[ThanatosVI]

Do any of you use your SE846 with a desktop system? If so, what do you use to drive them?

I haven't done so in years, but when I did I used the Shure SHA900 via USB.

 

[HiFiJayJay]

Question for all: Does anyone know where to buy spare filters? I would like to try some filter mods for the se846. TIA!

 

[waveSounds]

The only place I know of is Audio Sanctuary (UK based).

 

[naynay]

Had my Shure se846-CL for 4 years now used most days in gym and have not showed any sign of discoloration.
I just leave them on my work desk after the gym so never put them in any kind of case but still look like new.

 

[Mad14]

Had my Shure se846-CL for 4 years now used most days in gym and have not showed any sign of discoloration.
I just leave them on my work desk after the gym so never put them in any kind of case but still look like new.

That’s good to know as mine will be used in the gym as well.

 

[Spie1904]

SE846 is extremely source-dependent in terms of output impdedance. The impedance of SE846 at some frequencies is as low as 4 Ohm. That means, any source with output impedance >1Ohm would change the sound signature, to the worse. Better is a source with output impedance <0.5 Ohm. Balanced cable will usually increase the output impedance by a factor of 2 (if not a completely different circuitry is used for balanced vs. single ended). You do the math for your source....

Did more investigating and got to listen to it on a 1 ohm source and the experience was just wonderful! Really ended up listening to an entire album of Gregory Porter just smiling away

 

[ropie]

Question for all: Does anyone know where to buy spare filters? I would like to try some filter mods for the se846. TIA!

Contact your local Shure distributor

 

[IEMusic]

Did more investigating and got to listen to it on a 1 ohm source and the experience was just wonderful! Really ended up listening to an entire album of Gregory Porter just smiling away

I really like how it sounds with the Dragonfly Cobalt (OI 0.65 ohms).

 

[Spie1904]

I don't know about other Shure owners but whenever I try other IEM's, I often feel like raising the volume before I get a satisfying experience.
With my SE846 I tend to keep the volume way down and still be happy with it
Is this just me because they isolate so well for me or is anyone else noticing the same?
(ex: Higher volume on Andromeda, Technics Eah-tz700, ...)

 

[etlouis]

I don't know about other Shure owners but whenever I try other IEM's, I often feel like raising the volume before I get a satisfying experience.
With my SE846 I tend to keep the volume way down and still be happy with it
Is this just me because they isolate so well for me or is anyone else noticing the same?
(ex: Higher volume on Andromeda, Technics Eah-tz700, ...)

Every iem has different a resistance value (ohm), and yes 846 is one of the lowest ones I've tried. It also keeps the details at low volumes without sounding weird.

 

[Spie1904]

Every iem has different a resistance value (ohm), and yes 846 is one of the lowest ones I've tried. It also keeps the details at low volumes without sounding weird.

I see, learnt something new (didn’t know this was related to the impedance / resistance).

Thanks

 

[IEMusic]

I don't know about other Shure owners but whenever I try other IEM's, I often feel like raising the volume before I get a satisfying experience.
With my SE846 I tend to keep the volume way down and still be happy with it
Is this just me because they isolate so well for me or is anyone else noticing the same?
(ex: Higher volume on Andromeda, Technics Eah-tz700, ...)

These are sensitive IEMs, and require much less output for big volume (and they provide excellent isolation), but I get what you’re saying. The 846s still have a lot of detail and dynamics even if playing at a lower actual volume, compared to many other IEMs. I find DDs need more volume to “wake up” compared to BAs in general.

 

[Monstieur]

Do any of you use your SE846 with a desktop system? If so, what do you use to drive them?

I primarily use mine with a Dragonfly Cobalt (UAPP/Qobus on Android phone) but now that I have been stuck at home for the last 6 weeks, I have been thinking of getting a DAC for my desktop Thinking Topping D50s with an A50 (for form factor but would need to use IE Match, which I have but am not fond of using with the SE846) or JDS Atom or maybe even something smaller like the ifi nano idsd BL since I have limited desk space. I was thinking the D50 since I can probably set it up once and forget it since my wife uses the desktop as well. The portables usually have batteries, which concerns me for long-term desktop use. Would use it primarily as a preamp but want flexibility to use IEMs for when I am working at night as well. Don't really want to spend more than 300-400 bucks since I am pretty happy with the Cobalt.

I was thinking of getting the D50s/A50 combo and just continuing to use my Cobalt for IEMs but was curious if there are any desktop amps that are good with IEMs as well.

The Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is ideal for the SE846. It's dead silent and has < 1 ohm output impedance. Many desktop amps will have an audible noise floor on the SE846. There is zero benefit to upgrading beyond the $9 Apple dongle. You can also us the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm adapter with a Lightning to USB adapter.

 

[HiFiJayJay]

Honestly the beauty of the se846 is it doesn't need a great source to sound 70-80% of the way there. I use it straight to my laptop most of the time.

 

[IEMusic]

While the 846 sounds really good with simple sources (I often just use it straight out of my iPhone/iPad), it also scales very well with better sources. So, it’s really the best of both worlds. Just watch out for the output impedance.