Crossovers and Drivers...

[VoLTaG3]

Ok, We all know the Shure SE530 and Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10 are 3 driver universal IEMs.

They each contain 2 subwoofers, and 1 tweeter in each earphone. The Westone 3 is a 3 way IEM meaning that it's crossover splits the frequencies into 3(LOWS-MIDS-HIGHS) so that each driver can reproduce them. The Shure SE530 works in a way that most of you probably never knew... The dual subwoofers in the SE530s are not only responsible for the LOWS but they are also responsible for the LOW MIDS and the tweeters are responsible for the HIGH MIDS and HIGHS. Maybe the reason why the MIDS in the SE530 are so unbeatable maybe because the way Shure set the drivers up where 3 drivers are actually reproducing 1 frequency which happens to be the MIDS.

 

[billybob_jcv]

Well, I'm sure that's what (at least) one engineer at Shure thinks...

On the other hand, I would think getting three drivers to stay coherent in the same range of frequencies would be pretty tough. If we had frequency response and distortion curves of each driver as well as for the overall system for all the 3-way 'phones, we might get an idea of how they each really accomplish their task. More drivers is not always better - they need to be part of an overall system that is designed to work well. From the vast majority of listener reports (I don't own them) Shure did a great job.

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoLTaG3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Shure SE530 works in a way that most of you probably never knew...

Trust me, we know. The discussion of of SE530's crossover has came up many many times for the last two years. It is how Shure decides to tune SE530's sound toward the mid that make it what it is, not how many transducers in it. For example UM2 has only one mid/bass drive yet it has stronger bass than SE530 - not all transducers are created equally

 

[MythNoob]

Thats so true, i just got my SE530's and the bass is nowhere near a certain pair of dual drivers i tried, sob... still enjoyable sound just didnt think i was that much of a basshead but apparently maybe i might be

 

[VoLTaG3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythNoob /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thats so true, i just got my SE530's and the bass is nowhere near a certain pair of dual drivers i tried, sob... still enjoyable sound just didnt think i was that much of a basshead but apparently maybe i might be

I don't know what your BASS preferences are but the BASS in the SE530's for me is perfect. It hits hard has detail and doesn't drown out the other frequencies. You can EQ the BASS for these earphones to allow for more presence and they won't distort.

 

[MythNoob]

well i like bass i can almost feel, it is there but hidden behind the strong mids, these show up bass on bass heavy songs but not on songs where the bass is discreet. I like phones that pick up bass where you didnt think it was, kind of same way the shures pick up details in mids you dont hear on other phones. im looking at ie8's now!would this be the right way to go?

 

[musick7]

I wonder if your not getting a good seal with your foam buds or rubber buds?  I know this first hand...  I've got the Shure E500pth and have played around with every bud attachment they come with to get the best seal within my canal.
I've also found out that if you don't get the earphones in far enough in combine with the correct seal you will loose all base to the point you think your iPod Headphones have more bass...

The actual foam molds that come with the shure's E5 series (Well they come with Two) a yellow pair and a Black pair.  I prefer the Black Foam's over the Yellow foams.
You will notice when you have a seal all sound around will seize.  If you still hear ambit sound in your living room try again. (When I say ambit sound I mean without the Tv on. Just basic "Ceiling fan sound"  If you hear that try it again.)
 
I've found If I push my molds as far as they will go in and pull back just a bit that will seal great and will give great bass.