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| Wearing IEMs on planes; is it safe? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 17 Nov 2006, 12:32 PM (1,120 Views) | |
| basis | 17 Nov 2006, 12:32 PM Post #1 |
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yeh i got a rather dumb question - is it safe to wear IEMs on planes? or should i invest in the PXC-250 instead? if this is not the right place to post this question, mods please feel free to move the thread. thanks. |
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| zonalblitz | 17 Nov 2006, 12:38 PM Post #2 |
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Site Photographer
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I think no problem at all? I read that artists wear their IEMs onboard the plane too.
It just acts as a ear plug, isolate your ear pressure and noise from the cabin. |
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If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
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| basis | 17 Nov 2006, 12:58 PM Post #3 |
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hmm perhaps my fears are unfounded.... i was thinking that altitude changes might cause problems for those wearing IEMs, but then it struck me that altitude changes only occur during ascent and descent of the plane. /doh! |
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| flu_fighter | 17 Nov 2006, 01:38 PM Post #4 |
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TERROR.DEATH.WORSHIP!!!
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I wouldn't recommend noise-cancelling cans. If you know your music, you might be sorely disappointed by them. Somehow some details will be cancelled out by the noise-cancelling system. |
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Team DT 150 Team Big Mini Team Belden Team Portaphile Team Tekkeon Team "> One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig Team "SAY NO TO KITCHEN APPLIANCES" Klub Karma MySpace
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| yongchris | 17 Nov 2006, 02:22 PM Post #5 |
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put them on after you reach cruising altitude and taken them off before you start descending and you'll be fine. |
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Recipes at Secret Garlic Butter. Click me | |
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| scanfiend | 17 Nov 2006, 03:51 PM Post #6 |
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Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
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I've tried IEM's on my recent trip to Bangkok, and they worked a treat. I was surprised how loud the cabin noise and the hum of the engines when I removed the IEM
Here's a simple diver's trick to equalise the air pressure in your ears when you feel the popping. Just pinch your nostrils tight and attempt to blow your nose. Your ear pressure will equalise with the cabin pressure.What Flu said about active noise cancellation is true. Although they may work, SQ will suffer. Passive noise cancellation via IEMs worked a lot better. |
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Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG) Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB) | |
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| laser | 17 Nov 2006, 04:53 PM Post #7 |
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haha that technique of blowing nose is 'valsava', i learnt it while a medical test for diving |
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| basis | 17 Nov 2006, 05:22 PM Post #8 |
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ah thanks for the tips and advice. so im guessing the PXC-250s are active noise-cancellers... my knowledge of NC cans is pretty poor - which are the passive ones ? (any brand would suffice) i presume IEMs are considered 'passive' NC ? thread is going abit tangent, but i think any high-altitude traveller looking for NC cans may find this thread useful. |
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| aaron-xp | 17 Nov 2006, 05:28 PM Post #9 |
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Boy
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Passive noise canceling stuff include IEMs and close headphones (ie. Audio Technica A900, Ultrasone models, Beyerdynamic DT770). IEMs seem to isolate better though. I wonder what happens if you pair of triple flange sleeves on an IEM with earmuffs. |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
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| scanfiend | 17 Nov 2006, 06:44 PM Post #10 |
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Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
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Active noice cancellation headphones are all battery operated. They work by generating a sound wave that's the opposite of the noise in question, theorectically cancelling each other out. Most anectodal evidence state that they have mixed success. It may work with repetitive noise like air conditioning or engine hum, but not so good with dynamic noise i.e. like someone speaking loudly beside you for example. Passive noise cancellation works by blocking your ear canals and muffling ALL ambient noise, not only specific frequencies. Because of their shape, IEM's work much better at blocking external noise. |
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Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG) Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB) | |
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| Fongalv | 17 Nov 2006, 07:43 PM Post #11 |
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What member?
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also, avoid plugging the IEMs into the airplane seat "source" as the last thing you need is the pilot shouting straight into your brains... |
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Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
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| aaron-xp | 17 Nov 2006, 09:26 PM Post #12 |
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Boy
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^ It's scary enough to have it shouted from the stock headphones given. Seriously though, I think it'd be rather good, especially since the EP630 isolated a decent amount noise (not enough in my opinion though). |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
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| basis | 17 Nov 2006, 10:21 PM Post #13 |
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from Fongalv's message, we are cautioned against a direct plugin. erm... how do we avoid such a situation ? |
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| Fongalv | 17 Nov 2006, 11:15 PM Post #14 |
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What member?
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erm...if you have a pair of IEMs, shouldnt you have a portable source with you? |
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Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
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| basis | 17 Nov 2006, 11:47 PM Post #15 |
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not really. perhaps i do want the pilot's voice in my head at times for various safety reasons. ok so it is ok to plug the IEMs in directly - because i thought the warning was because of some impedance or voltage difference between the airplane's source and the IEMs... |
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| monkeygod | 18 Nov 2006, 12:43 AM Post #16 |
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Great Teacher Monkey
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well, one of the reasons i switched over to IEMs was the increased isolation which made long plane, train or bus journeys more pleasant. With my Ety 4Ps and foamies, i achieved about a 80% reduction of noise on a 747. Sensaphonics give about 95%, with the last 5% being the vibration of the vehicle being transmitted through the frame and your body
i have not really found it a problem wearing IEMs on planes - yes, the pressure change does cause some compression of the ear canal. But not really enough to cause discomfort unless, perhaps, you are using a hard plastic custom IEM (e.g. UE-10). I frequently use the Sensaphonics during take off and landing as ear plugs, even if I'm not allowed to turn my Ipod on - I just make sure to disconnect the earphones and make the dangling plug obvious to passerbys so I don't get hassled by the flight attendants. I have not used the Sensaphonics with in-flight systems, and I *would* be a little wary of that, since they are a little sensitive to drive. The Ety 4Ps though, with a 2 plug adaptor, worked just fine - although I had to dial the seat volume down to near the minimum for a normal listening volume. YMMV depending on what model of IEM you use ! As for Active Noise Cancelling - I have tried both the Bose and Sony headphones solutions, and was satisfied with neither (for plane journeys). While it did an adequate job of reducing external noise, I'd say the Sony managed about 70% and the Bose 75% - at the cost of some detail to the low end of the audio tracks I was listening to The technology still has a ways to go I feel ...
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RIG : Redwine Imod 4G Photo=>Moon Audio Silver Dragon Mini-to-Mini=>Portaphile v2^2 [Maxxed]+ =>Sensaphonics Pro 2X-S Optional Components : Ipod Nano 2G 8GB, Zen Stone Plus, Sony D-EJ2000, Apple Macbook Pro, E-MU 0404 USB, TTVJ Millet Hybrid Amp, Beyerdynamic DT150s, Ultrasone Proline 650s, Headsave Earcandy Mini-to-Mini, Analog Reference Snakes and Phoenixes, Sleek Audio SA-6, d-JAYS, V-MODA Vibes, Crossroads Mylar One, Sony EX-71s, Etymotic ER4P [Dying] Team Imod+Team Portaphile = Team BlackGate ![]() | |
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| implicit | 18 Nov 2006, 12:55 AM Post #17 |
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i was just wondering why would want to use a 2 plug adaptor and hear the plane source. wouldn't any portable rig would be better than that? |
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| scanfiend | 18 Nov 2006, 01:00 AM Post #18 |
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Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
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Well, some folks just prefer to use their own earphones for use on the inflight entertainment system, which is generally superior to the ones provided by the airline. Unfortunately, like Fong said, Pilot and other announcements are made at MAXIMUM volume, irregardless of whatever volume you had set. For IEM's that is a very bad thing
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Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG) Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB) | |
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| monkeygod | 18 Nov 2006, 03:37 AM Post #19 |
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Great Teacher Monkey
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well there are a number of reasons why i would use IEMs to listen to the In Flight system : 1. Portable Source ran out of juice 2. In Flight Entertainment has some new songs I want to demo, or old songs I haven't heard in a while. 3. Free Movies ! Lots of them ! And laziness to keep 'popping' my IEMs in and out of my ears, instead of just swopping sources. 4. you have a $$$ IEM available and you'd rather use the free 2 cents headphones ? please bear in mind that my flights are usually EXTENDED. a cheap flight back from the US can last up to 27 hrs (BOS-JFK-YVR-ANC-HKG-SIN), so I tend to take advantage of whatever entertainment I can
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RIG : Redwine Imod 4G Photo=>Moon Audio Silver Dragon Mini-to-Mini=>Portaphile v2^2 [Maxxed]+ =>Sensaphonics Pro 2X-S Optional Components : Ipod Nano 2G 8GB, Zen Stone Plus, Sony D-EJ2000, Apple Macbook Pro, E-MU 0404 USB, TTVJ Millet Hybrid Amp, Beyerdynamic DT150s, Ultrasone Proline 650s, Headsave Earcandy Mini-to-Mini, Analog Reference Snakes and Phoenixes, Sleek Audio SA-6, d-JAYS, V-MODA Vibes, Crossroads Mylar One, Sony EX-71s, Etymotic ER4P [Dying] Team Imod+Team Portaphile = Team BlackGate ![]() | |
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| Tbln | 18 Nov 2006, 07:32 AM Post #20 |
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I would suggest using an attentuator (like Shure's) which will allow you to listen safely through the planes entertainment system. With sensitive IEMs like the UM2, this will prevent your eardrums from being blown up by ongoing announcements. I enjoy watching movies on the plane with UM2s with customs. The isolation allows me to listen at much lower levels and the higher fidelity compared to the the cheap headphones supplied help make the journeys more bearable. Never had problems with cabin pressures but I guess those that are sensitive could put on the IEMs when the plane has reached cruising altitudes (seatbelt signs off) and take them off once the seatbelt signs come on for landing. UM2 w customs + plane adaptor + Shure attenuator =
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| Enjoy the music! | |
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| basis | 18 Nov 2006, 11:16 AM Post #21 |
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Tbln - thanks for the attenuator advice. indeed i wouldn't want to blow my ears when announcements are made. hmm... do the local stores stock such accessories? (i guess they do, im just unsure <- noob) scanfiend & monkeygod summed up my reasons very well for plugging in the IEMs to the plane's entertainment system. i know its sacrilege. OT - monkeygod - if you are leaving from the East Coast, shouldn't you be flying from the east side? i thought it was BOS>NYC>AMSTD>SG or some such? (i forgot the stopovers between NYC and SG - i usually exit from the West)
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| Fongalv | 18 Nov 2006, 04:26 PM Post #22 |
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What member?
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basis: my point was that made by scanfiend...the announcements are made at very loud volumes regardless of volume set, thus the "shouting into brains" effect. Of course you can use an external attenuater to turn down the volume once you "think" the pilot is going to make an announcement, but personally, I think thats going to keep you on the edge at all times during your entire flight, anticipating the announcement and turning the volume down accordingly... of course its good to be alert during the whole flight, but I remember the change in air pressure or something makes the body "sleepy" and thus its going to be sooner or later that you miss something and before you know it, blowing your brains off(ouch). IMO, its better to be safe than sorry, and in this case, I would choose to protect my ears and use my own source, and use their cheap headphones when I need the movies/music since IIRC their source isnt that fantastic either when plugged with $$$ IEMs... to each his own of course... |
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Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
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| monkeygod | 18 Nov 2006, 05:59 PM Post #23 |
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Great Teacher Monkey
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argh - browser at the first copy of this ... Yes, there is the risk of the 'shouting into your skull' effect. But this really depends on what airline/model of plane you are flying on, as many carriers do not automatically broadcast their announcements at full volume (SQ sadly does). Even so, a quick tug on the plug to remove my IEMs from the source usually solves this problem IMHO, even if the source is average=>crappy, the sound improvement by substituting IEMs for the stock airline headphones is VERY noticeable Basis : yes, the most common routing from East Coast US (especially with SQ) is via Europe, either Frankfurt or Amsterdam. But I did specify that mine was a *cheap* flight
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RIG : Redwine Imod 4G Photo=>Moon Audio Silver Dragon Mini-to-Mini=>Portaphile v2^2 [Maxxed]+ =>Sensaphonics Pro 2X-S Optional Components : Ipod Nano 2G 8GB, Zen Stone Plus, Sony D-EJ2000, Apple Macbook Pro, E-MU 0404 USB, TTVJ Millet Hybrid Amp, Beyerdynamic DT150s, Ultrasone Proline 650s, Headsave Earcandy Mini-to-Mini, Analog Reference Snakes and Phoenixes, Sleek Audio SA-6, d-JAYS, V-MODA Vibes, Crossroads Mylar One, Sony EX-71s, Etymotic ER4P [Dying] Team Imod+Team Portaphile = Team BlackGate ![]() | |
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| Fongalv | 18 Nov 2006, 07:38 PM Post #24 |
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What member?
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ok point taken monkeygod... IMO disconnecting the plug from the source is the more fullproof(and cosst effective) method than getting an attenuater...
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Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
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| Tbln | 19 Nov 2006, 09:29 AM Post #25 |
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I have been taking mostly SQ flights on a regular basis and unless you have your volume turned way up, the announcements are not as loud and ear splitting as they have been made out to be in this thread. If you use an attenuator, it would be a simple matter of turning the volume control, on the attentuator, down shoulfd the going get too loud. Without an attenuator, the volume is way too loud for sensitive IEMs, forcing you to use only the bottom end of the volume control. Just my own experiences, of course:D |
| Enjoy the music! | |
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The technology still has a ways to go I feel ...

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