Audio Random IEM / Headphone Rants

Guys, I recently got a M20. Using it with my Vaio lappi, and couple of other mobiles (c6,e63). I'm pretty satisfied with sound, but not with volume, I feel its less. I guess M20 doesn't needs amp? (40ohms only) What to do?
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titana said:
^Pleased to know that these reached you safely, I think you got a great deal on these uber-rare yammies.

If you have some time, drop by this weekend or may be sooner!
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Even though the driver is smaller than HP50, it is technologically much more advanced. It has a 6 micron thin diaphragm as opposed to the usual 12 microns.

There are couple other differences with which I won't bore you but suffice it to say that there is no reason why they should not better HP50 in almost every way.

Remember these are still stock!
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I wish these had a large driver at least as much as HP-50A. It would be a killer headphone then because technically it is very refined & quite resolving. It's just that the notes do not sound as big as HP-50A

I opened the cups & removed the double layer wool that Kabeer had used for damping.

The sound was quite horrible without the wool.

Then i stuffed one layer of wool & the bass was tremendous. Deep & great impact. But it lead to somewhat unclear mids & also affected overall clarity & instrument separation.

These sounded best with the double layer wool.
 
JuGGa said:
Guys, I recently got a M20. Using it with my Vaio lappi, and couple of other mobiles (c6,e63). I'm pretty satisfied with sound, but not with volume, I feel its less. I guess M20 doesn't needs amp? (40ohms only) What to do?
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Any suggestions here?
 
^May be it does need an amp.

Low impedance is only one part of the equation, the other one is sensitivity/efficiency. If these are inefficient, than you will need an amp regardless of its low impedance.
 
titana said:
^May be it does need an amp.

Low impedance is only one part of the equation, the other one is sensitivity/efficiency. If these are inefficient, than you will need an amp regardless of its low impedance.
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Fiio E6 would do? Max budget 2k. It should also be capable to drive M50 or AD700 grade headphones (I'm gonna buy them in future). Also, would they benefit 2.1 speakers?
 
De-railing the discussion for just this one post - I was away for 4 days. Nothing interesting happened. In other news, got DBA-02 MK2 and RMA-ed Tandem a couple of days ago.
 
JuGGa said:
Fiio E6 would do? Max budget 2k. It should also be capable to drive M50 or AD700 grade headphones (I'm gonna buy them in future). Also, would they benefit 2.1 speakers?
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portable amps are more suitable for IEMs than full-sized headphones but I guess it would still be better than nothing.
 
Hi, I'm looking for interconnect cable 3.5 mm to 3.5mm male and headphone plug 3.5 to 6.3 mm good quality, So which website with reasonable price.
 
titana said:
portable amps are more suitable for IEMs than full-sized headphones but I guess it would still be better than nothing.
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Then which amp do you suggest which could handle till M50?

Also, whats the diff b/w amp and a DAC?

How sound card and amp differ in usage/role?

Would the amp for hp work for speakers (z623) too?

tiy
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A random post in between the discussion. The main differences between DBA-02 and MK2:
  • Packing: Compared to the spartan flatter cardboard box, the packing is a bit more rectangular (smaller in width, larger in height) and smaller. The packaging is more shinier on the outside.
  • Accessories: 3 sizes of Normal tips, 3 sizes of foam ringed tips, A pair of triple flange, two pairs of transparent tips - 3 more than last time, I think. There is a smaller hard carry case which is pretty neat. The ear hook is larger and probably softer than the one last time. There's also a shirt clip.
  • Build: I am not a fan of flat cables as they increase microphonics. I personally do not mind it as I am wearing it over the ears and it does feel well built. The biggest change for me is with the housing which is smaller in form factor. This allows a deep insertion and pretty good seal. I also like the black color compared to the transparent housing of last time - less bling, the better. No trouble finding the Left and Right markers this time around.
  • Sound: I don't feel there's a major change in sound considering it has the same drivers. I also don't have a DBA-02/B2 to compare on hand. Anyways, I feel that bass quantity and at times, extension seems a bit better and I suspect the deeper insertion is playing it's role. Depending on the source, it does feel a bit more fuller (UHA-6S) though it's still falls within the 'analytical' IEM bass realm. Clip+, I thought extracted a bit more quantity compared to 2SD. The mid range carries the same sweet coloration as before, but I think it's position is a tad back compared to how I remember the original. The treble is as before - clean, linear, lean, sparkling, energetic. Less bright? May be it has lost a bit of the aggression.
  • Nagging doubts: Does it sound exactly like DBA-02? I felt it was a tad different at first, but the more I listen to it, the more I feel it's very, very close. I think bass is better, treble is a little less aggressive and not as forward, mid range placed a tad backward and even feels a bit laid-back. But, I can't be sure.The added confusion stems from the fact that before, I used to have one constant source (Clip+) and used all the IEMs + listened daily, so relative memory was much better. Even if I did not remember the specifics, all I had to do was to A:B with another and I'll easily remember. But, for the past few months, I am switching between various sources, listening to music once or twice a week, so it's a tough call.There's always a chance that all these differences are in my head and they are asking $30 more for the re-designed housing and packaging. Until I A:B, it's hard to compare something I sold months ago and what I am hearing right now. Can anybody loan me a DBA-02/B2 for a short time frame?

Coming to Tandem, it took sometime to find the right tip. Due to the design, it does not let me insert as deep as I could with DBA-02. The supplied large tips helped me achieve a decent seal, but every time I took them out of my ear, they reversed direction. I went with LostEarbuds' Klipsch replacement tips. If I have to describe the sound, it would simply be 'smooth'. Bass has good texture, decent impact, yet slightly slower in decay and softer in nature without leaking into the mids. Hence it acts as a good compliment to the mid range. The mid range is very smooth, neither forward nor recessed and is the focus of the presentation. Treble is laid-back, smooth, carries decent extension and detail, but not as prominent. With the wrong tip or fit, treble can be 'sparkly', but that is not how Tandem sounds. The sound stage has decent depth and width. Imaging, layering and separation are good, but do not stand out.

I will add Tandem to the list of a few non-fatiguing sets I have listened to so far. It's not exactly as great as SM3 or RE262, but it's much better than the budget mid-range IEMs like A151. I would have liked it more if the MSRP was under $100 and I personally did not have the misfortune of buying when INR was so down + incur the additional cost of a RMA from Japan.
 
My parcel from MP4nation got released from customs after 1 month. Thanks to esanthosh for helping out.

Soon I'll have Fiio E17 in my hands.
 
Seems like I missed a few FOTM developments at head-fi. Did not realize that Yamaha EPH-100 had become a massive thread - have not cared to read even a post from it yet. In another thread, came across this reference to Aurisonics ASG-1. Seems like an interesting product. Lot of comparisons to SM3 from what I scanned so far. There's some sale going on, so it could be had for $240 shipped (international shipping) or $190 (if ordering through a US friend).

Their 15mm dynamic driver custom AS-1 at $399 is even more interesting. With the free ear impression kit, free initials embossing in Blue and Red, it seems very affordable
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. But the tunable AS-1b version seems to be in the normal $599 range - for custom IEMs that is. Waiting for reviews on that.

Any other interesting IEMs I have missed?
 
I received my beyerdynamic DT990 pro 250 ohms, unfortunately the cable is messing with right side CAN speaker is not working perfectly. Whenever there is slide movement in the cable, the right side speaker stops working. I talk to India beyerdynamic office they told me you have to send it back to US we don't provide you any warranty. I know what is the problem but I never open these type CAN. There lose connection, when I move the cable upward the sound back on right of speaker. Does any hard core pro is here who can help me otherwise I have to send it back to US.
 
^ Looks like a cable issue. Getting it re-soldered within India is a better option than sending it to US. But warranty may be void, not sure.

Random find of the day: http://dvice.com/arc...ps-tread-h.php.

It's a "near indestructible" IEM which can withstand 300 lbs and the cable is reinforced with kevlar. At the cost of $40 for the plain version and $50 for the Mic version, seems like a very interesting IEM. If it can live up-to the claim during daily practical use and sound decent too, it would be a nice choice to consider for people frustrated with their IEMs failing within the first few months.

Another Random find from head-fi - http://www.fujiya-avic.jp/products/detail11577.html (Fit Ear Go 334 universal) which would be a competition to FI-BA-SS and AKG K3003 in terms of price.
 
i got the JVC marshmallows yesterday from pristine note...the packaging is kinda cheap, its just the IEMs alone with 1 set of extra foam tips in a plastic see through box.. the plastic looks kinda cheap too... are they meant to be like that or have I gotten a fake/wrong piece..?
 
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