IEM general discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Griffon, Nov 1, 2015.

  1. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Well, crap. I already received mine. That sucks.
     
  2. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    FWIW, my two cables (both around two years old) are still as flexible as ever. @rhythmdevils, when did you have your bad experience with them? Maybe just a bad batch or something?
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I guess ablout a year ago. But the first ones from multiple iems used and new went stiff first. That covers a lot of time. Especially when it includes my Solaris SE stock cable which is much older.

    Who knows maybe it’s something about the climate here? Now that you mention it, CFA acted like they hadn’t seen it before when I sent my cables in for replacement. And I think someone else has said that theirs were fine too.

    But I also know someone who has had the same experience.

    I can’t imagine what the air here would have to do with it but I guess it could be a local environmental thing. f'ing weird if so. No other cable has done that.
     
  4. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    FWIW, I've had the same problem of inflexibility with my Andro 2020's smoky litz cable. I purchased it the summer the IEMs came out.

    I picked up a Friend's OG Solaris and its Super Litz cable - the thicker, white one - is perfectly fine.

    I'm in New Jersey, for my sins, and the weather's both humid in the summer and dry in the winter.
     
  5. 7seven

    7seven Acquaintance

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    Do any high or high-ish impedance IEMs exist, good ones?
     
  6. bobboxbody

    bobboxbody Friend

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    I don't know anything about iems and only use bluetooth versions for running/biking. I currently have the jaybird tarah pro and like them ok. The sound isn't great and the ear wings get pretty uncomfortable on a long ride or run, but they're better than my previous 10 pairs of cheap amazon bluetooth earbuds. I ride a lot and would really like an upgrade in sound quality and comfort. I'm thinking about snagging the deal for the campfire vega's on FS here and pairing them with the fiio utws3 or 5, is that stupid for sports headphones, and will my sweaty head ruin the vegas?
     
  7. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Dynamic driver iems fair much better in sweaty environment than balanced armatures. Still, moisture can still temporarily block a nozzle.

    Vegas are basshead iems, so make sure you like a lot of bass. Extra bass can be nice out and about, as you typically lose some in loud environs.

    I don’t think I could ever go back to a cabled iem for sweaty exercise. Too annoying for me but I’m sure there may be others where it’s just a minor annoyance. Also some cables may oxidize with a lot of sweat/moisture. Doesn’t impact sound, just aesthetics to my experience.

    Personally I like the Powerbeats Pro for exercise. They have over ear hooks to keep them in place, which is beneficial when sweating and also gives peace of mind when riding. They allow in ambient noise (large vents), so I can be more aware of my surroundings. And SQ is pretty darn solid. Slight bass boost that ends up sounding pretty neutral in outdoor environs. These aren’t going to win any resolution and imaging comparisons but I use them solely for outdoor exercise.

    TLDR- Vega and BT dac probably will hold up fine for excercise but other personal/preference issues to consider.
     
  8. bobboxbody

    bobboxbody Friend

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    Thanks for all the info, the Powerbeats pro sound like a better fit for my use. I do like bass, but don't need high end sound for riding/running. Good enough sq, comfort, and some amount of ambient noise will work well. That is one of the other things that bothers me about the jaybirds, I can't really hear traffic or other people approaching on the trails.
     
  9. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    All of my CFA regular, super (a later one, not the original with my Solaris OG), and smokey litz cables are stiff, too. I think their supplier cheaped out on the plasticizer used in the formulation of the dialectric. Cheap plasticizers can cause the plastic/"rubber" sheathing to oxidize more quickly. However, my CFA pure silver litz is still wonderfully supple and sounds great, too.
     
  10. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

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    I have had a pair of Plantronics Backbeat Fit for maybe 7 years now. I like these because they are buds, not IEMs, so you still have decent situational awareness; and they're loop style with over ear hooks so they absolutely stay in place with little pressure on your ear. During summer runs I sweat like a navvy and they've held up. Sound is OK - not much bass, but no weirdness either. And cheap. Plantronics has refurbs for $45. I think these are a newer model than mine, for sure later Bluetooth spec, but physically I think the same.
     
  11. bobboxbody

    bobboxbody Friend

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    I forgot about those, I had a pair probably about 7 years ago that lasted for a pretty long time. I liked them, but the ear loop was annoying with my glasses. I keep thinking I might find a "true wireless" option that will work for me. I'm intrigued by the Sony linkbuds, but it seems like they have some kinks left to work out. I may just stick with the jaybirds until they die.
     
  12. A Child of the Jago

    A Child of the Jago Facebook Friend

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    Have a pair of Campfire Audio Vegas which has lost its sound on the left hand side - thought it was my iPhone but have checked that with other connectors and other phones and problem persists if plugged into a laptop - looking for any help anyone might be able to provide.
     
  13. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Had something similar happen with Solaris none too long ago (expensive repair but at least CA was really nice about it lmao). Just to start with: have you checked for blocked vents or nozzles? Less likely but could be issues on the cable contact, or with the LCh wire itself.
     
  14. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    It's a long shot, I suspect, but I recall reading somewhere that moisture in the shell can be the culprit. If your problem has persisted for more than a couple of hours, it might be something else. But if it's only just happened and you took a shower before using them or something, that might explain it. If so, you could leave them to dry out for a couple of hours and try again.
     
  15. A Child of the Jago

    A Child of the Jago Facebook Friend

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    Thanks for both replies above - sound works intermittently - sometimes for quite a while but then disappears and reappears and there's no discernible reason why (e.g., head movement, how I'm holding the phone, etc.). I'm guessing it's a contact problem but really no idea - and no idea why it started but note to self not to sit on them when they're in your back pocket.
     
  16. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I typically keep a decent sized desiccant pack inside wherever I store my IEMs, for just this reason.
     
  17. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    One of these days, I hope soon, someone will come out with an ortho iem that will just blow everyone and every other iem away. Resolving beyond everything else, ethereal but with weight, cohesive, perfect timbre, flat FR, extended on both ends of the spectrum. I can't wait. I haven't hear the CFA Supermoon yet, but maybe it comes close.
     
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  19. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    That’s exactly what I’m waiting for. Endgame IEM, don’t bother with any other IEM tech.
     
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  20. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I agree with the sentiment, but I will have to wait a little longer, like when such a thing is available for less than $500, maybe even $300. I probably won't live long enough, but I hope you guys enjoy them.
     
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