Warning: iPod 60gb Photo and Shure e3c in ears

[Cheeks]

There is a problem when using these with iPod Photos.

Lets make it clear from the start - It's not a fault with the e3c's but the blame lies with the iPod.

There are already many posts on the Apple forums that indicate that when using head phones with an impedance of less than 32ohms a strange distortion can be heard - at any volume and with no EQ - this problem is quite audible when listening to high pitched piano solos.

You can use these excellent ear phones with non-Photo iPods and other digital players and not get this problem.

I confirmed this problem by downloading the pollini.m4a file from the following web address:

http://www.springpublications.com/pollini.m4a

First I listened to the pollini.m4a file on both my iPod and PowerBook G4 using my Sennheiser HD590 headphones (120 ohm) - both performed OK.

Then I swapped to my Sennheiser PX200's (32 ohm) - still seemed OK.

Finally I switched to my Shure e3c in ear phones (26 ohm) - ouch the distortion is clearly evident on the iPod - especially 27 seconds into the track. The PowerBook again was fine with these.

So what to do next? Apple should definately fix this - I spent a fortune on this - the audio should be at least up to the same standard as my 12inch PowerBook.

Also they sell the e3c's on their website store as iPod accessories - the 2 clearly do not work well together!! They should at least mention this - after all you've just spent a fortune on an iPod Photo (Color) - you don't then want to fork out for expensive ear phones that don't suit it!

You Have Been Warned

Cheeks
aka THE MERMAN

 

[Oliver :)]

Hm, not good. If it is all in the impedance, you could just put in a Xinfeed adaptor
http://www.fixup.net/products/pktamp/xinaddon.htm
and improve your portable experience on the way. The ampless one comes at about 10 Ohm. It is not the prettiest thing to have stuck on the top of your pod, but you can also hook it up to the remote, and it sure does a great job.

 

[stevesurf]

I'm sorry you're having trouble with this - the Photo's a great deal of $ and you should want to use it with the e3's; the sound distortion problem is well documented here. Higher impedance cans seem to help, but the ultimate fix is Apple replacing the connector with one that isolates better. Why not call them?

 

[Skylab]

Am I correct that this problem does not exist through the line-out?

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Anyone know what the impedence of the UE-10's? I was thinking about getting a 30 gig ipod and don't want to have this problem.

 

[Jmmmmm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab Am I correct that this problem does not exist through the line-out?

Using the line-out bypasses the impedence problem. My main reason for using an amp with my ipod is to bypass the crappy amp (and bass falloff), as opposed to just amping my e4c's (although that does help, also).

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmmmmm Using the line-out bypasses the impedence problem. My main reason for using an amp with my ipod is to bypass the crappy amp (and bass falloff), as opposed to just amping my e4c's (although that does help, also).

So how is it the line out is different then the headphone out. The line out is about the same volume as the headphone out. I was always under the impression there wasn't much of a different.

edit... I do use the SIK DIN line out. But just so that volume is a constant and if there were a difference I wanted the better quality sound.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmmmmm Using the line-out bypasses the impedence problem. My main reason for using an amp with my ipod is to bypass the crappy amp (and bass falloff), as opposed to just amping my e4c's (although that does help, also).

That makes sense. I almost exclusively use an amp with my iPod, so that explains why I never noticed. Also, most of my headphones are WELL about 30 Ohms, with the lowest being the aforementioned Shure E3c. But I have never used them without my Total Airhead amp (with a pocket-dock for the line out) so that again explains why I have never heard this.