Earbuds aren't the flashiest pieces of gear to show off at a big event like CES, but companies always find a way. This year custom fitted earbuds were all over, and athletic demonstrators spent all day doing flips around their booths to prove their earbuds offered the perfect fit. They're not cheap--Sonomax charges $200 or $300 for a custom fit earphone kit--so Makezine decided to try one out and compare it to a homebrew solution.
Makezine's walkthrough for creating custom phones uses an old pair of earbuds and a silicone kit. The end result isn't pretty, but it is cheaper and less wasteful than the Sonomax kit, which ships with a big fitting device that has no purpose once the earpieces are cast.
If you're interested in crafting a pair of your own custom fit earbuds, maybe go with an inconspicuous black or white silicone instead of a vibrant blue.
Makezine noted that the Sonomax earbuds were more comfortable for longer listening sessions because they made contact with a smaller portion of the ear, but sound quality was disappointing due to artificial bass. The $300 kit would offer better sound quality, but you can buy a great set of earbuds for far less, cast your own tips and still come out ahead.