Shure SE846 Impressions Thread
Feb 25, 2017 at 2:02 AM Post #17,341 of 22,805
Been using my 846's for a little while now. Driving them with a JDS C5D on low gain. Typically have to listen with the bass boost on to match my low end need. However, they just some to fall a little short on the highs. Currently using the white filter, have also used stock blue, and modded blue. Any thoughts on where to turn?


Boosting on bass is probably also leading to some of the extra roll off on the highs.
 
Louder the bass, the more rolled off it will seem and less sparkly. I find the bass on the se846 are already one of the best. 
 
These little guys are power hungry as heck. They drive off my iPhone but kill the battery quite fast. 4 maybe 5 hours max.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 4:08 AM Post #17,342 of 22,805
Hi
 
I've had my SE846's for a couple of weeks and am using them with a Questyle QP1R DAP.
 
I'm looking into aftermarket cables and a popular choice seems to be the silver version from Headphonelounge.com. Anyone have experience with this cable? Any other recommendations would be welcome. I have used Forza Audioworks in the past on headphones, so they might be an option.
 
Regards
 
Darren
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 9:10 AM Post #17,343 of 22,805
  Hi
 
I've had my SE846's for a couple of weeks and am using them with a Questyle QP1R DAP.
 
I'm looking into aftermarket cables and a popular choice seems to be the silver version from Headphonelounge.com. Anyone have experience with this cable? Any other recommendations would be welcome. I have used Forza Audioworks in the past on headphones, so they might be an option.
 
Regards
 
Darren

Greetings
 
I advise caution when you buy a cable, as I have a 200 usd cable that has mmcx, and it works on all iems without a problem, but with shure 846 it cuts out as it seems shure uses a special mmcx
 
But I can tell you the difference in sound is huge between both cables 
 
Cheers
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 9:31 AM Post #17,344 of 22,805
  Greetings
 
I advise caution when you buy a cable, as I have a 200 usd cable that has mmcx, and it works on all iems without a problem, but with shure 846 it cuts out as it seems shure uses a special mmcx
 
But I can tell you the difference in sound is huge between both cables 
 
Cheers

Yeah, you're not wrong. I have 4 different cables. They all work perfect on my Onkyo E900M, only one fits tightly on the SE846. The Forza Audioworks.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 9:56 AM Post #17,346 of 22,805
  Which one did you buy?
 
Did you notice a difference in sound as well? If, yes in what way
 
Cheers

Only difference in sound you can expect is due to impedance of the cable having an influence on the frequency response. See my posts on the previous couple of pages.
 
Honestly, if you have no issues with the ergonomics of the Shure cable. don't bother buying anything else. 
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 10:02 AM Post #17,347 of 22,805
 
Which one did you buy?

Did you notice a difference in sound as well? If, yes in what way

Cheers

Only difference in sound you can expect is due to impedance of the cable having an influence on the frequency response. See my posts on the previous couple of pages.

Honestly, if you have no issues with the ergonomics of the Shure cable. don't bother buying anything else. 

Completely disagree. However there are quality cables that bring the sound closer, wider, with more detail.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 10:18 AM Post #17,349 of 22,805
Completely disagree. However there are quality cables that bring the sound closer, wider, with more detail.

It's a damn shame that it's impossible to do blind testing of IEM cables, because I'm convinced a lot of people would have to swallow their words.
 
Look, can frequency response changes change the sound significantly? Absolutely. Take any EQ, add a wide boost in the highs around 8-9kHz and things will sound wider. Similarly, boost the presence range and the sound will come closer. In the past couple pages I've even given equations that explain how one cable can change the frequency response more than another one, so yes, there can be changes. 
 
BUT... my hypothesis is that you would get the same influence on the frequency response with a variable resistor :)
 
The thing is, I was on the look for a cable with better ergonomics than the standard Shure and in my search I've not found a cable yet with lower resistance than the standard one...
 
Anyway, believe what you want to believe and I will believe what I believe. Enjoy the music. 
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 10:31 AM Post #17,350 of 22,805
It's a damn shame that it's impossible to do blind testing of IEM cables, because I'm convinced a lot of people would have to swallow their words.

Look, can frequency response changes change the sound significantly? Absolutely. Take any EQ, add a wide boost in the highs around 8-9kHz and things will sound wider. Similarly, boost the presence range and the sound will come closer. In the past couple pages I've even given equations that explain how one cable can change the frequency response more than another one, so yes, there can be changes. 

BUT... my hypothesis is that you would get the same influence on the frequency response with a variable resistor :)

The thing is, I was on the look for a cable with better ergonomics than the standard Shure and in my search I've not found a cable yet with lower resistance than the standard one...

Anyway, believe what you want to believe and I will believe what I believe. Enjoy the music. 

Well said.
When you compare aftermarket cables to a decent OFC cable, it is nothing but a fancy EQ. Their ergonomics usually isn't as good either because of the rigidity and/or weight.

A impedance adapter will have a much bigger effect on the sound for underdampened drivers and some Knowles drivers.

It's a good idea to learn to understand frequency response graphs and how the frequencies affect music reproduction.
I highly recommend Rin Choi and NwAudioGuy's blogs.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 11:24 AM Post #17,351 of 22,805
I beleive with my ears and with my hands for ergonomic, there are better cables and better aftermarket cables than others. Certainly better than stock shures course I also have been dissapointed with certain aftermarket cables.
I used to think cables meh. Now I know better. But agree beleive what you want, enjoy the music.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 2:22 PM Post #17,352 of 22,805
I originally purchased my SE846 in Singapore with an Effect Audio Hybrid cable of silver and copper. It became somewhat uncomfortable after the purchase of Sensaphonic custom molds and the copper on the effect audio cable oxidized to a dark color. So I went looking for a pure silver cable. I purchased the following on Ebay: op graderanko 8 core 8N Pure Solid Silver update cable for Shure UE Westone IE. Altogether 129 USD. Needs about 20 hours of burn in but is an amazing quality cable for the price.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 4:17 PM Post #17,353 of 22,805
I purchased one of the same Ranko Acoustics silver cables and am currently using it on my 846s. Excellent fit and quality, especially when comparing prices to other pure silver cables. I am strongly considering buying another one.
 
Ryan
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 5:29 PM Post #17,354 of 22,805
It's a damn shame that it's impossible to do blind testing of IEM cables, because I'm convinced a lot of people would have to swallow their words.

Look, can frequency response changes change the sound significantly? Absolutely. Take any EQ, add a wide boost in the highs around 8-9kHz and things will sound wider. Similarly, boost the presence range and the sound will come closer. In the past couple pages I've even given equations that explain how one cable can change the frequency response more than another one, so yes, there can be changes. 

BUT... my hypothesis is that you would get the same influence on the frequency response with a variable resistor :)

The thing is, I was on the look for a cable with better ergonomics than the standard Shure and in my search I've not found a cable yet with lower resistance than the standard one...

Anyway, believe what you want to believe and I will believe what I believe. Enjoy the music. 


I agree with you, it is basic electronics knowledge. I always found it quite funny when people spend hundreds of $$ on pretty looking cables, and reading that they magically open up the sound and tighten up the bass. Cable reviews are usually 50% due to impedance difference, and 50% due to new toy hype, where they type that they strongly believe the sound has more detail in an attempt to believe it themselves, thereby causing a placebo effect in their mind that "well, I spent X amount of $$$ on this shiny new toy, it must be great!"

Brooko did a FR test with different cables. The only things they changed were SPL. Any perceived difference was due to the nonlinear sound response from the human ear. Cables do nothing EQ can't do. They don't make your music more detailed. But hey, if people think prettily wrapped cables sound better than normal ones, major props to the cable companies for taking advantage of this, and sign me up.
 
Feb 25, 2017 at 6:18 PM Post #17,355 of 22,805
I agree with you, it is basic electronics knowledge. I always found it quite funny when people spend hundreds of $$ on pretty looking cables, and reading that they magically open up the sound and tighten up the bass. Cable reviews are usually 50% due to impedance difference, and 50% due to new toy hype, where they type that they strongly believe the sound has more detail in an attempt to believe it themselves, thereby causing a placebo effect in their mind that "well, I spent X amount of $$$ on this shiny new toy, it must be great!"

Brooko did a FR test with different cables. The only things they changed were SPL. Any perceived difference was due to the nonlinear sound response from the human ear. Cables do nothing EQ can't do. They don't make your music more detailed. But hey, if people think prettily wrapped cables sound better than normal ones, major props to the cable companies for taking advantage of this, and sign me up.


So true.
 

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