[doctorjazz]

To make matters more maddening, I use a Pono and a Pioneer xdp-300r. They each use different balanced systems, with different connectors, so I have various balanced cables and adapters to use on that end of the cable as well!

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

To make matters more maddening, I use a Pono and a Pioneer xdp-300r. They each use different balanced systems, with different connectors, so I have various balanced cables and adapters to use on that end of the cable as well!

Plussound do an ultrashort adaptor: http://www.plussoundaudio.com/customcables/interconnect.html

(sorry Effect Audio for posting this here)

 

[Wyville]

To make matters more maddening, I use a Pono and a Pioneer xdp-300r. They each use different balanced systems, with different connectors, so I have various balanced cables and adapters to use on that end of the cable as well!

I have been looking at getting a Sony WM1A because I have been missing Sony's amazing battery life. These days I feel like I am constantly charging my AK70. But yeah, 2.5mm balanced vs 4.4mm balanced. Very annoying.

Similarly, the UE18+ Pro are high on my wish list, but those have different 2-pin connectors. Other IEMs are the Maestro V2, which have UE connectors, but it is not entirely clear if the polarity is the same. *sigh*

At least I don't have any of it yet, so I can try to plan out the most efficient way of dealing with it all.

 

[doctorjazz]

I believe Sony uses the same balanced connectors as the Pono, so it's a similar situation. Not yet looking at TOTL iems, but I'm sure I will at some point (HE-1000 v2 my best headphone atm). The 64audio U6 tempting, though...

 

[Deezel177]

I believe Sony uses the same balanced connectors as the Pono, so it's a similar situation. Not yet looking at TOTL iems, but I'm sure I will at some point (HE-1000 v2 my best headphone atm). The 64audio U6 tempting, though...

The Pono uses the same dual-3.5mm-TRRS connectors that Sony used to use; they're now advocating the 4.4mm Pentaconn connector that's all the rage at the moment. Source-side connector problems are easy to solve because, as @Oscar-HiFi mentioned, tons of companies make ultra-short adapters. On the other hand, if your wires do have memory wire, then ultra-short IEM adapters are what you need, which are much harder to come by. Best-case scenario would be to get a cable with no memory wire/pre-shaped heatshrink, but that's for another thread

 

[ezekiel77]

Who sells these adapters?

Rhapsodio makes them too, but I've never tried them before.

https://www.rhapsodiostore.com/products/2pinmmcx-mmcx-2-pin-far-infrared-adaptor

 

[EffectAudio]

Regarding IEM connectors (2pin/mmcx/JH4Pin etc), Essentially there are a few workarounds solutions in the market with adaptors but the reason us manufacturers do not advocate them is due to the degradation to sound quality and signal transmission. More often than not, sound characteristics are altered with such connectivity solutions. To minimize the aforementioned side effects, you would have to craft a cabled adaptor of <5cm which uses the same cable as the core cable - (eg : "Horus" with <5cm "Horus" 2Pin - Mmcx adaptor). Even then, with that setup, you can only ensure the sound characteristics wont be altered but the quality & performance takes a hit.

Whereas for terminations (3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm etc), there are already many available Ultrashort Adaptors and EA does them too. Albeit purist might still complain of the signal degradation with added connection, I find the trade-off to be rather worthwhile and logical. (eg : It doesn't makes sense to order 2x "Leonidas" in different terminations for the same IEM). So in situations where you find yourself in the company of too many DAPs, have your cable crafted in 2.5mm and ask if your cable atelier provide options for Ultrashort terminations adaptors

Just my 2cents on the subject

-Eric

 

[ezekiel77]

I'm thankful most of the IEM world has settled on 2-pin or MMCX only. Headphones, well... let's say you want a creme de la creme roster that has Utopia, Abyss, HEKv2, LCD4 and HD800S. That's already 5 different connectors lol.

 

[EffectAudio]

Hear what the folks at Vision Ears have to say about the "Horus". Impression Video coming up soon. Stay Tuned!

-Eric

 

[Wyville]

Hear what the folks at Vision Ears have to say about the "Horus". Impression Video coming up soon. Stay Tuned!

-Eric

These guys are getting really popular around here. And in Nic's case, quite notorious, as everyone kept bugging him about adding the VE8 to the shootout. But it looks like Nic has been converted too and the VE8 now rates among the highest of his shootout.

Despite my usual "treblefobia" I am still very curious about hearing the VE5 at some point. Jelt's review has stuck with me and based on my theoretical analysis ( ) I suspect it might pair great with Thor II or Thor II+ and make for a type of smooth clarity that I could really enjoy when I listen to classical or vocal music. Still need to contact them to see if they can make really short stem CIEMs.

 

[Deezel177]

These guys are getting really popular around here. And in Nic's case, quite notorious, as everyone kept bugging him about adding the VE8 to the shootout. But it looks like Nic has been converted too and the VE8 now rates among the highest of his shootout.

Despite my usual "treblefobia" I am still very curious about hearing the VE5 at some point. Jelt's review has stuck with me and based on my theoretical analysis ( ) I suspect it might pair great with Thor II or Thor II+ and make for a type of smooth clarity that I could really enjoy when I listen to classical or vocal music. Still need to contact them to see if they can make really short stem CIEMs.

Although the VE5 has a slightly brighter-than-natural tone and great clarity, it has pretty much zero sharpness in the upper-mids and treble. Lower-mid presence is also rich and natural. Honestly, it's almost like the IEM-equivalent of the Thor II. I think you'll really like it!

 

[Ultrainferno]

It's sublime if you like vocals (VE5), but my favorite is the VE8

 

[Ultrainferno]

It's sublime if you like vocals (VE5), but my favorite is the VE8

Actually, Mars was my fav cable with the VE5, but maybe Horus might replace it...

 

[Wyville]

Although the VE5 has a slightly brighter-than-natural tone and great clarity, it has pretty much zero sharpness in the upper-mids and treble. Lower-mid presence is also rich and natural. Honestly, it's almost like the IEM-equivalent of the Thor II. I think you'll really like it!

It's funny how there are probably a dozen IEMs I am interested in, but only 3 I am fascinated by: The Warbler Prelude, Final Piano Forte and the VE5. The VE5 is the strangest one (okay, the odd Piano Forte is the strangest shaped one ) because it goes against my usual preferences by being brighter, but like you said, it has zero sharpness and I think would work well for classical music. It is just what Jelt told me in the shootout thread "Don't go for 'warm' and 'lush' if you are treble sensitive. Go for even, smooth, and clean treble." That's pretty interesting, so I emailed Vision Ears this morning.

It's sublime if you like vocals (VE5), but my favorite is the VE8

Actually, Mars was my fav cable with the VE5, but maybe Horus might replace it...

Thanks! I really enjoyed reading your reviews of the VE5 and VE8. The main downside for me with the VE8, and Mars and Horus for that matter, is simply price. The VE5 sits at the top of my realistic budget, especially if I would add a premium cable as well (and I invariably will). I do think the VE5 sits in a certain niche and would only work for me if it does classical music well, which I expect it does.

 

[Deezel177]

It's funny how there are probably a dozen IEMs I am interested in, but only 3 I am fascinated by: The Warbler Prelude, Final Piano Forte and the VE5. The VE5 is the strangest one (okay, the odd Piano Forte is the strangest shaped one ) because it goes against my usual preferences by being brighter, but like you said, it has zero sharpness and I think would work well for classical music. It is just what Jelt told me in the shootout thread "Don't go for 'warm' and 'lush' if you are treble sensitive. Go for even, smooth, and clean treble." That's pretty interesting, so I emailed Vision Ears this morning.


Thanks! I really enjoyed reading your reviews of the VE5 and VE8. The main downside for me with the VE8, and Mars and Horus for that matter, is simply price. The VE5 sits at the top of my realistic budget, especially if I would add a premium cable as well (and I invariably will). I do think the VE5 sits in a certain niche and would only work for me if it does classical music well, which I expect it does.

I think the only thing going against the VE5 for classical music is its soundstage. Although it has air to spare, its soundstage is definitely not the most expansive. It has a rather intimate-but-focused sound which is why it's so great for vocals. I find something like the Maestro to be the antithesis of the VE5, where its stage is vast and floaty, but it lacks a primary focus. I find my UE Miracle to have this attribute too.