![]() ![]() Noise isolation is very important for me given that I travel a lot so I want to keep backgound noise out to enjoy music at low volume and protect my ears from too high sound pressure levels. Below is a scale from LEARs webpage quantifying the hardness of the semi-rigid polymer on shore scale for those interested in the matter: It will surely protect the interiors of the CIEM. The “semi-rigid shell” is not made of acrylic and is bit softer, but still significantly harder than most silicones. Given the size of the shell its relatively empty given is not completely filled with polymer. You may sometimes hear clicks when wearing the IEM when outside air pressure is rapidly changing (for example during airplane ascents / descents or a train running into a tunnel etc). When you insert the A1d into your ear(s) you will hear a clicking sound, which is the driver itself responding to the increased air pressure (Tatco Ma of LEAR told me its called the “driver flex”), which is perfectly normal. Next to the potentiometer there is also a small black pressure vent. The pot is only accessible when taking the IEM out of the ear, when inserted into the ear, the pot is covered by the ear (cymba may be the correct anatomical term?). With the provided tiny screwdriver the soundsignature can be adapted by turning the pot. The driver is connected in series with a tiny “knob” which is in fact a potentiometer (lets call it “pot”) at the upper side of the earpiece. The large black 10mm dynamic driver sits at the beginning of single sound bore with a diameter of a 3-4 millimeters. ![]() I chose a fully transparent A1d so you can see what’s inside. It’s a large-bodied CIEM (protrudes a bit out of the concha) with “mildly recessed" 2-pin plugs. ![]() Not sure if this only my can or if others observed this too. I noticed that a smell developed in the can when closed for longer time, kind of like from a glue or rubber stabilizer agent. It is rather big and heavy and built like a tank its made of solid metal (maybe 3 mm steel), which could be a disadvantage for those who travel a lot (packing and also customs inspection at airports). I am not sure if its waterproof (and I wont try). While its looks can be debated you can be sure that it’ll protect your IEMS from some hard knocks. The can looks like inspired by cosmetic product packages. Also included were a tiny screwdriver to adjust the headphones and a cleaning tool and a small leaflet with some instructions. ![]() When I unpacked the shipment (I wont go into the “unboxing” details in this review), I got a black box containing a stainless steel protective can intended to store and transport the CIEMs. I will report my experience with the LCM-A1d below as follows:ġ) Accessories, earphone quality /build, fitġ) Accessories, earphone quality /build, fit: Email correspondence with LEAR on ordering and other questions (in particular with Tatco Ma) were very timely, accurate and friendly. I sent my ear impressions start of September and received the completed phones at my place about seven weeks later, so subtracting one week for shipment of the impressions and the completed earphones, the total build time was less than 6 weeks, so just as announced. With the deal done I ordered an all-clear LCM-A1d with semi-rigid shell. LEAR offered a discount for a review pair. I didn’t own a custom IEM before and thought that’s a rather interesting package and asked LEAR for are a review sample. Sensitivity : 110dB ((Adjustable knob at 4'o clock maximum position ) Impedance : 33ohm Hz (Adjustable knob at 4'o clock maximum position ) Driver: 10mm CCAW, 5u diaphragm, neodymium magnets, LEAR custom tuned dynamic driver (note from the reviewer: CCAW = Copper-clad aluminium wire) Here are the specifications of LCM-A1d (copied from LEARs website) For some more dollars theres is an option to get a semi-rigid shell which is a bit softer than the usual acrylic polymer, but harder than silicone. When they recently the LCM-A1d, a single dynamic driver custom IEM, whose sound signature is tunable via a integrated potentiometer and starts selling for 2’000 HKD (260 USD, 233 EUR), I got interested. LEAR has a good reputation in the field and turned heads with their innovations like the hybrid LCM-BD4.2. I was watching LEAR for some time, particularly their range of custom headphones. ![]()
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