If you start to lose output from your in-ear monitors, it's probably time for a deep cleaning.

I hate to say this, but I find myself emailing you about my UEs not working properly…

It seems to be a repeat of a previous problem. I have low output on both sides, especially from the bass driver. For a while I got away with panning my belt back 50% to the right so that both ears are up at an even level. Eventually the right side was just as bad.

I kept up the cleaning routine, but it didn’t seem to help. For several shows now I’ve had to use my backup headphones. This is bumming me out because they are nowhere as good in terms of sound quality or fit, but I feel like I have no choice. I can’t believe that I’ve had to clean my ears repeatedly and the problem is still there.


I’m really sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve had with your UE Pros.

I want to point out a couple of things from the get go. Low output is myth. Drivers don’t go bad; this is almost always a symptom of clogged canals due to excessive ear wax. Remember that wax does not need to coat the actual drivers to affect the sound. Once it fouls the dampers in the sound tubes, the sound signature will change and there will be lower output. Having the acoustic dampers in place helps to both shape the sound curves and to prevent earwax travelling further up the acoustic pathway and reaching the drivers which would cause irreversible damage.

Another issue could be that your transmitter doesn’t provide the correct output impedance. If you recently made a change to your gear or adjusted anything in the signal chain, this could be a factor. But if all things have remained constant then you know it’s a wax issue. Speaking of output impedance and getting the most out of your in-ears, take a look at our SoundGuard. It acts as an impedance transformer so that you’re guaranteed the ideal sound signature no matter what you use to drive your IEMs.

 

Epilogue:

This person sent in their IEMs for a deep cleaning and we found the problem to be just what we thought. Through an otoscope, close inspection of the filter mesh in the acoustic damper showed tiny pieces of ear wax. Removing the wax immediately increased the output.
The moral of the story is that Wax Happens. Keep your ears and your UE Pros clean both inside and out and they will keep you happy for a long time. If you suspect that your in-ears could use a tune-up and or a deep cleaning, please contact your rep right away and ask about our $199 flat rate repair fee. Think of this like servicing your car. It may just be time to change the oil;)
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