[emilsoft]

Tried Bluetooth this morning with by BTR5 and SE846's using 2.5mm balanced via LDAC Best and just around house no drop in signal and sounds as good as it ever has. I personally subscribe to LDAC Best sounds same out of a DAP as it does my Samsung phone (in Direct mode).

Tried a few Sony Sound settings and Vinyl Processor & DC Phase Lineariser not available via BT and selecting ClearAudio+ makes a noticeable sound difference, deeper base and more 3D like, more forward voices.

Initial feeling is a like some songs with ClearAudio+ on more than Direct mode, but some tracks too much bass and more muffled. Think I will still with Direct mode.

Clear audio change the eq - it boosts upper mids and applies some compression, probably boosts bass too (i checked alongside measurements when I was testing my a306 for bass defect) - it's much better to just use EQ yourself tailored to your headphones/preference.

 

[AtomicUK]

Hope you get lucky with customs and not hammered like I did

Thanks - me too!

The way I view this.
1) It was £10 cheaper than the UK
2) Has a 128GB micro SD included (£20)
3) No shipping cost
So that's around £60 towards HMRC
plus...
4) I get the uncapped version.
5) I get it in the next 10 days rather than who knows when. I travel all the time and I'm away for long periods, so this gives me 3 weeks to set it all up before I start my 2023 travels.

I'll get some new higher grade headphones in the US (cheaper there) and also avoid HMRC charges on those.

Hopefully just a win all-round!

Can you charge yours only via USB or can you use a UK USB mains plug?

Finally, thanks for all your input to this thread, told me all I needed to know. Cheers?

 

[psikey]

Thanks - me too!

The way I view this.
1) It was £10 cheaper than the UK
2) Has a 128GB micro SD included (£20)
3) No shipping cost
So that's around £60 towards HMRC
plus...
4) I get the uncapped version.
5) I get it in the next 10 days rather than who knows when. I travel all the time and I'm away for long periods, so this gives me 3 weeks to set it all up before I start my 2023 travels.

I'll get some new higher grade headphones in the US (cheaper there) and also avoid HMRC charges on those.

Hopefully just a win all-round!

Can you charge yours only via USB or can you use a UK USB mains plug?

Finally, thanks for all your input to this thread, told me all I needed to know. Cheers?

Any USB, wall socket, Phone charger, Laptop... take your pick.

I have wall socket with USB so just using that.

 

[AtomicUK]

Any USB, wall socket, Phone charger, Laptop... take your pick.

I have wall socket with USB so just using that.

Brilliant, there was mention somewhere in the thread that voltage would be an issue, so yet another reason to be happy with going this route!

I'm looking at a particular pair of in-ears with great reviews.

Sadly I can't justify £800-£1000 on headphones as I'm on an off flights, tour buses and have to leave things in production offices, so a prime thing to vanish.

Any recommendations sub £500?

 

[psikey]

Brilliant, there was mention somewhere in the thread that voltage would be an issue, so yet another reason to be happy with going this route!

I'm looking at a particular pair of in-ears with great reviews.

Sadly I can't justify £800-£1000 on headphones as I'm on an off flights, tour buses and have to leave things in production offices, so a prime thing to vanish.

Any recommendations sub £500?

Well, I really like my Fiio FD7 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earphones-Headphone-Resolution-Heavy-Comes-Silver/dp/B09F33XRHP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SOTN03OQV280&keywords=fiio+FD7&qid=1676296133&sprefix=fiio+fd7,aps,63&sr=8-1

But can't actually recommend as we all like different things. These are also Dynamic and you might prefer BA or Hybrid. I picked mine up used, like new for only £200 though (I rarely buy new IEM's)

Or

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-IER-M7-in-Ear-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B07J6HTNMH

These get good reviews too but I've not had them

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/sennh...k_Y6HSAgfD0D0NMvbCtju7YYa9Z_cubRoCHrAQAvD_BwE

 

[psikey]

I just fully charged with battery care on and seems to take to 98%. With 1AM2 takes to 88%.

Anyone else confirm its 98%

 

[dedero]

I just fully charged with battery care on and seems to take to 98%. With 1AM2 takes to 88%.

Anyone else confirm its 98%

Here 93% with battery care, A307 japan import

 

[psikey]

Here 93% with battery care, A307 japan import

Mines a Japanese A307 too. No battery saver on, just battery care. Not powered via a fast charger either.

 

[goody]

Brilliant, there was mention somewhere in the thread that voltage would be an issue, so yet another reason to be happy with going this route!

I'm looking at a particular pair of in-ears with great reviews.

Sadly I can't justify £800-£1000 on headphones as I'm on an off flights, tour buses and have to leave things in production offices, so a prime thing to vanish.

Any recommendations sub £500?

i also recommend fiio but the FH7 hybrid or the letshuoer s12 pro ...both great IEMs but the FH7 is on another level with separation and soundstage

 

[Eyebo]

Sony's Music Center for PC works. I noticed the change in how it looks in Windows Explorer vs the WM1A but I drag and drop mostly so not a big deal. Sounds like Foobar would need to be fixed. Sony is most likely not changing how it presents things.

Thank you, that worked!
I was hoping there are ways around that jank piece of software, with time I'll learn to work with

 

[AtomicUK]

Well, I really like my Fiio FD7 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earphones-Headphone-Resolution-Heavy-Comes-Silver/dp/B09F33XRHP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SOTN03OQV280&keywords=fiio+FD7&qid=1676296133&sprefix=fiio+fd7,aps,63&sr=8-1

But can't actually recommend as we all like different things. These are also Dynamic and you might prefer BA or Hybrid. I picked mine up used, like new for only £200 though (I rarely buy new IEM's)

Or

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-IER-M7-in-Ear-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B07J6HTNMH

These get good reviews too but I've not had them

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/sennh...k_Y6HSAgfD0D0NMvbCtju7YYa9Z_cubRoCHrAQAvD_BwE

i also recommend fiio but the FH7 hybrid or the letshuoer s12 pro ...both great IEMs but the FH7 is on another level with separation and soundstage

Thanks for the replies - The Fiio sound very interesting.
These were highly recommended and at a very different lower price point.
Not being remotely knowledgeable about these things, could you kindly check their spec and tell me if you see anything that alarms you or you think I should know?

https://www.etymotic.com/product/er3xr-earphones/
May thanks again.

 

[alwass89]

I just fully charged with battery care on and seems to take to 98%. With 1AM2 takes to 88%.

Anyone else confirm its 98%

I can also confirm it was 98% with battery care on. Mine is a US version and it was charged via the USB port of a laptop.

 

[exile1973]

Thanks for the replies - The Fiio sound very interesting.
These were highly recommended and at a very different lower price point.
Not being remotely knowledgeable about these things, could you kindly check their spec and tell me if you see anything that alarms you or you think I should know?

https://www.etymotic.com/product/er3xr-earphones/
May thanks again.

I find the Blon BL03 to be really good for the low price. The stock cable isn't great but again easily upgraded.

Linsoul BLON BL-03 HiFi 10mm Carbon Diaphragm Dynamic Driver In-Ear Earphone IEM with 0.78mm 2pin Detachable Cable (With mic, Brown) https://amzn.eu/d/aeQrwE6

 

[psikey]

Thanks for the replies - The Fiio sound very interesting.
These were highly recommended and at a very different lower price point.
Not being remotely knowledgeable about these things, could you kindly check their spec and tell me if you see anything that alarms you or you think I should know?

https://www.etymotic.com/product/er3xr-earphones/
May thanks again.

Never had any etymotic.

Its a minefield, you can have sub £500 ones that if people are honest can sound nicer than £1000+ ones. I lot of it is brand and cost bragging rights IMO.

You really have to shortlist a few that many people consider good/great and have a listen for yourself. I bought the Fiio FD7 on an impulse at a low used price to try a full single solid Beryllium dynamic driver IEM and was pleasantly surprised. Some main reviewers prefer it to the FH7 & FH9.

Your going to pay a premium for brands like Noble, Empire, Campfire, Sennheiser, Sony etc., with Fiio you often get good performance/quality for the price IMO.

I will never sell my Shure SE846 and had them about 8 years now but better for lower price has come along since. Size & fit is also important for me so as good as my Noble K10U sounded I sold it as too large for my ears, and only reason I've not blind purchased some Sony IER-Z1R's.

 

[psikey]

Note, I don't think having Battery Care set and therefore not fully charging resets batter use stats. I charged mine and its still showing my usage time before the charge, not reset since last charge.

Same for other owners ?