Wireless is a thing now. Who knew? LDAC, Sony MUC-M2BT, and Campfire Andromeda IEM

To provide another point of view, I actually find the truly wireless earphones less liberating. Ive had jaybirds for years and my partner has the apple wireless things and I find them too easy to misplace / mispocket and always end up holding them awkwardly when I need them out for more than 5 seconds. This happens a lot as i'm running around the city. With a simple wire you get a single point of charge but more importantly (to me) they are far harder to lose and you can drop one or both earpieces around your neck as need be.

I actually like the look of the MUC because it provides an easy hanging place, I find 90% of the convenience of wireless comes from not having the annoying wire to your phone getting constantly tangled as you make calls, change clothes, put on/off layers and dive through your backpack / pockets.

 

Yeah, I have (hopefully only) misplaced my rockets for last few weeks, and got the X3 to try out for gym and yard work purposes while I mourn the misplacement of my rockets, and they perform pretty well, all things considered. The weakest link I can identify is actually the driver, not the bluetooth protocol. I am tempted to audition the UE/Jaybird thing as a result. Not saying the arndomeda will become my gym headphones, but the thought is interesting.

 

Are there more than one version of this receiver? This one found on japanese amazon description says it's for Sony XBA series only.

 

MUC-M2BT1 has MMCX connectors. It works with any IEM that has MMCX connectors.

You have to make sure your source supports LDAC.

 

My main source is Sony NW-WM1A, but it will work with any BT source but without advantage of LDAC, am I right?

 

It works with my iPhone without LDAC and with my mac. That's not the same as "any BT source" but still a useful data point.

 

It'll work with anything that outputs BT audio. Sound quality will depend on supported codecs. Significant difference between my Sony DAPs (LDAC) and Galaxy A8 (standard BT). I should try my Note 3 which supports aptX.

Supports LDAC (TM) in addition to SBC, AAC, and aptX
http://www.sony.jp/headphone/products/MUC-M2BT1/feature_1.html#L1_20

 

There's also a new JVC SU-ARX01BT BT necklace coming out that was in an IEM news bulletin @deafdoorknob posted. No LDAC unsurprisingly, but aptX and K2 Technology upsampling are supported. It's a little over USD200 on amazon.co.jp

Note that it looks like the cables aren't long enough to wear over-ear like the MUC's.

 

Plussound also have a Bluetooth "custom" cable available. No LDAC but I'm on IOS so thats fine. Intriguing as it can be configured with 2-pin which suits me more than MMCX and will work with the Massdrop IEM. May buy one for testing.

http://www.plussoundaudio.com/customcables/bluetooth.html

 

Why do I feel like Massdrop might release something of this ilk.

 

They must think very highly of its amping capabilities to offer LCD and HD800 termination options.

 

They're claiming over 10 hours of battery life, which I imagine means the control module is pretty hefty and might lead to it feeling imbalanced on the neck. Would be interested to read your thoughts if you do end up trying it though.

I think we're still at least a year out from not having to choose between form factor and battery life. 7 hours is enough for everyday use, but I'd feel better with 12 to account for some battery degradation over time. It's what's keeping me from dropping $200 to import the MUC-M2BT1 even though I recently got a Pixel 2 and hate using the dongle. I settled with the MDR-EX750BT - it's last year's model so it's cheap enough now on Amazon that I don't feel bad replacing it in a year or two when it inevitably starts dying after 3 hours.

 

@gixxerwimp I also LOL'd at those pictures. Next they'll be showing an HE-6. I had the same thoughts about the dongle but it doesn't look that big. Im unsure at the moment.

 

They're on massdrop for a bit of a discount. Shipping out Dec 19, 2017. Any Andro owner want to be a guinea pig? . Though I expect the Sony one to sound better due to the LDAC, but the plussound seems to be way better built.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/plus-sound-bluetooth-cables

 

I'm probably going to give 'em a shot. They do aptx right?

 

I saw these a few days ago and I'm probably going to purchase a set. It looks like they are running a 20% off sale for black Friday so no difference with massdrop or not.

I also have the ue jaybird cable for my mee audio p1. I have no clue why aptx isn' included however it's good for convenience and connection is solid.

 

is it just me or is the cable side with the controls really short for iem? If i wear the iem over ear on that side the control would be positioned close to behind ear?

 

I’m pretty sure the jaybird / UE one supports AAC as well. I have the jaybirds for running and while the sound isn’t good (probably a driver issue) they are tough as nails. Maybe a good option?