Microphonics??

[BloodSugar00]

Hi to all those at head-fi, I'm new here and have been guesting your site to absorb views, impressions, thoughts etc on iem models out there as I am in the market for my first set. They will be predominently used with a DAP/PVP and as such unamped. I do love my music and now find myself wanting to explore it more deeply and of course (higher end) sound and sound technology is a part of that. Long story short, i have found myself attracted to the iem concept. After hours of research and reading reviews and getting to grips with the technologies employed and the various brands and marketplace and sound jargon and how to assess sound quality etc etc, I have settled on a shortlist of three models, the Klipsch Images, the SA6's and the UE Triple fi 10's. I havnt really been able to decide past this point yet. However, in all my research, I realised I hadnt actually recieved or determined for myself a clear idea of how interferring or 'there/present' microphonics are meant to be. Is it something thats always gona be there and you just sort of get used to it? I understand level of microphonics is a variable property from headphone to headphone and also that the levels one finds noticeable and/or tolerable to be subjective, however i'm just after a idea of standard of what to expect of microphonics with iem's, how obvious and/or detracting it is etc. Also, i've picked up on the concept of burn-in- does microphonics come into this or just sound quality?

From there, with microphonics, i would much appreciate if anyone could give me an idea of the degrees of microphonics in the three models i've listed (klipsch images, UE triple fi 10's, SA6's)? n.b. I would preferably like to be able to work out with the headphones I choose and therefore do not want something with microphonics too loud, detracting and/or sensitive.

Many thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[Tetromino]

I believe microphonics practically disappear when using "over-the-ear" style IEMs such as the triple.fi. This was the case with my d-JAYS anyway.

 

[ClieOS]

You can ground any/all microphonic problem with any IEM by wearing them in over-the-ear style. If you wear them in normal hanging style, all of them will have microphonic problem, as well as every IEM out there. Note that, Klipsch Images isn't designed to be used in over-the-ear style, which mean it will be more difficult to get a good fit (but you can get a shirt clip for it).

Even with over-the-ear wearing, some companies simply have very good quality cable that are tend to be easier/more comfortable for the user (like Westone). which is why so many UE user are using ES2 cable.

The thing about Microphonic is, it is easily solvable by either changing to over-the-ear style or using a shirt clip, so you should n't be too worry about the problem. As for me, since I have been using IEM for so long, my brain will filter out all the extra noise automatically.

 

[BloodSugar00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can ground any/all microphonic problem with any IEM by wearing them in over-the-ear style. If you wear them in normal hanging style, all of them will have microphonic problem, as well as every IEM out there. Note that, Klipsch Images isn't designed to be used in over-the-ear style, which mean it will be more difficult to get a good fit (but you can get a shirt clip for it). Even with over-the-ear wearing, some companies simply have very good quality cable that are tend to be easier/more comfortable for the user (like Westone). which is why so many UE user are using ES2 cable. The thing about Microphonic is, it is easily solvable by either changing to over-the-ear style or using a shirt clip, so you should n't be too worry about the problem. As for me, since I have been using IEM for so long, my brain will filter out all the extra noise automatically.

Thanks for this clarifying and helpful post, much appreciated! Kudos also to the post before it, thanks!

This has definately cleared things up a bit with regards to the practicalities of microphonics with iems so cheers! I had suspected prior to these replies that the over-the-ear method was better for reducing microphonics if less comfortable to wear (tho there does seem to be ways to improve comfort as with your example of the westone cables- is that because they are braided btw?). I would imagine I would have no problems employing this approach to using iems. However, if the model i end up selecting does give me the choice to wear hanging, or dictate in the case of the klipsch images, and its possible to employ this method without microphonics ruining the listening experience, I may well prefer this method. These clips you mention, how well do they reduce microphonics? How does this seem to compare to the over-the-ear approach?

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[ClieOS]

To me, shirt clip is just as good as over-the-ear wearing on killing microphonic. However, some people just can't accept shirt clip (for what ever reason they might have).

Westone's cable are made with material that are not as good on transmitting sound (thus less microphonic). Also, they are relatively softer, so they are more comfortable. One of their plus is, they tend to change the sound signature of UE's IEM for better.

 

[BloodSugar00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif To me, shirt clip is just as good as over-the-ear wearing on killing microphonic. However, some people just can't accept shirt clip (for what ever reason they might have). Westone's cable are made with material that are not as good on transmitting sound (thus less microphonic). Also, they are relatively softer, so they are more comfortable. One of their plus is, they tend to change the sound signature of UE's IEM for better.

Great! Thats give me more clarification and more food for thought as I am now really considering the Klipsch Images again (I had previously heard a recurring criticism that they emitted bad microphonics). Could you possibly tell me a bit more about the clips? Do you know where they can be purchsed ie are they branded as headphone clips?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[BloodSugar00]

Btw, any thoughts, views obsevations etc on the three models I'm interested in- klipsch images; UE triple fi's; SA6's- would be more than welcome

. If you own any and/or have tried any of them I'd be more than happy to hear some thoughts on how you found them. New here so not sure of rules but if this is off kilter for the thread you can always just pm me. Cheers!

 

[synaesthetic]

The more flexible a headphone cable is the less likely it is to have microphonic sound. The ER-4P's individual driver wires, leading from the large "barrel break" in the cable, are very soft and flexible and do not have nearly as much cable thump as those of the ER-6i.

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodSugar00 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Could you possibly tell me a bit more about the clips? Do you know where they can be purchsed ie are they branded as headphone clips?

You can see those shirt clip on Etymotic website. You can probably get one from you local headphone store by getting a cheap hand-free. Few days ago, the guy from Jays posted they will be making some very high quality metal clip for their product, so if you want the fancy stuff, you might want to keep an eye on Jays' website too.

 

[BloodSugar00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can see those shirt clip on Etymotic website. You can probably get one from you local headphone store by getting a cheap hand-free. Few days ago, the guy from Jays posted they will be making some very high quality metal clip for their product, so if you want the fancy stuff, you might want to keep an eye on Jays' website too.

Again many thanks! Couldn't find any for sale online for ages before so those suugestions are a great helip to me. Thankyou. Lets have a gander at those then.