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Metaldrake
145
Feb 21, 2018
Currently on SE215s, would this be a substantial improvement over it?
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 21, 2018
MetaldrakeIn terms of treble, clarity, and imaging/soundstage--yes. But the 215 has it beat on ergonomics, isolation, bass, and removeable cables. Depends if you want to move from the V-shaped 215 to a more lean, articulate IEM.
A09235702374274
12
Feb 21, 2018
jaydunndidditSE215 isn't v-shaped. They're bass heavy with recessed treble.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 21, 2018
A09235702374274Look at their frequency chart. They're pretty V-shaped with rolloff up top: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSE215.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjUwY7TmrfZAhUH04MKHUIKBXQQFjABegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3JkUIdeqQQWmoGsCKe8f5l
They're not U, W, or flat/balanced so I have no other way to quantify them except to call them V shaped. Especially in comparison to the quads.
A09235702374274
12
Feb 21, 2018
jaydunndidditGoogle reviews and impressions. Anybody who's used them will tell you that the treble rolls off. They are far from v-shaped.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 21, 2018
A09235702374274Yeah, I own them along with the 535 and 846. They have a signature reminiscent of V shaped phone but their mids do maintain some detail and the upper end is rolled off. Again, this is all evident in the frequency and 30/300 square wave graphs I linked to.
A09235702374274
12
Feb 21, 2018
jaydunndidditReminiscent of v-shaped maybe. But saying that they are definitively v-shaped seems a bit misleading to me.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 21, 2018
A09235702374274Semantics, really.
We would agree that the DT770 and TH900 are V-shaped and their frequency and square wave graphs are pretty similar to the 215: https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/BeyerdynamicDT770.pdf https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FostexTH900mk2.pdf
The main difference is the 215 doesn't have the treble extension of them but it doesn't make them not V-shaped because of that treble roll-off.
A09235702374274
12
Feb 21, 2018
jaydunndidditIt's unusual to reach an agreement with somebody on the internet, but yeah. I agree with you.
I suppose it really is just phrasing. Se215 don't feel v-shaped to me due to the roll off, but graphs don't lie.
petrockz
4
Feb 23, 2018
MetaldrakeDefinitely, I have had the SE 215s and SE 425s and I feel the quads are an improvement. coming from the 215s I feel you will notice more articulated mids and highs while still keeping the warm lowend you are used to.
stalepie
19
Feb 23, 2018
jaydunndidditThat doesn't look v-shaped. That's a downward slope...
jaydunndiddit
3262
Feb 23, 2018
stalepieLook at more than the frequency chart. The 30/300 square waves are VERY similar to the dt770 and th900. Almost identical really. The only main difference is the rolloff up top for the 215. But otherwise, all 3 charts in comparison have more in common than they do not.
koiloco
32
Mar 15, 2018
MetaldrakeSE215s can't compare. I had SE846 and this Quad Driver is very close to the SE846. Insane for 1/8 the price. Just buy it.
Rodex
1
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoBought the Triples just because one owner of the se846 whose was a sound engineer, stated the Triples are equal or outperform the se846. He bought his on Amazon. I bought (2) Triples. Received my Quads 2 wks ago. Compared to the Triples, the Quads build is excellent. But the low frequency response is rolled off, and it's apparent using a back to back comparison. And vocals are little more recessed. The mid and high treble is extended, yet it's not as harsh. It terms of sonic improvement, it's a little because of 4 drivers; especially hi-res files. Build is phenomenal. Otherwise, this is a good buy
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoI'd have to disagree with you on the 846. The quad is NOTHING like the 846. The low-end and especially the mid bass and mids are not of the same quality or quantity. Let alone, ergonomics. I had the triple and quad and returned them both to Amazon. They were just 'ok' but lacked cohesion across all frequencies. Not to mention, their imaging and soundstage do not compare to the 846. I got my 846s new from Amazon for under $700 around the holidays so they can easily be picked up for well under a grand. Throw in a balanced cable with a balanced amp/dac and they sing even better. The triple/quad aren't known for their scaling but the 846 has a lot of room to stretch its legs if you let them. If you're on a budget then the quads will suffice but thinking they're close to the 846 is a major stretch.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
RodexOfc, sub bass can't beat 846 subwoofer like response.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
jaydunndidditYou must have a different 846 than I did. I do agree on the sub bass of the 846 being the king. Bass texture and quantity will be a bit more/better on the 846. IMO, Imaging and soundstage are quite close/comparable. 100% disagree on cohesion. Spend your $ the way you like. Been there, done that. If 846 is a 9/10, the Quad is easily an 8/10 for 1/8, or in your case , 1/5 the $. And No, I have never been a fan of Chinese IEMs up till now. I am just saying how I hear it with my set up and audio chain.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
Rodexwhat are you driving the Quad with? It didn't do too well straight out with my Note 8. Throwing in even a cheap little amp like the Topping Nx1s improves everything. Running the Quad through my desktop chain is an entirely different story...
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoI normally use mine with the black filters and triple flanges out of an ifi idsd Black label with Tidal mqa. It's not about money, but raw audio quality. Again, when I sampled them from a balanced source, they were even better. With the quads that will never be possible, let alone the tip selection or fit in ear. I know we all hear things differently but the quad was a let down. Nothing about its sound signature wasn't unique or memorable. I don't know what filters, tips, cables and source you used, or how long you had the 846s, but theier soundstage has a good height as well as depth. Didn't get that from the quads. Same with imaging. The separation of instrument and balance between left and right was far greater with the 846. Maybe you had them through a poor source? They can be somewhat picky.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
jaydunndiddit1. I bought my 846 in 2014. Always used the blue filter. 2. Never ran it balanced. 3. Source was either my mobile chain (phone->unbalanced amp) or my desktop setup which runs my HD800 (DSD DAC -> Preamp -> Woo WA22). I run my HD800 in balanced. I always ran the 846 unbalanced. 4. Always wav, flac and DSD.
Remember, we are not discussing personal preferences here. Otherwise, it will be very tough to come across correctly. I enjoyed the 846 very much, especially the bass. I even used it as IEMs when I am on my drums, which I think was a perfect match. However, I think the 846 low end is quite boosted(even more with black filter), even though very well executed and super extended. I verified this with all genres I listen to, and also my own recordings. If you ever listen to a HD800 on good setup, you will know what I mean about 846 bass being elevated. 846 mid is pushed forward to overcome the thunderous lows. Its high has just enough air to keep things sparkle, and not rolled off like 215 and 535. I did love 846 tuning very much. I remembered tapping my feet everytime... My other reference is a HE-6 driven by a Parasound pre and speaker amp, fed by same DSD DAC as in my HD800 chain. Regardless, you are making curious again. I might get the 846 just for kick and verify. Believe it or not, they do vary from gen to gen....
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoMaybe Shure does soft updates then? Mine have a build date of 10/17, same as my 535s. I only brought up my chain as that's exactly the same way I used the quads sans being balanced of course. Again, I thought they were ok for the price but the 846 just has a special something they don't. I listen to a lot of blues/jazz/soul/funk from the 50s-80s and the 846s nail that grit and warmth that tends to get lost in a lot of my other IEMs and headphones. Another reason I use the black filter is it just adds something great to the mids to nail female vocals like Nina Simone, Etta James, etc.
And I wouldn't say the bass on the 846 is elevated, it reminds me a lot of my home theater setup when I run music in 2.1. The bass to me, sounds like the LFE channel from my sub. It has just enough texture and extension. At times, I wish there was just a bit more sub bass but that's just me being picky.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
jaydunndidditYou mentioned getting the 846 for a great price. Where did you buy it from? Also, the balanced cable link plz. Btw, Etta James is one of my fav. At Last was my wedding song...
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoI bought them off Amazon around Xmas. If you can wait and have an Amazon CC, they run specials all the time on headphones and recording equipment upwards of 20% off. Right now they're $900 with 10% off if you use their card.
This is the cable I currently use: https://www.amazon.com/MEE-audio-CMB-BAL-SET-Universal-balanced/dp/B076PWSSSJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521837517&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=mee+cable&psc=1
But, I am planning to get a balanced silver litz cable as I heard those make a slight difference in the upper-end for the 846. Campfire Audio has them for $150 which I guess isn't absolutely horrible for what it is.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 23, 2018
koilocoThat's a good song by Etta. My faves from her are her own spin on Spoonful (originally Howlin' Wolf) and Money (That's What I Want) [originally by Barrett Strong]. Now that I think about it, there may not be a song by her I don't enjoy.
koiloco
32
Mar 23, 2018
jaydunndidditThx for all the info. I am not very patient so I might order now with the 10% off. Again, bass on the 846 is definitely elevated. You are a graph guy so here it is. https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSE846BlueFilterSample2.pdf vs. something more linear like the HE-6 https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/hifiman-he-5-he-5le-he-6-and-he500-planar-magnetic-headphones-page-2 The 846 does bass and other freq so well that it just sounds natural and super engaging. Do I still enjoy the 846 bass? Heck yeah, 1000%. But I won't use it to master my tracks... Btw, you are very bad influence :)
koiloco
32
Mar 24, 2018
jaydunndidditI could not find the 10% off promo. I am a Prime member and have the Amazon store card. In my cart, it's just straight up $899 plus tax. Your expertise is needed. Thx...
jaydunndiddit
3262
Mar 24, 2018
koilocoHmm. Are you in the US? Maybe it's US only. I see it when I log in. You may have to switch your prime card benefit from 'no interest' to 'rewards'. It's not always automatic. This is what I see currently:
search
koiloco
32
Mar 24, 2018
jaydunndidditCool. Let me try that. I am in Cali, bay area. We should definitely meet up sometimes if you are anywhere near by.
koiloco
32
Mar 28, 2018
jaydunndidditGot the SE846 this morning. Running stock cable, unbalanced, blue filter with foam removed to improve high. So far, after a few hours of comparison, my impression about the quad driver vs. 846 has not changed. I did remember the 846 sound signature and performance pretty well. 1. Bass still goes to 846. 846's sub bass is untouchable, more textured, and higher quality. 846 = 9.5/10, quad = 8/10. 2. Mid goes to 846 by a very small margin. 846 mid is definitely more forward => more intimate sounding, just like I remember. 846 = 9/10, quad = 8/10 3. High quality/detail is a tie. Extension goes to quad. 846 = 8/10, quad = 8.5/10 4. Instr separation is a close tie, with the 846 maybe edges the quad slightly. 846 = 8.5/10, quad = 8.25/10 5. Sound stage goes 846. More 3D with 846. Quad's is pretty wide but flat. 846 = 8.5/10, quad = 8/10 6. 846 is definitely faster across all freqs. 846 = 9/10, quad = 8/10 7. Fit/comfort goes to 846. No competition here. I can sleep with 846. 846 = 9.5/10, quad = 7.5/10
Overall, 846 sounds a little thicker and fuller, especially in the mids. Quad definitely has more air in vocal and more sparkle in the highs. At $700 vs $150, my initial evaluation of the quad still hold 100%.
If 846 is is a 9/10 overall, the quad is easily an 8/10. Just like I said at the start of our conversation..."Close, very close"
I will try balanced next...
koiloco
32
Mar 28, 2018
RodexI can't comment on the Triples vs 846 but I could with Quad vs se846. I thought I remember my se846(sold) very well. Then @jaydunndiddit encouraged me to doubt my memory, so I just bought the se846 again to find out... :) If you are interested, read my last reply regarding quad vs 846.
Rodex
1
Mar 28, 2018
koilocoI will accept both of your assessments on the se846. At the price point of the Quad Driver, it's a good value
Rodex
1
Mar 31, 2018
koilocoAnticipated what will come out next from 1More.
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