[karloil]

Just got mine! Really surprised that it can 'squeeze' out more details...so it's just like a 'condiment' ...bringing out the best in what we listen to

 

[iFi audio]

Just got mine! Really surprised that it can 'squeeze' out more details...so it's just like a 'condiment' ...bringing out the best in what we listen to

Well, what you are hearing is going from 14 Bits > 16 Bits! (Nice pic btw., very witty indeed!)

 

[psikey]

I got an IEMatch for use with a phone that hissed a bit with my SE846's and obviously fixed the hiss.

Now have a Chord Mojo and get no hiss I can hear with my SE846's. So question is, theoretically will the audio still sound better with the IEMatch or straight out of the Mojo? The Mojo can drive volume high enough with IEMatch set to High or Ultra so whats the best for audio quality?

Straight out of Mojo.
IEMatch set to High
IEMatch set to Ultra

 

[GoodEnoughGear]

I got an IEMatch for use with a phone that hissed a bit with my SE846's and obviously fixed the hiss.

Now have a Chord Mojo and get no hiss I can hear with my SE846's. So question is, theoretically will the audio still sound better with the IEMatch or straight out of the Mojo? The Mojo can drive volume high enough with IEMatch set to High or Ultra so whats the best for audio quality?

Straight out of Mojo.
IEMatch set to High
IEMatch set to Ultra

Unless the impedance bump alters the SE846 sound signature in a way you prefer (it makes my Andros less boomy) I would leave it out. There's no way putting something in your chain is going to make it more transparent. FWIW with my Andros I hear a clear degradation of sound on Ultra, and High seems relatively transparent. I use it to reduce hiss out of GO2A SE balanced.

 

[psikey]

Its the " Increase Dynamics" statement bit I'm curious about, or is that only by eliminating hiss so if no hiss already no improvement ? I'm obviously going to do listening tests myself anyway.

 

[webzeb]

Hello,

I would like to use this adapter this adapter with

• a smartphone whose output impedance is (presumably) around 5ohms,
• IEMs whose impedance varies between 13 and 130ohms in the 20-20kHz range and whose sensitivity is around 134dB/V.

I currently encounter several problem with this setup:

• permanent hissing noise (that could be solved by any cheap attenuator),
• lack of volume control (that could be solved by any cheap attenuator also + there might be software solutions),
• frequency response of my IEMs seems to be affected by the (relatively) high output impedance of my smartphone (what basic maths confirms...and a cheap attenuator would only make this worse!).

However, I must admit I am a bit sceptical about the iEMatch and there are several points I would like to be clarified before spending 60€:

• Is the input impedance of the iEMatch constant when IEM with largely varying impedance is connected to it?
• What is the trick so the output impedance remains as low as 1/2.5ohms?

Many thanks for your help!

Fred

 

[iFi audio]

However, I must admit I am a bit sceptical about the iEMatch and there are several points I would like to be clarified before spending 60€:

We strongly believe in 'try it before you buy it' policy. And having said that, feel free to contact you local iFi distributor/reseller and give our item a go. If you don't like it, our return policy is generous.

Is the input impedance of the iEMatch constant when IEM with largely varying impedance is connected to it?

Impedance is not constant, yet its variations are substantially reduced.

What is the trick so the output impedance remains as low as 1/2.5ohms?

There is no trick per se. 'Just' good fundamental design and knowing one's onions.

Good luck!

 

[psikey]

I use Shure SE846's which are only 9 Ohm and generally have background his if the source impedance is too high. Less than 1 Ohm is usually OK.

With my Chord Mojo its dead silent but with a Fiio X5III & Samsung S8 I get noticeable background hiss. By using the iEMatch the noise is totally eliminated and I can't detect any reduction or change in audio quality. If anything, it may sound even slightly better.

Only thing to bare in mind is that the volume on my S8 then has to be set higher at around 75% compared to 50% without on the High iEMatch position. On Ultra switch position volume won't go high enough on my S8. With the Fiio X5III both settings can be used but tended to just use on high.

I was also in two minds about spending £50 on it, but I also have a 75 Ohm impedance adapter from a proper audio shop in Japan but that took away some of the sparkle/life out of the music.

No idea how the iEMatch does it but it certainly clears the AMP hiss from the source completely. Its only if hiss is part of the recording you will hear it.

Reference the volume controls. If your talking abount inline controls then yes, they can't be used but two alternatives I use is to use a Fiio RM1 bluetooth remote or use the App Frinky Music control for the phone volume buttons to also be used for track FWD/BAK control (if using Android). Assume your using an Android as iPhones are normally dead silent.

 

[bartzky]

• Is the input impedance of the iEMatch constant when IEM with largely varying impedance is connected to it?

• What is the trick so the output impedance remains as low as 1/2.5ohms?

1. Yes, it is.
2. This 'trick' is our dear secret, which we sadly can't share. Sorry.

The output impedance is indeed independent of the attached headphones. I don't want to spoil iFi's secret, but I like to add that the resulting impedance is influenced by the output impedance of the attached source. If the OI is very high the resulting OI will exceed 1/2.5 ohms, while the high setting is more sensitive to this effect. 5 ohms surely is low enough to keep the resulting OI at about 1/2.5 ohms.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-iematch-headphone-travel-accessory.22072/reviews

 

[audionewbi]

@iFi audio I am certain if you guys make 4.4mm sony (male) to 2.5 trrs (female) and one with 2.5mm male to 4.4mm female version of your iEmatch it would be a sell out hit for months. One can only dream, right?

 

[audionewbi]

I can't be without my iematch with my dac/amps. It allows me to actually use them at their full capacity.

 

[ph0n6]

Quick question, can I use the iematch with to convert balanced source to unbalanced one? I have a GOV2 but all of my stuff (amp and headphones) are unbalanced.

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio I am certain if you guys make 4.4mm sony (male) to 2.5 trrs (female) and one with 2.5mm male to 4.4mm female version of your iEmatch it would be a sell out hit for months. One can only dream, right?

Let us just say that we pay attention to peoples needs. At the same time it shouldn't be understood that we'll make such product, but we pay attention to what's going on, that's a given.

 

[iFi audio]

Quick question, can I use the iematch with to convert balanced source to unbalanced one? I have a GOV2 but all of my stuff (amp and headphones) are unbalanced.

No, you can't. Trying this may damage a source if it doesn't incorporate suitable protection.

It is not possible to convert a balanced headphone output on a TRRS socket or 4-Pin XLR to single ended. Not possible.