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3rd day impressions of AL iM716; Misadventures of IEM dating....
Topic Started: 9 Dec 2006, 11:05 PM (984 Views)
scottiebabie
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Finally picked up my AL iM716 thurs nite. Boy, was I amped with anticipation as the iems took over 2mths to arrive since the order (don’t ask why..Malaysia Boleh!). I’m just happy its in my hands.

So 1st thing I did when I got home was tear up the pkg (well, not quite but close enuff) to try out the darn thing. Comes hooked up with the triflange tips and the foamies as spares. Stuck the triflange in me ears and guess what…I gave a large yelp!! Boy O boy, it hurts. For me atleast, the triflange kills my ears esp. the left ear orifice. I did do a quick prelim sound impression though. Clear…detailed….tight bottom…low sound volume even maxed out on the ipod 5g video!. And then I turned on the Bass Mode and found abit more vol and heavier but muddier bass.

Left the ipod driving iM716 and went to bed. Next day I got home and gave the AL’s some needed attention. I ended the session with 2 undying conclusions. A. the triflange tips hurts…bigtime! B. unamped ipod (or any DAP for that matter IMO) isn’t the format for the iM716’s. I don’t quite know the exact specs but either the impedance is wayyy high or the iM716’s are seriously inefficient. Or maybe it’s C – all of the above. Hmmm……….feels like I’m up shitscreek without a paddle as I got these iems for the portable ‘pod. And I really don’t wanna lug an amp if I don’t have to. What to do…what to do???

Wait a minute, I remember reading in headfi about a podectomy mod and so I spent sometime doing some research at the headfi resource. And went to bed later with 2 conclusions. 1stly , I’d have to don the surgery garb and do some neutering to the triflange tips. 2ndly , I’m going have to do a podectomy (well…not clutzy me exactly but my frenly neighborhood elec repair depot whom I so happen to be on good terms with). And so ended my 2nd day with the iM716’s.

Woke up this (sat) morning and after some heavy breathing exercises (for courage), took out the trusty kitchen knife, chopping board and ever so carefully & gently sliced away the small end tip. Thus ended the story of how the iM716 triflange tips became biflange tipless! Now for the pivotal moment, the fit. I put it on and…what daya know…its feels good! Atleast much better than the triflange and most importantly, no more hurtin! Next I took a trip to my buddy’s elec repair store and luckily they have spare resistors I can use once the “pod” is removed. I tried both the 33ohm and 47ohm resistors bringing up total fon impedance to 37ohm and 52ohm respectively (as the iM716 are 5ohm podless). During the brief auditioning with both sets of resistors, I ended up picking the 33ohm resistors, primarily because the 47ohm’s much harder to drive with the ipod though sounding slightly brighter but with less bottom end.

Finally got home a few hrs ago and found sometime to give it a more serious audition. Unamped, off the the ipod with 256kbps AAC tunes…the iM716 sounded…WoW! Song after song, the iM716 reminds me of my Senn HD600. detailed at the top, good instrument separation, smooth tuneful mids (if ever so slightly recessed?) with impactful kickass bass. Its not as quick as the W5k but quick enough to work for basically all genres of music that I listen to (no classical or C&W thankyou) ranging from Limpbizkit to Beastie Boys to Brian Mcknight to All American Rejects to Kelly Clarkson to Police to Gypsy Kings to Andrea Bocelli to…well I’m sure u get where I’m going. In almost all respects, IMO the iM716s sounded like a mini HD600, even inheriting the latter’s warm nature (atleast with the 33ohm resistors I’m using - different resistor settings will change the “warmth” to “analytical”) and best of all, I’m getting all the volume I need at 70%-90% (trust ol deaf me, I listen loud!) ampless. Balance, tonality, soundstage (as much as can be expected for an IEM), details and bass whilst remaining non sibilant and totally musical – its all there!

If pushed for an answer, I do believe the podless iM716 pawns the KSC 75 and almost all the cans I’ve heard excepting the ATH W5k and HD600. For now, I believe I’ve found the IEM to begin a longterm love affair with. Will be glad to update u guys as the relationship unfolds, afterall today is only my 3rd date with the “tipless” & "podless" iM716.

'nuff said. Have a nice day…

Ps: for a detailed podectomy mod description, just do a search at headfi.org :etys:
In music the passions enjoy themselves.- NIETZSCHE

"If you are sissy girl you can't adapt when something dangerous happens. But if you are extreme it's like another day at the office. In the long-term it's safer to live extreme than live like sissy girl.
If you are extreme and start relaxing, that's when the problems start. If you are a skydiver you eventually forget to bring your parachute" - PATRICK82
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scanfiend
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Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
Nice fun writeup Scottie! It looks like the IM716 don't get too much lovin' around these parts. Only Theory87 seems to like them :)

I have a pair too, and I thought they sounded allright. Just a bit bass shy. Nothing that some interconnect trial & error to put some body in the low end. "HD mode" is pretty much useless for me, as it just muddies up the sound in my setup. I pretty much leave it on "Bass mode".

And yeah, don't even bother hooking up the IM716 to your DAP without using an amp. I think Theory87's review stated that the impedance goes up to 60 ohms (I think). Most DAP's would have trouble driving it from headphone out without really cranking up the volume. Does not do much for battery life though :P
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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theory_87
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I Need More Money To Spend
i heard my name. im716 can be driven out of my rockbox nano with precut -10 loud enough for me...but on my iriver and iaudio, they can't drive it...
Source: Sansa Clip x 2 | iAudio U2 | Rio Karma | iPod Nano 4GB Gen 1 x 2 | iMod 60GB iPod Photo | iPod Gen 5.5 x 2 | iRiver H140 | HP Pavilion dv6121TX
Amp: Xin SuperMicro IV | theory_87's DPA1 | iBasso D10 Modded | iBasso fi.Quest | Onkyo TX-SV919THX | Yaqin CD1 Tube Buffer w Mullard E88CC | AMB CK²III
Heaphone/IEM/Speaker: CrossRoad MylarOne X3 | SoundMagic PL30 | Modded Altec Lasing im716 | Fischer Audio Eterna w modified UM56 | Custom Ultimate Ears® super.fi 5 Extended Bass™ | Custom Ultimate Ears® #4/1000 triple.fi 10 Pro™ + mid driver| ACS T1 | JBL PS100 & Yamaha VS10M
Others: xxx red series 3.5mm & RCA IC | DIY HGA 3.5mm IC | DIY Jena Cryo 3.5mm IC | DIY ALO SXC 3.5mm IC | Custom Optical IC | Ridox contact protector/enhancer | DeoxIT ProGOLD | Mapleshade SilClear
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scottiebabie
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guys, all i gatta say is DO THE POD MOD! the upgrade in sq is serious :thumbup: . IIRC even though the impedance is basically the same in bass mode and 33ohm resistors podless, the jump in sq and volume is mind blowing.

i can now listen to my kinda vol ampless with both video 5 and shuffle! and the sound... :xmas: the circuitry in the pod muffles the sq quite significantly and removing it has the similiar effect akin to recabling the HD600. everything opened up and i havnt heard 1 ounce of distortion yet.

i just did a brief listen with the included foamies. to me, its a lighter, brighter, airier presentation. a nice soundeffects change whenever and wherever needed. oso did a brief listen amped by the zhaolu D2 upgraded headamp and PPAv2 - a definate sq upgrade. bass tightened up significantly with extended highs and similiar improvements in overall dynamics.

IMO as is now (with 33ohm resistors and biflanged) the iM716 really sounds like a mini HD600 and i meant that as a compliment as i like the warm yet detailed sound.

i have no doubt that IEMs like the UM10 betters it but the iM716 oso costs 15X less :bash: i cant realy comment that much as i havnt had the pleasure of listening to any of the better IEMs out there but my CX300 has become a lump of crap since the arrive of Ms iM716. only thing left to fix in the comfort part. the biflange while decent, still isnt a perfect cuppa tea for me. ideas anyone???
In music the passions enjoy themselves.- NIETZSCHE

"If you are sissy girl you can't adapt when something dangerous happens. But if you are extreme it's like another day at the office. In the long-term it's safer to live extreme than live like sissy girl.
If you are extreme and start relaxing, that's when the problems start. If you are a skydiver you eventually forget to bring your parachute" - PATRICK82
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Fongalv
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What member?
scottiebabie
Dec 11 2006, 12:54 AM
snipped...

i have no doubt that IEMs like the UM10 betters it but the iM716 oso costs 15X less

...snipped

UE10 ;) ...

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
Bushguy @ Head-fi
 

Fongalv can have my firstborn in trade for his pair(of Darths)...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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yeah_guyz
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haha
i still waiting for mine :lol:


topgun :bash: :bash: =)

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scottiebabie
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Fongalv
Dec 11 2006, 01:11 AM
scottiebabie
Dec 11 2006, 12:54 AM
snipped...

i have no doubt that IEMs like the UM10 betters it but the iM716 oso costs 15X less

...snipped

UE10 ;) ...

:oops: my bad...! gues it shows what a noob i am :doh:

ps:O yeah_guyz, hope u get ur iM716's soon. i'd suggest calling tops non stop till he caves in a brings the cans to u :etys:
In music the passions enjoy themselves.- NIETZSCHE

"If you are sissy girl you can't adapt when something dangerous happens. But if you are extreme it's like another day at the office. In the long-term it's safer to live extreme than live like sissy girl.
If you are extreme and start relaxing, that's when the problems start. If you are a skydiver you eventually forget to bring your parachute" - PATRICK82
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walabies
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LOL, I din know you guys are here. I wish that someone could do the podless mod for me :spam:
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dle4e_2005
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Ask those DIYiers here to help you with the Podless mod.
Posted Image
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Fongalv
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What member?
Please do note that once you have done this so called "podless mod", you are essentially voiding any sort of warranty(even if it means sending it back to Amazon USA), and removing all sorts of value there is to it, ie. there will be NO resale or trade value.

Only do so at your own discretion and not because others have said "DO IT! DO IT!". It is one of the more drastic irreversible mods(more like mutilation actually) that I have come across.

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
Bushguy @ Head-fi
 

Fongalv can have my firstborn in trade for his pair(of Darths)...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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dle4e_2005
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You can try out how im716 sounds like with this podless mod at Jaben.
I perfer using HD mode with amp and podless without amp.
Posted Image
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scottiebabie
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Fongalv
Today, 02:22 AM
Please do note that once you have done this so called "podless mod", you are essentially voiding any sort of warranty(even if it means sending it back to Amazon USA), and removing all sorts of value there is to it, ie. there will be NO resale or trade value.

Only do so at your own discretion and not because others have said "DO IT! DO IT!". It is one of the more drastic irreversible mods(more like mutilation actually) that I have come across.

yup agreed!. i did the mod coz i was looking for a portable IEM as a keeper and defnatly NOT to resell. to all others thinking of this mod - CAVEAT EMPTOR (buyer beware)!

and yes, i too like the im716 amped much better than juz off the ipod headout. however i found that unmodded, the 716s needed as much if not more amplification than my HD600 (for my listening levels ofcoz) :shock: !!

as i do not have a decent portable amp (and would rather not lug 1 around if possible), doing a podectomy waz and is the best solution for me - and i stress FOR ME n IMO only. lynch mob plz seize and desist from hunting me down if any1 screwsup and/or dont like the changes of the podectomy :peace: hehe!

ps:IMO the modded 716 sounds good juz off the ipod but it sounds GREAT amped (both with PPAv2 and Zhaolu D2 discrete headamp) - bigger and better allround :band:

added on: btw, depending on how u dismantle the pod (and if ur careful not to cutaway/destroy the pod internals..etc..), its not only possibe but quite easy to reassemble the pod to make it stock :peace:
In music the passions enjoy themselves.- NIETZSCHE

"If you are sissy girl you can't adapt when something dangerous happens. But if you are extreme it's like another day at the office. In the long-term it's safer to live extreme than live like sissy girl.
If you are extreme and start relaxing, that's when the problems start. If you are a skydiver you eventually forget to bring your parachute" - PATRICK82
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walabies
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:thread_is_useless_w/o_pic:
Haha, anyhow, I will try the podless at Jaben soon.
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