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scottoo
26
Feb 25, 2018
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A bit random, but since I own these, any comparison to SE 530?
Thanks :)
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 26, 2018
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scottooThe 535 is going to sound warmer. They both are relatively flat frequency spec wise until a certain point. The 535 rolls off up-top where the Plus does not. The Plus is going to be brighter than the 535. So, do you want something warmer in the highs, or something with more brightness and sparkle? Both are very similar neutrality-wise but the Plus has more treble energy.
scottoo
26
Feb 26, 2018
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jaydunndidditThank you jaydunn, this is very helpful! I recently picked up a Mojo, and the SE 530's have come to life - that said I see their relative rankings have slipped a bit ;) My hearing has slipped a bit in higher freq too.. the 530's used to sound bright to me with iphones or iPods so only used these sparingly - they do sound warmer/fuller with the mojo, but a little rolled off like you illuminated. Magic for me is fleshed out timbre, properly laid out stage with few peaks and valleys, nice resolution of depth ( this is a mojo strength ), a bit more musical than total clinical, "natural" with age enhanced bass and higher freq augmented ~3-5db's. How do the Plus's fare with timbre, depth, imaging, and a sense of naturalness?
If one could put IEM's on a "scale of audio justice ;)" how might the 530's rank, and the Plus's rank?
Thanks for your kind time and help!
I'm trying to temper myself to one "upgrade" in the near future, and not really into buying and selling, more of a keeper type.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 26, 2018
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scottooI can't comment on the Plus's just yet as they're on order but can drop an update when they come in (next week I believe).
I actually haven't listened to the 530 but I own the 535s so I am assuming they are relatively close in tuning and sound. With that being said, I think they catch a lot of flack for no reason because they're not some peaky, sibilant treble monsters. They're relatively flat, with a 'modest' bass region and rolled off highs. They're very easy to listen to and do imaging well, as well as have a decent soundstage. They also have great mids but that's typical from a Shure product. Since you can get them for under $300 nowadays I still think they're a solid performer for their segment.
Now, I am reading the Plus does have more sub-bass action so that would be the one thing that make me like them more than the 535s as that's my biggest issue with them. I daily the 846s so I'm really just looking for complementing IEMs nowadays to suit a particular genre.
I actually haven't listened to the 530 but I own the 535s so I am assuming they are relatively close in tuning and sound. With that being said, I think they catch a lot of flack for no reason because they're not some peaky, sibilant treble monsters. They're relatively flat, with a 'modest' bass region and rolled off highs. They're very easy to listen to and do imaging well, as well as have a decent soundstage. They also have great mids but that's typical from a Shure product. Since you can get them for under $300 nowadays I still think they're a solid performer for their segment.
Now, I am reading the Plus does have more sub-bass action so that would be the one thing that make me like them more than the 535s as that's my biggest issue with them. I daily the 846s so I'm really just looking for complementing IEMs nowadays to suit a particular genre.
scottoo
26
Feb 26, 2018
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jaydunndidditThanks, really appreciate your thoughtful replies, and will look forward to your impressions/comparisons!
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 3, 2018
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scottooYes, after finally getting some more ear time with both. Compared to the Shure 535 the MD Plus has a lot in common with it. Really, it'll boil down to what specific thing and music you prefer. The 535 has less bass and is definitely brighter. For some songs, it can ban a bit sibilant with the letter S. However, I prefer the mids of the 535 over the plus. The plus requires more power and at higher volumes, becomes shouty. The mids just overtake everything. Lowered a few ticks and it's very balanced and coherent with a nice lowend. Some good impact and even rumble on the right track. Highs can become piercing on the wrong song but they haven't been sibilant to me at all. Soundstage and imaging for both are good and equal. Really no complaint for either there.
To be fair, I may like the Plus a bit more depending on the track due to its lowend. On the flip, if a song is more mid-centric with a more polite low-end, I think the 535 shines more and has a bit more balance.
To be fair, I may like the Plus a bit more depending on the track due to its lowend. On the flip, if a song is more mid-centric with a more polite low-end, I think the 535 shines more and has a bit more balance.
scottoo
26
Mar 5, 2018
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jaydunndidditThanks again for your thoughtful feedback! And this is with the optimal low output impedence I take it for this iem. I'd like to hear your impressions relative to your 846's, and when these plus's are run in more. I do appreciate the quick feedback! I haven't seen many impressions paired with a mojo.. except maybe the bass gets less focused.. Thanks!
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 5, 2018
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scottooCorrect. I ran them thru my iFi nano BL which has an output impedance under 1 ohm.
Quick comparison's to the 846 is there's no contest. The 846 are purely superior. But, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. I listened with the white filters and overall, the 846 had more treble energy and a more pleasing low end. In the mids, there was a lot less congestion especially when there were backup singers and when voices would transition from left to right. The other big thing was imaging. The 846 simply nails this and picks up more and places them in more positions. I noticed a wider, taller soundstage that had more depth. Parts of my hearing were being engaged in ways that the MD Plus just didn't hit. By comparison, things sounded pushed back and with less detail. I could hear them, but just ever-so-slightly whereas with the 846 it made its presence known. Also, for some songs, the bass just didn't hit as hard and drums lacked that impact and snap I get with the 846. The Plus by all comparison's sounds much more soft and polite. Not bad by any means, but after hearing them against the 846, it delivers more energy, fun, and bass without being fatiguing. Also, the 846 handles more power better than the Plus. The Plus starts to get feel disconnected between frequencies and things start getting shouty and mid-centric. The 846 is smooth and just takes it all in stride. Your hearing will give out before you ever give the 846 enough power to have them distort or become unbalanced.
With all that said, the Plus' have really started to grow on me. I finally found a tip I like and for the cost, I am still very pleased with them. They're not as TOTL as I hoped but they are very good. And for an update, after more listening time, I think I prefer them over 535s. The more I compared the two, the more I realized how lean the 535 is by comparison and how much of a bump they need in the low-end, vocals be damned.
TL:DR I like the MD Plus a bit more than the 535. If you're looking for more treble energy or smoother vocals, then the 535 may be a better fit for your musical taste. Otherwise, the Plus is better or even in every other regard. Compared to the 846, it can't compete.
Quick comparison's to the 846 is there's no contest. The 846 are purely superior. But, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. I listened with the white filters and overall, the 846 had more treble energy and a more pleasing low end. In the mids, there was a lot less congestion especially when there were backup singers and when voices would transition from left to right. The other big thing was imaging. The 846 simply nails this and picks up more and places them in more positions. I noticed a wider, taller soundstage that had more depth. Parts of my hearing were being engaged in ways that the MD Plus just didn't hit. By comparison, things sounded pushed back and with less detail. I could hear them, but just ever-so-slightly whereas with the 846 it made its presence known. Also, for some songs, the bass just didn't hit as hard and drums lacked that impact and snap I get with the 846. The Plus by all comparison's sounds much more soft and polite. Not bad by any means, but after hearing them against the 846, it delivers more energy, fun, and bass without being fatiguing. Also, the 846 handles more power better than the Plus. The Plus starts to get feel disconnected between frequencies and things start getting shouty and mid-centric. The 846 is smooth and just takes it all in stride. Your hearing will give out before you ever give the 846 enough power to have them distort or become unbalanced.
With all that said, the Plus' have really started to grow on me. I finally found a tip I like and for the cost, I am still very pleased with them. They're not as TOTL as I hoped but they are very good. And for an update, after more listening time, I think I prefer them over 535s. The more I compared the two, the more I realized how lean the 535 is by comparison and how much of a bump they need in the low-end, vocals be damned.
TL:DR I like the MD Plus a bit more than the 535. If you're looking for more treble energy or smoother vocals, then the 535 may be a better fit for your musical taste. Otherwise, the Plus is better or even in every other regard. Compared to the 846, it can't compete.
zhouharvey
179
Mar 6, 2018
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jaydunndidditThat makes sense. You get what you pay for, there's very few true giant killers in hi-fi history. Thanks for your comment!
scottoo
26
Mar 7, 2018
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jaydunndidditThank you jaydunn. That is a nice review and comparison of the plus, 846, and 535. It's funny how one "gets to know something" through reviews. You've added clarity to my picture of the plus, and added light to the 846!
Have you tried filter modding on your 846's? Some claim this takes them to "a whole new level"?
I have a mojo just recently, and this combined with either the iPhone or iMac/ amarra symphony my old 530's seem much better than ever before, and I enjoy listening with them vs being intrigued/fatigued with older sources.. That said, i'm looking forward to what might be an upgrade to explore higher levels of reproduction of music/sound :) The mojo has some talent with depth, and maybe a bit warmer, and is good with bass. Some Dean Peer bass sounded nicely rendered. Curious about the AKG3003i and perhaps the upcoming 5005. Was reading some good things about these? It does seem the plus could use a bit more development, and could be even better ;)
I have a mojo just recently, and this combined with either the iPhone or iMac/ amarra symphony my old 530's seem much better than ever before, and I enjoy listening with them vs being intrigued/fatigued with older sources.. That said, i'm looking forward to what might be an upgrade to explore higher levels of reproduction of music/sound :) The mojo has some talent with depth, and maybe a bit warmer, and is good with bass. Some Dean Peer bass sounded nicely rendered. Curious about the AKG3003i and perhaps the upcoming 5005. Was reading some good things about these? It does seem the plus could use a bit more development, and could be even better ;)
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