First time IEM owner, a little confused

[scud133]

I just bought a pair of UE Super.fi 5 pros. They're my first IEMs and I'm a little confused about how to put them in. I'm pretty sure I've get them in right -- it feels/sounds like I've got my fingers in my ears. But....

-- I can still hear external sounds for the most part (if no music is playing)
-- There's noise (hiss), when no music is playing, no matter what source I seem to plug in to. When I unplug from the source, the hiss stops
-- The slightest movement (touching the cable, even just turning my head) makes a lot of noise in the phones, it's like tapping on the end of a live microphone or something (really bad handling noise, it seems)

Are all of these things normal, or am I not putting the phones in right, or do I have a bum pair, or a bad cable, or something??? The sound is fantastic but these other 3 issues are really annoying, I can't even move, because every footstep seems to get channeled right into my ears.

Thanks everyone

 

[scud133]

I can also hear my heartbeat when there's no music coming through, and it's really freaking scary.

 

[Hoppergrass]

if they sound fantastic then you've probably got them in correctly.
those other issues are common and very easily noticed when you
are first using IEMs. the footstep thing to me was particularly annoying. but now i don't even notice it. and i still use mine daily.

 

[mminutel]

Chances are that you have them in right. The thing is that when you have ambient noise, you do not notice those little things like something rubbing against your shirt but they are definately there. Your body is 70% water and water is a better medium than air for sound. With them in, you will hear just about anything to do with your body, whether someone touches you or your cord rubs against you.

These noises aren't caused by faulty headphones, plug your ear with a finger and you will get about the same effect.

 

[Claus-DK]

You can reduce the cablenoise by wearing the cable over the ears and down your back, a small clip also makes wonders.

The heartbeats, breathing and footsteps is not quite as dominant if you use foamtips..also the surroundings are turned down much more..

The hiss is something I never encountered, maby you have the volume turned up to high

 

[modern lovers]

I get a very faint white noise when plugged into a source too, but it doesn't bother me too much. Give the FS mod listed on this forum a try if you're finding them really uncomfortable. Apart from that, as stated above, if they sound good to you, chances are they're fine (I find them a little big myself, but I love the sound). Sound comes in pretty well if nothing is playing but when the music's going, I can't hear the slightest external noise.

 

[exX08]

Nevermind... read he uses any source.

 

[jrwalte]

I use the IEM Shure E500 and I don't have the last of your issues. Some devices will cause a hiss, but not all. Directly connecting to my PC or my PSP does not cause hiss. Best thing to get rid of the hiss is to buy a portable amp to clean up the source.

I've read about issues with the Shure earphones that they'll commonly have a hiss with the IPod, as well. So it's not your earphones causing the hiss so much as the hardware you are connecting it to. They are high-end, super-sensitive earphones and you will hear alot more...the good and the bad. If you have any EQ on your IPod you can try turning it off or turning it down.

My external sounds are extremely muffled and can be hard to hear when no music is playing - impossible to hear if music is playing at even low levels. You may not be getting a good seal or they just don't seal as well as other IEMs.

The issues with noise when you move around definitely doesn't sound right. I've never owned Super.Fi's, but I have no movement issues with E500s. I can even be chewing and they'll stay in place.

 

[axiom]

You will still be able to hear most external sounds because the headphones attenuate but don't eliminate the sound (although many sounds are inaudible). Even when you wear earplugs some things come through pretty clearly. It just depends on the sound as to how much it will be attenuated.
The hiss is probably due to the sensitivity of the IEMs and may or may not change with volume. If I plug my IEMs into my computer I get a very audible hiss and I wouldn't consider my IEMs very sensitive. This is because every source has noise, it's just a matter of how much noise and based on that, if it will be audible. Even using my DT880s I can still hear the hiss (although it is very quiet).
The last is called microphonics. The sound is traveling up the cable kind of like the string in a tin can phone. Claus-DK gives very good suggestions on how to help with that.

 

[Schalldampfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mminutel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your body is 70% water and water is a better medium than air for sound.

There should be a way to drain those water for the sake of better sound.

 

[IPodPJ]

Congrats on your new Super.Fi!! They are great, and when you get used to having IEMs in your ears, you will really appreciate them.

If you're hearing outside noises, try a bigger silicone ear tip. That may help you a lot if that's the problem, but of course will feel tighter in your ears.

Your IEMs only have a 26 Ohm impedance, so they are super sensitive and will pick up some background hiss. You shouldn't hear much, just very faint white noise when your source is turned up to high levels. Depending on the source used, some will have more than others. On a home amplifier, you will hear a lot more than with the iPod. Even when I use my portable amp with my iPod, I can still here a faint amount when the volume is up. With my other IEMs which are 32 ohms and thus a little less sensitive, I don't hear as much hiss, which is a good thing. However, any hiss should be completely inaudible when you are listening to music. If it is, you either have superhuman hearing, or a faulty set of Super.Fis.

The cable noise (microphonics) is pretty null with those IEMs. There should be very little if it is detectable. Make sure your cable isn't rubbing against your chest all the time. A little clip can help out with that if you find it necessary. Also, pulling the little plastic clip upwards toward your chin (which can be found on the middle of the cable, right above the "Y" junction), will help to tighten up the slag. This may help some, too.

Have fun with them, and enjoy them. Your music will truly sound great with those IEMs. As is always recommended with IEMs, never listen at high volumes, and it is a good idea not to listen to IEMs for more than 1 to 2 hours per day to keep your hearing in great shape.