[refault]

  Anyone here play games with these? I just realized that these don't pinpoint sound very accurately when you're playing games.

 
What DAC/amp are you using to play games with your IE800? I have played BF3 and BF:BC2 with my IE800 using the CLAS -dB and ALO Rx Mk3-B+ combo (balanced interconnect) and find the imaging and directionality to be pretty on-point to be honest, maybe even slightly better than the balanced HD650 (meaning the HD650 can at times be a little awkward/"claustrophobic" when playing games compared.)
 
With my Theorem 720 dac/amp combo, it doesn't seem as pin-point/positioning seems less separated/distinct than as with the Rx Mk3-B+ for playing online games. I'll have to double-check on these things later on when playing BF3 using my IE800s just to make sure, but it seems like dac/amp matters quite a bit for the IE800, especially with regards to imaging and soundstage.

 

[Herman92929]

i have solo db and duet as well and getiing ie800 pretty soon..you use balanced as interconnect but 3.5 for ie800 right? hows the sound?

 

[refault]

  i have solo db and duet as well and getiing ie800 pretty soon..you use balanced as interconnect but 3.5 for ie800 right? hows the sound?

I haven't heard the Duet, but yes with the ALO Rx Mk3-B+ I use a balanced interconnect between the CLAS -dB -> Rx Mk3-B+, and then 3.5mm unbalanced for the IE800.
 
The sound is pretty good with my Rx Mk3 at least, very spacious and imaginative sound with good imaging and soundstaging. The only thing is that the ALO amp makes the sound a little less "in your face" than out of my Theorem 720, but that might be due to the more airy presentation of the ALO amp. I'm not sure how or if this applicable to the Duet though, but I'm assuming you should get enjoyable results with a nice soundstage when using a balanced interconnect with CLAS -dB + Duet.
 
I use my Theorem 720 mostly for on-the-go use (or use with my iPhone 4s) where the more in-your-face sound tends to be a little more enjoyable for portable use. I mostly use the CLAS -dB and ALO Rx Mk3-B+ stack at home with my PC (w/ balanced back-end using CablePro Reverie Portable Balanced IC.)
 
There is hiss with the IE800 out of both the Rx Mk3-B+ and Theorem 720, but I find it completely bearable after getting used to it on both amps. Apparently the Duet has a lot less hiss than either the ALO or Theorem 720 though, so you shouldn't have much background hiss I believe. Both the Theorem 720/Rx Mk3-B+ are very detailed and enjoyable sounding, makes whatever you're listening to quite a bit more engaging in my opinion. Not sure about the Duet though, haven't listened to it. Either way, I'd highly recommend using a balanced back-end interconnect when using the CLAS -dB with any amp if possible (either the ALO or Duet.)

 

[Herman92929]

I haven't heard the Duet, but yes with the ALO Rx Mk3-B+ I use a balanced interconnect between the CLAS -dB -> Rx Mk3-B+, and then 3.5mm unbalanced for the IE800.

The sound is pretty good with my Rx Mk3 at least, very spacious and imaginative sound with good imaging and soundstaging. The only thing is that the ALO amp makes the sound a little less "in your face" than out of my Theorem 720, but that might be due to the more airy presentation of the ALO amp. I'm not sure how or if this applicable to the Duet though, but I'm assuming you should get enjoyable results with a nice soundstage when using a balanced interconnect with CLAS -dB + Duet.

I use my Theorem 720 mostly for on-the-go use (or use with my iPhone 4s) where the more in-your-face sound tends to be a little more enjoyable for portable use. I mostly use the CLAS -dB and ALO Rx Mk3-B+ stack at home with my PC (w/ balanced back-end using CablePro Reverie Portable Balanced IC.)

There is hiss with the IE800 out of both the Rx Mk3-B+ and Theorem 720, but I find it completely bearable after getting used to it on both amps. Apparently the Duet has a lot less hiss than either the ALO or Theorem 720 though, so you shouldn't have much background hiss I believe. Both the Theorem 720/Rx Mk3-B+ are very detailed and enjoyable sounding, makes whatever you're listening to quite a bit more engaging in my opinion. Not sure about the Duet though, haven't listened to it. Either way, I'd highly recommend using a balanced back-end interconnect when using the CLAS -dB with any amp if possible (either the ALO or Duet.)

Wow that's a detailed reply thanks for that buddy I believe ie800 would sound great too personally I use balanced as well for my ciem and I'm planning to get ie800,I use reference 8 gold silver balanced interconnect and hope it works well with ie800 do you use any upgrade cable for ie800?or what interconnect you use?

 

[refault]

Wow that's a detailed reply thanks for that buddy I believe ie800 would sound great too personally I use balanced as well for my ciem and I'm planning to get ie800,I use reference 8 gold silver balanced interconnect and hope it works well with ie800

do you use any upgrade cable for ie800?or what interconnect you use?

Interconnect is CablePro Reverie Portable Balanced Interconnect from TTVJ.
 
No upgrade cable for IE800, but ALO has their own modded IE800s with an upgrade cable made for balanced terminations that's available (although a bit pricey), but would allow you use the IE800 with the balanced port on the Duet if you want to do that.

 

[Herman92929]

Interconnect is CablePro Reverie Portable Balanced Interconnect from TTVJ.

No upgrade cable for IE800, but ALO has their own modded IE800s with an upgrade cable made for balanced terminations that's available (although a bit pricey), but would allow you use the IE800 with the balanced port on the Duet if you want to do that.

I know about that mod but I want the warrenty more thanks anyway bro

 

[coco8579]

ALO also replied to my email that they dont have an option for sending your own ie800. So if you want the modded ie800 you have to buy it straight from them. 

 

[Herman92929]

This is not related to ie800 but I have to tell you guys!! user 'collateral' is a liar and he didn't pay for the thing I ship,don't sell anything to him he requires you to send the tracking first then he'll pay but he didn't at last(2 days already)luckily I was able to get the shipment canceled and get it back on Mon but I'm disappointed that I tried to trust people but..anyway I know I shouldn't ask here but anyone would like to have a pair of ultrasone signature pro?I'm selling it with a twag v3 as well,pm me if interested

 

[Dumbleroar]

This is not related to ie800 but I have to tell you guys!! user 'collateral' is a liar and he didn't pay for the thing I ship,don't sell anything to him he requires you to send the tracking first then he'll pay but he didn't at last(2 days already)luckily I was able to get the shipment canceled and get it back on Mon but I'm disappointed that I tried to trust people but..anyway I know I shouldn't ask here but anyone would like to have a pair of ultrasone signature pro?I'm selling it with a twag v3 as well,pm me if interested

 
Never send anything off without payment first. That is the golden rule of selling online.

 

[high-fidelity]

Hello, 
How is the performance with AK100 ? Did/Does anybody use it with IE800 ? 
I'm curious about this.Is AK100's ohm enough for IE800 completely ?
Or need an amp with it ? 
 
And how is the combination AK100 with IE800 ?

 

[EddieE]

Hello, 
How is the performance with AK100 ? Did/Does anybody use it with IE800 ? 
I'm curious about this.Is AK100's ohm enough for IE800 completely ?
Or need an amp with it ? 

And how is the combination AK100 with IE800 ?

I don't know about the combination sonically, but if it's a Mk2 (3 ohm output) it's close enough to compatible. 2 ohm would be the ideal lowest output impedance for 16ohm iems though.

If it's the older AK100 that had an obscenely high output impedance - absolutely not compatible. Damping factor will be awful.

 

[collateral]

This is not related to ie800 but I have to tell you guys!! user 'collateral' is a liar and he didn't pay for the thing I ship,don't sell anything to him he requires you to send the tracking first then he'll pay but he didn't at last(2 days already)luckily I was able to get the shipment canceled and get it back on Mon but I'm disappointed that I tried to trust people but..anyway I know I shouldn't ask here but anyone would like to have a pair of ultrasone signature pro?I'm selling it with a twag v3 as well,pm me if interested

 
You forgot to mention that you're in Hong Kong and sent me a bogus enveloppe with tracking trying to get 880$USD.
 
I just ignored you at that point.

 

[Sceptre]

Sad to see that the RCA800 IOS cable option is now listed as 'No Longer in Development' from Custom Cables website.
 
That is a shame.
If any custom cable manufacturer would like to contact me with their ability to offer an iPhone volume, call, microphone option for the IE800 then I'm all ears.
 
Regards
 
Sceptre

 

[EddieE]

Having been thinking a bit about the design decision with the IE800 to use a large 2.5mm TRS joint at the Y-Split on these.
 
I had the pleasure of listening to a presentation Axel Grell gave on the design philosophy of the HD800 at a UK Head-Fi meet last year, and despite my having some issues with the HD800, I could not help but admire the level of innovation and problem solving that went into every single aspect of the headphone’s design. I don’t think there is a centimetre of that headphone that is not exactly as it is for a specific reason to achieve some performance improvement and I have to believe the same is the case with Grell’s IE800.
 
I have speculated long and hard as to the design decision and have three contending theories, maybe all three are true, more likely none are, but I thought I'd share:
 
1.   1. Grell and his team identified some performance issue with the break in the cable being so close to the driver.
 
2.   2. They identified a performance issue with the small size of such connectors. Typically these have to be made or plated with a non-oxidising metal that is less conductive, like gold or nickel, and as they are so small on IEMs this could present some issues. If they did find that the tiny connectors of these cables knocked performance, that would certainly explain the use of the large 2.5mm TRS at the Y-Split.
 
3.   3. The driver may be extremely sensitive to changes in the resistance and material the cable is made of. Maybe Grell, knowing that audiophile types like to mess around with custom cables, decided to ensure that the last stretch of cable going to the driver was always going to be that of his choosing in order to stop people changing the character of the sound with their own cable.
 
If anyone has any other suggestions, answers on a postcard. 

 

[tangfj]

   
I sent them a message as my cable is a little stiff.  We'll see what they say/do...

 
Well I got an e-mail from their tech support and then got redirected to a product specialist who was very helpful in getting my IE800's replaced!  I just got the new ones and the cable does indeed appear to be more flexible on the upper.  Hopefully they stay this way...