In ear monitors

[musiciseverything]

First, I absolutely LOVE my Crack amp with my Senn 600s. The music is, well, musical!  I sometimes would like/need to use in ear monitors to block out noise in the house. I have UE 700s and there is reduced volume with them and a background hum. I assume it is because the impedance is 40 Ohm @1 KHz. Is this normal? Is the solution to either get IEMs with a higher impedance or build a S.E.X. Kit?  Thanks for great products and for the forum with so much great information. Cheers.

 

[Paul Joppa]

Seems to me that there must be something else wrong here. If the IEMs are quieter, they must be less sensitive. If they expose hum not heard with the Senns, the IEMs must be more sensitive. This is what we in the business call a "contradiction".  <-- haha that was a joke!

Can you repeat the experiment with the same results? Can you think of anything else that might be different between the two tests? Finally, can you measure a hum voltage at the 'phone jack with each headphone plugged in?

 

[musiciseverything]

Thanks, Paul.  I will do those things and get back to you.  Cheers!  Tom

 

[musiciseverything]

I believe now that my experience was due to the headphone extension cord I was using with the IEMs.  They are indeed more sensitive than the Senns.  That might account for the hum I hear, which is quite soft, but I hadn't noticed it before.  I don't know if it is the transformer or tubes.  When I tap on the transformer or metal base it changes slightly to a different frequency.  It is not bothersome when music is playing, so no worries.  I was just curious what others experience was with IEMs.  My Senn 600 are the main headphone.  I appreciate your quick reply, Paul.  And, you have great products.  I am trying to think of ways to build and use other products.  Not a "need", just a "want"!  Cheers!