Massdrop Plus IEM

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Oct 6, 2017.

  1. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    I'm really digging these - @shotgunshane delivers again with his recommendation!

    They're really clear and I like the low (subbass) rumble that I dont remember ever having from an IEM (atleast not with the Orion). The headstage is a bit bigger too, or maybe that is a by product of the clarity. Its also a tiny bit more comfortable with complicated parts, I guess because of the extra drivers.

    But I think I miss the smoothness and presentation from the Orions. There was something really nice about them that made me fight to choose between the two, atleast for the music I listen to. I still think my final upgrade path is the Andro.. But in the meanwhile these do really well!
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2018
  2. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Small update: I got the Mee M9 dual flange tips in the mail just now, threw them on and they are significantly taller than the stock doubles. Unfortunately they dont really fit in my ears - I pushed them as much as possible but after a minute or so they pop out a bit and end up breaking the seal. The IEM itself sticks out further than normal too

    Here are some pictures if it helps anyone:
    Tops aligned:
    [​IMG]

    Bottoms aligned:
    [​IMG]

    These are a universal size, so its really strange that they dont fit my ears, and thus I cant post any impressions with them. Anyone near the Netherlands want these tips? I have two extra pairs of them
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2018
  3. kitantisune

    kitantisune Acquaintance

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    Does anybody else experience driver flex with these? One of the drivers on the left of mine has very obvious driver flex and I'm not sure if I should be concerned - I was under the impression it's usually only a problem with the larger dynamic drivers.
     
  4. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    How do you see a BA driver flex?
     
  5. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    Placed my order for these, I haven't really enjoyed the shouty 2khz emphasis of my Hifiman RE-400. I can't even find them anyways!

    Hope these are as comfortable as the RE-400.
     
  6. kitantisune

    kitantisune Acquaintance

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    I'm experiencing some clicking noises when I insert them or take them out. Seems to be related to the small pressure build up when they seal. In normal use as long as I don't move them around it's fine, though.
     
  7. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I have both the RE-400 and MD Plus. The way the MD Plus is molded is far more comfortable then the RE-400. The bore of the MD Plus is a bit bigger though.
     
  8. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    If that's the case I'm not sure I'll be listening to regular headphones often!

    I know it's an odd comparison, but how do they compare sonically?
     
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I haven't listened to the RE-400 in awhile but I will soon for an upcoming detailed review/comparison since I have a wealth of IEMs all of a sudden (both mine and borrowed).

    I can say that the MD Plus is super detailed and I believe the channel matching is a bit better then the RE-400s I have.
     
  10. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    I got mine in today.

    Using the Jotunheim's .1 output impedance jack, these things are very mid forward-- reminds me too much of my RE-400, which I found shouty. They don't give up much clarity and detail to my Aeon Open however. Lack of air is something I gotta get used to, though. I was also expecting much more sub-bass. Tone generation indicates great extension, but I don't hear it coming through that much in songs.

    Out of my computer's case jack, it sounds like an Audeze with a rag covering it. Kinda AM radio'ish, but with bassy sound. I definitely don't find that ideal, but I also don't like the aggressive, almost tinny sound through .1 output impedance. I'm thinking around 1-2 is probably my ideal.

    Comfort is amazing, don't know yet whether I want mid or large sized double-flange tips. I would try the foams but I can't even get those things on.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2018
  11. lolhart

    lolhart New

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    I've had these a few weeks now and really like them. They basically improve on the Etymotic ER4 in a way I was hoping the ER4XR would. Are there any closed headphones or CIEMs with a similar sound signature? I really need some headphones for at home listening nowadays.
     
  12. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    I'm curious if someone else hears the drivers crinkling on these - it never used to happen with me until an hour ago, and only in my right ear. I know its "normal" in that its common in non-vented designs, but I wonder if there's ever a point where it can cause the driver to pop or something?

    Could be a stupid question, but I feel like I need to be extra careful everytime I fiddle with the right side and hear it
     
  13. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I finally got mine few days ago from the latest drop. These are a replacement for my SE535 which I really liked for their bass, overall natural sound and superb fit, and still regret loosing them at Toronto airport.

    But I have to admit that MD+ are way better earphones. With DP-X1 (balanced out, ACG mode, output impedance 1 Ohm) they indeed sound like ER4-SR with good, controlled bass extension.I own ER2-SR and could directly compare these two. iBasso DX80 has output impedance 0.1 Ohm, the sound is very similar to DP-X1 but the bass is a bit less convincing.

    The most surprising was pairing with high OI - 10 Ohm HP-200 monoblocks. MD+ did not sound very natural anymore but it was very seductive: the sound was not so much warmer but darker with deep timbre, but still superb bass control.
    I knew it was very colored but no matter, I could listen to this for hours.
    I use double flange tips but tomorrow will try with Comply 500

    Anyway, with different OI they really sound as described here:

    I am definitely happy that I did not replace SE535 with SE535. .
     
  14. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    I actually quite like it with >10 ohm impedance. It's audeze sound, but not quite the treble clarity.

    I can't get into the sound with less than 1 ohm impedance, I find the upper mids pretty aggressive and screechy. However, my history of headphones I adore have been the HE-400, D2000, HE-560, HD800, and now the Aeon Open, so I'm not exactly used to lots of 2khz.
     
  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I finished my loaner four days with the MD Plus. My main point of reference is the Andro. All my impressions are with the double flange tips that come with the IEMs.

    I first plugged them in to my ZX2 (OI of around 2-3, which are he gold standard with my Andros. I threw on Exile on Main St because it’s muddy but good transducers can pull the details out of it. My initial impression was that this was good! The guitars really roared and the bass felt cranked. However, shortly thereafter I began to notice what I was missing. The air in the upper regions, an aspect of the Andro I’ve come to really appreciate, are gone, and the bass was too goosed. It felt too warm, almost mushy. The Andro can be lean at times but I’ve found that for the most part it represents what it’s being fed, whereas on the ZX2 the Plus made everything warmer than it would be otherwise.

    I switched it over to the headphone dongle for my iPhone (OI <1) using the Neutron player, and immediately the FR became a lot less warm. I was able to hear all the fine details that the Plus was capable of resolving. The bass was a little too lacking though, I suspect something right around an OI of 1 would give this the best final balance.

    I listened with the iPhone for the next several days and couldn’t find any major faults with the Plus. However, they never felt as addictive or immersive as the Andros. If I didn’t have a modded Fostex TE-02n I would have been tempted to get them for use with the iPhone, as I don’t always want to wear $1,100 IEMs when I’m out doing errands, but the Fostex has superior timbre and bass response, at least with the headphone dongle for the phone.

    I could see plenty of people getting these as a backup pair, but these aren’t tempting me to replace either my Andros or Fostex.
     
  16. TeskR

    TeskR New

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    Is anyone using these out of budget DAPs?

    I have been using mine mostly out of my phone (HTC10) and occasionally straight out of my laptop headphone jack at work. I have noticed I seem to suprisingly like them a bit more out of my laptop jack, however, neither of these devices have values for OI listed.

    Any suggestions for DAPs around the ~300USD mark that would pair well? I was looking at the AK Jr but noticed someone mention that was not a solid pairing for the MD+ (perhaps that was just preference and not anything fundamentally wrong with the combination).
     
  17. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    I've tried mine out of a Clip and an AK Jr. It's noticeably less bassy on the Clip, which gels with claims that the Clip has OI closer to 0, whereas the AK Jr is...I dunno, 2? or something higher, in any case.
     
  18. TeskR

    TeskR New

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    Yeah I think the OI of the AK Jr is nominally 2 Ohms. Which did you prefer, clip or AK Jr?

    Has anyone tried them with a FiiO X3 (3rd Gen.)? FiiO specs state a OI of <1.4 Ohms, seems ideal for the MD+, however, not much talk about FiiO gear on SBAF so I am cautious.
     
  19. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    With the Plus, definitely the Clip.
    Sold the Jr and upgraded my main player to ZX2 (thanks @brencho); now I'm temporarily cured of audio nervosa.
     
  20. lolhart

    lolhart New

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    Is anyone else having an issue with the cable popping out of the earphones while in use. I will be walking along and the sound will die on one side and I realise the cable has come loose. I've never had this happen with my other IEMs. The cable is definitely inserted correctly on both sides. Do I have a faulty unit? Thanks.
     

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