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triggsviola
147
Jul 27, 2018
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Are these a waste of money if I’m only going to drive them off my iPhone?
Curieux88
66
Jul 31, 2018
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triggsviolaPersonally, I wouldn't get these if I'm going to use them with my iphone (or lg or samsung or whatever) and/or use them outside.
triggsviola
147
Jul 31, 2018
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Curieux88Thanks. Yeah I went with the Massdrop Plus IEMs. I’m going to be taking them everywhere, all the time, and $900 is a bit too much of a risk. I can’t imagine a smartphone has an amp/dac that can truly realize all of the Noble Kaiser’s capabilities anyway.
Curieux88
66
Jul 31, 2018
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triggsviolayup. Also, with all kinds of outside noises, there's no point of listening to hifi headphone.
Evilpanda
89
Jul 31, 2018
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triggsviolaplease order a new wire right away with he plus ... either audio 64 or null audio cable... hate to see u loose one :.. I have the null audio cable and it’s much more secure and just higher quality cable that dosnt tangle
Curieux88
66
Aug 9, 2018
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dk604yo, ive had iems with good tips, silicon, memory foam, and such. it depends on where in public you are using this, but it's nothing compared to listening in your own house. if you are in a relatively quiet cafe/library sure, it's good. but if you are walking around in a busy city? yeah, good luck with that. it might block out a ton of noise, but not all. not even close to listening indoor.
it also depends on how you listen to music. when i listen to music using high quality stuff, i don't do anything but listening. i dont read, look at other things, paying attention to things around me, etc. What's the point of using high quality stuff when you are distracted by all kinds of things?
lastly, as i mentioned, i don't like carrying $1k earbuds wiht me everywhere in public, but that's just me.
it also depends on how you listen to music. when i listen to music using high quality stuff, i don't do anything but listening. i dont read, look at other things, paying attention to things around me, etc. What's the point of using high quality stuff when you are distracted by all kinds of things?
lastly, as i mentioned, i don't like carrying $1k earbuds wiht me everywhere in public, but that's just me.
dk604
7
Aug 9, 2018
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Curieux88In that case there’s really no point in owning IEMs. If you’re only listening in quiet environments then you don’t need sound isolation and will get better performance with open back over ears or speakers. These type of in ears are designed to be portable. They’re easy to drive and have sound isolation.
Curieux88
66
Aug 9, 2018
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dk604true. i personally dont agree with the ultra expensive iems. hence the way i answer's op's question. the sound isolation isn't as good as people think. i personally don't see the point of dropping $1k on something that isn't good compared to open back, or designed to be used in the environment with lots of noises. with the given noisy environment, i dont think i can tell the difference between $1k iems vs $300 iems both due to outside noise AND visual distractions.
dk604
7
Aug 9, 2018
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Curieux88Well, to play devils advocate not seeing the value in IEMs does kind of slant your opinion. I have expensive IEMs and expensive headphones and they just serve a different purposes. Will you get the airy soundstage of open back? No not really. The multiple drivers will create separation though. And the sound isolation is really good, especially with good tips. I can get great sounding music without having to be in a quiet environment. With comply tips it’s like having ear plugs in or ANC. With music going I can’t hear people talking a few steps away.
You don’t think you could tell the difference, but have you actually tried? Can you hear the difference between the white ear buds that come with phones and the $300 IEMs?
You don’t think you could tell the difference, but have you actually tried? Can you hear the difference between the white ear buds that come with phones and the $300 IEMs?
Curieux88
66
Aug 9, 2018
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dk604i'm in the audio industry, and I'm very lucky that I get to try kaiser 10 (or similar level) of ear buds without buying them. So yes, I don't own any expensive ear buds for the reasons stated above, but I have tried them. I agree with you that they sound fabulous and worth every penny. However, when I use them in the noisy environment, aka anywhere outside of my home, quiet cafe, libarary, etc, the benefit of ultra expensive earbuds over mediocre one greatly decreases. The most expesnive one I've ever purchased was about $200, only because I can hear the difference between that and stock one even in the noisy environment.
I've also used comply tips. While they were much, much better than the silicon ones, it still couldn't capture the benefit of $1k (over $200) in the said noisy environment.
I do see the value of IEM in general. I just think the benefit of ultra expensive IEM gets diminished once you are in the setting that they were designed for. They were desgined for outdoor mobility, but I just find that setting too much distraction for pure listening.
I've also used comply tips. While they were much, much better than the silicon ones, it still couldn't capture the benefit of $1k (over $200) in the said noisy environment.
I do see the value of IEM in general. I just think the benefit of ultra expensive IEM gets diminished once you are in the setting that they were designed for. They were desgined for outdoor mobility, but I just find that setting too much distraction for pure listening.
zero71
10
Aug 9, 2018
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Curieux88The benefits of expensive IEMs is that you can have great sound when you have quiet moments at home or in a hotel or even at work, and still have a very good sound when out walking about. Some of us don't want to have multiple headphones, we just need one nice pair toncoverany needs. It's a bit too black and white to say that outside you can't hear the benefits therefore not worth it. And frankly most can hear the benefits.
I don't have time to sit at home, close my eyes, and focus on just the music. Life gets in the way. I have a pair of 6xx that almost never get used because I can't sit next to an amp - I keep them plugged into my Axe FX 2 XL for guitar duties.
I don't have time to sit at home, close my eyes, and focus on just the music. Life gets in the way. I have a pair of 6xx that almost never get used because I can't sit next to an amp - I keep them plugged into my Axe FX 2 XL for guitar duties.
Curieux88
66
Aug 10, 2018
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zero71lol this conversation is all under the agreement that if it makes you happy, buy it. can we agree to that?
read the original question. S/he only intends to run it with his/her iphone. I like my iphone, but it's not the best in terms of sound. Do you really, really think it's worth spending $1k+ to drive sound from a phone? LG's v-whatever is the only exception that I've heard. If you are an experienced "audiophile" you should know that every component in a system can affect the sound. Pairing $250k speakers with $100 amp can pass the signal through, but it's most likely limiting the speakers' true potential.
I mean, if you hear the difference, go ahead. buy it. To my professional experience, it's a clear black and white decision. I do not hear the difference when I use it outdoor. (Indoor? absolutely I hear the difference.) Not only there's too noisy that leaks through the foam, there's also too much other distractions. And, I'm not into listening to music when I'm out and about. I'd rather enjoy what's around me.
I agree with you that it's a pretty good all in one solution. Did I force anyone to not get it? I won't judge you if you get one. I just explained why I will never get one for reasons that are valid for me. Apparently the person who asked the question agreed to my reasoning.
What I did was comparing my own experinece of using it indoor and outdoor. IEMs are designed, as someone mentioned previously, for both situations. I personally think there are better options for the same price if it's gonna be used indoor. But for outdoor, I've experienced that sonic benefits get clouded by other factors. So, it's up to the whoever is gonna buy this thing. If you are happy with the product, buy it. If trust me, but willing to go through that or if you don't trust me, do whatever you want. The thing is, I don't care. I won't judge you.
read the original question. S/he only intends to run it with his/her iphone. I like my iphone, but it's not the best in terms of sound. Do you really, really think it's worth spending $1k+ to drive sound from a phone? LG's v-whatever is the only exception that I've heard. If you are an experienced "audiophile" you should know that every component in a system can affect the sound. Pairing $250k speakers with $100 amp can pass the signal through, but it's most likely limiting the speakers' true potential.
I mean, if you hear the difference, go ahead. buy it. To my professional experience, it's a clear black and white decision. I do not hear the difference when I use it outdoor. (Indoor? absolutely I hear the difference.) Not only there's too noisy that leaks through the foam, there's also too much other distractions. And, I'm not into listening to music when I'm out and about. I'd rather enjoy what's around me.
I agree with you that it's a pretty good all in one solution. Did I force anyone to not get it? I won't judge you if you get one. I just explained why I will never get one for reasons that are valid for me. Apparently the person who asked the question agreed to my reasoning.
What I did was comparing my own experinece of using it indoor and outdoor. IEMs are designed, as someone mentioned previously, for both situations. I personally think there are better options for the same price if it's gonna be used indoor. But for outdoor, I've experienced that sonic benefits get clouded by other factors. So, it's up to the whoever is gonna buy this thing. If you are happy with the product, buy it. If trust me, but willing to go through that or if you don't trust me, do whatever you want. The thing is, I don't care. I won't judge you.
zero71
10
Aug 10, 2018
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Curieux88He never said anything about indoor or outdoor in the op. I don’t know why that keeps coming up. Will it sound like a $1000 out of an iPhone vs $300? Of course. Will it sound better with a Chord Mojo? Yes, but the difference is quite subtle. The bottom line, an iPhone is perfectly capable of driving these and with the advent of lightning dacs, or wireless options like the es100 and btr3 it’s a perfectly decent option.
In most cases, with a decent source, a $1000 IEM will sound better than the $300. Even outside. Unless the background noise is incredibly loud. And of course if someone said they wanted to buy expensive IEMs for a specific use like running, or riding the tube, then clearly theres more sensible choices. But as a general use out of iPhone, with maybe an upgraded dac in the future, it’s nonsense to suggest the $300 set is just as good.
This is not a buy what makes you happy argument. It’s a buy what is appropriate. If your listening habits don’t align to spending lots of time in an armchair next to a headphone amp, then buying the best IEM vs an over ear might well be the best choice. I know that lugging my LCD2F or Ether C Flow and Mojo around wasn’t that practical. I used my JH Angies much more often and th sound stellar through both an iPhone alone and with Mojo.
For a great many people a high end IEM gets them the best sound for their usecase, home and away.
In most cases, with a decent source, a $1000 IEM will sound better than the $300. Even outside. Unless the background noise is incredibly loud. And of course if someone said they wanted to buy expensive IEMs for a specific use like running, or riding the tube, then clearly theres more sensible choices. But as a general use out of iPhone, with maybe an upgraded dac in the future, it’s nonsense to suggest the $300 set is just as good.
This is not a buy what makes you happy argument. It’s a buy what is appropriate. If your listening habits don’t align to spending lots of time in an armchair next to a headphone amp, then buying the best IEM vs an over ear might well be the best choice. I know that lugging my LCD2F or Ether C Flow and Mojo around wasn’t that practical. I used my JH Angies much more often and th sound stellar through both an iPhone alone and with Mojo.
For a great many people a high end IEM gets them the best sound for their usecase, home and away.
Curieux88
66
Aug 10, 2018
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zero71op DID mention outdoor. Read his first comment after my first response.
" Thanks. Yeah I went with the Massdrop Plus IEMs. I’m going to be taking them everywhere, all the time, and $900 is a bit too much of a risk. I can’t imagine a smartphone has an amp/dac that can truly realize all of the Noble Kaiser’s capabilities anyway. "
lol we all know that iphone is electrically capable of driving that. heck, my iphone technically can drive my audeze headphone. :p We are talking about being able to utilize its full capability. Again, read my first comment. I "personally" wouldnt go that route. I'm sure that op is fully capable of making his own decision. I just gave my person thought.
I mean, it's all about listening test. I personally thought it was waste of money to spend that much after listening outdoor, IF that was my intention to do so.
AGAIN he did mention using it everywhere including outdoor.
It's always about buying whatever makes you happy. that's capitalism 101. All I can do on this thread is suggesting why I'm not gonna buy one for different reasons.
again, you mentioned that you use it only when you have quiet moments outside of your home. Would you use it when you are walking around in the middle of NYC? I don't know where op is, but it's a possibility. If he feels unsafe to carry $900 headphones around, he's intending to use it where there are lots of people around.
Until now, I've been arguing that I PERSONALLY wouldn't get one, bc I did not hear the benefit, that I've heard, while using it outside. (also other reasons, like visual distractions that gets my attention away from audio) I don't understand why you are arguing that my observation is false.
lol we all know that iphone is electrically capable of driving that. heck, my iphone technically can drive my audeze headphone. :p We are talking about being able to utilize its full capability. Again, read my first comment. I "personally" wouldnt go that route. I'm sure that op is fully capable of making his own decision. I just gave my person thought.
I mean, it's all about listening test. I personally thought it was waste of money to spend that much after listening outdoor, IF that was my intention to do so.
AGAIN he did mention using it everywhere including outdoor.
It's always about buying whatever makes you happy. that's capitalism 101. All I can do on this thread is suggesting why I'm not gonna buy one for different reasons.
again, you mentioned that you use it only when you have quiet moments outside of your home. Would you use it when you are walking around in the middle of NYC? I don't know where op is, but it's a possibility. If he feels unsafe to carry $900 headphones around, he's intending to use it where there are lots of people around.
Until now, I've been arguing that I PERSONALLY wouldn't get one, bc I did not hear the benefit, that I've heard, while using it outside. (also other reasons, like visual distractions that gets my attention away from audio) I don't understand why you are arguing that my observation is false.
Curieux88
66
Aug 10, 2018
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dk604Thank you very much for your extremely valuable comment. I've been enlightened.
zero71
10
Aug 10, 2018
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Curieux88In the op he said just using iPhone. Later he expanded to everywhere. Not just outside. I stand by my comments. Posh IEMs will shine as a general use everywhere and won't suddenly sound crap outside. The ops decision to go cheaper because he doesn't want to risk an expensive investment on the go is perfectly reasonable.
I never said only quiet moments. I said everywhere including quiet moments. At home, office, between home and office, on the tube, not the plane - I have 1000x for that. General purpose, everywhere. I tried the Ether C Flow in that way too but looked like a Muppet. And outdoors did impact their sound quality dramatically.
I never said only quiet moments. I said everywhere including quiet moments. At home, office, between home and office, on the tube, not the plane - I have 1000x for that. General purpose, everywhere. I tried the Ether C Flow in that way too but looked like a Muppet. And outdoors did impact their sound quality dramatically.
Curieux88
66
Aug 10, 2018
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zero71Everywhere means inside+outside. Soooo it does include the outside situation. So my argument is still valid. i don’t know what to say. I told him about my experience and opinion on using high end earbuds in noisy outdoor environment.
you are stating what I argued wrong. i didn’t say the sound goes bad when you use it outdoor. the benefit gets clouded.
i totally agree on using expensive things outside due to risk of getting it stolen. That’s my number 2 reason why I won’t get an expensive pair, as I stated above
you are stating what I argued wrong. i didn’t say the sound goes bad when you use it outdoor. the benefit gets clouded.
i totally agree on using expensive things outside due to risk of getting it stolen. That’s my number 2 reason why I won’t get an expensive pair, as I stated above
zero71
10
Aug 12, 2018
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Curieux88I think you are missing the point. All I’m saying is on a typical day, indoor and outdoor, there’s only going to be a very short period where outside noise is so loud it falls in line with your argument that you’re better off with the cheaper headphones. The other 95% of the listening experience indoor or out is going to be better on the higher end IEM. It just is. Now maybe you are in a minority where everywhere you go is really loud, but all I’m saying is your use case is not the norm. And yes I’ve been to NYC, since you ask, as well as countless cities across the globe.
zero71
10
Aug 12, 2018
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dk604Yeah, me too. Except on the plane because I like the noise cancelling. So my commute typically starts with NC over ears then switches to IEM for the rest of the week until I fly home again. I also tend to find overears ache after a while - LCD and Ether in particular. On ears, even the T51p ached. IEMs too I suppose, but often I can last longer and look less like a tool.
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