[Ollie the bear]

I got brave and dissected one of my older EX1000 cables today so as to use the connector on a new balanced cable setup and it turned out way better than expected. The cable is a PW silver-gold cable and extends the bass brilliantly... and I almost hate to say it but am finding I like the audio coming out of the EX1000s as much as or maybe more than my Z1Rs...

On the left are stock cables and on the right is my handiwork.

What source are you using with your Sony iems?

 

[terminaut]

What source are you using with your Sony iems?

I've gone through a progression of Sony DAPs, but nowadays mostly use the WM1Z for audio and the ZX2 for concert videos.

 

[Pricklyears101]

E4U adapters finally arrived. Took an eternity. Time for some listening sessions!

To me that guy makes the best adapters on the market, kinda pricey vs what's available on the market but he's using legit stock ex800st connectors but they are reliable af and im not sure how much longer his stock is gonna last. Also, I remembered someone here mentioned about repairs, and i found something. Not Sony authorised dealers but gets the job done.


One of the reasons why I prioritise comfort and usability instead of sq changes when trying out 3rd party cables. Look at that wire inside that goes from the connectors to the drivers.

 

[surfgeorge]

I got brave and dissected one of my older EX1000 cables today so as to use the connector on a new balanced cable setup and it turned out way better than expected. The cable is a PW silver-gold cable and extends the bass brilliantly... and I almost hate to say it but am finding I like the audio coming out of the EX1000s as much as or maybe more than my Z1Rs...

On the left are stock cables and on the right is my handiwork.

How easy or difficult was it to disect the EX1k connectors?
I've been playing with the thought of changing the cable, even though I use the CHORD Mojo, so there's no need to go balanced.

I have received the SONY IER-M9 about 2 months ago and it made me appreciate the EX1k even more.
The M9 is very detailed, very precise, but the EX1k has an energy, a bass foundation, clarity and dynamics that are much more engaging.
I also compared the EX1k against the DUNU Luna which I had on loan for 6 weeks, and while I consider the Luna overall a bit better, the EX1k is holding up extremely well and once you take price into consideration the EX1k is hard to beat.

 

[terminaut]

How easy or difficult was it to disect the EX1k connectors?
I've been playing with the thought of changing the cable, even though I use the CHORD Mojo, so there's no need to go balanced.

I have received the SONY IER-M9 about 2 months ago and it made me appreciate the EX1k even more.
The M9 is very detailed, very precise, but the EX1k has an energy, a bass foundation, clarity and dynamics that are much more engaging.
I also compared the EX1k against the DUNU Luna which I had on loan for 6 weeks, and while I consider the Luna overall a bit better, the EX1k is holding up extremely well and once you take price into consideration the EX1k is hard to beat.

I think the EX1k holds up extremely well and depending on my mood I still switch back and forth between it and my IER-Z1R.

The mod is fairly easy, and I'm hitting it for the evening but will take some photos tomorrow that might help visualize the dissection since I actually took the connector apart again today to try it on a different set of cables.

 

[terminaut]

Here's a photo of how the connector looks underneath the protective sheath/covering. What you'll want to do is slide the rubber sleeve off the plastic cover, then carefully cut the plastic cover off using an X-Acto and/or good electrical wire cutter to expose the contacts.

To rebuild the cable, I used a heat shrink tubing that is moldable and turns hard when cooled to replace the (damaged) plastic cover. Once the rubber sleeve slides back over that shrink tubing the aesthetics will be similar to stock.

 

[Pricklyears101]

Saw the hype online about the cayin n3 pro and decided why not put together my own!

Imod has been applied on the internal ipod, albeit with elna silmic ii caps instead of black gate. Was hooking it up with fiio a1 and you know what, that was actually a pretty decent setup! After awhile, i wanted to test the theory that ex1k pairs well with tube amps and recently i was lucky enough to meet someone who had both elekit amps that i was eyeing for the longest time and i ended up going home with both so i can spend more time at home opamp rolling between both amps. As of now, really liking the pairing with tu-hp01 with OPA2604...

 

[hshock76]

New EA Black Maestro cable arrived for the all black look.

 

[deafdoorknob]

@hshock76


Just curious, is the part circled poking at the side of your head/preventing deep insertion?

That had been an issue i have with the adapters from e4ua when combined with most mmcx jacks except with final and linum cables.

These days, i have reverted back to the stock cable and only use the adapters for special occasions.

 

[hshock76]

@hshock76


Just curious, is the part circled poking at the side of your head/preventing deep insertion?

That had been an issue i have with the adapters from e4ua when combined with most mmcx jacks except with final and linum cables.

These days, i have reverted back to the stock cable and only use the adapters for special occasions.

Nope the MMCX connector does not touch my head (See picThe E4U adaptor is the smallest adapter on the market and EA has one of the smallest MMCX connectors as well. This set up is the most comfortable I’ve experienced till date with the EX1K.

 

[deafdoorknob]

Nope the MMCX connector does not touch my head (See picThe E4U adaptor is the smallest adapter on the market and EA has one of the smallest MMCX connectors as well. This set up is the most comfortable I’ve experienced till date with the EX1K.

Good to know regarding the Effect Audio Maestro. This is with the 8w accoustune cable for the 1650 and the E4U, it touches but not press against, whereas no joy at all with the dita oslo which presses hard against the head.

 

[hshock76]

Good to know regarding the Effect Audio Maestro. This is with the 8w accoustune cable for the 1650 and the E4U, it touches but not press against, whereas no joy at all with the dita oslo which presses hard against the head.

The MMCX connector on the Maestro is def smaller than the one on the Acoustune.

 

[W1ll1eTheP1mp]

Hey! I am pretty new to Sony iems and i want a pair. The best iem pair i have is the Sennheiser IE800. What Sony IEM's are the highly anticipated one's beside the z1r? The z1r its still above my price point i think. Thanks!

 

[dleblanc343]

Hey! I am pretty new to Sony iems and i want a pair. The best iem pair i have is the Sennheiser IE800. What Sony IEM's are the highly anticipated one's beside the z1r? The z1r its still above my price point i think. Thanks!

Hey there, I’ve owned IE800 before, and currently own Z1R, M9, EX1000 and EX800ST.

If you want neutral warm, M9 is incredible with one of the most natural tunings in all iem’s, and I prefer it to Z1R in many cases.

If you want more of a neutral reference, with a bit more attack/ sparkle and bite in the treble, EX1000 is still up there with today’s best iem’s. Keep in mind the fit is a bit strange and it’s open back

 

[surfgeorge]

[

Hey there, I’ve owned IE800 before, and currently own Z1R, M9, EX1000 and EX800ST.

If you want neutral warm, M9 is incredible with one of the most natural tunings in all iem’s, and I prefer it to Z1R in many cases.

If you want more of a neutral reference, with a bit more attack/ sparkle and bite in the treble, EX1000 is still up there with today’s best iem’s. Keep in mind the fit is a bit strange and it’s open back

I have the M9 and EX1000 and share your feelings about them.

Some additional comments - the little brother of the EX1k, EX800ST is cheaper and has very similar tuning as the EX1k, but it does not come close to the clarity and definition of the EX1k in my opinion. Some even prefer it but I feel the EX1k is worth the higher price.

On the more fun side, I found the XBA-N3 quite good, punchy bass and smooth and detailed mids and treble. But I only tested it, did not own it.
The cheaper brother of the M9, the IER-M7 lacks some sparkle and is even more laid back than the M9, but might still worth checking out as well.