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CEE_TEE
3480
May 25, 2017
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Hey Everyone! Here's a new in-ear monitor (IEM) from us that I'm really excited about. Something the audiophile community has requested for a long time: an inexpensive, removable cable IEM. While that might not sound exciting at first, it's the combination of features plus execution with attention to detail that is hard to find at a low price point. Most companies don’t set out with the clear intention of making the very best entry-level product. They start out with a high-end product and then whittle down features until they feel comfortable selling it for less. The result isn’t a holistically considered product but just a “low-end thing”.
There are a few community-favorite, great-sounding IEMs out there for under $100. The problem has been that if the cable breaks on your $40 "giant-killer" and you need to buy a new one...now it's an $80 IEM with the same risks. But, changing an existing favorite to have removable cables takes: new tooling/molds, reliable connectors, and can also change the sound (many IEMs have small housings and need to be made larger to accept removable connectors). After trying to improve some of the favorite low-cost IEMs, we opened up the search for a partner who understood what we were trying to do and could create a new product for us from the ground up.
There are a couple more requirements the community gave us for this project from all of your requests and feedback online: -A lot of people like the option of a microphone cable, but some audiophiles swear the electronic circuit in the cable changes the sound. Needs to have a microphone cable AND a braided cable. -Even some community-favorite, low priced IEMs can vary a lot between units. If you have to buy more than one unit to get the sound you want, the price increases. So the units have to be consistent to provide value. A requirement for the NuForce EDC is to be within +/-2 dB of left/right channel matching and from the frequency response target. This is being carefully worked on to scale with production.
NuForce is already known for having very comfortable IEMs. We were really happy that they were willing to work with Massdrop and the audiophile community to provide the above and tune an all-around fun, musical sound signature with clarity and bass that works for travel, gym, or quiet listening environments.
Just for fun. My first portable rig amp back in 2010 was...a NuForce!
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May 25, 2017
eagelb
14
May 26, 2017
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CEE_TEECan these in-ear monitors be worn with the cable hanging down rather than over the ear, as in this photo?
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May 26, 2017
CEE_TEE
3480
May 26, 2017
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eagelbHi eagelb,
I'll have to try tomorrow with the microphone cable, I'll let you know!
May 26, 2017
Sebastian29
37
May 26, 2017
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eagelbThey should be able to you can with the HEM-2's and they are the same design (I think)
May 26, 2017
CEE_TEE
3480
May 26, 2017
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eagelbHey eagelb, Both of the supplied cables have shrink wrap that guides the cable over the ears. You'd need an aftermarket cable or one of the other NuForce cables without shrink wrap (such as the balanced armature HEM line) to wear them down. The shrink wrap is very thin...
May 26, 2017
eagelb
14
May 26, 2017
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CEE_TEEThanks.
May 26, 2017
micahjrose
126
Jun 12, 2017
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CEE_TEESome things to note:
1. Whilst these have a detachable cable it uses an uncommon connector, the same connector that was used by Trinity Audio before they switched to having cables detach at the y-split. I have a strong dislike of the connector these use. I would have far preferred MMCX or standard 2-pin. The connector used on this is a mistake. How big of a negative this is depends on how frequently you bust cables. I've never had a cable break, other folks I know seem to break a cable every month. You won't just be able to go get an aftermarket cable to replace your broken cables with this. You'll be locked into NuForce.
2. The cable is not braided. It is a double twist, which is different than braiding.
3. The headphones use the less common thin Shure nozzle, which means that aftermarket tips are more scarce.
I was sent a pre-production copy of these to evaluate. Next time I'd advise sending it earlier, as the connector issue could have been resolved before launch.
Jun 12, 2017
dandw12786
103
Jun 13, 2017
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CEE_TEEBad move on the proprietary connector. It's hard enough to find 2-pin Bluetooth cables, but it'll be impossible to find them on a connector nobody uses. MMCX would have been a no-brainer, I can't understand why you'd go this route.
This is made worse by you guys not being upfront about what connector you're using, making customers think they'll be able to find replacement cables easily, when that's hardly the case. I'm out.
Jun 13, 2017
CEE_TEE
3480
Jun 13, 2017
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dandw12786Hey dandw12786, We hear you. In fact, we got some more feedback from some of the samples that went out and we are going to make an announcement that we are slightly changing the EDC connectors from stock NuForce 0.75mm diameter pins to 0.77 diameter pins and sockets.
What does this mean? It means that you can use the EDC with more aftermarket 2-pin cables. You don't have to have the proprietary NuForce cable with the shroud and after you use a 0.77mm 2-pin cable you can still use the EDC cables. You just might not get a good connection if you use other stock NuForce HEM cables as they are 0.75mm pins and you may stretch out the sockets.
This tradeoff is important to our community and NuForce has agreed to help us with this change for mass production. Early testing showed that the EDC could accept a range of 2-pin cables but with varying tolerances, it makes the most sense to go for flexibility with aftermarket cables.
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Sound good?
Jun 13, 2017
dandw12786
103
Jun 14, 2017
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CEE_TEEIndeed it does. That works for me, man!
Jun 14, 2017
q83jsnsjn
21
Jun 23, 2017
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CEE_TEEAre you able to give a few recommendations for aftermarket cables (maybe even run a drop for some)?
Jun 23, 2017
CEE_TEE
3480
Oct 29, 2017
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q83jsnsjnThere's only a day left on this drop but these are very reasonably priced: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/venture-electronics-headphone-cables
Oct 29, 2017
q83jsnsjn
21
Nov 1, 2017
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CEE_TEEOh! Just missed it. Thanks for running it and letting me know. I'll keep an eye on things here for more.
Nov 1, 2017
gemmoglock
63
Mar 21, 2018
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CEE_TEEHi @CEE_TEE, I noticed that the EDC3 has a little rolloff at the top of the FR. I listen to classical music with violins on the high register. Is there enough air/extension that violins don't sound 2D/flat and just a sharp note instead? Or, happy to review the EDC3 too ;) ;)
Mar 21, 2018
CEE_TEE
3480
Mar 21, 2018
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gemmoglockHey gemmoglock, Vansen has added you to the loaner list on SBAF. :)
Mar 21, 2018
gemmoglock
63
Mar 22, 2018
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CEE_TEEHello @CEE_TEE that's awesome thanks so much for helping! :D
Mar 22, 2018
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