[Wilderbeast]

  Maybe one reason could be a impedance mismatch, the output impedance of the AK120 and Titan is three ohms and the impedance of the shures is 9 ohms usually you like  8 times impedance difference so with a 3 ohm output impedance you would want a headphone with an impedance of over 24. The impedance mismatch can affect frequency response and maybe in this case adversely affecting the base response

That's what I suspected - thank you. I'll either get an amp or, if the AK120 sounds good with my other IEMs, sell the Shures.

 

[goodvibes]

  Maybe one reason could be a impedance mismatch, the output impedance of the AK120 and Titan is three ohms and the impedance of the shures is 9 ohms usually you like  8 times impedance difference so with a 3 ohm output impedance you would want a headphone with an impedance of over 24. The impedance mismatch can affect frequency response and maybe in this case adversely affecting the base response

It has a lot to do with how much the device you're driving's impedance varies. The TF10 example varies quite a bit with the highs dropping to below 8 ohms and other ranges above 55 ohms, why you see so much variation n your very extreme example. The Shure will only vary by a couple of db with a 3 ohm output impedance even though it has a very low impedance stated impedance. Those with stock players seem to like the combo. The fellow with the -B mod and using an external amp with low output impedance is who didn't care for the pairing. 
Shure:

TF10:

 
That said, I personally I don't understand why anyone would design a modern Headphone with an impedance that drops below 16 ohms. 

 

[henwell]

  That's what I suspected - thank you. I'll either get an amp or, if the AK120 sounds good with my other IEMs, sell the Shures.

You might be able to find or build an adaptor the has a resistor in it, etymotic uses one to turn their er4p to an er4 s. or do the red wine audio mod that decreases to output impedance to about 1 ohm

 

[Wilderbeast]

  You might be able to find or build an adaptor the has a resistor in it, etymotic uses one to turn their er4p to an er4 s. or do the red wine audio mod that decreases to output impedance to about 1 ohm

 
That's a good shout - I hadn't considered a resistance adaptor. Certainly cheaper than a RWA mod.

 

[henwell]

  It has a lot to do with how much the device you're driving's impedance varies. The TF10 example varies quite a bit with the highs dropping to below 8 ohms and other ranges above 55 ohms, why you see so much variation n your very extreme example. The Shure will only vary by a couple of db with a 3 ohm output impedance even though it has a very low impedance stated impedance. Those with stock players seem to like the combo. The fellow with the -B mod and using an external amp with low output impedance is who didn't care for the pairing. 
Shure:

TF10:

 
That said, I personally I don't understand why anyone would design a modern Headphone with an impedance that drops below 16 ohms. 

I agree 100%

 

[goodvibes]

   
That's a good shout - I hadn't considered a resistance adaptor. Certainly cheaper than a RWA mod.

Opposites. The resistor effectively increases the output impedance. ET use it for EQ because it effects response. The rwa mod lowers output impedance though the stock 3 ohms is fine for almost everything. The mod originated with the original AK100 that had a very high 20 ohm output impedance. The AK100mk2 and AK120 both have 3 ohm output impedances to begin with. 

 

[Wilderbeast]

  Opposites. The resistor effectively increases the output impedance. ET use it for EQ because it effects response. The rwa mod lowers output impedance though the stock 3 ohms is fine for almost everything. The mod originated with the original AK100 that had a very high 20 ohm output impedance. The AK100mk2 and AK120 both have 3 ohm output impedances to begin with. 

 
Hmph. Back to thinking about the RWA mod then. No doubt the 3 ohms is fine for most IEMs - just not the Shures (to my ears at least).

 

[henwell]

  Opposites. The resistor effectively increases the output impedance. ET use it for EQ because it effects response. The rwa mod lowers output impedance though the stock 3 ohms is fine for almost everything. The mod originated with the original AK100 that had a very high 20 ohm output impedance. The AK100mk2 and AK120 both have 3 ohm output impedances to begin with. 

Im talking about a resister in line with the headphone to increase resistance to modify the response of the headphones. I get how it works.

 

[henwell]

  Im talking about a resister in line with the headphone to increase resistance to modify the response of the headphones. I get how it works.

If you increase the resistance of the headphones you will modify the frequency response it would be worth a try and cheap

 

[henwell]

  Opposites. The resistor effectively increases the output impedance. ET use it for EQ because it effects response. The rwa mod lowers output impedance though the stock 3 ohms is fine for almost everything. The mod originated with the original AK100 that had a very high 20 ohm output impedance. The AK100mk2 and AK120 both have 3 ohm output impedances to begin with. 

I am talking about putting a resister in line with the headphones which would effectively increase the resistance of the headphones it would not not increase the output resistance of the AK100 or 120 that would remain 20 for the 100 and 3 ohms for the 120 you would have to modify the AK's to change their output resistance.  if you put external resistance outside of the AK it effectively raises the resistance of the phones and does nothing to the output resistance of the AK's

 

[henwell]

 
Would really appreciate a response to a few of these questions - can anyone help? I'm not happy with the AK120 with Shure SE846 sound.

Too bad I was thinking of getting the SE846's for my AK 120 maybe have to look else were. My et4P's sound very good with my AK120  maybe just stick with them.

 

[jlbrach]

I am thrilled with my 846 and my 120 titan ,i dont know what would account for such divergent opinions

 

[burtomr]

  I am thrilled with my 846 and my 120 titan ,i dont know what would account for such divergent opinions

 
I know.....it's because of these things:
 

 

[scook94]

   
I know.....it's because of these things:
 

 
Jazz hands? ;o)

 

[burtomr]

 
Jazz hands? ;o)

 
No.....it's the thing in the center with 5 holes in it that controls the hands.