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Showing 1 of 47 conversations about:
rhythmicnature
25
May 27, 2016
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skidmata
86
May 28, 2016
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rhythmicnatureThank you for the contributions. I also need to give props to @Uzuzu , I gave the IEB6 a second listen again, and with a better seal I found the bass (not pounding, but clean and clear), and I'm hearing the difference in the mids/trebles. Now the IEB6's are punching way above their weight! For me the R2A drop off its not as bad as his experience, but its enough to make me look into @rhythmicnature's suggestions. Besides why am I buying all this crap if it isn't to play around with it? I'm sure I'll be modding cans before its all over.
skidmata
86
May 29, 2016
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UzuzuStart with a pair of cans that you buy just for modding. I'm thinking about the HE350's I'm getting from Massdrop. Also everyone loves to hack the Fostex T50RP's. Also you can pick up soldering and some other skills from the Hacker/Maker community. My company has open "Hack Nights" where people are invited to learn basic and not so basic electronics skills. There are clubs as well like NYCResistor that have open meeting nights for the same purpose.
Bettersimple
1
May 30, 2016
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rhythmicnatureReceived my pair two days ago,and I admit I was depressed by the first earing test: bloated bass and lifeless sound. I quickly realised that the problem was the tx200 tip: it's simply inappropriate for my angled ear canal.
The memory foam at the top of the tip closes and filters medium and high frequencies. Plus the wax barrier cut off the sparkle.
I first tried silicone tips and they sound horribly sibilant, deadening the bass.
Then i tried a pair of comply s200 (no wax filter) and they sound perfect for me.
I think the tx200 could be easily modified cutting away the filter and the top 2-3mm foam minimising the tube obstruction.
Oh, and the heavy aluminium splitter is a no no for me, so I decided to open it and put it apart.
Now I really love this pair of earphone: from sub bass to medium bass is this is the best universal iem I tested. Timing could be better, details are far from my modded hd800 but I really enjoyed the easy, spatious and involving sound I listened today during my fitness session.
skidmata
86
Jun 7, 2016
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Bettersimple@Bettersimple writes:
... "I think the tx200 could be easily modified cutting away the filter and the top 2-3mm foam minimising the tube obstruction." ....
Funny I just did that. Literally right now. I was just going to post my clever idea :-). My results are similar to yours.
... "I think the tx200 could be easily modified cutting away the filter and the top 2-3mm foam minimising the tube obstruction." ....
Funny I just did that. Literally right now. I was just going to post my clever idea :-). My results are similar to yours.
rhythmicnature
25
Jun 7, 2016
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BettersimpleAs I said in my post, I bought ts200's a week ago now and it's made a major difference. Thanks!!!
Also of note - I find it better not to overly squeeze the tips and not to overly insert them.
Also of note - I find it better not to overly squeeze the tips and not to overly insert them.
rhythmicnature
25
Jun 8, 2016
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Bettersimple@Bettersimple - how did you get on pulling the splitter apart? And did you replace it with anything?
Bettersimple
1
Jun 8, 2016
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rhythmicnatureGently open the aluminium split with a couple of pliers. You can put it again whenever you want. Without the splitter you loose the L/R indication, you have to put a mark in one earbud.
rhythmicnature
25
Jun 20, 2016
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BettersimpleI ended up pulling it apart... after I removed the whole cable. I desoldered the drivers and put my own cable in, with microphone and buttons for Android. :)
No significant change in sound quality with a heck of a lot more useful features.
No significant change in sound quality with a heck of a lot more useful features.
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I was looking at the design of these iems and recognizing that it's very simplistic - almost like a proof of concept. Can we get decent bass out of a very small single driver? yes we can... but there will be a compromise in quality (for some) in he mids and highs. There are several physical design decisions that I don't want to get into, but that I believe contribute to this.
That being said, I think I've figured some things out that explains some of our different listening experiences and certainly makes MY experience a small but noticeable bit better.
1. The back caps - tightening them down on the cable makes a better seal (rather than creating an inadvertent untuned bass reflex design (ported)). There's a mod that was originally for the pro version but I think applies to the non-pro version equally ... or rather, I think that if the cap isn't squeezing the cable, you get bass bleeding all over the place. Here's the link: http://www.head-fi.org/t/766183/flare-audio-r2pro-kickstarter-campaign/1905#post_11842307
2. I'm not a fan of the long and narrow pipe when it is extended by sound deadening material that preferentially absorbs higher frequencies. So I was going to cut off the very tips of the comply tips ... until I found a video, recommended on the comply website for those experiencing high freq rolloff!!! http://www.complyfoam.com/faq/ It's the second video. Here's a more direct link to the video:
3. apart from pulling back the foam, insert it slightly backward facing and do not push it to the end. When I insert the iem, I press it into the back and then back off a bit. This provides a more direct sound path and prevents me from overly deforming that path. (Every ear is a bit different - I have to push it slightly downward as well)
My next experiment is to purchase larger comply tips that will hold the direction better. I'm getting an ok seal now, but I think larger will be better. Also - I am getting ts-200s as I wonder if the earwax guard (in our tx-200 model) is altering the sound.
It's unfortunate that these design decisions result in variable listening conditions and thus very different opinions from each listener. There is always some variability, and now there's even more. That being said, if sound is your hobby, these iems will keep you busy. :)
Anyway, these are just ideas to try that I found helped me better enjoy my listening experience. If you were as disappointed by your R2As as I was, I hope these ideas help some.