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18 custom IEM/TF10/Shure/IE8 cables reviewed (Effect Pearl, Apollo, & Odin added 3/20/13) - Page 9

post #121 of 602
11/25/11 at 11:18pm
Thread Starter 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by gabieteo91 View Post

just wanted to say thanks for the review.

using a NULL Audio Lune cable now, thinking whether shld upgrade to TWag


You are welcome!  And what are you using with the Lune?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by gabieteo91 View Post

also, can I ask whether plugs matter?

Heard the Oyaide Rhodium plug is really good.


At this point I can't really say since I haven't had the same cable with 2 different plugs.  I would venture to say there will be some differences between some, but not sure if they would be good or not, and how significant or not.  Theoretically there should only be changes if the resistance, capacitance, and/or inductance changes.

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post #122 of 602
11/28/11 at 5:47pm

So is the Arete a better purchase money wise over the Lune?

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post #123 of 602
11/30/11 at 10:05pm
Thread Starter 

It depends on what you are looking for in a cable and what you are matching it up with.  Personally I do think the Arete is the better deal, but they do sound different to me.

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post #124 of 602
12/1/11 at 1:36pm

Thanks for the detailed reviews and info!  I have JH13 IEMs and the stock cable, using with my iphone mainly.  I find it a pain to remove the IEMs when I run into someone on the street.  Is there a cable available from any of these companies that provides a mic for street conversations without removing the IEM?  Taking calls and controlling the ipod would also be nice.  If not, any recommended adapters?  Thanks! 

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post #125 of 602
12/1/11 at 2:30pm

Can these be made to fit a TF10?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Cable $40

Why does the UERM cable (and all new UE monitors after September 1, 2010) have their own entry?  Because they are different and IMO better than other stock cables in many ways.  First, the shell connectors fit over a protruding socket for a secure fit with a great angle that works well in my ears.  Next the actual cable uses a very tight braid for the area between the nice looking 3.5mm plug and the Y-split and then after the Y-split the cable uses a very tight twist.  The cable uses 4 wires to avoid issues that can be caused by splitting one wire to two at the Y-split.

 

P1010137.JPG P1000827.JPG P1000953.JPGP1000926.JPG

 

The cable is built like a tank, has no memory, isn't easy to tangle, and ergonomically is very nice.

 

Ergonomics: 10

Tangle Resistance: 9

Memory Effect: 9.5

Build Quality: 10

Works with recessed sockets: No, protruding sockets

Options: 48" or 64"; black or clear

 

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post #126 of 602
12/1/11 at 2:53pm

 

@ Rac4hf:

 

beat audio iPhone specialists

http://www.custom-iem.com/iphone-specialist-mic-remote-–-beat-audio-earphone-cable-p-656.html

 

If you get them, let me know how you like them because I'm thinking about buying them too!


Edited by ChrisSC - 12/1/11 at 2:54pm
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post #127 of 602
12/1/11 at 3:59pm

Really good stuff. Thanks. I like everything about the review except the explanation why Silver's brighter. I agree that it often is and enjoyed your descriptions but material resistance isn't frequency selective. The raw wire used here will pass 1 mhz at these length without loss relative to lows. Skin effect, stranding, reflections, impedance and construction can have an exponentially greater infuence on bandwidth. I'm not arguing that silver doesn't sound different or that these cables don't. I know they do. I just don't think it's resistance. A 1.7m vs 1.6m silver cable will sound virtually the same while a copper of 1.6 with same constuction will likely not and the resistance at connections and solder is more significant. Sorry for the input if it's not welcome. I have no objections if you'd like the mods to delete this post as I really like the piece and am not trying to get this into another cable being different debate. I'm with you here and just wanted to comment on your thought regarding the mechanism.

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post #128 of 602
12/1/11 at 6:23pm

To date, I have no idea why things sound the way they do and I'm on cable #70 ahahah...

 

I just know that my particular version of silver sounds one way, and the copper I use sounds another way, and that Grado copper sounds completely different so it's very hard to nail down why things should sound the way they do for the time being.

 

Then again I have friends who pick up an SR-80 and then my SR-225 and they can't hear a difference... so theres always that...

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post #129 of 602
12/1/11 at 10:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chapel View Post

Can these be made to fit a TF10?


Sure, anything can be done.  I doubt UE would do it though, so you would need to either DIY it or get someone else to do it.


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by goodvibes View Post

Really good stuff. Thanks. I like everything about the review except the explanation why Silver's brighter. I agree that it often is and enjoyed your descriptions but material resistance isn't frequency selective. The raw wire used here will pass 1 mhz at these length without loss relative to lows. Skin effect, stranding, reflections, impedance and construction can have an exponentially greater infuence on bandwidth. I'm not arguing that silver doesn't sound different or that these cables don't. I know they do. I just don't think it's resistance. A 1.7m vs 1.6m silver cable will sound virtually the same while a copper of 1.6 with same constuction will likely not and the resistance at connections and solder is more significant. Sorry for the input if it's not welcome. I have no objections if you'd like the mods to delete this post as I really like the piece and am not trying to get this into another cable being different debate. I'm with you here and just wanted to comment on your thought regarding the mechanism.

 

I welcome the question.  I am not an expert and until someone pays me to work in a lab and truly figure these things out, I will have to go off my work experience with wiring and various signals, engineering background, research, and what my ears are telling me.

 

Audio signals are much different than RF and HF signals, especially when you consider they will typically be carrying some PSK, FSK, etc signal that doesn't have the intricacies of music .  With audio frequencies there is no skin effect (hence silver plated copper has no benefit of silver) and reflections are pretty much not an issue.  There was an excellent post I read somewhere that described the differences in op amp performance into loads with different capacitance.  The differences weren't large, but the leading edge of a square wave was noticeably different on a scope which would affect attack of a note.  And if you think about all the different electrons moving at different speeds and at different amplitudes, some large, some small, some very small, it would seem logical to me that the small difference in resistance along with the capacitive and inductive changes that may be present can not only affect the very small amplitude signals that make up the micro-detail, but also affect the amp performance.  We are talking about tiny differences in resistance, but also tiny amplitude analog signals.

 

As far as the significance of solder, I do believe it is significant, but if there is metal to metal contact of the wire to the pin, the effect of solder for an audio signal should minimized.  I actually think the material and construction of the connectors can also make a slight but audible difference (when combined with high resolution equipment and music), but I have not had the opportunity to test connectors.

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post #130 of 602
12/1/11 at 11:16pm

I can tell you emphatically UE will not do it.

 

I can also tell you the perception of altered FR is actually not a change in FR.  You'll need to look elsewhere to investigate perceived differences.  All I'm gonna say. 


Edited by Anaxilus - 12/1/11 at 11:19pm
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post #131 of 602
12/2/11 at 12:37pm

Thanks for the suggestion.  They don't have the Push-to-hear ability, though.  Reviews of Shure's Push-To-Hear (the only one I could find with the feature) seem to indicate it's a bit of a novelty and clumsily implemented.  I'd like to have the option, but doesnt seem like there's a good custom IEM option.  There is an app that can add some of the funtionality (SoundOut) using the phone mic, but that has its own limitations.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSC View Post

 

@ Rac4hf:

 

beat audio iPhone specialists

http://www.custom-iem.com/iphone-specialist-mic-remote-–-beat-audio-earphone-cable-p-656.html

 

If you get them, let me know how you like them because I'm thinking about buying them too!



 

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post #132 of 602
12/2/11 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anaxilus View Post

I can tell you emphatically UE will not do it.

 

I can also tell you the perception of altered FR is actually not a change in FR.  You'll need to look elsewhere to investigate perceived differences.  All I'm gonna say. 



This.

 

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post #133 of 602
12/5/11 at 3:31am

Woot! This stopped me getting Double Helix cables...

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post #134 of 602
12/5/11 at 7:55pm

Hey guys,

 

I was wondering how bad the memory/ergonomics are on the Chris_Himself cables, especially compared to Triple.Fi stock cables? I was thinking about replacing those cables simply because of how difficult they are to manage, but if the ergonomics of the Chris_Himself cables are pretty poor, then it seems like the Null Audio Arete is the way to go. The Arete also seems the be pretty bulky as well (maybe due to the nylon sleeve), but you made references to it's light weight, so it seems to be the best for what I'm looking for.

 

Thanks!

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post #135 of 602
12/5/11 at 11:12pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HeroicPenguin View Post

Hey guys,

 

I was wondering how bad the memory/ergonomics are on the Chris_Himself cables, especially compared to Triple.Fi stock cables? I was thinking about replacing those cables simply because of how difficult they are to manage, but if the ergonomics of the Chris_Himself cables are pretty poor, then it seems like the Null Audio Arete is the way to go. The Arete also seems the be pretty bulky as well (maybe due to the nylon sleeve), but you made references to it's light weight, so it seems to be the best for what I'm looking for.

 

Thanks!



I don't think it's really much of an issue - especially with the lifetime warranty. It's a world of differences compared with the TF10 stock cable. Possibly the best cable in the price range. I would definitely recommend Chris' cable any day.

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › 18 custom IEM/TF10/Shure/IE8 cables reviewed (Effect Pearl, Apollo, & Odin added 3/20/13)