Foam earbud tips have a lot of advantages, but they can also alter the sound of your music. Tyll from InnerFidelity shares a tip for improving their sound.
Comply Foam Tips Make Your Earbuds More Comfortable, Isolate NoiseComply Foam Tips Make Your Earbuds More Comfortable, Isolate NoiseComply Foam Tips Make Your Earbuds More…
Most earbuds use a silicone tip that works okay, but doesn't always give you the best…Read more Read more
Many people—including us—have complained about the “muffled” sound that foam ear tips can cause, and Tyll thinks it’s primarily due to the way people “prepare” the tip. Instead of just rolling it between your fingers, he says, press the foam towards the back, to prevent excess foam from blocking the sound tube. Watch the video above to see what this means—he demonstrates it well.
Your mileage may vary, but many people have reported a less muffled sound (and it did seem to help some in our tests as well—though it still isn’t equivalent to using silicone tips). Others report that you can put them on backwards or trim off some foam with a razor blade, though Tyll thinks this isn’t necessary. With proper preparation, previously muffled earbuds should sound much better.
Comply Foam Tips and the Effects of Tip Selection | InnerFidelity