Jack_CarverA few years ago, when we went to shows and tried custom demos, most manufacturers were not offering universal fit variants of their models. They explained that handpouring the acrylic stem and then shaving to fit ear tips led to very thin walls which increased failure rates through breakage, requiring high margins to subsidize replacements. That’s one of the reasons that customs and custom universals are expensive: hedging against failure rates.
This is something that we don’t often speak of but our contract calls for a low failure rate and in order to hit the acceptable target, the durability was increased to reduce returns. As a result, we’re able to reduce costs and lower margins because we’ve controlled replacement rates. Because Empire Ears was able to design a new construction with ABS and stainless steel that is much more durable but with the same sound, we’re able to make them more accessible. That’s why the new construction is so important and beneficial.
CEE_TEESo basically you're saying that they sound so good you wanted to have a universal fit to lower margins and increase early adoption. And that they're technically more durable than Customs.
Jack_CarverHi Jack_Carver,
That's mostly it, except Empire Ears does offer universal fit versions of their customs that are hand-poured acrylic. When we approached Empire Ears about working together, some innovation was required to control costs while delivering the same internals.
longchassHi longchass, The way these are being made, that is correct.
(One way to be careful if you have customs is to wind the cable up in a way that you do not knock the earpiece nozzles together when putting them back in the case. The nozzles can chip if you bang them together. )