[iFi audio]

@iFi audio I would like to ask for your advice regarding the iEMatch+ for balanced 3.5mm. The DAP I used is QLS QA361, which has a 3.5mm balanced output. With the iEMatch+ in balanced mode, can I connect it with my 2.5mm balanced IEM like this?
DAP > iEMatch > 3.5balance to 2.5balance adaptor > 2.5mm balanced iem
Thank you very much!

As long as pinouts everywhere are the same, it will work! Here you can see how iEMatch is wired: https://ifi-audio.com/products/iematch/

Thanks!

 

[MatW]

That's true.

After all the whining (by me as well ...) in this thread about the 4.4 mm version I am very surprised to suddenly find it available for purchase ...

You didn't think it would be worth mentioning that in this thread?

Anyway, great that it is finally here!

 

[iFi audio]

You didn't think it would be worth mentioning that in this thread?

It was mentioned here already

 

[MatW]

It was mentioned here already

I don't see any announcement of it being available in this thread..

 

[iFi audio]

I don't see any announcement of it being available in this thread..

It's not that important now, the good news are that you're now aware that such a product exists. Many folks here wanted it so we provided!

 

[oknenir]

Just to confirm, will IEMatch+ work fine with a 6.3 adapter for use with desktop amps?

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Just to confirm, will IEMatch+ work fine with a 6.3 adapter for use with desktop amps?

Yes, it will work just fine!

 

[DivinesGaming]

I'm going to guess that they're dual interchangeable IEM connectors for swapping between Thunderbolt, 2.5mm, 4.4mm, and 3.5mm, on both sides in some way. Or perhaps it's a line level DAC with interchangeable connectors on the opposite side.

 

[Eruditeswine]

From my brief experience of the 2.5 mm IEMatch - it certainly can reduce/eliminate hiss. But I'm puzzled by comments from some reviewers that say it "eliminates impedance issues". In what way are they "eliminated"? It actually seems to create one such issue right off the bat, because it changes your HP's impedance, and therefore changes your FR. The following are diffuse-field compensated measurements from an SE846 with SpinFit tips, blue filters (+trishd mod) being driven by a QP1R (which already has a low z-out of ~0.15 Ohm). I guess some might prefer the changed sound signature, but I didn't. It carved away too much of the mid-range and the bass boost left it sounding too warm for my liking:

Pardon me, has @iFi audio provide clarification or explanation on this?

 

[Degru]

Pardon me, has @iFi audio provide clarification or explanation on this?

The iematch is simply a voltage divider circuit, and it has some tradeoffs. If you want to push the output impedance under 1 ohm, then you would either have to make it attenuate significantly more to the point that it would be impractical, or you would have to load the amp with an extremely low impedance load that it might become unhappy with. The values chosen for the circuit are a reasonable compromise.

If your amp is already sub 1 ohm OI, then using iematch will increase it. However if your amp is higher than that, say 10 ohms or even significantly more (some tube amps for example), then the iematch will mostly remedy that and let you use your iems without completely screwing up the frequency response.

 

[Eruditeswine]

The iematch is simply a voltage divider circuit, and it has some tradeoffs. If you want to push the output impedance under 1 ohm, then you would either have to make it attenuate significantly more to the point that it would be impractical, or you would have to load the amp with an extremely low impedance load that it might become unhappy with. The values chosen for the circuit are a reasonable compromise.

If your amp is already sub 1 ohm OI, then using iematch will increase it. However if your amp is higher than that, say 10 ohms or even significantly more (some tube amps for example), then the iematch will mostly remedy that and let you use your iems without completely screwing up the frequency response.

Hello, can I break this down and you tell me if I'm following? Figures are for single ended iEMatch+.

High setting: -12dB, input impedance: 13.6 Ohms, output impedance: 2.5 Ohms
Ultra setting: -24dB, input impedance: 16 Ohms, output impedance: 0.9 Ohms

• There will be tradeoffs such as distortions and change in frequency response. According to Ifi, "measurable impedance swing on the iEMatch occurs when you switch it into ultra-sensitive mode"
• Ultra setting may cause insufficient volume? Amplifier may distort.
• For setup to work well, amp should have at least an output impedance of 0.9 Ohms or higher?

Please do not hesitate to correct.

Two questions:

1. Does this mean if amp is under 0.9 Ohms, FR will tilt and as a result bass will rise and treble will fall?

2. How would the following setup fare?
IEM: Impedance: 22 Ohms @ 1kHz, Sensitivity: 102 dB @ 1kHz, 1mW, Maximum output (SPL): 120 dB
Amp: Output impedance: 0.7 to 1 Ohms, Max continuous power (@ 32 Ohms): 1.3W (6.53VRMS)

Thank you.

 

[Degru]

Hello, can I break this down and you tell me if I'm following? Figures are for single ended iEMatch+.

High setting: -12dB, input impedance: 13.6 Ohms, output impedance: 2.5 Ohms
Ultra setting: -24dB, input impedance: 16 Ohms, output impedance: 0.9 Ohms

• There will be tradeoffs such as distortions and change in frequency response. According to Ifi, "measurable impedance swing on the iEMatch occurs when you switch it into ultra-sensitive mode"
• Ultra setting may cause insufficient volume? Amplifier may distort.
• For setup to work well, amp should have at least an output impedance of 0.9 Ohms or higher?

Please do not hesitate to correct.

Two questions:

1. Does this mean if amp is under 0.9 Ohms, FR will tilt and as a result bass will rise and treble will fall?

2. How would the following setup fare?
IEM: Impedance: 22 Ohms @ 1kHz, Sensitivity: 102 dB @ 1kHz, 1mW, Maximum output (SPL): 120 dB
Amp: Output impedance: 0.7 to 1 Ohms, Max continuous power (@ 32 Ohms): 1.3W (6.53VRMS)

Thank you.

What sort of FR effect you will see depends on the impedance curve of the particular IEM you are using. Some IEMs have flat impedance curves, some have a lot of swinging up and down, some have a slope in one direction or the other. Areas of the frequency response with higher impedance will have less attenuation than areas of frequency response with lower impedance.

With iematch the FR change should be very minimal as long as your iem doesn't swing below 10-16 ohms. If there is too much attenuation, the amplifier may indeed distort since it is having to drive a 16 ohm load with its full power output instead of just a sensitive iem load. The iematch itself can also be damaged if you exceed the power rating of the resistors inside (1/4 watt I think?)

 

[Avenida]

Hey, I’m trying to figure something out and have learned a lot in the process but need help with the answer.

I have a DAP with 0.8ohm impedance (load impedance)
My Roxannes have a 15ohm impedance (internal impedance)
The IEMatch has a 1.0ohm impedance on “Ultra” - (modified load impedance)

If I’m mismatching the impedance by 0.2ohms on the load impedance & modified load impedance combined, and then 1ohm on the internal impedance, am I negatively affecting the sound quality or changing the frequency response?

 

[HiFiRobot]

Am I the only one who would like a 6,3mm male and 3,5mm female iEMatch?
All my desktop amps have a 6,3mm output. This would open up a lot of interesting opportunities on fullsize amps and tube amps with IEMs without having to use iEMatch together with a 6,3mm adapter in an ugly Frankenconnection. I am willing to pay for my adapternervosa

 

[haoyuan]

Am I the only one who would like a 6,3mm male and 3,5mm female iEMatch?
All my desktop amps have a 6,3mm output. This would open up a lot of interesting opportunities on fullsize amps and tube amps with IEMs without having to use iEMatch together with a 6,3mm adapter in an ugly Frankenconnection. I am willing to pay for my adapternervosa

Absolutely nothing is stopping you from finding and hiring someone who works with electronics to reterminate the male end to a 1/4mm TRS connection. You even get to pick your favorite connector.