[joshnor713]

Since I modded the blue filters, I decided to give the Star Tips another try. So far, I am hearing a lot more bass, but treble sounds really rolled off. The Star Tips sound more intimate with a more forward vocals while the P-Series from Comply has an airier out of ear sound.

I think the Star Tips is better for those who like a more thumping, tighter bass sound. If you can get the Comply P-Series to fit right and don't mind foam, it gives better clarity, sound stage and separation to my ears at least.

Now I'm intrigued what a new cable might bring to the table. Perhaps with the reported brighter sound, the Star Tips might start getting better for me. Time for me to save up some cash.

 
I got both recently.  I agree with your assessment of the Star tips.  The vocals sound amazing!
 
However, I was completely unimpressed with the Comply tips.  I tried all different sizes of the Tx-100 (Isolation) and it sounds veiled/muddled.
 
Actually, I didn't notice the P-Series.  I just looked it up and see that the tips is longer, which I like.  But if the sound is the same, then no.  Anyone with experience with both types? 

 

[Chodi]

   
I got both recently.  I agree with your assessment of the Star tips.  The vocals sound amazing!
 
However, I was completely unimpressed with the Comply tips.  I tried all different sizes of the Tx-100 (Isolation) and it sounds veiled/muddled.
 
Actually, I didn't notice the P-Series.  I just looked it up and see that the tips is longer, which I like.  But if the sound is the same, then no.  Anyone with experience with both types? 

I have many of he comply tips here and tried them all. I also agree that they all sound veiled. I think the foam is absorbing the sound at certain frequencies. They roll off the top end but they do more damage than that. I also don't find them very comfortable. The only reason to use them is for complete isolation. That they do very well. 

 

[joshnor713]

  I have many of he comply tips here and tried them all. I also agree that they all sound veiled. I think the foam is absorbing the sound at certain frequencies. They roll off the top end but they do more damage than that. I also don't find them very comfortable. The only reason to use them is for complete isolation. That they do very well. 

 
Great, thanks for the feedback.  I'll just stay away from them then.  I'll keep the pair I have for airplanes, they do isolate very well.

 

[Whitigir]

I have many of he comply tips here and tried them all. I also agree that they all sound veiled. I think the foam is absorbing the sound at certain frequencies. They roll off the top end but they do more damage than that. I also don't find them very comfortable. The only reason to use them is for complete isolation. That they do very well. 

I confirm that I have the same feeling with all of IEMS that uses Balanced Amature units. Foams or bad seals will bring horrible sounds.

Foams will attenuate the lower-low, and highs body, and bad seals will just be ugghhhh...yuck

I went on with research and it turned out that: Balanced amature only move the airs inside your ears canals to produce sound, and this air is very little in volume. The BA can only move so much, so any air leaks will horribly affecting the performance as the air being moved out, and can't be replenished inward to your ears..... VS dynamic drivers that they move airs from outside with outside vent to vibrate. Dynamic drivers will always have the ability to perform with a good seal or without ( to a certain extends ) or we can say that Balanced Amature type is very picky in the uses of tips, and fits.

The best way I have found to have the best performance with BA would be the use of firmer silicone tips....it may be a little too firm, but as long as it doesn't leak, you will have the best performance. The tip to get the best seal would be

****press the bud in, and feel that pressure built up in your ears**** if you don't feel it, you are doing it wrong

 

[chailee80]

With the se846, arnt the nosles weak and could break changing the tips?

You'd have to be doing something very wrong to break the metal nozzles. Compared to many of the other totl iems the shures are built like tanks.

 

[Zojokkeli]

Maybe you could arrange a pick-up?

I'll definItely think about it if I decide to go there some time.

 

[K.T.]

Yeah, not sure what he's talking about =P

I got this cable for $50 from a popular DIY cable seller on TaoBao (China's eBay).  Love the guy, tons of different color options, weaving patterns, etc.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.2.9.78.2YDnk0&id=38476730730&_u=ho256ujeb97

Do you know if these cables are solid silver, or are they silver plated?

I'm very tempted by the Latvian cables Chodi recommends. I have solid silver speaker cable runs for my hi-fi setup, as well as some silver interconnects, and have used silver hookup wire in some DIY projects. I do love the added softness and resolution they provide.

However, the Latvian cables are more expensive, which makes me think the Tabao cable must be silver plated (as well as the 4N designation in the description, which is usually associated with copper).

The Tabao site is in Chinese, though, so I would have some difficulty navigating the site to put in an order.

But it really comes down to sound. How would you describe the difference between the Tabao cable and stock? As long as the improvement is in line with what I seek, I don't mind what the cable is made of.

 

[Whazzzup]

Do some research on cable threads, there are many refrences on this thread.  Dont be mistaken by just a good price, read up on molecular composition and differences in silver litz versus copper versus fusion hybrids. Stock cables are not bad unless you can find cable specialists with histories.

 

[Whitigir]

Do some research on cable threads, there are many refrences on this thread.  Dont be mistaken by just a good price, read up on molecular composition and differences in silver litz versus copper versus fusion hybrids. Stock cables are not bad unless you can find cable specialists with histories.

Yes....and reputable one as well. It is so easy to scam people into paying for a more quality and expensive cables while it is only plated or sterling silver...? All of these audi able differences are mostly can not be measured by a simple theory or tools.....

A cable with different quality of copper and less than 3m in length doesn't show any differences in resistances or conductivity....etc....even if using all the professional tools....it will be hardly measurable

That is why some people with serious intentions about cables will more than likely paying an arm and leg for reputable brand or doing themselves some favors and buy DIY quality cables and do it themselves ? ....and even this....they are still being scammed off too

 

[milford30]

Yes....and reputable one as well. It is so easy to scam people into paying for a more quality and expensive cables while it is only plated or sterling silver...? All of these audi able differences are mostly can not be measured by a simple theory or tools.....

A cable with different quality of copper and less than 3m in length doesn't show any differences in resistances or conductivity....etc....even if using all the professional tools....it will be hardly measurable

That is why some people with serious intentions about cables will more than likely paying an arm and leg for reputable brand or doing themselves some favors and buy DIY quality cables and do it themselves ?

....and even this....they are still being scammed off too

 
The resistivity of the cable depends upon the frequency (since it's an analogue signal) and impurities of the metal, you will not get pure silver/copper, these two factors are important in determining the sound quality of the cable. Other effects such as capacitance, wire thickness and skin effect also plays a role, it's not as clear cut as a 'silver' cable will sound better.
 
From my understanding impurities play a rather large role, for those who don't 'believe' in cables for IEMs needs to go to a physical store, listen to a few cables without the owner telling you which is which and pick the brighter sounding cable and ask if it is the silver cable.
 
Note: impurities does not mean bad, getting the right balance is important, though from my testing silver plated copper tends to lose detail. 

 

[Dezeinstein]

Greeting's, Head-Fi ers.
 
I'm about to tear into these bad boys, and after reading this entire thread, I'm concerned about dealing with an impedance mismatch.
 
Thanks to you guys, I dove into this bottomless $ pit of a great hobby in December, rediscovering my music library and re-ripping hundreds of CDs into lossless FLACs. Have been using an X5/E12 combo with Hifiman 400i at work and HP50's at home, and now realized I wanted streaming so I went for the ZX2, which I love. It drives the HP50s fine, but not enough juice for the 400i's.
 
Anyway, the 846s will be my first foray into hi-end IEMs, and I know Sony will not state the output impedance for this DAP, saying it 'doesn't matter.' Any guesses as to whether or not I will be hearing major hiss with this combo?
 
And thanks again for helping to separate all those Benjamin's from my wallet. 

 
Cheers,
David

 

[e30ernest]

  I have many of he comply tips here and tried them all. I also agree that they all sound veiled. I think the foam is absorbing the sound at certain frequencies. They roll off the top end but they do more damage than that. I also don't find them very comfortable. The only reason to use them is for complete isolation. That they do very well. 

 
It depends on how you insert them.  Do you still have those tips?  Could you try the method on the following video and see how it sounds for you?  This works really well for me.
 

 
The thing I've found with foams is that if they aren't inserted properly, you may still have a good seal, but the ends get crimped off in your ear ruining/muffling treble response creating an emphasis on bass.  With the P-Series, I know the end is open when I insert it in my ear when I start feeling the inner plastic tubing of the tip when I press on the IEM.
 
In the end though, we all hear things differently.  What works for me may not for anyone else.
 

   
I got both recently.  I agree with your assessment of the Star tips.  The vocals sound amazing!
 
However, I was completely unimpressed with the Comply tips.  I tried all different sizes of the Tx-100 (Isolation) and it sounds veiled/muddled.
 
Actually, I didn't notice the P-Series.  I just looked it up and see that the tips is longer, which I like.  But if the sound is the same, then no.  Anyone with experience with both types? 

 
Yes I also have the T-Series.  To me the T-Series sound as you described. Pretty much veiled with bad extension on both sides.  The P-Series goes in deeper, a lot deeper and isolate the best out of all the tips I've tried except for triple flanges.

 

[milford30]

  Greeting's, Head-Fi ers.
 
I'm about to tear into these bad boys, and after reading this entire thread, I'm concerned about dealing with an impedance mismatch.
 
Thanks to you guys, I dove into this bottomless $ pit of a great hobby in December, rediscovering my music library and re-ripping hundreds of CDs into lossless FLACs. Have been using an X5/E12 combo with Hifiman 400i at work and HP50's at home, and now realized I wanted streaming so I went for the ZX2, which I love. It drives the HP50s fine, but not enough juice for the 400i's.
 
Anyway, the 846s will be my first foray into hi-end IEMs, and I know Sony will not state the output impedance for this DAP, saying it 'doesn't matter.' Any guesses as to whether or not I will be hearing major hiss with this combo?
 
And thanks again for helping to separate all those Benjamin's from my wallet. 

 
Cheers,
David

 
Assuming the components/design of the zx2 are good, hiss should not be a huge problem. On the other hand distortion may be a problem, most likely bloated bass/mid bass with the loss of bass impact.

 

[e30ernest]

Assuming the components/design of the zx2 are good, hiss should not be a huge problem. On the other hand distortion may be a problem, most likely bloated bass/mid bass with the loss of bass impact.

Trying to learn something new here, why would there be distortion? Is it due to bass bloat from output impedance or is it caused by something else?

Thanks!

 

[milford30]

Trying to learn something new here, why would there be distortion? Is it due to bass bloat from output impedance or is it caused by something else?

Thanks!

If the output impedance of the player is more than 1/8 of the iem/headphones, you get distortion.