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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I had some time over the weekend to take some FR measurements of all but the yellow dampers. Many thanks to @ThomasHK for his advice on couplers, and of course to @Jamnperry for starting us all down this little rabbit hole 
[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The measurements below are diffuse-field corrected narrow-band (no octave-bin re-sampling) measurements using a slightly modified Vibro Veritas coupler whose interior I coated with UV6800 (a nice rubbery texture which is closer to that of the human ear canal and helps to create a seal) and with a rubber washer fixed to the top to ensure the exact same insertion depth each time. The errors are certainly in there, but they're consistent. I can remove the IEM, reinsert it, and get the exact same measurement each time. FWIW, measurements were all made with SpinFit tips and Ted's reference silver Litz cable, using a FiiO X7+am2 as a USB DAC output to REW. You should be able to get the full-sized image by clicking on the graph below:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]As I said, there may be absolute errors here, but the measurements are consistent and I expect other measurements to show the same trend. Notice that it's not a simple tilt of the curve as you increase the resistance in the damper. (With outputs shifted to 0 dB at 1 kHz, the orange damper doesn't have the highest bass response, though it certainly would have if you matched OASPLs.) For some perspective, here are the stock Shure filters, along with the modded blue filter and brown Knowles damper:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The interesting and unique feature of the brown Knowles damper is that it gives the biggest v-shape of any filter. With all curves again shifted to 0 dB at 1 kHz (something you can replicate with your volume control), its bass levels match those of the original stock Shure blue filter - just marginally higher than those of the modded blue - while its treble levels are elevated even beyond those of the stock white filter. This may be related to the effective widening of the nozzle internal diameter, which would tend to boost the upper frequencies. I think @ThomasHK mentioned this possibility earlier in this thread. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I realize that being a fan of v-shaped sound signatures disqualifies me from ever being a true audiophile, but IMHO, given the lower sensitivity of our hearing to the extreme low and high frequencies, we really need a little bit of a boost in the frequency extremes in order to still enjoy listening at safe (i.e., low-ish) volume levels. I like neutral phones too but they can get a bit boring to listen to (ER4S). Just for kicks, compare the SE846+brown Knowles damper to the KSE1500:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Look at the outrageous v-shape from the KSE1500. And BTW, the KSE1500 sounds amazing[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The SE846 is some way off the KSE1500, especially with its roll-off ~10 kHz, but those brown dampers get it closer than anything else. Is it just a coincidence that the vast majority of us have preferred the brown dampers?! [/color]
[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The measurements below are diffuse-field corrected narrow-band (no octave-bin re-sampling) measurements using a slightly modified Vibro Veritas coupler whose interior I coated with UV6800 (a nice rubbery texture which is closer to that of the human ear canal and helps to create a seal) and with a rubber washer fixed to the top to ensure the exact same insertion depth each time. The errors are certainly in there, but they're consistent. I can remove the IEM, reinsert it, and get the exact same measurement each time. FWIW, measurements were all made with SpinFit tips and Ted's reference silver Litz cable, using a FiiO X7+am2 as a USB DAC output to REW. You should be able to get the full-sized image by clicking on the graph below:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]As I said, there may be absolute errors here, but the measurements are consistent and I expect other measurements to show the same trend. Notice that it's not a simple tilt of the curve as you increase the resistance in the damper. (With outputs shifted to 0 dB at 1 kHz, the orange damper doesn't have the highest bass response, though it certainly would have if you matched OASPLs.) For some perspective, here are the stock Shure filters, along with the modded blue filter and brown Knowles damper:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The interesting and unique feature of the brown Knowles damper is that it gives the biggest v-shape of any filter. With all curves again shifted to 0 dB at 1 kHz (something you can replicate with your volume control), its bass levels match those of the original stock Shure blue filter - just marginally higher than those of the modded blue - while its treble levels are elevated even beyond those of the stock white filter. This may be related to the effective widening of the nozzle internal diameter, which would tend to boost the upper frequencies. I think @ThomasHK mentioned this possibility earlier in this thread. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]I realize that being a fan of v-shaped sound signatures disqualifies me from ever being a true audiophile, but IMHO, given the lower sensitivity of our hearing to the extreme low and high frequencies, we really need a little bit of a boost in the frequency extremes in order to still enjoy listening at safe (i.e., low-ish) volume levels. I like neutral phones too but they can get a bit boring to listen to (ER4S). Just for kicks, compare the SE846+brown Knowles damper to the KSE1500:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Look at the outrageous v-shape from the KSE1500. And BTW, the KSE1500 sounds amazing
[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The SE846 is some way off the KSE1500, especially with its roll-off ~10 kHz, but those brown dampers get it closer than anything else. Is it just a coincidence that the vast majority of us have preferred the brown dampers?! [/color]
