With all the attention custom-fitted in-ear headphones have been getting in pro audio circles lately, it's surprising that Advanced Communication Solutions (ACS), a small UK-based company, hasn't been mentioned more often than they have. ACS' mission is one of hearing conservation awareness; under managing director Andy Shiach, ACS strives to promote healthy practices both on and off stage by offering products designed to protect while offering superior audio quality.
In this review, let's take a look at their flagship product: the T2 dual-driver custom molded monitor earphone.
In this review, let's take a look at their flagship product: the T2 dual-driver custom molded monitor earphone.
Ordering & packaging
Ordering the ACS T2 is a familiar process if you've bought a custom-molded product before. You'll need good-quality ear impressions, made open-mouthed to the second bend of your ear canal. Any audiologist can do this for you, and the total cost shouldn't exceed $30-$50.
While ACS is located in the UK, they're more than happy to process orders from abroad.
The monitors arrive in a hard-shell Pelican case custom labeled with the customer's name; the Pelican case has more than enough space for a wireless in-ear receiver or portable music player. Inside the case is a small leather pouch containing the monitors, a cleaning tool, and a small tube of lubricant -- very helpful when getting the monitors in your ears the first time.
While ACS is located in the UK, they're more than happy to process orders from abroad.
The monitors arrive in a hard-shell Pelican case custom labeled with the customer's name; the Pelican case has more than enough space for a wireless in-ear receiver or portable music player. Inside the case is a small leather pouch containing the monitors, a cleaning tool, and a small tube of lubricant -- very helpful when getting the monitors in your ears the first time.
Aesthetics and fit
The T2 earphone is a very smart design; visually, the monitor looks similar to the Sensaphonics 2XS design, but is built slightly stronger. The cable -- hard-wired to the inside of the monitor, not modular like other brands -- is a very strong teflon-coated, silver-colored cable. Other cable options are available when ordering for a nominal fee.
Aesthetically, the T2 are very elegant and nearly invisible when worn. They're available in multiple colors, but the standard choice is clear.
Comfort wise, the ACS T2 are by far the most comfortable monitors I've ever worn. While any custom-fit product begins with great quality ear impressions, the build quality on the T2 makes wearing them a pleasure. Compared to the Sensaphonics 2XS, the T2 is made of a softer silicone which aids comfort. Given the quality of the fit, needless to say, isolation is top notch, which allows much better listening at a lower volume.
While we're comparing the ACS T2 and the Sensaphonics 2XS, it should be said that while they're similar products, they're not 100% identical, as many have believed.
Aesthetically, the T2 are very elegant and nearly invisible when worn. They're available in multiple colors, but the standard choice is clear.
Comfort wise, the ACS T2 are by far the most comfortable monitors I've ever worn. While any custom-fit product begins with great quality ear impressions, the build quality on the T2 makes wearing them a pleasure. Compared to the Sensaphonics 2XS, the T2 is made of a softer silicone which aids comfort. Given the quality of the fit, needless to say, isolation is top notch, which allows much better listening at a lower volume.
While we're comparing the ACS T2 and the Sensaphonics 2XS, it should be said that while they're similar products, they're not 100% identical, as many have believed.
Sound quality
Sound quality is the most important part of any audio product, and the T2 really hits the mark.
Mid-range is extremely lush and solid; vocals pop out with very lifelike accuracy. In fact, the mid-range reproduction on the T2 is some of the best in it's class. Vocal harmonies are easy to achieve and to hear clearly, and from a stage monitoring perspective, having such high-quality midrange reproduction makes the T2 sound very natural for live monitoring, offering the frequencies that tend to be needed by stage performers up front.
Bass is well-controlled and goes very deep, offering a perfect complement to the great mids. While bass is far from overwhelming, it's very strong and frames the overall sound signature very well. Highs are slightly recessed, but far from missing -- they offer a very controlled high end while allowing the listener to become very engaged in the natural, well-balanced overall sound.
Overall, I would describe the T2 as an extremely accurate, almost transparent monitor when the incoming mix is equally high quality -- a very desirable feature in a custom monitor. When the mix isn't so great, the T2 makes up for it, offering a very pleasing sound signature that emphasizes lifelike mids framed by solid, high quality lows and highs.
One drawback to the T2 as a personal listening monitor: bad mic technique, bad compression, and cheap mastering pop out when listening on the T2. On a completely different note, given a really high quality recording, well mixed and well mastered, the T2 sounds stellar -- just like the engineer had intended.
Mid-range is extremely lush and solid; vocals pop out with very lifelike accuracy. In fact, the mid-range reproduction on the T2 is some of the best in it's class. Vocal harmonies are easy to achieve and to hear clearly, and from a stage monitoring perspective, having such high-quality midrange reproduction makes the T2 sound very natural for live monitoring, offering the frequencies that tend to be needed by stage performers up front.
Bass is well-controlled and goes very deep, offering a perfect complement to the great mids. While bass is far from overwhelming, it's very strong and frames the overall sound signature very well. Highs are slightly recessed, but far from missing -- they offer a very controlled high end while allowing the listener to become very engaged in the natural, well-balanced overall sound.
Overall, I would describe the T2 as an extremely accurate, almost transparent monitor when the incoming mix is equally high quality -- a very desirable feature in a custom monitor. When the mix isn't so great, the T2 makes up for it, offering a very pleasing sound signature that emphasizes lifelike mids framed by solid, high quality lows and highs.
One drawback to the T2 as a personal listening monitor: bad mic technique, bad compression, and cheap mastering pop out when listening on the T2. On a completely different note, given a really high quality recording, well mixed and well mastered, the T2 sounds stellar -- just like the engineer had intended.
Overall impressions
The ACS T2 is an extremely high quality custom monitor -- one of the best in its class. Offering extremely neutral and detailed sound, it almost seems as if the sound signature of the T2 was tuned with making a stage performer feel extremely natural on stage -- and a by product of that is the amazing performance when listening to your portable music player.
Comfort-wise, the T2 is by far the most comfortable and best fit of any custom product I've tried to date. The soft silicone makes wearing the T2 for long periods of time a non-issue.
And even through the £499 pricetag is high for US-based buyers, fear not! ACS' Andy Shiach let me in on some great info: ACS will soon be staking their claim in the US market, and he'll soon be working to establish a network of audiologists and a manufacturing facility in the States, offering competitive pricing, without the added exchange premium! Also, since this review was originally published, ACS introduced the T1, a true three-way version of the T2. Stay tuned for a review of this new item from ACS!
Comfort-wise, the T2 is by far the most comfortable and best fit of any custom product I've tried to date. The soft silicone makes wearing the T2 for long periods of time a non-issue.
And even through the £499 pricetag is high for US-based buyers, fear not! ACS' Andy Shiach let me in on some great info: ACS will soon be staking their claim in the US market, and he'll soon be working to establish a network of audiologists and a manufacturing facility in the States, offering competitive pricing, without the added exchange premium! Also, since this review was originally published, ACS introduced the T1, a true three-way version of the T2. Stay tuned for a review of this new item from ACS!