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Hands-On With Comply's Foam Tips for AirPods Pro
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Comply stated on their blog that "on average, a pair of foam earbud tips should last around two to four months."
And it gets worse:
They offer plenty of caveats, and describe scenarios in which the tips could last longer than usual, so the full blog post is worth reading.
Unfortunately, it's on a server whose security certificate has expired, so Safari and Chrome will throw up a warning if you try to visit the site.
https://blog.complyfoam.com/long-foam-earbud-tips-last/
EDIT: The blog post is dated March 2018, so perhaps they've made improvement in their foam that makes the tips last longer. I have no idea.
This is completely normal for any foam tips, and it's why they are sold in packs of multiple. It's also one of the reasons why foam ear plugs are usually single use. Your ears sweat and foam gets moist and starts to break down over time.
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I've had these on order from their site since they opened pre-orders earlier this month. Looking forward to trying them. I also have a pair of the CharJenPro tips on their way as well to compare the two.
Up until early this year I had been using the launch model of the Bragi Dash earbuds from it's release in 2015, which was the first good wireless earbuds in my opinion. But the company stopped making earbuds, mine were cracked, and the battery on them had reached the point where they couldn't last 2 hours anymore. I had been waiting for something to replace those that was in-ear with good battery life, not bulky looking, and audio transparency but nothing really fit those requirements until AirPods Pro came out last year. The only thing I was missing on the AirPods Pro that I had with the Dash was comply foam tips. The stock silicone tips with both devices actually fit my ears fine, but that is under normal use. I primarily use my earbuds during exercise, (although I haven't been able to go to an actual gym since March due to lockdowns) and any situation where you're not completely upright presents a problem where they start to come loose. Especially lifting weights lying on a bench tends to push them out on their own, and I found that foam tips stay in the ears much more securely, even if you're laying partially upside-down.
I had tried a few brands with the last earbuds I owned and I liked the Comply ones the best. Other cheap brands were either coated in something that made them slippery, negating the benefit that helps them stay in better, or they were uncomfortable for some reason due to the solid parts that hold the foam pressing against the inside of the ear.
In my past experience under "sweaty" use for exercise, the tips usually degraded a bit faster than quoted. I'd usually get 1 to 2 months instead of 2 to 4 from them. But buying a new pack of tips 2 or 3 times a year isn't so bad. (They weren't $30 though, they were usually half that...) I will probably like the Comply ones and keep buying those after my initial set is used up, unless something goes horribly wrong or I like the CharJenPro ones instead. (But those other ones look like slippery foam, which I won't like. So I suspect Comply will suit my needs better)
Well, the TLDR of it is the design of the Pros is flawed such that the mesh that rests against the inside of your ear will over time start to get clogged with normal skin oils and etc. There's a microphone under there that adjusts the noise cancelling, and if it's blocked then you'll hear more 'body vibrations' like footsteps, and NC and bass response will be worse.
But you can use "blu tack" (I got Loctite fun-tak) to unclog it and clear the microphone mesh. At least, nearly everyone I've seen comment about it has had success, though I've only had partial improvement. I'm going to get replacements and then keep them maintained. My Apple Store is probably opening soon.
Here's a thread, and I linked to a pic of the mesh in question. People were "sucking" on that mesh, but more people had success with blu tack. Good luck!
AirPod Pro Ear Tip Fit test not working...Not the only one
Suck on this! (LOL look at the language we've resorted to fix this on our own...)
forums.macrumors.com
Look at the ones made by podaccessories.com. They snap into place and have the little mesh grille inside.
Bought a pair off eBay for USD $9.4 including postage at the end of last year. They don’t seal as well as the Apple ones (still more than adequate) - but they are significantly better at staying in my ear now. Can’t wait to get rid of them and get the next gen of the normal AirPods.
So you bought an article that is yet unreleased at the moment six months ago for 1/3 of the price? Wow...
I used to use Comply on my old wired Pioneer in-ears. They are great at blocking out external noise and also fits very good, but the big downside is that if you're using your headphones every day, be prepared for having to buy new ones on a regular basis. The memory foam is awesome at first, but deteriorates quite fast and within a few weeks they get very soft and will not bounce back to make a snug fit in the ears any longer. That will over time obviously become quite costly.
Currently I'm using a pair of Sony WF-1000XM3, and they don't go well at all together with Comply, so nowadays I'm back to silicone tips, that stays the same pretty much forever.
Currently I'm using a pair of Sony WF-1000XM3, and they don't go well at all together with Comply, so nowadays I'm back to silicone tips, that stays the same pretty much forever.
I know it's not a big deal, but that picture of the Comply packaging really illustrates how nicely Apple presents their products. Apple uses a simple paper mount that holds each ear tip individually, evenly, and simply. Comply use a blister pack and tosses two into each compartment.
I have to think it’s more about what white foam that sits in the ear canal would look like over time (Even with the wax protection mentioned it’s still going to yellow or brown over time).
The black hides that.
I have used Comply foam tips for nearly two decades, and while I’ve occasionally had to buy replacements, it never feels to me like it’s happening too quickly or at some absurd expense. Maybe if I added it all up I would feel differently.
It is worth noting that I’ve had very different experiences with two pairs of Shure headphones, though. I first received a pair of E4s as a gift, and I used them virtually every day until I lost them, years later. Figuring I was about due for an upgrade anyway, I replaced them with SE535s, an upgrade in both sound and (supposedly) form. I still have them, but no matter what I do, no matter what tips I use, they just are not comfortable for extended listening sessions. Either my ears eventually push them out, ruining the seal, or my ears hurt badly enough that I need to take a break. I’ve tried lots of other tips to remedy the problem, but to no avail.
I really wanted the AirPods Pro to replace or at least significantly obviate my SE535s, but the silicone tips are uncomfortable after a while and the CharJenPro set I preordered are extremely mediocre, if slightly more comfortable (I also made the mistake of buying a “white” pair, which came out very gray and already look gross with earwax regardless). I’m going to order a set of Comply foams to see if higher quality foam makes a difference, but it may be that I find once again that the design flaw is in the shape of the headphones themselves and the way they fit into my weird ears. I encourage anyone with the means to do so (and/or the patience to wait for a coupon or a sale) to experiment with a variety of tips and roll with what works for you.
It is worth noting that I’ve had very different experiences with two pairs of Shure headphones, though. I first received a pair of E4s as a gift, and I used them virtually every day until I lost them, years later. Figuring I was about due for an upgrade anyway, I replaced them with SE535s, an upgrade in both sound and (supposedly) form. I still have them, but no matter what I do, no matter what tips I use, they just are not comfortable for extended listening sessions. Either my ears eventually push them out, ruining the seal, or my ears hurt badly enough that I need to take a break. I’ve tried lots of other tips to remedy the problem, but to no avail.
I really wanted the AirPods Pro to replace or at least significantly obviate my SE535s, but the silicone tips are uncomfortable after a while and the CharJenPro set I preordered are extremely mediocre, if slightly more comfortable (I also made the mistake of buying a “white” pair, which came out very gray and already look gross with earwax regardless). I’m going to order a set of Comply foams to see if higher quality foam makes a difference, but it may be that I find once again that the design flaw is in the shape of the headphones themselves and the way they fit into my weird ears. I encourage anyone with the means to do so (and/or the patience to wait for a coupon or a sale) to experiment with a variety of tips and roll with what works for you.
Not the particular brand in this article. They aren’t hard to find.
Attachments
Well, I’m out. That’s a shame, these sounded promising, but this is getting too expensive (of course, AirPods are already too expensive and disposable with the non-replaceable battery).
I only get a (confirmed) fit in my right ear when the AirPod is ‘fully screwed in’, meaning rotated counterclockwise (and that is with the largest tip). Over time it starts slipping a bit and then falls out when I tilt my head forward/look down.
When I am largely stationary that’s fine, but moving about is dangerous. I have already tested the waterproofing even at home. That’s why my daily driver is a pair of Jaybird Tarah Pro. They also can fall out (again largely from my right ear), eg, when doing push-up, but less often and almost always are well enough secured by the cable connecting them. Plus they actually last a full day.
Yeah, that's why I got out; in the end I think people should see Comply tips as signing up for a subscription.
Why no coupon code for these, Macrumors? 🤨 They are going to get a measurable bump in sales from your review so it would be a service to both your readers and to them!
What bothers me the most about the Pro’s is that sometimes they’re in my ears and are rock solid with no slippage for extended periods of time - literally I end up taking them out before they slip. And other times they just won’t stay in. I understand that skin moisture and oil level variations are likely what is causing them to slip out. Perhaps I just need to be that much more hygienic and clean my ears when the buds won’t stay in.
I have the same issue. I found these type of replacement tips help. But I think it’s the “bulb” part of the pros are too big for that part of my ear. So it’s not the tip that’s the main problem (for me anyway), the bulb part restricting a proper fit. Can’t wait for updated AirPods.
Ordered thanks for the $5 International Shipping, cannot wait. Took long enough!
Edit: Why not make them white
Because Comply foam is disgusting after about three wearings, no matter how clean you keep your ears. White would be horrible.
[automerge]1590032545[/automerge]
Not a chance. If the OEM Apple tips make you uncomfortable, Comply foam will be truly miserable.
[automerge]1590032806[/automerge]
Final Design and Spinfit for my Sonys have been great.
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Just a minor update on this. My Comply pre-order (which was placed the day they went up for order in April) has yet to ship, but I got the CharJenPro ones today. My assumption from their photos was incorrect, they are not coated with a slippery layer like some of the foam tips I've tried in the past. The foam on those is the same soft style at Comply uses. They also "click in" like the official tips do.
(Pictured Airpods came from ColorWare)
I can't give a proper 1:1 comparison until the Comply tips arrive, but at the moment the Comply ones still seem like a better deal. With the CharJenPro tips you're forced to buy a pack including both of their sizes for the same price that you can get 3 pairs of the size you want Comply tips for. They do a better job on the presentation than Comply and include a microfiber cloth in the box for some reason, but if you're re-buying more tips 3 months later you won't really need that.
Overall my point was that the competing brand seems decent so far if you can't get the Comply ones yet.
For those asking for a Comply coupon code, they send you the 10% off code COMPLY10 when you sign up for their mailing list. It probably still works.
The original Air Pods were barely noticeable, but would go flying if I waved at a gnat. Air Pod Pros fit better and do not fall out as easily, but still do. The gnat swats do not dislodge then, but furrowing my brow seems to make them slip out.
Kinda waiting for the over ear Studio version, but I still use the pros, and haven’t lost one yet. It is just annoying. Love the noise reduction technology.
Kinda waiting for the over ear Studio version, but I still use the pros, and haven’t lost one yet. It is just annoying. Love the noise reduction technology.
OMG THANK YOU!! I had heard the suck thing at one point but I was sucking on the wrong part (the main speaker). I sucked the hell out of the right side and sucked a little on the left side. Did a test and as soon as I put them back in my ears I could tell the right side was sounding better. Did the test and the right side was good seal and the left side wasn't quite there. So I sucked on it really hard for a while and it actually seamed like I could feel the air moving through it easier so I put it back in and I've got a good seal on both sides now! Wow. No more background rumble! It's back to the way it was on Christmas morning. Still going to try out the Comply. My ears don't have much wax but with these in they get a little sweaty inside and I have to air them out some. Maybe the foam will be a little more breathable? Who knows. Will be interesting to see how the Comply are either way.Well, the TLDR of it is the design of the Pros is flawed such that the mesh that rests against the inside of your ear will over time start to get clogged with normal skin oils and etc. There's a microphone under there that adjusts the noise cancelling, and if it's blocked then you'll hear more 'body vibrations' like footsteps, and NC and bass response will be worse.
But you can use "blu tack" (I got Loctite fun-tak) to unclog it and clear the microphone mesh. At least, nearly everyone I've seen comment about it has had success, though I've only had partial improvement. I'm going to get replacements and then keep them maintained. My Apple Store is probably opening soon.
Here's a thread, and I linked to a pic of the mesh in question. People were "sucking" on that mesh, but more people had success with blu tack. Good luck!
AirPod Pro Ear Tip Fit test not working...Not the only one
Suck on this! (LOL look at the language we've resorted to fix this on our own...)
This company Comply doesn't know how to do business internationally.
They should sell these on their worldwide Amazon shops, like they do all their other models, as they are a complete rip-off to import from the US only, after all additional costs.
In the EU (using a UK example – yes, we still follow the same rules!) you can import £15.00 without VAT.
But Comply charge £18 ($25) for their 3-pk, so they are just over the limit. Therefore all EU buyers have to then pay an additional £11.60 (£3.60 VAT 20% + £8.00 handling fee).
Thus a single 3-pk is then £29.60 – nearly £10 a pair!
An utter rip-off for what the product is, especially given Apple themselves only charge £4.00 a pair (£8.00 for a 2-pk) for their *original OEM rubber* product. Ridiculous.
They should sell these on their worldwide Amazon shops, like they do all their other models, as they are a complete rip-off to import from the US only, after all additional costs.
In the EU (using a UK example – yes, we still follow the same rules!) you can import £15.00 without VAT.
But Comply charge £18 ($25) for their 3-pk, so they are just over the limit. Therefore all EU buyers have to then pay an additional £11.60 (£3.60 VAT 20% + £8.00 handling fee).
Thus a single 3-pk is then £29.60 – nearly £10 a pair!
An utter rip-off for what the product is, especially given Apple themselves only charge £4.00 a pair (£8.00 for a 2-pk) for their *original OEM rubber* product. Ridiculous.
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