Shure SE846 Impressions Thread

[truckdriver]

  Or you can go lalalalala any time you hear hissing.

 
Exactly. All you have to do to block hissing is sing the “la la” song (replacing “I love you” with “I can't hear hiss"}.
 
 

 

[Scorpion667]

I figured out how to get the  stock medium silicone tips to stay in NO MATTER WHAT. Even facial contorsions/gym didn't make them slide out after this mini-mod
 
I just made a small spacer for the nozzle, to have the tip sit further from the drivers. 
This allows me to push the tip just past the first bend in my canal, and once it hits that spot, it's LOCKED in until I remove them. No discomfort after long sessions like this.
 
Isolation improved quite a bit when I'm at the back of the bus next to the engine (I dare say close to the stock black foams, in my case). The sound resembles that of the white triple flanges now, with the added benefit of not looking disgusting when you pull them out. It could be placebo, but I noticed with my ballsdeep insertion IEM's (Atrio MG7 + SE846) that I get slightly better clarity if the tip clears the first bend in my canal. It also fixed the issue with vacuum being created inside ear by the tip! 
 
It looks a little different from the side but because the IEM sits deeper in the ear, they don't really stick out much =)
 

 

 

 
If someone wants to try this, use an Xacto knife to cut the small spacers. It's super hard getting straight cuts with scizors, much easier with a blade!

 

[hockey_magnet]

Just wondering if you cut the front or back of the True-fits - I kind of have the same issue, the Width is perfect but they are a bit too long - I was thinking of cutting the back end off so as not to lost the shape of the front end
 
Quote:

I received my Westone True-Fit tips. The sound quality and bass are great. The L-size is too long for my ear canal, but my canals are wide, so I needed the biggest diameter. I will shorten the inner plastic tube. Now, the end of the inner tube hits a corner in my ear canal. I'll shorten it 2 or 3 mm. If the foam won't go further in my ear after the trim, I'll shorten that as well. I have multiple pairs to experiment with. The memory foam expands very slowly, which is nice.

 

[Black Label]

Rather strangely, I am no longer receiving notifications to new posts (not good when there is a Melbourne meetup on the way).

 

[moedawg140]

Rather strangely, I am no longer receiving notifications to new posts (not good when there is a Melbourne meetup on the way).

 
Check your subscription settings: Head-Fi.org > Subscriptions tab > Edit My Subscriptions > Choose Frequency regarding your specific title/user.  You may have to also go to the particular thread and subscribe on the bottom of the page in case your subscribed thread was removed, or was never showing in your subscribed list in the first place.
 
Good luck! 

 (lovin' that grape juice)

 

[dnnaudio]

I have been extremely happy with the 846 since I got this in January this year, coming from 535 which I used for years. Paired with the Hugo amp the 846 satisfies every time I listen. For full sized headphones and regardless of cost, what would you suggest as option that will give a substantial sonic improvement to 846 when paired with competent amp like the Hugo. I have listened myself to all the Audeze except LCD2, the HD800 and TH900, and frankly I am not sure if there is one that gives that substantial improvement over the 846.

 

[tgx78]

  I have been extremely happy with the 846 since I got this in January this year, coming from 535 which I used for years. Paired with the Hugo amp the 846 satisfies every time I listen. For full sized headphones and regardless of cost, what would you suggest as option that will give a substantial sonic improvement to 846 when paired with competent amp like the Hugo. I have listened myself to all the Audeze except LCD2, the HD800 and TH900, and frankly I am not sure if there is one that gives that substantial improvement over the 846.

 
I thought HiFiMan HE-560 gave me pretty substantial improvement over the 846. 

 

[moedawg140]

  I have been extremely happy with the 846 since I got this in January this year, coming from 535 which I used for years. Paired with the Hugo amp the 846 satisfies every time I listen. For full sized headphones and regardless of cost, what would you suggest as option that will give a substantial sonic improvement to 846 when paired with competent amp like the Hugo. I have listened myself to all the Audeze except LCD2, the HD800 and TH900, and frankly I am not sure if there is one that gives that substantial improvement over the 846.

 
Substantial improvement over the SE846?  I would say compliments as opposed to substantial improvement.  I did have a chance to demo quite a few TOTL headphones, one I demoed again just last week that I really liked, but you said you demoed it already.  I will tell you the Audeze that I thought sounded really nice (LCD-X) was liked more than the LCD-2 in my opinion, just because from my setup and other setups, the LCD-2 was not nearly as bassy as the LCD-X.  The HiFiMANs were alright, as I tried the HE-500 with a super thick custom Litz cable and an HE-6.  Still liked the LCD-X more though.  I know the Fostex TH600 and TH900 are very nice as well.  I really liked the AKG K712 as well.  You may have to post in the Hugo portable thread as well to receive more responses regarding headphone pairing with the Hugo.  The Stax series are also very very nice as well.  You can also PM Hawaiibadboy, as I know he regularly listens to hundreds of headphones regularly as he has access to audio stores that have a LOT of headphones in Japan.
 
Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[dnnaudio]

I also preferred the LCDX over the XC and 3F, I just thought the X was able to better render the energetic open sound of live music, while the XC and 3F were warmed up at top, although probably good for long listening sessions. I heard the Audeze HPs using both tube amp and SS, but not with the Hugo, so can't really say how it apple to apple compare to 846. The HD800 I heard with the HDVD800 amp so again not the with Hugo. The TH900 was with Hugo, and liked it a lot, but I somehow did not see it as a sonic jump vs. 846, more like you said as complement. This weekend I might be able to listen to the Audeze HPs with a Hugo, maybe I discover something. I love the comfort of the 846 where I can forget there is something in my ear, for me to bother with a less comfortable/convenient HP it needs to be head and shoulders better to compensate the discomfort.

 

[moedawg140]

  I also preferred the LCDX over the XC and 3F, I just thought the X was able to better render the energetic open sound of live music, while the XC and 3F were warmed up at top, although probably good for long listening sessions. I heard the Audeze HPs using both tube amp and SS, but not with the Hugo, so can't really say how it apple to apple compare to 846. The HD800 I heard with the HDVD800 amp so again not the with Hugo. The TH900 was with Hugo, and liked it a lot, but I somehow did not see it as a sonic jump vs. 846, more like you said as complement. This weekend I might be able to listen to the Audeze HPs with a Hugo, maybe I discover something. I love the comfort of the 846 where I can forget there is something in my ear, for me to bother with a less comfortable/convenient HP it needs to be head and shoulders better to compensate the discomfort.

 
Then it may be pretty tough regarding compensating for the discomfort.  Most all of the headphones that have sounded really good/"amazing" to me, was either pretty heavy, slightly uncomfortable (rectangular headphones were a non-ergonomic affair), an electrostatic headphone (like the Stax) and/or required a lot of power to drive (aside from the LCD-X because that paired great with my iPhone 6).  If you don't mind really good sound for a really good price, check out the Koss portaPro Headphones.  They look interesting, look unique (but built well enough for sure) but when it was paired with a custom powered DAC, it sounded amazeballs!  Paired with the iPhone 6 sounded great as well!  It is lightweight, comfortable, inexpensive, and I think it is a great way to have a complementary sound signature compared to the SE846.  And, if you don't like it, you can return it or give it to someone else as a gift!  Man, I should be a salesman. 

 
Anyways, here's a pic I took of it at a meet up last week:
 

 

[s0ny]

Just wondering if you cut the front or back of the True-fits - I kind of have the same issue, the Width is perfect but they are a bit too long - I was thinking of cutting the back end off so as not to lost the shape of the front end

 
Yes, eventually I did shorten them by cutting them from the rear. I used a pair of scissors. Even though the cut looks ugly from the rear (some indenting), the front shape is still intact. They used to be too long for me as well, but now they fit perfectly. I think they could be a bit wider though (I have the large size), to isolate more. If I have the sound turned off, I can still hear people talking.

 

[514077]

  I have been extremely happy with the 846 since I got this in January this year, coming from 535 which I used for years. Paired with the Hugo amp the 846 satisfies every time I listen. For full sized headphones and regardless of cost, what would you suggest as option that will give a substantial sonic improvement to 846 when paired with competent amp like the Hugo. I have listened myself to all the Audeze except LCD2, the HD800 and TH900, and frankly I am not sure if there is one that gives that substantial improvement over the 846.

I can only say that I have both the 846s and LCD-Xs with a Hugo, and I feel I've reached my end game at this time.  Didn't have access to many TOTLs to demo, but I have no regrets with my Xs.  Coming from TF10s I'm blown away by my 846s; sturdier, forward and deep sounding and easier to insert.
HTHOh yes;  Comfort and weight is personal.  The Xs are no problem for weight and longterm comfort for me.

 

[monoboy]

So reading behind a few pages (and warrior1975 mentioned to me) about the black filter mod, which I tried with my black filters today. Real easy taking out the little pieces of foam! The high end is extended dramatically which surprised me whilst retaining the bottom end (seems deeper as well) however, it does recess the mids which made me realise how much they are needed to listen to the se846 as intended, sticking with the blue filters . BUT Still worth a try as some people may find it a suitable trade off, if only I can get that lovely high extension from the black filter mod on the blue filters...Is it not possible for shure to make a filter like that???

 

[Loquah]

There's no filter like that but a silver litz cable will do the same trick. I had to pull back from white filters to blue when I added the silver litz.

I got mine from Headphone Lounge (Ted Allen), but there are lots of places doing them - just make sure you get pure silver, and preferably litz type wire.

 

[hockey_magnet]

What did you use for a spacer?
 
Quote:

  I figured out how to get the  stock medium silicone tips to stay in NO MATTER WHAT. Even facial contorsions/gym didn't make them slide out after this mini-mod
 
I just made a small spacer for the nozzle, to have the tip sit further from the drivers. 
This allows me to push the tip just past the first bend in my canal, and once it hits that spot, it's LOCKED in until I remove them. No discomfort after long sessions like this.
 
Isolation improved quite a bit when I'm at the back of the bus next to the engine (I dare say close to the stock black foams, in my case). The sound resembles that of the white triple flanges now, with the added benefit of not looking disgusting when you pull them out. It could be placebo, but I noticed with my ballsdeep insertion IEM's (Atrio MG7 + SE846) that I get slightly better clarity if the tip clears the first bend in my canal. It also fixed the issue with vacuum being created inside ear by the tip! 
 
It looks a little different from the side but because the IEM sits deeper in the ear, they don't really stick out much =)
 

 

 

 
If someone wants to try this, use an Xacto knife to cut the small spacers. It's super hard getting straight cuts with scizors, much easier with a blade!