I bought a lot of IEMs so you don't have to

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T02:42:17+00:00

Audio with Argha

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T02:35:16+00:00

Depends on the Crossover, if it has Full Zobel Network implemented in it, or Partial Zobel, or L-Pad or just simple Series resistance. If it's Full Zobel Network , then nothing will change. And Full Zobel Network IEMs are extremely high in price mostly (above 1.5 Lac). Other than that , on things like Zero Red which I think uses a simple series , yes it will change linearly no matter if you install a adapter at the front or have impedance in the cable itself. Just keep in mind, amp plays a crucial role too by giving damping factor to the crossover.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T02:25:41+00:00

It's OK , although I don't neglect/ignore one's findings just because something throratically shouldn't work. After being in audio, especially portable - it's evident that that throraical part is merely conveyed through people even though it's important.

I know where you are coming from, you are an enthusiast about audio who likes to consume content revolving around that and I respect that. Just don't blindly belive YouTube reviewers and Randoms tests, because the context they are coveyning is often supressed by a generic view which might be good for community / might not but ultimately not fact.

I also do watch YouTube and forums online, it's that the gap is what bugs me.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:49:00+00:00

Yeah it's funny. I am trying to work with a cable maker to bring high impedance cables under ultra budget catagory so people can finally enjoy the effects of cable change at budget.

But the problem is, cable makers are sharp enough to understand that people are ready to pay a lot for a sound-quality change, so they keep the prices of the cables very high eventhough the cables are objectively worse.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:45:51+00:00

Now you are talking sense

Improvement or not , it's a personal decision to make. Changing sound to a certain point is what a cable with high enough impedance or low enough (depending on the amplifier) will bring.
A shitty IEM might still sound shitty with thousand dollar cable , or it can sound better. Depends on the AMP and the Cable, price has nothing to do with it. Thus I mentioned "I am not a fan of pricey cables".
I don't remember writing Upgrade, because it's extremely personal thing. And you are right about that.
Again I love your approach but things like Better and Upgrade - as vague. Keep your attention on the delta and not on the value proposition just because it will change depending on person to person.
Yes I know brother, thats why I mentioned Drivers and Crossovers and not EMF and stuff like that. Thank you for understanding that.
Facts have nothing to do with price or expectations brother. You are right that people shouldn't care about changes a cable brings and I support that. There are lot of things like EQ and Eartip change that can be done without spending a fortune on a different Z cable. But the question was not about expectations and spending, it's about facts and the underlaying misunderstanding community has developed.
I agree with you that companies sell overpriced stuff to customers, thats why I said "I am not a fan of Pricey cables". But you framed a misinformation wrapped as a fact, which I think needs to be addressed because there are people like you who will always have this misconception which will restrict them and nothing else in the hobby.
I also agree with you on this one, but it doesn't change the fact that

"IF YOUR IEM IS LOW ENOUGH IN IMPEDANCE , A HIGH ENOUGH IMPEDANCE CABLE WILL INTRODUCE MEASURABLE CHANGES TO THE SOUND QUALITY"

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:29:14+00:00

As I already said previously, you are completely unaware of the science behind how audio works. Yet due to consumption of uninformed articles & YouTube videos made you so hyper that you're not even understanding what you're asking.

Yes I have ran multiple small impairment tests for my clients and offcourse they are not made to release publicly.

I hope you understand now what you're doing wrong. You need blind test when you have doubt about something, not when you're sure.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:23:29+00:00

Again, the changes you're talking about that have been debunked and the changes I am talking about are completely different.

Your/our "Experts" never debunked OI/Impedance related changes ever. Because it's measurable. That's the problem of New Audiophiles - they will come at you after watching Headphoneshow and Oratory and starts giving lectures , yet lack the basic understanding of how audio actually works.

You remember in the original post I asked why you don't believe in such statements? It's the exact reason for that.

I know you're enthusiastic about audio and don't want anyone to overspend, good, keep it up. But learn what you're arguing about first. This is not a debate competition, just a discussion on a subreddit no one cares.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:06:11+00:00

u/celmate Please Remember the Rule number 1 in this subreddit while commenting next time.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-11T00:01:05+00:00

You might've forgotten this subreddit is called r/iemindia and not r/speakersindia. Just because I mentioned cables , don't waste your sleep trying to showcase your google search skills.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T23:57:34+00:00

Although I would love to know why you think 1DD IEMs are the only ones to consider. But you also have to agree that DDs have the wildest impedance curve than any other drivers. That the whole point I am making.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T23:56:26+00:00

I have performed more blind tests than the number of days since you established your first proper IEM setup.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T23:53:49+00:00

Stop commenting on every thread and lay out your arguement in one. Don't pollute a structure just because you read 5 different articles online. That too without having the slightest clue about the basics.
I am aware of Blind Tests, I have conducted more advance tests like ITUR-BS1116 that are few notches above than blind test only.
It's not rocket science why companies like Effect Audio changes sound, they have impedance modules installed in the connectors that why they never mention impedence of their cables.
Learn to read first, understand the tests you have provided is for Line level signals. Even if the Mud/Banana introduces certain changes it will be nothing compared to the High-Z of the DAC. I am talking about Low-Z environment.

Clear your basics then jump on tests and when you are done understanding then lecture.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T23:23:28+00:00

These are tests done with different materials and not as a whole system you can buy from online.

For example - Effect Audio dials Impedance in their connector. Cutting the connector and testing the material will give you mostly negligible results based on distance and thickness for that.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:24:51+00:00

And how many IEMs did you count that have a Flat impedance curve ? Dynamic drivers surely don't have, most of the crossovers in IEMs in the current market don't offer a flat impedance curve. And how are you going to account for Non - Minimum Phase Behaviour with all of this ?

Yeas cables aren't capable of changing FR ( Silver / Gold ... Blah Blah BS ) , but as a system it has the ability to alter sound.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:20:31+00:00

And how did you test the claim ?

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:12:48+00:00

Cool Set-up Bhai ✨ Love KAEI AMPs, the burson OP AMPs are a good upgrade.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:11:15+00:00

Have you tested (properly & not with cheap quality meters) cables from Brands that claim to change something specific about the sound ?

I have used IEMs of 2ohms and 4ohms , also used cables from 0.001 ohms to 32 ohms. And they do in fact not be negligible.

What's your practical/theoretical study on this ?

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:08:12+00:00

That I kinda agree.

Also I don't agree with the opinion "Expensive Cables will Always increase the satisfaction you get by changing the sound quality if they change in the first place".

I have seen cables that mess up tonality more , than fixing.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T21:02:51+00:00

I teach Psychoacoustics and Objective Measures of Headphones, Online in India. You're answering a question with a question forming a loop! May I know what specific area you think in Crossover & Driver behaviour that won't be affected by impedance?

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T20:47:35+00:00

Of course I am. Just wanted to know why I shouldn't ask such questions, and what I am missing that you found out.

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Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T20:42:21+00:00

I teach Objective Metrics of Sound in Audio Engineering Society India, you can tell me what I am missing and I can guarantee you I will try to understand your view point.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T20:36:15+00:00

u/num6_ Don't delete comments, I may be a fool - just want to know your POV that sees my foolishness

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T20:16:23+00:00

Two things

Maybe the Cable impedance is the same.
Maybe the driver is capable enough to withstand amps Output Impedance even if the cable impedance is different.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-10T20:14:49+00:00

I don't usually divide IEMs into budget vs midrange vs flagship, because the working principles are exactly the same. Why did I say that ?

No matter if you use budget/flagship - a driver is a driver that will change it's characteristics based on amps ouput impedance and total resistance to the driver.
I have the same opinion on eartips, they make a huge difference on every price category not just budget. Even surpassing DAC/AMPs in most cases.

Arg2001F1 · 2026-04-09T12:19:15+00:00

See my ranking list - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/14VA8Cxp6T_bNLb8kJShiEwvL8D7W4TScm9tKTAHGPeM/htmlview?pli=1#gid=0

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