Frequently Asked Questions

This may be controversial, but we do not believe in judging in-ear monitors by graphs and numbers. Our own experience testing a wide range of hi-fi equipment at every price level supports this view. Many buying decisions today are guided solely by what appears on paper, without a proper understanding of the purpose of these highly regarded measurements. A frequency-response graph does not determine how an in-ear monitor—or any headphone—will sound. Of course, we take these measurements, but we use them to calibrate and match the left and right sides of each monitor; that is their essential purpose. A measurement provides a snapshot of the response at a particular time and a single frequency. It uses a frequency sweep—in other words, one note at a time. Real-life listening is different, unless you enjoy the sound of a phone left off the hook. Music and other everyday audio contain many sounds—instruments, timbres, overtones, and more—happening at the same time. A smooth-looking frequency response does not necessarily mean a headphone sounds good (though we do think ours look pleasant!). Because we are based in São Paulo and have a showroom, we do not need to publish material of this kind that may mislead buyers, unlike someone buying a headphone without the chance to listen first. We will always believe that hearing an Audio Dream once is enough to understand it. hi-fi em todas as faixas de preço confirma esta posição. Atualmente, há uma prática no mercado em guiar aquisições com base apenas no que consta no papel sem devidamente compreender o objetivo das medições tão veneradas.

O gráfico de resposta de frequência não é um fator decisório para como o monitor, ou qualquer headphone, vai soar. Nós, claro, fazemos essas medições, mas para calibrar e equalizar os dois lados do monitor, que é a sua real utilidade indispensável. A medição traça um parâmetro de como a resposta está num determinado momento numa única frequência. A medição atua com um sweep de uma frequência, ou seja: uma só nota tocando num tempo de resposta. O uso na vida real não é assim, a não ser que você seja um entusiasta de sons de telefone fora do gancho. Uma música, ou qualquer outro uso possível do fone fora da medição, possui diversas sonoridades (instrumentos, timbres, overtones, etc.) acontecendo ao mesmo tempo. Uma frequência de resposta bonita não necessariamente indica que o fone soa bem (não que as nossas sejam desagradáveis de se olhar — pelo contrário)!

O fato de estarmos sediados em São Paulo e termos um showroom nos permite não ceder à pressão comercial de publicar esse tipo de material que induz o comprador em erro, ao contrário de se comprar um fone sem possibilidade de ouvir antes. Sempre vamos acreditar que basta ouvir uma vez para entender o que é um Audio Dream!

We work with more than one supplier, but further details are confidential business information. In any case, choosing an in-ear monitor solely by the brand of its drivers is a mistake. What matters is the sound!

A custom-molded in-ear monitor — shaped to fit your ear canal — is not only significantly more comfortable than a universal model, but also provides much greater noise isolation and, yes, sounds different.

The measurements are the same in both shell types (driver spacing and placement, etc.), but the unique shape of each ear canal may require adjustments so the in-ear monitor can sit as deeply as possible. As a result, a universal shell may not always provide the ideal insertion depth for listening. In addition, tips on a universal in-ear monitor affect its frequency response: different tip materials absorb different frequency ranges, acting like a small acoustic treatment inside your ear. A silicone tip may reduce bass, for example, while a tip that is too tight can compromise the treble. A custom-molded acrylic shell eliminates this variation and delivers the sound we designed at the right depth in your ear.

No. It all depends on the design and the quality of the components selected.

Even if they used the exact same drivers from the same brands, in-ear monitors that look identical but come from different manufacturers can sound remarkably different. Sound depends on far more than the number and type of transducers, which are only one part of the design. Driver placement, crossover, internal circuitry, shell design, and other factors also have a huge influence on the final product. drivers das mesmas marcas, fones aparentemente iguais de fabricantes diferentes soam imensamente distintos. Há muito mais por trás do som de um monitor além da quantidade e tipo de transdutores, que são apenas uma parte do projeto. Posicionamento, crossover, circuito interno, design da caixa, entre outros, possuem também uma influência brutal no produto final.

All our in-ear monitors use a 2-pin 0.76 mm cable connector, one of the most common standards on the market.

Yes. Our in-ear monitors are compatible with any IEM cable using a 2-pin 0.76 mm connector.

For a reshell, we carefully disassemble your in-ear monitor (whether it is an Audio Dream or, in most cases, a model from another brand) and place its components in a new shell molded to your ear canal. Reshelling a universal in-ear monitor into a custom-molded shell unlocks the design’s full sonic potential, improves comfort and isolation, and gives your favorite monitor a personalized look.

Fazer reshell do seu fone universal para um custom desbloqueia todo potencial sonoro do projeto, é mais confortável, isola mais e personaliza esteticamente o seu fone favorito.

Not every in-ear monitor can be reshelled. Some, for example, are built in a way that makes them impossible to disassemble without damaging the drivers inside.

As a general rule, we reserve the right to decline reshell requests for in-ear monitors and brands whose build or component quality would prevent us from guaranteeing a durable, satisfactory service.

It is important to keep in mind that a reshell is not always possible, even with our own in-ear monitors. Project complexity and component fragility are decisive factors when assessing whether a reshell is viable.

Please always ask us in advance whether a reshell is possible.

For this reason, even when reshelling one of our own models, the warranty covers only the service (shell and fit), not the internal components.

To clean the shell, use only a dry tissue. Your Audio Dream also includes a cleaning tool with a brush and loop, which you can use to remove earwax buildup from the sound bore of the in-ear monitor. Do not use water or other products such as alcohol or abrasives. Do not insert any other objects into the opening, as this could seriously damage the monitor. Earwax production and consistency vary from person to person. If the sound bore of your Audio Dream becomes excessively clogged, please contact us to schedule preventive maintenance and cleaning.

In most cases, yes. We use our own in-ear monitors at the gym, and many customers exercise with theirs. Sweat is also natural and unavoidable during on-stage monitoring.

Our Audio Dream in-ear monitors are built to withstand professional and everyday use. The ear canal does not sweat; it only produces earwax. We do not recommend repeatedly removing and reinserting the monitors during exercise, as this is the only way sweat can reach the internal components. If you are a musician coming off stage, do not put a damp monitor straight back in its case.

Use a tissue to dry the monitor and let it air out before closing it in its case, so any moisture inside can evaporate.

We do not recommend exercising with our open-shell models (for example, the Audio Dream Diaboli).

Yes. They are safe and excellent travel companions because they isolate noise. However, pressure changes during a flight may cause unwanted noise in in-ear monitors with electrostatic drivers. Ideally, use electrostatic drivers only once the aircraft has reached cruising altitude.

The ear is one of the few parts of the human body that continues to grow throughout life. Weight loss or gain can also affect the shape of your ear canal. We build our in-ear monitors with components designed to last, but the fit pode não ser perfeito durante todo esse período. Nós temos várias soluções para ajustes pontuais e nem toda mudança de fit requer um reshell. Contact us.

All our in-ear monitors are covered by a 2-year warranty on internal components and a 90-day warranty on the cable.

The warranty does not cover gross misuse of our products (for example, connecting an in-ear monitor directly to a 200 W loudspeaker amplifier or causing a short circuit by using a connector incompatible with a particular audio player).

We are always available to answer questions about the safe and proper use of your Audio Dream. We use our products in a wide range of situations ourselves.

Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Cables, accessories, reshells, and other services are covered by a 90-day warranty (Article 26, item II, of Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code). The reshell service warranty covers the reshell itself (shell and fit), not reused components.

We are a small-batch company focused on sound quality. We are not accepting partnership, product-exchange, or sponsorship proposals.

All professionals who use our products are customers, and we are proud of their recognition both in Brazil and internationally.

This recognition motivates us to keep delivering handcrafted, high-quality work. We are flattered that you would like to work with us, but we kindly ask that you do not send us proposals.

Yes, we ship internationally. Shipping options, delivery times and import duties vary by destination. For an order or shipping quote, contact our team at contato@audiodream.com.br.