[iFi audio]

  need some clarification, please.
 
unsure if i need this item.
sensitivity ratings confuse me
(and i am googling this topic to better understand it...)
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=understanding%20sensitivity%20on%20earphones%20and%20headphones
 
currently I'm using the FLC 8S

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Driver unit: 8.6 mm dynamic drivers+ dual balanced armature 
   
2. Rated Impedance: 11 Ohm 
   
3. Sensitivity: 93 dB/mW 
   
4. Frequency response: 20Hz - 20KHz
   

 
attached to dragonfly red or chord mojo then to ipod touch 6
...but i don't hear any hiss ...so i presume I'm ok.
 
also the micro iDSD already has this iematch (for home usage)...so i presume I'm ok there, too.
(just saw an earlier posting about 5 or so pages ago when a poster shows the micro iDSD and the iematch
???

Because of very low impedance, FLC8S IEMs have very high sensitivity.
 
The 107dB/mW @ 11 ohms rating translates to 127dB/V. For reference, non-amped smartphones etc. usually produce between 0.5 to 1V output, with about < 100dB SNR.
 
According to Sony ZX1's measured performance (as stated here: http://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/amp/sony-zx-1-hp.php), this device has a maximum output level of 0.43V.
 
If iEMatch is used at the high sensitivity setting, its maximum SPL should still be > 105dB with a significant improvement in background hiss.

 

[imfar]

Thank you. I just have ordered one. I have one more question. I'm not sure I understand TRRS, TRS swich correctly. If I have ballanced headphones with this tool I'll be able to use TRS SE sources, right? If I have  TRRS SE headphones  with mic I'll be able to use it on ballanced sources like Sony ZX2 that supports both TRRS balanced and TRS SE headphones, but not those TRRS with mic, right?

 

[iFi audio]

  I'm not sure I understand TRRS, TRS swich correctly. If I have ballanced headphones with this tool I'll be able to use TRS SE sources, right? 

 
Correct. The Balanced connections will be turned to SE and you do not experience the loss of one channel - which happes frequently if Balanced TRRS headphones are plugged into SE sources.
 

   If I have  TRRS SE headphones  with mic I'll be able to use it on ballanced sources like Sony ZX2 that supports both TRRS balanced and TRS SE headphones, but not those TRRS with mic, right?

 
Yes, plugging in such a headphone also needs the switch set to SE and you end up with an SE headphone, but with reduced hiss & volume with the volume at maximum.
 
Finally, plugging in a classic TRS plug equipped headphone converts the iEMatch directly to SE mode.
As a rule, only plug the iEMatch into balanced connections if you have:
 
1) A DAC/Amp with balanced output on 3.5mm TRRS
 
2) Balanced wired headphones terminated on TRRS 3.5mm
 
3) Set the switch to balanced
 
In all other cases use the standard SE connection on your DAC/Amp and switch the switch to SE for headphones with microphone and/or balanced wiring.

 

[iFi audio]

Ooops, double. 

 

[iFi audio]

You're OK,although I found IEMatch to increase dynamics even with a source that didn't hiss with my IEM (Lotoo PAW Gold).

 
And one fun fact: digital volume truncate bits, which translates to resolution loss. Approximately 50% volume level and two bits are gone, so one goes from 16-bit to 14-bit. (Don't even ask for MP3!)

 

[Morimoriya 62]

Hello
I want to ask about IFI IEMATCH ,
Does this cable does not reduce the volume and quality ?
i have qp1r + andromeda + plussound X8 silver plated copper

 

[bartzky]

Hello
I want to ask about IFI IEMATCH ,
Does this cable does not reduce the volume and quality ?
i have qp1r + andromeda + plussound X8 silver plated copper

It will reduce the volume and enhace the quality in terms of noise. As a tradeoff it might slightly raise THD.
In combination with the QP1R it also will slightly raise the output impedance.
So if you experience background noise the iEMatch might be worth the small tradeoffs.

 

[johnston21]

Picked one up at B&H PhotoVideo Wednesday. Had a couple chances to try it out.
 
One question: When using with a TRRS source and SE headphones, and when the ieMatch is in Bal mode, does this act the same as having headphones terminated with a TRRS connector? From what I read, I don't think so, but looking for confirmation.

 

[mscott58]

Picked one up at B&H PhotoVideo Wednesday. Had a couple chances to try it out.

One question: When using with a TRRS source and SE headphones, and when the ieMatch is in Bal mode, does this act the same as having headphones terminated with a TRRS connector? From what I read, I don't think so, but looking for confirmation.

Nope. HP's have to be balanced. No adapter can make SE HP's balanced if they're not wired that way.

 

[imfar]

  Because of very low impedance, FLC8S IEMs have very high sensitivity.
 
The 107dB/mW @ 11 ohms rating translates to 127dB/V. For reference, non-amped smartphones etc. usually produce between 0.5 to 1V output, with about < 100dB SNR.
 
According to Sony ZX1's measured performance (as stated here: http://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/amp/sony-zx-1-hp.php), this device has a maximum output level of 0.43V.
 
If iEMatch is used at the high sensitivity setting, its maximum SPL should still be > 105dB with a significant improvement in background hiss.

OK so I bought it and tried it with my ZX1 and FLC8s set. It is almost a success. Not sure if you have both FLC8s' seinsitivity and ZX1s (in the UK version) power output right, but the wholse set shows a little lack volume, but it's not that bad though. For indoor use it works well, I can even use "ultra" setting. For walks in not so loud areas I can use still use, but I put volume to the maximum. If it's louder oudside, than hiss is harder to notice and I can listen without iematch. What would be nice is to have one more option when it comes to setting sensitivity. Something to work with all this not so powerful players, or what would be even nicer is EU to F#@& OFF and stop setting this ridiculous volume caps.

 

[Taggerung]

My portable setup is LG V10 w/Poweramp, Vorzuge VorzAMP duo, and 64 Audio U8. The hiss I get is due to the amp, most notably when I activate the bass/treble boosts. The treble boost creates the most hiss. Will the iEMatch be effective in my situation?

 

[gr8soundz]

My portable setup is LG V10 w/Poweramp, Vorzuge VorzAMP duo, and 64 Audio U8. The hiss I get is due to the amp, most notably when I activate the bass/treble boosts. The treble boost creates the most hiss. Will the iEMatch be effective in my situation?

 
Doesn't matter where the hiss comes from if its audible through the headphone jack. iEMatch should still help.
 
Recently got tons more hiss after swapping the opamp in my portable. First thing I thought of was grabbing my iEMatch. Not the smallest dongle (a little cumbersome), but it works.
 

 

[iFi audio]

   
 First thing I thought of was grabbing my iEMatch. Not the smallest dongle (a little cumbersome), but it works.
 

It's an additional piece to carry around, that's true, yet we believe this is the cleanest and the smallest way to achieve the desired outcome. 

 

[Taggerung]

   
Doesn't matter where the hiss comes from if its audible through the headphone jack. iEMatch should still help.
 
Recently got tons more hiss after swapping the opamp in my portable. First thing I thought of was grabbing my iEMatch. Not the smallest dongle (a little cumbersome), but it works.
 

Just received mine from B&H Photo in 2 days w/ free shipping. Initial impressions, all hiss is gone 

. What's the ideal sensitivity to set it at? I assume it's until you can get to a listenable volume at 50%+? I always set my phone and amp volume to be around the same volume %. I don't set my source to max and adjust volume via amp because I also use software EQ. Doing so causes choppiness and volume fluctuations. With phone and amp both at ~45% @-24db ultra, I get to a listenable volume. In my situation, which sensitivity level should I use? Thanks.

 

[gr8soundz]

  Just received mine from B&H Photo in 2 days w/ free shipping. Initial impressions, all hiss is gone 

. What's the ideal sensitivity to set it at? I assume it's until you can get to a listenable volume at 50%+? I always set my phone and amp volume to be around the same volume %. I don't set my source to max and adjust volume via amp because I also use software EQ. Doing so causes choppiness and volume fluctuations. With phone and amp both at ~40% @-24db ultra, I get to a listenable volume. In my situation, which sensitivity level should I use? Thanks.

 
50% volume is good but I usually start with the hiss. If I can still hear it with the iEMatch on High then I'll try the Ultra setting. Depending on the amp, if the volume is too low on Ultra (or I have to max it out) I use High instead and just deal with a tiny bit of hiss (but still much, much less than without the iEMatch).
 
EDIT: If there's no hiss on either setting, definitely recommend High for best results. Ultra (afaik) is designed for super-sensitive iems (or, in my case, extremely noisy amps).