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How does a resistor cable (e.g. ER-4P to ER-4S) 'improve' a headphone (IEM)?

post #1 of 7
7/11/10 at 10:31pm
Thread Starter 

Many have said that by adding 75 ohms in line, the ER-4P sounds 'better'.

Does this apply to other IEMs such as the Shure SE530?

If so, how?

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post #2 of 7
7/12/10 at 2:42am

The serial resistance modifies the frequency response according to the drivers' impedance curve. Therefore the effect will not be the same with other earphones.

.

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post #3 of 7
7/13/10 at 7:07am

This is only effective when your headphone amp has a relatively high output impedance. For headphones with relatively low output impedance, adding a resistor inline with the headphone will not change its response curve, only attenuate it.

 

Jack

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post #4 of 7
7/13/10 at 4:52pm

 

Originally Posted by Jack-Micca View Post

This is only effective when your headphone amp has a relatively high output impedance.

 
That's incorrect. The serial resistors in the ER-4S (and the ER-4P as well, BTW) have their effect independent of the amp's output impedance. In the case of an excessively high amp output impedance the total serial resistance (of both amp and resistors added together) may accentuate it to a degree that may be counterproductive, though.

 

 

For headphones with relatively low output impedance, adding a resistor inline with the headphone will not change its response curve, only attenuate it. 

 

I guess you meant «headphone amps», since headphones don't have output impedances. And yes, the resistor will modify the electrical frequency response according to the driver's impedance curve. That's the purpose of the serial resistors. Amplifier output impedances and serial resistors are electrically the same.

.


Edited by JaZZ - 7/13/10 at 4:57pm
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post #5 of 7
7/13/10 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 

Just chained a 75ohm resistor cable to my SE530. no good.

Then chained the same resistor cable to my Turbine Pro. Result: 110ohm (presumed) + low sensitivity for an IEM requires my full-size amp 7500 miles away.

Maybe I'll get the Schiit Asgard. FOTM? Way too cheap.

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post #6 of 7
7/13/10 at 6:59pm

I find impedance adapters a hit or miss on a lot of phones. It's usually a miss with multi driver BA earphones. They aren't very expensive so not a bad experiment to try it out on your phones and see if it helps or not.

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post #7 of 7
7/13/10 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rawrster View Post

I find impedance adapters a hit or miss on a lot of phones. It's usually a miss with multi driver BA earphones. They aren't very expensive so not a bad experiment to try it out on your phones and see if it helps or not.


Read about damping factor and that crossover circuit. Seems like Xovers don't 'expect' too much impedance before it.

The Turbine Pro with it, albeit quiet on my P-Micro even on High gain (yes full charge), sounds 'better'.

I need Dale Vishay 1/8 75ohm impedance vs frequency graphs.

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