it OFF so "I could hear her", or to at least take the headphones OFF to hear her...  what she didn't grasp is, I could hear her BETTER with them ON than with them off (backhoe running).

Really nice.  I'm not affiliated with them.  Bought these many years ago and once I've had them on, find them very comfortable and easy for me to wear for hours.

Downside...  not cheap.

Some comments to Professor Thumps comments

Professor Thump:

Here is the best way to clean ear tips: 
1. Inspect the eartip daily for clogs in the airway

I'm learning to do that

2. When clogs are found take the ear tip off the earphone.  This way the debris won't fall down in the body of the earphone and clog the damper or armature.

Had debris in the nozzle - should avoid that most of the time if check the ear tips frequently enough I would think.

3. If you can not clean the airway thoroughly then you may want to soak the eartips in hot water.  This will loosen wax.  You can then flush the airway with a syringe or even squeeze the eartip like a toothpaste tube to get the ear cheese out.  MMMMMmmmm....

Hadn't thought of the hot water (don't think that's in the manual) or squeezing out like toothpaste.  Alright folks, that's ear cheese - quite lickin' your chops.  The things I've cleaned out so far are very small

4. Don't worry about the ear tip.  It is quite durable.  If you do tear one you can buy replacement parts at Klipsch or a local dealer that stocks them.  They are not available yet but will be soon. Tom you are late...

But it feels like it should be kind of delicate.  And I'll get a couple of free ones when I get around to requesting them and apparently when they get in stock - my klipsch.com account was still hosed up the last time I checked.  I ordered the Custom 2 outside my account as I can't even update the email address which is required to update the other info.  I should probably return Paladin's last email as it seems the Forum upgrade issues are settling down.

It sounds like you are thumpin to the beat.  I hope you enjoy your earphones!

Most definitely.  I still don't like things in my ears, but I'm getting used to these.... I've finally decided the large single flange ear tips work the best - the large (more like medium ?) double flange seem to be a bit small and not as comfortable.  Both small are too little.  Lose the seal yawning or making faces with the medium  I must have large ear canals.  Less annoying than my over the ear Grado's after a couple of hours and I've used them regularly for 11 to 13 years.  If I had plenty of dough I'd probably have a set of the wooden Grados.  Of course if I had plenty of dough I'd probably have a set of the IMAGE as I still think they're more comfortable and would be a bit easier to use at work... though now that I'm moving up in sound quality I may eventually want the Custom 3  - ColterPhoto's view would be to get 'em all they're a set ... of course maybe there'll be an IMAGE 2 and IMAGE 3 down the road?  (two micro amatures with special sauce in a cool aluminum case)

Stick It In Your EAR!  Again

and again ... and again ...

every work day - I forgot how nice it is not to overhear my coworkers' conversations.  I share a "pen" ~ sort of a 4 person cube ~ with 2 others, one of which spends most of her time in teleconferences - Would've been really nice around 15 years ago when I had to turn up my music through non-isolating over the ear phones (Koss Porta Pros I think) so to be able to hear it over what the coworker over the cube wall was really cranking too - he's probably deaf by now if he wasn't getting close then 

Coytee:

Another thought on ear protection (over ear)

http://www.pro-ears.com/shootingsportshearingprotection.htm

I've bought a pair of the Dimension 2's and love them.  I'll use them when I'm out cutting the fields, or working on the basement I'm finishing.  In fact, the wife will be gone and I'll have the Pro Ears on so I'll have to CRANK my single LaScala downstairs so it will be a nice  listneing level.  Wife then comes home, doesn't see me with the hearing protection on and just goes beserk with how loud it is...

...

Downside...  not cheap.

Probably a bit out of my price range but sound very good.  Maybe some of the passive ones in the not too distant future as they're probably a lot more comfortable than the vise like plastic covered earcushion vise like clamp on ones I use now.  

Maybe I'll like the Surefire EarPro in ear I've ordered that are supposed to let in normal sounds but keep everything to around 80 db or the Ety Plugs high fidelity in ear which I've ordered and received but not yet tried.  May be good for music or any concerts that are too loud.  Both these models are very affordable. 

But I'm thinking the over the ear type are better for the string trimmer type of work - just can't stand the hot ears.  Might try the Custom 2 for some yard work but a lot of shrapnel (some soft like grass, an occasional rock or other hard and even sharp object - use the face mask regularly, very regularly after I cut myself just under the eye with a sharp piece of red clay pot - another half inch could've been ugly) tends to get thrown during my string trimming sessions  I think my Custom 2 will work very well for sitting on the lawn tractor and/or push mowing.  Not sure music would be safe when operating power tools though - might not hear myself scream if I'd air guitar my hand into a saw blade - ok - no music in the ears using power tools.

I'm beginning to think the "flaky wax" I've cleaned out of my Custom 2 ear gels, and nozzle once early on, is really flaky little bits of dried lotion I've been using on my ears (before getting my Cusom 2) to keep them from itching quite too bad.  I've had problems with itching ears long before getting the Custom 2, they don't really seem to affect the itching ears too much.   

I have gotten a lot better about inspecting and fishing out anything before it becomes a problem.  Very small flakes can cause a raspiness, expecially if it gets beyond the ear gels down into the nozzle...

I've yet (know on wood) to clog 'em up with ear cheese. 

Be sure to twist a bit when removing the Custom and IMAGE models and they'll be more comfortable coming out. 

bumpity bumpity bumpity - some good cleaning tips in this thread from our good friend Professor Thump .... (yes, I'm calling him our good friend, the dude who keeps telling us to stick it in our ear... make that very good friend)

It happened again today.... the guitar riff kicks in on Lynyrd Skynyrds "Sweet Home Alabama" and there's a raspy sound in my right ear.  Hadn't noticed it before then it's amazing how these things just crop up.....  

Took of the ear gel and cleaned it, 2 or 3 times with the little cleaning tool (amazingly I still have that little bugger).   Tried cleaning the nozzle - I think I did get a wee little bit of dried lotion (perpetually itchy ears, especially the right one - my doctor's best advice, other than uh, not scratching it is to apply a little Cortaid...).  Still couldn't get rid of the raspiness. 

Cleaned up the clear ear gels (added bonus from attending the latest Pilgrimage) with a nice alcohol swap and put the original black set on.  Raspiness gone.  Was able to clean more (very small amount) of white flaky stuff out of the nozzle.  I'll have to try Professor Thumps suggestion for soaking the gels in some nice hot water .. or was that hot soapy water?  I had forgotten that suggestion. 

So don't panic if things start sounding kind of raspy or otherwise harsh.  Maybe you're ear gels just need a good cleaning.   

Every now and then something gets in there and is hard to get out and it takes only a very tiny amount to gunk up the sound.   

And now on to a little Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

blsamuel:

Professor Thump:

3. If you can not clean the airway thoroughly then you may want to soak the eartips in hot water.  This will loosen wax.  You can then flush the airway with a syringe or even squeeze the eartip like a toothpaste tube to get the ear cheese out.  MMMMMmmmm....

Hadn't thought of the hot water (don't think that's in the manual) or squeezing out like toothpaste.  Alright folks, that's ear cheese - quit lickin' your chops.  The things I've cleaned out so far are very small

I still haven't tried hot water. 

Professor Thump:  Any problem with using hot water and a bit of grease cutting dish soap for the gels?  Followed by a hot water rinse of course.  I'd think a little grease cutting dish soap should really clean things up good.    Works wonders for cleaning up one's glasses. 

Naturally, I'm only wanting to soak / clean the ear gels in this manner with the goal to keep things clean so they don't get down in the nozzle.

Sorry ear cheese lovers.  I'm mostly finding tiny  flakes of what I presume to be anti itch lotion as I have an issue with itchy ears.   

Trust me folks, you want to keep your gels clean as just a small dried flake of anit itch lotion will really foul up the sound ... and it's not real easy to get it out of the nozzle if it's gotten past the gels.    

Your correct Ben... You do want to keep the acoustic channel clean of debris. If you don't you will compromise your headphone assembly. As far as a grease cutting soap you should be fine using this soap. Hydrogen Peroxide will also loosen any wax if you soak it for a few minutes. You can also get the ear wax cleaning kits and use that cleaner on the tips.

I've been using alcohol swabs on the tips. 

I've had more trouble I think with dried anti itch cream than ear wax though it could be either or a combination of the two. 

It may be hard to believe but I've not yet clogged one of the tips.  My problem has been more with tiny whitish flakes of what I'm presuming to be anti itch lotion.  Very early on one of these got past the gels into the nozzle.  One may have made it last week but I think it was in the gel.  Actually changed gels  and all was fine - then later found the small bit of foreign substance in the previous gel even though had carefully cleaned from both ends and wiped down the outside with the alcohol swab..  Apparently missed it the first time around or is easier to see and  and scrape out after it's dried a bit.   

A really tiny flake creates an annoying raspiness to the sound for lack of a better term. 

I think it's time to thogoughly clean all our gels with some hot soapy dishwater or maybe the hydrogen peroxide.  I think I'll try the hot soapy dishwater first.  My daughter says she cleans the ones she uses but she's likely to forget as I'm I.  I must've forgotten Friday evening as I cleaned out a small bit of goop this morning.  And I'm not so sure the anti itch cream doesn't kind of stick to the inside of the tips - maybe leaving a bit of residue when I clean them out and I've gotten a bit in the gels - never clogged them but a noticeable amount.  That residue then flakes off when it dries?     

It may be time to go to the ENT for the itchy ears, primarily my right ear.  I went 2 weeks once without using my Custom 2 and it didn't make a difference.  I've always had itchy ears but usually it comes and goes.  I suspect now I pay more attention with sticking the Custom 2 in most weekdays. 

Would hydrogen peroxide be better to wipe off the outside of the gels than alcohol?  I'm sure any alcolhol that hasn't evaporated isn't helpin the itchy ears any. 

 

Ben, I am by far NO doctor and only a professor by name but several things you may want to think about. 1. Usually your ears will start to adapt to usage of IEM's. Your feet grow tougher skin, your ears should too. Maybe avoid the ear cream for a while to get calluses going. Then you won't need to use the Anti-I cream. 2. Maybe the cream itself is causing all the clogging. I could be wrong. I know some people who grow more wax than others so your problem may be strictly from your ears. 3. When the heck are you gonna be able to buy ear tips. Oh that's our job. Soon I hope...

Comments in Professor Thumps comments.... 

Professor Thump:

Ben, I am by far NO doctor and only a professor by name but several things you may want to think about.

1. Usually your ears will start to adapt to usage of IEM's. Your feet grow tougher skin, your ears should too. Maybe avoid the ear cream for a while to get calluses going. Then you won't need to use the Anti-I cream.

I think my ears have pretty well adapted. Not sure about having callouses in the ear canal but pretty much used to the Custom 2. 

Still not sure I get quite as good a seal as I should but it may take days for the anti-itch cream to dry out and go away.  I'd still love to try an extra large single flange should you ever make any.   

I may try to avoid the anti itch cream - it helps some but not long term.  Will power is probably the only way to get my ears, mostly my right ear to stop itching.  At least that seems to be the best hope as nothing the doctors have had me try has really seemed to work.  I've went a full 2 weeks without using my Custom 2 in the past so maybe it's time to give up the anti itch cream.  The Custom 2 don't seem to make the itching worse except when I've used a lot of the anti itch cream right before sticking it in.       

2. Maybe the cream itself is causing all the clogging. I could be wrong. I know some people who grow more wax than others so your problem may be strictly from your ears.

I think the anti itch cream is the biggest problem.  Not too much clogging - just once or twice when got a glob in there instead of evenly spread around the ear canal. 

Most of my problem has been really tiny white flakes that I think are from the anti itch cream.  My latest thoughts are that if it gets in the gel nozzle it dries and flakes off but just doesn't come out very well with the tool.  I'm also beginning to wonder if a bit sometimes coats the tip and when it dries out it flakes off and works it's way to the nozzle.  I'd think the alcohol would clean it off. 

Or it could be that when the anti itch cream dires in the ear canal it flakes off and occasionally works its way to the nozzle or gets in front of the nozzle.  That may be the most likely culprit of the tiny white flakes.  

I've also found white residue on the gels when I take them out of the case and am pretty sure wiped them down with alcohol the night before.  I'm beginning to think the anti itch lotion sticks to the gels and then cuases problems when it dries out.  Time for a good hot sudsy soaking or the tips to relaly clean out / off any residue.   

3. When the heck are you gonna be able to buy ear tips. Oh that's our job. Soon I hope...

 

It would be nice if there were replacements available but I have plenty and they're all in good shape though I'm thinking a nice hot sudsy bath to really soak off any collected goop is in order.  

I accidentally discovered an alternative answer to the question about getting replacement ear tips.  I changed my mind about what gel size I intended to use after a few weeks of use and I was unable to change gel sizes in the registration data.  I therefore unregistered my C3s and then re registered them with the correct gel size.  A few days later a small pack of the new gel size arived.

Quite simple really.  Don't you just love automation.

Steve