Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family
Custom fit your iPod earbuds with PodFitKit
Now here's an interesting concept: a custom fitting kit for the stock iPod ear buds (or any ear buds, for that matter). The PodFitKit is a $9.95 batch of pliable silicon you can apply to your ear buds while in your ear, in which case it hardens into that perfect just-for-my-ear shape. One positive side effect the company states is that, if properly applied, the PodFitKit will create a more enclosed space and give you a better sound experience by blocking out most external noise.I've seen kits like this before, but I've always felt queasy about putting a $10 batch of goo in my hear. Has anyone else used stuff like this? We'd love to hear your thoughts on the experience.
[via MacMinute]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ilir said 10:35AM on 11-01-2005
I got a question. Once you apply the silicon to the earbuds, do they become permanently attached to your ear? -- Which can be a good thing considering the amount of BS one can avoid by blocking out the world, for the rest of one's life.
Reply
achaar said 11:12AM on 11-01-2005
My kid has hearing aids and they make the earmolds in a similar way. Basically, they mix a two part silicone goo into each ear with a syringe-like device. After about three minutes, they take it out and send it off to a lab to get the real earmolds back. This sounds like it could work, but it would block out almost all external sound.
Reply
mike said 12:15PM on 11-01-2005
you can go with form-fitting in-ear headphones that not only have better fidelity, but have silicone cups that conform to your ear canal.
i've got a pair of sony fontopia mdr-ex71sl phones (in black) and they do a great job of blocking loud ambient noises (like the bus) while still leaving me enough hearing to talk to people.
Reply
KissTheRing said 1:30PM on 11-01-2005
I'll do it I'm ordering one right now.
Reply
Lewis said 3:05PM on 11-01-2005
KissTheRing, I applaud your spirit of adventure.
Reply
photogeek said 3:17PM on 11-01-2005
my only concern is, the silicon will possibly eventually peel off the earbuds if it's simply stuck onto the edge/back of it, and not completely sealed onto the bud.
another thing, wouldn't it block the vent holes on the backside of the buds, which might affect the sound quality?
Reply
nerdacous said 8:10AM on 11-05-2005
is it me or does it look like blue tack
Reply
Anthony Gorgole said 1:26AM on 11-06-2005
Quick chemistry test here... silicone sticks to nothing but silicone. Therefore, this "molding mixture," whatever it may be.... shouldn't stick to the surface of the earbud. Unfortunately.... if there is nothing sticking to the earbud... there is nothing holding it in the ear other then tension.... which isn't a wise investment.
I'd look for something else... completely molded into the ear, or otherwise. One such company I know of from the shooting market that makes such a product is www.earinc.com. They molded a pair of earbuds for me at a trapshoot... and I've used them doing just about everything else.
Good luck if you decide to go this way.
Reply