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Cardas EM5813 IEM
01 / 06
Cardas EM5813 IEM
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Product Description
The EM5813 is the debut IEM from Cardas Audio, an Oregon-based, family-run manufacturer that specializes in premium audio cables and component parts. The result of years of meticulous design by founder George Cardas, it’s efficient, natural, musical, and complete with an eye-catching copper finish Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downAlexTrocchi
0
Feb 24, 2024
A bit late to this drop lol. I have owned a set of the EM5813s for about 5 years now and, tbh, rarely used them as I have multiple iems and headphones. The cable microphonics, even around my ears, just got to me. Plus the upper a midrange clarity could not compare to my other multiple driver iems.
However, I kept them for the bass, the cable and because the combination of cable and brass iem casing looks good on a wall.
Be that as it may, last year I purchased some focal elegias and have been since then almost exclusively shifting between these and Sennheiser ie600s, which oddly I began enjoying more as a contrast to the sound of the focal closed cans. Eventually I bought a better DAC, a Topping g5, to drive them. Which in turn led me to re-exploring my iems (previously I used either a dac dongle or fiio Btr 5).
I found the better dac brought the best out of some of my dd iems. Last night I fell asleep listening to some dark ambient (Vatican Shadow) on a set of Moondrop Starfields, which are comfortable to sleep in. I noticed them really struggling with the sub bass, although with such music I was unsure if the blow out was somewhat intentional. So this morning I tried the Cardas with similar music. Although the separation is not great (an odd aspect of this ‘speaker like’ tuning), the cardas are perhaps even better at doing full justice to the complete extension of the lower notes in a rumbling, musical manner. With my eyes closed it reminds me of the deep bass of a warehouse rave. Just stunningly musical and… what an incredible surprise after all these years.
Especially given that recently I have been thinking of forking over $500-$800 for a set of single dd iems just for this reason and this music! Instead, the g5 amped EM5813s are now giving me the exact sound I wanted.
The lesson being: these need to be amped with a good DAC. Which turns them from meh into something that, minus the separation that nonetheless oddly aids the musicality and ‘outside one’s head’ quality, I would not be disappointed with if I had paid a grand for them. The sub bass has more extension and ground than ie600 cans. If I caught these for $99 after knowing this.. well, hat a bargain.
MusicLvr
22
Aug 22, 2020
I can’t wait to hear what a new pair sounds like! I’ve put many hours on my 4 year old pair. Curious to see if the drivers are really affected by “burn-in”. I’m also interested in hearing of others reviews/experiences with this iem.
(Edited)
alpalipsnow
14
Aug 17, 2020
Im sorry i bought a pair on here they sound like shit.They are very heavy and pull on the ears.Please do not buy these i dont want you waisting your money on these.
MusicLvr
22
Aug 14, 2020
I have owned these iems for about 4 years now. I currently have in my possession the DITA XLS iems , DITA Answer (Truth Editions) iems, Noble Wizard Savant iems, CypherLabs C6iems, Campfire Audio Ara iems, and the Cardas A8 30 Anniversary edition iems. With that being said the EM5813’s have a place in my collection due to their smooth, open, and non-fatiguing sound. The sub-bass presented is addicting. These iems are not for all music genres but are a “no brainer” at $99.00! I had to buy another set!!
(Edited)
daidai
60
Dec 29, 2019
After more extensive listening I take back my words that these are absolutely bad IEM, It's a interesting design that gives a curiously smooth and flavorful timbre on chamber music, jazz, unplugged rock. It's indeed something bass heavy especially when you test them onto any metal, symphonies, rock, the dynamic was dreadful, the treble laid back so much. But if you test them for example the Eric Clapton unplugged series it magically bring vocal much closer in a lively manner with a bouncy and powerful bass, which is really strange if you know how bad they are on some other tracks.
Reminds me a lot about a really antique IEM, the "miles davis tribute" which has a similar timbre, but much less revealing while em5813 also beats them on the side of soundstage.
Maybe they really need some antique source to drive their full potential.
Interesting IEM, but not for everyone except those who want to get cheap cable at a stealing price(which is my intention to buy this IEM)
maciej.zadorozny
7
Dec 16, 2019
Can someone recommend none foam tips for em5813 that suit small ear canals and provide good seal please?
Thanks
bkcooler
32
Aug 14, 2020
maciej.zadoroznyhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BR8HQ4F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I know that they cost more than most. They are best sealing most most comfortable tips I've used. I normally use Dekoni, but on long sessions, I found them uncomfortable.
Seio
0
Dec 12, 2019
Apologies if i asked something stupid, im super new to the audiophile world. I have a ES100 DAC/AMP that i'd like to use with the cardas em5813, however it has both unbalanced and balanced cable inputs, would the EM5813's clear light cable be a balanced cable?
541native
55
Cardas Audio
Dec 17, 2019
SeioThe EM5813 comes standard with a 3.5mm TRS single ended termination. For $60 you can send it back to be changed to several different balanced options.
Terco
421
Nov 27, 2019
Mmm... Reading some reviews makes me feels like I want them (mostly for the price and the brand, love their cables) but I will hate them, like my Audioquest Nighthawk I hate them but I wanna keep it because they are different lol it make any sense?? For $100 should I try?
Shanks405
46
Nov 28, 2019
TercoI’ve got both (Cardas and Nighthawks), and sound is similar - rich, dark, great bass detail. These bathe you in sound rather than shower you with detail - I feel like i’m listening to speakers rather than reference iems, so Cardas marketing this as an EarSpeaker is not innacurate. Particularly enjoyable for live jazz and darker orchestral recordings. A little eq can resolve the treble followed and lightens these up a bit when needed. Comfortable for long listening so long as you aren’t moving around, due to relatively thick and heavy cables (definitely not for mobile use for this reason, but I’ve experienced no problems with microphonics, and I also wear cable “over ear” which resolves cable weight issues.) The fixed cable would sell for well more than this $99 alone. I’m not going to weigh into the “cable” debate here, but if Cable’s are important to you check Cardas website for info on factory mods to convert this cable and iems to MMCX or your preferred termination, and you will have a serious audiophile cable for home listening with this and your other iem gear, and you can make these earphones mobile with a lighter cable. If you think this is your thing, call Cardas before you buy, as this fix is likely to double price of this product and could take a while, but for some it may be more than worth it. When these first came out a number of audiophile reviewers didn’t blink at the $500 list, and even with the cable mod you still get home for about what I happily paid for my set ($250).
(Edited)
capefearguy
42
Dec 20, 2019
TercoLike Shanks405, I also have both the AQ Nighthawks and the Cardas EM5813. I find it interesting that both AQ and Cardas claim they made their products sound as similar to speakers as they could. Inadvertently they have succeeded in one thing: they share a similar sound profile. Both have arrived at nearly the same point by using the same goal, despite the differences in mechanicals. The Nighthawks are a polarizing headphone on most forums. You either love it or hate it. I love it and I also like the Cardas, although I am not completely through the recommended break-in period. If you like the Nighthawks, you will probably like the Cardas. If you don't, well …. skip the Cardas.
I am on the fence concerning a break-in period. It does work for me, but I attribute that to the brain adjusting to the sound rather than some magic symbiosis of the working parts in the device. My home-grown theory: the brain tries to pull all the sound out of the sources that it can. Until your brain adjusts to the sources (recording, music device like player or phone, and the earphone), the music will not be ideal for that device. For example, listening to the first three themes of Holst's The Planets with a broken-in, more balanced headphone, the lower tones, like the bass and the lower mids, are powerful, but the higher frequencies are clearly present and accounted for. The bass is a stately elephant walking ponderously and carefully among a crowd of people. With the Cardas, the bass is a brontosaurus stomping pygmy's and you barely notice the fleeing higher frequencies. After the Nighthawks were broken in, I heard a lot more detail in the music. More, I think, than most people who have only listened to them a few times are willing to concede. I am hoping the same thing happens with the Cardas. In the end, though, they will be a different profile even after break in. Like different recordings done by different orchestras and conductors, they interpret the music. To like a device, you have to share that built-in interpretation.
Cardas is one of the few brands that makes both quality IEMs and cables. I assume, therefore, that Cardas has matched the cable's electronics and acoustics perfectly. However, the cable's ergonomics are a complete annoyance. It's too long for most casual listeners and very heavy. Not to mention it has a mind of it's own; the thing starts curling and moving like a nest of snakes if you are not careful. Moving with the cable is difficult; this is the first time that I have ever had to use a shirt clip. And while it slithers and slips the microphonics sound like it's hissing a pre-emptive strike. Because of the cable, the Cardas is best enjoyed sitting or reclining motionless.
Despite it's quirks, I find the Cardas very enjoyable. Heavy, thick lower tones dominate, but this is a good iem, so all the music is there. At the Drop price, it's definitely a bargain.
derektailor
10
Nov 26, 2019
I bought EM5813 for 3 times, sample variations were quite serious. one out of three sounds much better and neutral. The remaining two were too dark and treble was absent. However, I still purchased this time coz it is the cheapest way to get a Clear Light for your IEM. Aftermarket cables below US$260 just cannot compete with Clear Light.
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