Do you love music, DoomMeister does. Here DoomMeister will show you how to improve the isolation and inter-aural coupling of your In Ear Monitor type headphones.

One of the benefits of in ear monitor of type headphones is that they offer better isolation, better sound and less spill other types of headphones (especially those evil white ones, the ones that are louder on the F###### outside than the inside).

In this Instructable I will document how I improved my Sennheiser IE4, the same techniques will also work for Sennheiser CX300's, the Sharp, Sony and Creative models that are all very similar to previously mentioned models.

Let me also bring your attention to some other Instructables in a similar vien
1) Improve-In-Ear-Headphones-Ear-Buds
2) Poor-Man-Noise-Canceling-EarBud-Headphones

Step 1: Why Do This

These IEM's typically come with two types of insert. An expanding foam type disposable tip and a rubber tip.

The expanding foam tips offer improved sound quality and better isolation due to the improved seal and better coupling they offer, however if your ears are as Mingy as mine they need to be replaced quite often. These tips due to their expanding nature fit most sizes of ear perfectly.

The rubber tips come generally in three sizes and are a lot easier to clean. However finding a good fit can be difficult, I have also experienced that these tips loose some of their elasticity over time and as such the seal deteriorates.

In this Instructable I offer a middle way.

Step 2: You Will Need

Some In Ear Monitor type headphones (IEM's).

A hole punch (1/4" Diameter).

Some foam ear plugs (I used E-A-R classic).

Rubber ear tips of a suitable size for you ear.

Step 3: Dismantle Your Eartips

Dismantle the existing tips from your headphones and save them for later.

Step 4: Punch Out the Earplugs

Compress the earplug lengthways between thumb and forefinger (or whichever one pleases you most).

Place the compressed earplug in the punch taking care to centre the earplug on the punch.

Punch the earplug, repeat this step leaving you with two punched earplugs.

Step 5: Combine the Rubber Tips and Earplugs

Take the rubber ear tips and roll them so that they are inside out (see photo).

Insert the small rubber cylinder of the rubber ear tip into the hole that you punched in the earplug. Repeat once again.

Step 6: Reassemble

Now reassemble the combined earplug and rubber ear tip onto your In Ear Monitors. Now fold the rubber ear tip back over the earplug, I will most likely not cover the entire ear plug but this is OK.

You are now ready to try your newly improved headphones.