Custom headphones usually means one of three things: custom-fit IEMs with shells moulded to your ears, a reshell that moves an IEM you already own into a custom shell, or a custom-built cable for headphones you already have. The first two change the fit; the third changes the connector, plug, length and conductor.
People search for custom headphones with very different goals. A stage musician wants a seal that stays put. A hi-fi listener with a Sennheiser HD 650 wants a balanced cable. This guide explains each meaning, what it involves, and which of our guides to read next.
Key takeaways
- A custom IEM is an in-ear monitor whose shell is moulded from impressions of your ears; ours are made by AAW, our sister brand.
- Ear impressions at the Null Audio studio in Singapore cost SGD 50; from overseas you can email one STL scan file per ear.
- The Earphone Reshell Service by AAW starts at USD 219 for IEMs with up to 4 drivers and takes 7–8 weeks from receipt of impressions.
- A custom headphone cable is built to order with your choice of headphone connector, player plug, length and conductor.
- Custom-made items, including custom IEMs and cables built to a custom spec, can't be returned for a change of mind.
What does "custom headphones" mean?
"Custom headphones" is not one product. In practice, the phrase covers three things, and each solves a different problem.
- Custom-fit IEMs: new in-ear monitors built from impressions of your ears.
- Reshells: the drivers from an IEM you already own, moved into a new custom shell.
- Custom headphone cables: a cable built to order for over-ear headphones or IEMs you already own.
An IEM (in-ear monitor) is an earphone that sits in your ear canal and seals it. Over-ear headphones sit around your ears instead, so their fit can't be moulded in the same way. For them, "custom" usually means the cable.
Custom-fit IEMs: moulded to your ears
A custom IEM (or CIEM) is an in-ear monitor whose shell follows the exact shape of your ear canal and concha. The concha is the bowl of the outer ear. A universal IEM, by contrast, has one shell shape and seals with foam or silicone tips (Wikipedia).
In general, custom shells are made in hard acrylic or softer silicone (Wikipedia). Our custom IEMs are made by AAW (Advanced AcousticWerkes). The range runs from the 2-driver M20 to the 14-driver Canary Pro, and you can design the look in the AAW Custom Builder.
What you get
- A Null Audio cable with every custom IEM, with the option to upgrade.
- Recessed 0.78 mm 2-pin sockets, which our standard 2PIN (0.78) plug fits.
- A free refit within 30 days of delivery, and a 1-year warranty on the IEM and its cable.
Browse the custom IEM collection. To weigh custom against universal, read Custom vs universal IEMs. For the ordering steps, see the Custom IEM Singapore guide.
Can your existing IEMs become custom headphones?
Often, yes. A reshell is a service that moves the drivers of an IEM you own into a new shell made from your ear impressions. You keep the sound you chose and gain a custom fit.
The Earphone Reshell Service by AAW accepts most balanced-armature IEMs. A balanced armature is a small driver originally invented for hearing aids, and now used extensively in IEMs (Wikipedia). If you're not sure about yours, contact us before you send it.
- Cost: from USD 219 for up to 4 drivers, USD 259 for 5–9 drivers, and USD 299 for more than 9 drivers or any model with electrostatic (EST) drivers.
- Time: 7–8 weeks from the date we receive your impressions.
- Included: a 46-inch detachable cable, a 30-day refit guarantee and a 1-year limited warranty that excludes the original drivers.
Our IEM reshell guide covers what to send and the risks to weigh.
Custom cables for the headphones you own
A custom headphone cable is a cable built to order for one pair of headphones, with the parts you choose. We build each one by hand in Singapore. You pick four things.
1. The headphone connector
The headphone connector is the plug that goes into the earcup. Sennheiser's HD 600 family, including the HD 580, HD 600, HD 650 and HD 660S2, uses a 2-pin plug in each earcup (Sennheiser). The HD 600 and HD 650 are 300 Ω headphones. Audeze LCD-2, LCD-X and LCD-5 use a 4-pin mini XLR in each earcup. Our configurator also covers the Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 700, Beyerdynamic T1 and T5p, Focal Utopia and Shure SRH1540/1840.
Not sure which you have? Our headphone cable finder lists 170 headphones from 25 brands, and Headphone cable connectors explained shows each type.
2. The player plug
Options include 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 2.5 mm, 4-pin XLR and a pair of 3-pin XLR. A balanced cable gives each channel its own return wire, so it needs a balanced output on your amplifier.
3. The length
Our standard length is 1.2 m. For comparison, Sennheiser ships the HD 650 with a 3 m cable and a 6.35 mm plug. For a desk setup you may want more than 1.2 m; contact us for a custom length.
4. The conductor
The conductor is the metal that carries the signal. Choices range from UPOCC copper in Arete, with 100 strands at 24 AWG, to cryogenically treated 7N silver in Thera. For a one-off build, Moebius is our bespoke cable with an 8.8% gold/silver fusion core.
The full walk-through is in Custom headphone cables: connector, plug, length and conductor. Browse ready designs in our headphone cable collection.
Which kind of custom headphones is right for you?
Start from what you already own and what you want to change.
| Your situation | What to choose | What it changes | Read next |
|---|---|---|---|
| You want new IEMs that fit your ears | Custom IEM | Fit, seal, sound and cable | Custom IEM Singapore |
| You like your IEMs but not their fit | Reshell | Fit only; the drivers stay | IEM reshell guide |
| You own over-ear headphones | Custom headphone cable | Connector, plug, length, conductor | Custom headphone cables |
| You own IEMs and want a new cable | IEM upgrade cable | Connector, plug, conductor | How to choose an earphone cable |
What do ear impressions involve?
Custom IEMs and reshells both start with ear impressions. An ear impression is a soft mould of your ear canal and outer ear. Impressions for custom IEMs are typically taken by an audiologist (Wikipedia).
In Singapore, we take them at our studio at 76 Playfair Road for SGD 50, by appointment; it takes 10–20 minutes. They are taken with the mouth open, because the ear canal changes shape when the jaw moves (The Hearing Review).
From overseas, email one STL scan file per ear, named left and right. Each scan must go past the second bend of the ear canal and include the whole concha. The checklist is on our custom IEM hub, and IEMs in Singapore covers studio visits and auditions.
Custom-fit earplugs: protection, not playback
Some people searching for custom headphones actually want hearing protection. AAW Noise Guard Earplugs are custom earplugs in UV acrylic, made from the same kind of ear impressions.
They don't play music. Their filters cut harmful high-frequency noise while letting you hear voices. The BASS mode, designed for musical use, attenuates up to 36 dB at 8 kHz. The lead time is 3 weeks from the date we receive your impressions.
Where to start
If you want custom headphones for your ears, book ear impressions on WhatsApp at +65 8731 5476 or follow the scan steps on the custom IEM hub. If you want a custom cable, look up your headphones in the headphone cable finder or your IEMs in Find My Cable. Unsure which you need? Contact us with your model and a photo of the sockets.
Frequently asked questions
Can over-ear headphones be custom fitted?
Over-ear headphones sit around your ears, so they can't be moulded to your ear canal like an in-ear monitor. For over-ear headphones, custom usually means a custom-built cable with the connector, player plug, length and conductor you choose.
How much do custom IEMs cost compared with a reshell?
A reshell keeps the drivers of an IEM you own and moves them into a custom shell; the Earphone Reshell Service by AAW starts at USD 219 for up to 4 drivers. New AAW custom IEMs are priced per model, shown on each product page in the custom in-ear monitor collection.
Do I need ear impressions for custom headphones?
You need ear impressions or a 3D ear scan for custom IEMs, reshells and custom-fit earplugs. You don't need them for a custom headphone cable. In Singapore, Null Audio takes impressions at its studio for SGD 50 by appointment.
Can I return custom headphones if I change my mind?
No. Custom IEMs and cables made to a custom spec, length or connector are built for you alone and can't be returned for a change of mind once production starts. Defects are covered by the 1-year warranty, and custom IEMs get a free refit within 30 days of delivery.
How do I find the right connector for a custom headphone cable?
Look up your headphones in the Null Audio headphone cable finder, which lists 170 headphones from 25 brands, or your IEMs in Find My Cable. If your model isn't listed, send us the exact model and a close photo of the sockets.
Are custom earplugs the same as custom IEMs?
No. Custom earplugs such as AAW Noise Guard are moulded to your ears like custom IEMs, but they don't play music. Their filters reduce harmful high-frequency noise while letting you hear voices, and the BASS mode is designed for musicians.
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