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joeftan
388
Dec 27, 2019
So, the sound really does change with burn-in. The bass is now a lot more full and consistent. It’s at a good level, but definitely not prominent. Burning in these IEMs for several hours, and using foam tips (I’m using Comply) made a huge difference. This is most obvious change with burn-in that I’ve ever noticed with IEMs. I can’t find a way to tame the “shoutiness” though. It’s seems like the upper mids/lower treble is too prominent, and I can’t tame it well with EQ. It’s especially noticeable with certain female vocals and electric guitars. I can only describe it as a sudden shouting sensation, or like a certain frequency is reverberating. The intensity is such that it smears the details during those peaks. There is no sibilance that I really notice. Anyone else know what I’m trying to explain? Graphs don’t seem to explain this phenomenon. I’m using the green (most damped) nozzles. If not for this issue, I would consider these spectacular IEMs.
LGCi
246
Dec 27, 2019
joeftanIf you're using a Parametric EQ, try focusing on the 4,200 Hz, with a higher Q value; which will tighten the effected range of your cut. Then take that filter down a few db.
joeftan
388
Dec 30, 2019
LGCiThat really does help a lot. Thanks for the tip.
joeftan
388
Jan 2, 2020
LGCiDoes anyone know of any mechanical way of reducing that 4.2 KHz peak further? Different type of damping material? I’m really liking these IEMs now, but only at lower volumes because of the “shoutiness”.
rgrecco
7
Jan 2, 2020
joeftanAnother DIY filter option is micropore tape + poke 1-2 holes (more pokes less dark) using a needle, without any poke it sounds rather muffled. The conventional method just tapping the entire nozzle after few weeks it gets gummy and it's just horrible to tip-rolling, not even to say how ugly it looks. Usually, I just need to cut a piece of micropore tape and poke the holes on the tape (it's important to poke it before) then I grab a leather belt hole puncher tool to make it fit the perfect size as the nozzle's size -- you won't actually punch a hole with the puncher, but it will leave a mark on the tape that you can tear away with your fingers easily and place it over the nozzle's grill. The final result is a more clean looking and you won't mess the tape whenever you want to swap tips. 
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If you don't have the tools, I'd recommend following this method: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/jvc-ha-fd01-class-s-solidege.868414/page-19#post-14956706
(Edited)
surfgeorge
28
Jan 19, 2020
rgreccoI gave this method a try to see how it would perform and compare to the multipore tape front mod. Using the recommended belt-hole-puncher pliers I cut 5mm disks from MP tape and prepared the following samples:
  • - Ring with a 2,5mm center hole (smallest hole available on the pliers)
  • - Disk with one edge cut to create a side gap (quite small, maybe too small)
  • - Disk with 3 holes punched with a thick needle
Observations: Applying the MP tape to the wax guard inside the nozzle is a little tricky, getting it off is quite difficult and I had to work very carefulliy with needle nose pincers to manage it. Once in place it looks indeed very clean. Measurements:
  • - Ring-disk: measured quite well, moderate damping of app 3dB with a narrow effect range mainly between 2,5 and 4 kHz, much less above 4kHz. Could be interesting if you want to have more 5kHz energy, 2mm hole would be another option with more damping, but I don't have the tool for it
  • - Disk with cut edge ("Moon"): I had a small gap, just a little inside the edge where the wax guard is stuck to the nozzle, so the actual gap was very small. The damping was very strong, removing the 3kHz gain. Useless as such IMO, could work with a bigger gap though.
  • - Disk with 3 needle holes: Huge, wide ranging damping, removing pinna gain and just leaving some resonance peaks. Clear conclusion: needle holes are far too small.
Conclusions: I went back to my front taping method, since it seems to have a more even damping effect, and most importantly it is easily removable without any risk of damage to the IEM. Visually it is not as attractive as the disk-on-filter, but my last mod held up well for 6 months and if you don't change tips often it is a simple and practical method. Measurements: Please only look at the differences of the curves.
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(Edited)
surfgeorge
28
Feb 6, 2020
rgreccoWent back to your modding idea last night and this time I made it work! I used the 5mm puncher again to make the 3M MP tape disks, and cut 2,5mm holes in them just touching the edge. To make that easy, I stuck a piece of tape to a backing paper of a sticker. This disk, stuck to the mesh in the nozzle gives just a tad too much damping for my taste, so I pulled the tips of the opening apart a bit to give the shape shown in the photo. That resulted in a very similar damping as my preferred tuning with the tape stuck to the tip of the nozzle. See attached graphs for measurements. THANKS FOR THAT GREAT IDEA! Curves: R0: unmodded R1: mod with tape on nozzle opening R3: new mod with MP tape disc on mesh, as shown in photo
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(Edited)
rgrecco
7
Feb 8, 2020
surfgeorgeHey george! We've already talked a little on head-fi, Makahl here :P. I'm glad I could somehow help you. But wow, what wonderful job, that idea to stuck a piece of MP tape to the backing paper is pure genius, thanks for that!  I even used the white filter to replicate this mod to compare it with my favorite filter (blue) since it's just much easier to "punch" the tape using this method. I've made "donuts" disks using the smallest hole of the belt-hole-puncher pliers to mimic better the original mod, and indeed, this is such a delicate job to tear the tape off from the paper using a needle, haha. Although, the result is impressive: https://i.imgur.com/gVLJGKl.jpg (please ignore my graph for accuracy)  The upper-mids are a smidgen more aggressive but overall the result is rather similar, really really liking it so far!
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surfgeorge
28
Feb 8, 2020
rgreccoHi rgrecco/Makahl! Very good job with the doughnuts and thanks a lot for the comparison with the included filter! Is that the most dampened one? I heard from someone who tested the pre-production units that the production unit's filter has slightly less damping. My personal preference seems to vary a little depending on the music, but when I worked with the tape stuck to the front of the nozzle I settled for more damping than what the doughnut ring provides. I'd be very interested to hear how you like this mod with the center hole punched just at the edge of the disk. That way part of the hole is masked by overhang inside the nozzle on which the mesh is resting, and that the gives the amount of damping I like best. Most importantly your idea to use the belt hole puncher makes this mod easier to replicate and use by the community, and more robust. That is brilliant!
rgrecco
7
Feb 8, 2020
surfgeorgeAh perfect then! I mean the final production blue with less dampening material inside.
cybergalaxy
28
Oct 12, 2021
surfgeorgeMay I ask how did you plot the above chart please?
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