|
Post by nathanzachary on Jan 16, 2017 18:12:02 GMT -5
Thanks again, Keith. I always appreciate your detailed explanations because they help me better understand these phenomena! Now here's the really strange part (and a snippet of what I just sent to V-Moda's support):
When I use the cable that has the additional female connector (which I believe is the SharePlay audio cable), I strongly dislike the sound separation between the left and right channels (so much so, that I can't really even use the headphones). However, that separation is far less defined when I use the other cable which has the single button (I believe that is the SpeakEasy Mic cable). The sound quality is much more pleasing to my ear there, and I think that it is due to the more aggressive blending of the left and right channels. However, when using that SpeakEasy Mic cable, I only get sound out of the left channel unless I hold down the single button. When I hold down the button, I then get sound out of both the left and right channels.
Has anyone else experienced this strangeness with the M-100s? If so, any ideas?
Thanks again.
|
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,937
|
Post by KeithL on Jan 16, 2017 18:23:09 GMT -5
That's very strange - but it makes a sort of sense. Normally the left and right channels on a pair of headphones are entirely separate... They have a common ground, but each has a separate signal lead, and there is no connection whatsoever between them.... This means that, in a normal headphone, there is absolutely NO blending between the channels. However, it sounds like there's more going on with the pair you have. I've seen several reviews of the V-Moda 100s and they all seem to be more or less positive. From the way you're describing it, I'm wondering if there may be a broken connection, or a miswired connection, somewhere in one of those cords. For example, if the grounds between the two ears were connected together, but not connected to the ground lead on the cable, then you would get a weird sort of difference signal in both ears. I suspect that you have either a broken connection in one of your cables, or maybe a connector that's not making good contact somewhere. Thanks again, Keith. I always appreciate your detailed explanations because they help me better understand these phenomena! Now here's the really strange part (and a snippet of what I just sent to V-Moda's support): When I use the cable that has the additional female connector (which I believe is the SharePlay audio cable), I strongly dislike the sound separation between the left and right channels (so much so, that I can't really even use the headphones). However, that separation is far less defined when I use the other cable which has the single button (I believe that is the SpeakEasy Mic cable). The sound quality is much more pleasing to my ear there, and I think that it is due to the more aggressive blending of the left and right channels. However, when using that SpeakEasy Mic cable, I only get sound out of the left channel unless I hold down the single button. When I hold down the button, I then get sound out of both the left and right channels. Has anyone else experienced this strangeness with the M-100s? If so, any ideas? Thanks again.
|
|
|
Post by qdtjni on Jan 16, 2017 19:10:41 GMT -5
On a separate note, I'm working on a write-up about getting the Big Ego working as best as it can under Linux. Lots of troubleshooting information and such that I hope certain people will find useful. I'll post a link once it is available. I've had no issues at all with Small Ego and Linux, just works perfect with different RPIs (Raspbian and OSMC), Sonic Orbiter and NUC (several different flavours. So even do Small and Big Ego are different, it's a bit surprising to me that you are working on a write-up. What problems did you have?
|
|
|
Post by nathanzachary on Jan 16, 2017 20:47:37 GMT -5
Wow, so I contacted V-Moda's support, and got a response that I never would have expected. Apparently, the cable direction is important. I have never come across that in a 3.5mm audio cable, but simply turning it around solved the strangeness. I'm wondering if it boils down to the angled end not making a full connection into the headphones, but it will into the DAC. Felt a little bit dumb, but at least I know there's nothing wrong with the headphones. As for the Big Ego under Linux, my write-up is more for the user/developer that wants to experiment with it. For a lot of Linux distributions, things "just work," but I work on distributions that do essentially nothing for you (e.g. Gentoo, LFS, et cetera). I'm focusing on things like evidence of UAC2 being supported within the kernel, kernel configuration, ALSA settings for various implementations, et cetera. Under many distributions, it should be plug-and-play, but I'm hoping that my documentation will help folks that want to delve a little more deeply into configuration.
|
|
hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
|
Post by hemster on Jan 16, 2017 22:54:40 GMT -5
Wow, so I contacted V-Moda's support, and got a response that I never would have expected. Apparently, the cable direction is important. I have never come across that in a 3.5mm audio cable, but simply turning it around solved the strangeness. I'm wondering if it boils down to the angled end not making a full connection into the headphones, but it will into the DAC. Felt a little bit dumb, but at least I know there's nothing wrong with the headphones. Sorry, I should've elaborated on the cable. It completely slipped my mind as I habitually use it correctly direction-wise. Glad it's sorted out for you.
|
|
|
Post by nathanzachary on Jan 16, 2017 23:11:36 GMT -5
Wow, so I contacted V-Moda's support, and got a response that I never would have expected. Apparently, the cable direction is important. I have never come across that in a 3.5mm audio cable, but simply turning it around solved the strangeness. I'm wondering if it boils down to the angled end not making a full connection into the headphones, but it will into the DAC. Felt a little bit dumb, but at least I know there's nothing wrong with the headphones. Sorry, I should've elaborated on the cable. It completely slipped my mind as I habitually use it correctly direction-wise. Glad it's sorted out for you. No need to apologise at all. Now that I know, everything seems to be good. They're very slightly bass-heavy for me, but other than that, they are excellent headphones! Thanks everyone. I will post my Big Ego information here once it is available online.
|
|
|
Post by nathanzachary on Feb 2, 2017 22:20:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by drtrey3 on Feb 2, 2017 22:42:33 GMT -5
I got a pair on good sale, and they were a little bass heavy for me too. So I traded them with my daughter for her Grados. Everybody happy.
Trey
|
|
|
Post by qdtjni on Feb 3, 2017 4:45:07 GMT -5
Very good write-up!
|
|
KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,937
|
Post by KeithL on Feb 3, 2017 9:30:45 GMT -5
Thanks for a really excellent writeup....
|
|
|
Post by nathanzachary on Feb 3, 2017 12:45:50 GMT -5
You're welcome, Keith. I'm glad that I can give back to two communities (the Linux world, and of course, Emotiva fans) that have helped me a lot over the years. Cheers, Zach
|
|