Volume Deficit with New q-JAYS

[MWA]

I just received my new q-JAYS along with a new Cowon iAudio 7. Does the following description sound like normal or defective q-JAYS:

My q-JAYS sound muted and muddy with a complete lack of presence. When I A/B the q-JAYS against my Sennheiser HD-590 headphones (listening to master>FLAC Philadelphia Orchestra performance of Shostakovitch - Symphony #5, my highest quality sound file), the iAudio 7 drives the headphones just fine (and sounds exquisite). But even at full volume I cannot seem to get an honest signal from the q-JAYS. At 75% volume they are nearly inaudible.

Should headphones be distinctly louder than IEMs when driven by a high-quality DAP?

Could my problem be related to impedance? If I exchanged my q-JAYS (39 Ohms) for Klipsch Image X10 (50 Ohms) would I be compounding my problem? I know the natural answer is that my q-JAYS aren't seated properly, but they are. I've spent my life around small planes and have had orange foam ear protectors in my outer ear canal every weekend for the past twenty-five years.

Please advise and if you have a moment, recommend an IEM under $400 that is aggressive, transparent and projects a believable soundstage.

 

[Navyblue]

It's either the q-Jays is defective, or there is a connection issue. Do you use the extension cable, did the couplings fit properly?

 

[MWA]

I used it with and without the extension cable and experienced no difference. The q-JAYS articulate perfectly with the iAudio 7, physically that is.

Hey, I have Rotel and Carver at home!

 

[Navyblue]

Your description of the sound reminded me of the sound of a phone with it's plug inserted halfway. If the plug is well fitted, there might be something wrong with the plug or jack

So which Rotel and Carver do you have?

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

Bad connection for sure. With most IEMs you should get ampled volume even with the i7s volume only about 10/40, of course depending on how loud the record is.

Test them with another source and see if they still show the same fault. If they do that send them back ASAP so that you can get a fully functional pair.

 

[MWA]

Either way, back they go. I'm the kid who dropped his ice-cream cone.

What would you suggest, to quote myself, in the under $400 range that is aggressive, transparent and projects a believable soundstage.


From top to bottom:
RCD-955AX
RC-970BX
RLC-900
RT-935AX
Carver TFM-15CB (x2)

 

[Navyblue]

Wow you got the same pre amp as me.

Believable soundstage is a challenge for IEM, most sound relatively in your head. My ER-4P is very transparent and have very precise imaging, but lacking in width. From what I've heard the UE Triple.fi 10 pro might fit your description best, except that I wouldn't call it aggressive, YMMV.

 

[MWA]

FrederikS|TPU, thanks for your input and yes, already did it. The problem persists from my computer and home stereo.

Any alternative to the q-JAYS that you would consider? The irony is that I don't like my music loud. Never have.

Navyblue, great minds - great preamps. So, you've had good experience with the UE Triple.fi 10 Pros. Westone UM2 - Klipsch Image X10 - anything else . . .

 

[MWA]

My Sennheiser HD-590s are rated at 120 ohms, SPL = 97dB/mW. The JAYS: 39 Ohms, SPL 95dB/mW. Aside from an isolated defect with my q-JAYS, I'm having trouble understanding why my Sennheiser HD-590s are significantly louder. The math doesn't support it.

Point two: according to postings on alternate forums, if you cap the orafice of the q-JAYS' tube (e.g. with your thumb) there should be no ambient noise. Definitely not my situation.

Before I Fed-Ex these IEMs back to the vendor, can anyone think of anything I could try that would not void my warrantee?

And the question with no right answer - should I exchange my q-JAYS for the same or roll the dice on an alternate sub-$400 IEM? What's your favorite IEM today?

 

[FrederikS|TPU]

My favorite sub $400 IEM is definitely the LiveWires close second is the Klipsch Image and Sleek-Audio SA6s.

Are you sure that they sit snug in your ears? Maybe it is a question of pushing them further in. If it doesn't help when you manipulate the angle of insertion or depth then they are definitely broke.

 

[ClieOS]

I have a suggestion: Get a multimeter and measure the resistant b/w the left and right channel against the ground. Mines are around 26ohms on both.

 

[MWA]

Frederik, thank you for your input. Again it is most helpful. I just need to get the FreQ Show out of my mind. The curse of being a researcher: hey - one more good idea!

ClieOS - excellent notion! Off to Radio Shack I go for an Ohm meter. When they open. That will settle one issue. I should start a betting pool: percentage of normal (no resistance to 1000%, or 10x) I bet my resistance pushes 200 Ohms on each side.

 

[Navyblue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWA /img/forum/go_quote.gif Navyblue, great minds - great preamps. So, you've had good experience with the UE Triple.fi 10 Pros. Westone UM2 - Klipsch Image X10 - anything else . . .

Actually, I tried the UE Triple.fi 10 Pro but went with my current ER-4P instead.

To me the Triple.fi is a very smooth sounding IEM, sound stage is on the large side for IEM. Well extended at both ends. However I didn't get it as I find it has too much highs, and it does not respond to EQ well. Not that I like to use EQ.

Many will probably not agree with the treble part. It probably need some burn in. Btw, not many believe that balanced armature burns in, but I do find my ER-4P take 10 hours or so to burn in. But that is only my opinion, for the sake of OP, please do not turn this into another debate thread.

And at the time I am looking for sound that has "emotion". To me the smooth sound take away some of the "emotion" that I was looking for. So I didn't go with it.

Despite my own preference, from your description, I think the Triple.fi might worth a look. I think SA6 might worth a look too, with the right parts it can sound aggressive, sound stage is quite out of the head too for an IEM. The midrange is rather warm and not so accurate IMHO, which you may or may not like.

Another option that might work is to get the ER-4P and pair it with an aggressive sounding amp (Predator?). ER-4P is very transparent and will take on the character of the amp. Amping it would improve the soundstage width (though still far from the best) and it's imaging precision is one of the best out there IMO.

 

[MWA]

Navyblue, thank you for your input and opinions. An amplifier is in my future, but for now I simply want to plug into my iAudio 7 and go.

I have to determine whether I have the patience to deal with customs as LiveWires rank high on my list. Unless I simply exchange out my q-JAYS, my research is telling me that the Klipsch Image X10 should satisfy my (unfortunately) expansive musical tastes while skirting my biggest problems: fit and fatigue.

I appreciate everyone's help. I did months of research on IEMs. It's a drag when you finally pull the trigger and shoot yourself in the foot.