Short answer
Start with the medium silicone tips, then try every size; the right one seals without pressure and stays put when you open your mouth. Foam tips seal and isolate best and soften treble. Wide bore silicone tips tend to add upper treble; narrow bore tips tame it. Your left and right ears may need different sizes.
Find your size in five minutes
Start with medium
Most IEMs ship with the medium tip fitted. Insert it properly: pull the top of your ear up and back, push in with a slight twist, then let go.
Play a bass-heavy track
Listen for full, steady bass. Press the IEM very gently: if the bass jumps up, the tip is not sealing on its own.
Go up or down one size
Too loose or thin bass: go up a size. Pressure, pain or the IEM pushing back out: go down a size.
Check each ear separately
Ear canals are often different sizes. Using a medium on one side and a large on the other is common.
Test with movement
Talk, chew and turn your head. A good tip keeps the seal without you pushing it back in.
Tip types
Tip types at a glance
| Type | Seal and isolation | Sound tendency | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow bore silicone | Good | Tames upper treble | Bright IEMs, treble-sensitive ears |
| Wide bore silicone | Good, often shallower | More upper treble, airy | Warm or dark IEMs |
| Foam (memory foam) | Best isolation, easy seal | Softer treble, solid bass | Commuting, flights, stage |
| Double or triple flange | Deep seal | Varies with depth | Deep insertion, some pro monitors |
The sound tendencies come from member measurements in the Head-Fi tips thread and a reviewer comparison on the Headphones.com forum: wide bore tips measured with more upper treble, narrow bore tips with less, and bass changes tracked the seal more than the bore. Foam isolates more than silicone (Logitech support).
Tips worth having
Tip packs
Care and hygiene
- Clean silicone tips with mild soapy water, rinse and let them dry fully before refitting.
- Do not wash foam tips unless the maker says you can; replace them when they stop expanding.
- Clear the nozzle filter with a soft brush or the tool from a cleaning kit. IEM cleaning tools.
- Do not share tips. Ear canals carry bacteria.
Next: how to insert IEMs for a proper seal.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my ear tips fit?
Play music with steady bass. A good fit sounds full, outside noise drops, and the tip does not move when you smile or chew. If bass vanishes when you press the IEM gently, the tip is too small or not deep enough.
Are foam tips better than silicone?
Foam expands to fill the canal, so it usually isolates more and seals more easily. It also softens treble a little and wears out faster. Silicone lasts longer, is easy to clean, and keeps more treble.
What does tip bore size do?
Bore is the hole sound passes through. Member measurements on Head-Fi suggest wide bore tips give more treble and narrow bore tips tame it. Bass differences are mostly about how well each tip seals.
Do ear tips fit any IEM?
Not always. Nozzles vary in diameter, so a tip that fits one IEM may be loose or too tight on another. Many tip packs list the nozzle sizes they fit.
How often should I replace ear tips?
Foam tips lose their spring after weeks to months of use. Silicone lasts much longer. Replace either when it no longer seals, tears or will not come clean.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Models, versions and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and keep the volume sensible.