[uelover]

The Cardas sounds different on different source. I mean, very different.
 
On my AK120 it sounded bad, on DX100, nah. On my desktop rig, Sansa Clip + and iPad (4G), it sounded fantastic!
 
My only gripe with it is the cable...

 

[palmfish]

The Cardas sounds different on different source. I mean, very different.

On my AK120 it sounded bad, on DX100, nah. On my desktop rig, Sansa Clip + and iPad (4G), it sounded fantastic!

Seems impedance related.

I went to the Cardas website but couldnt find any specs. What is the impedance, sensitivity, etc. of the ear speaker?

 

[Carlsan]

Found this:
 

specifications

Model
Neo Dynamic canal type
Impedance
32Ω
Diaphragm
11.5mm PEN (polyethylene naphtha rate)
Sound pressure level
115dB @ 1kHz

 

[Sweden]

Anyone tried a custom EQ curve for this earphone?
Sounds like this earphone is dying for a treble boost.

 

[audiofreakie]

No, try pair it with DX50 using blue tips.
Well, I think this EM is sleeping dragon, it can perform more detail than stock sound.
I will save my money to recable with alo silver or audionote tonearms (it cost maybe 200 usd :V).

 

[uelover]

No, try pair it with DX50 using blue tips.
Well, I think this EM is sleeping dragon, it can perform more detail than stock sound.
I will save my money to recable with alo silver or audionote tonearms (it cost maybe 200 usd :V).

Because you feel the cardas clear light cable isn't good enough?

 

[goodvibes]

Sounds like load shouldn't be a problem with almost any DAP.

 

[audiofreakie]

uelover, no, I'm a cardas cable fans, I love it when paired cardas 4x24 awg to my T50RP, I love when I paired my 8 strand-mod-cardas-hookup wire with my Fitear 111.
Clear cable are great in terms of EM dark sounding.
Just curious with cardas driver when paired to silver cable, you know what I mean to add some "treble"...

 

[justin b]

I have now had mine for a week and burned them in as much as possible playing my library through them as I slept. I really dig these and am loving the sound. I have some LCD-2s and these, to me, are an IEM compliment to the Audeze. They have a similar signature to me, somewhat laid back with a wide soundstage.

I am running them through my RWAK-100 and ALO International amp on low gain, and using the same EQ as on my LCD-2 with a bit more treble added on the very high end. The bass is remarkable and sounds in every way correct and true to the recording.

I am a detail freak, using my Ety ER-4s all the time, but with the Cardas I still perceive the detail, but can listen with literally no fatigue for long sessions. Last night I fell asleep with them in and that never happens to me! To me that is a testament to how enjoyable they are to listen to. It's just my 2 cents but I am truly happy with these and they are "keepers". I think I found the IEM for me. Bottom line, I love them and I think Cardas did a great job overall. The cable is longish and bulky but that's not a deal breaker. Highly recommended.

 

[audiofreakie]

Justin, me 2, like other says, it presentation of sound in different way than ordinary IEMs.

 

[ericp10]

I have now had mine for a week and burned them in as much as possible playing my library through them as I slept. I really dig these and am loving the sound. I have some LCD-2s and these, to me, are an IEM compliment to the Audeze. They have a similar signature to me, somewhat laid back with a wide soundstage.

I am running them through my RWAK-100 and ALO International amp on low gain, and using the same EQ as on my LCD-2 with a bit more treble added on the very high end. The bass is remarkable and sounds in every way correct and true to the recording.

I am a detail freak, using my Ety ER-4s all the time, but with the Cardas I still perceive the detail, but can listen with literally no fatigue for long sessions. Last night I fell asleep with them in and that never happens to me! To me that is a testament to how enjoyable they are to listen to. It's just my 2 cents but I am truly happy with these and they are "keepers". I think I found the IEM for me. Bottom line, I love them and I think Cardas did a great job overall. The cable is longish and bulky but that's not a deal breaker. Highly recommended.

 X2
 
The Cardas Ear Mirror is a special IEM. Full-sounding, possesses micro details, nice clarity and imaging. I am finding, however, that it likes to be amped and lot of power. The more power you feed it the better performance it will give you. Oh, and large bore silicon tips.

 

[audiofreakie]

Now listen to binaural recording by dr. Chesky's. I'm shocked, the soundstage-imaging- positioning-3d sound I can't explain, the sound is more natural than any my collections, it sound more out of my head.
I guess, maybe the house sound of this iem is tuned by George Cardas based on a "Home Speaker".

 

[justin b]

Now listen to binaural recording by dr. Chesky's. I'm shocked, the soundstage-imaging- positioning-3d sound I can't explain, the sound is more natural than any my collections, it sound more out of my head.
I guess, maybe the house sound of this iem is tuned by George Cardas based on a "Home Speaker".

I totally agree! The more I listen to these the more I feel the same way. The soundstage is so much bigger and more accurate than other IEMs and even though most people prefer the white tips for better isolation, I am hooked on the blue tips. They open it up even more and the bass seems more accurate and there is more "air" to the sound. Give the blue tips a try and tell me what you think. The bass slam is still there and I could get lost listening all day if I had the time. These are the best audio purchase I have made in a long time. My LCD-2s have not seen much use lately and that says a lot.

 

[frankrondaniel]

I've had the EM5813's for about a month now.  When I first heard them I was very disappointed - "dark" and "muddy" are the terms that comes to mind.  But based on the comments on this forum I kept at it - had them playing almost continuously for weeks.  Over that period of time they've really changed - burn in seems to be a reality with these guys.  While I still think that have a "dark" sound, now I would describe them as lush and liquid, especially in the mids.  The lows are very present but balanced.  The highs seem to be rolled off a bit but at a point that still lets some sparkle though and that doesn't become fatiguing.  My only complaint would be the cable being rather heavy and unwieldy, and having a fairly high degree of microphonics.  They also seem to pair with differing degrees of success with various DAPS.  I like them a lot with the DX50 but as someone remarked above, not so well with the AK120.  So far I think they're just ok with the X3.  It does seem that they benefit from some amping as well.  But overall I'm very pleased with this purchase.  It's a unique IEM with a unique sound I think.

 

[justin b]

I totally agree with your experience. I am a big fan of these IEMs obviously as I have posted before. The cable is a rather heavy, yes, but I wear them with the cable over the ear and that goes a long way to making them very comfortable. I stopped wearing them simply with the cable hanging down and now the cable is a non issue.

I also felt the cable was too long, but now after living with it and wearing the cable over my ears, I think it's just right. The more I use them the less I want anything else, and in this hobby that's a good thing!