Massdrop x nuforce EDC3

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Feb 13, 2018.

  1. Aklegal

    Aklegal Friend

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    I Left my friggin EDC3s in the damn rental car.

    I thought about trying a pair of HEM6 or HEM8s but why mess with happiness. Another $100 to massdrop
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2019
  2. julian67

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    I received my EDC3s today. Out of the box, connected to my smart phone, the right side driver did not work: not even a squeak or a click. I tried the other cable, same thing. I swapped cables again, this time trying a cheap third party generic cable from aliexpress. No change. I then went back to the original cable and connected it to my desktop PC and ran speaker-test (part of alsa sound system for for linux based systems) and cranked up the volume. Success! The right earpiece came to life. However, there is obviously a problem with high resistance in a solder, or maybe just a poor quality component. It cuts out occasionally and I have to wiggle the cable or disconnect and reconnect. Anyway I contacted the entity formerly known as Massdrop and they immediately offered to send a replacement product and to mark the package as a warranty replacement with no transaction value so I don't face handling and sales tax again when it arrives in UK. So I'm impressed with (mass)Drop's customer service but not so much with Nuforce manufacturing. I first ordered the EDC3s shortly after they were announced but cancelled after seeing way too many complaints about failures and problems. 18 months or a couple of years later and I had assumed these manufacturing issues would be fixed but no.

    Anyway I have been able to use the EDC3s for a few hours and feel a bit underwhelmed. It's like someone took the already neutral dual BA Shure SE425 and carefully removed any remaining ability to entertain or impress. The Nuforce are only about 40% of the price of the Shures but it remains a mystery to me how they can use more drivers but achieve less in the same form factor. I don't think "neutral" really does it justice. The SE425s are genuinely neutral (see the measurements at innerfidelity) but offer a neutrality that is natural enough that it does not preclude pleasure or the sense that one is listening to human beings creating and enjoying. For the EDC3s I'll go with "neutered". They are so unengaging and oddly artificial sounding as to be absolutely ideal for background/ambient/elevator muzak but I'm unsure who looks for this in an IEM. I guess I'll keep the replacements, not sure. If I can make the money back on ebay I might just do that.

    I really like the little hard shell carry case.
     
  3. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    my pair also arrived with some problems on the right earphone having distorted bass. Customer service from massdrop impressed, me, they sent right away a replacement. been using my edc3 daily and no issue. I think they sound better after about 50 hours of break in
     
  4. julian67

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    Cue discussion on the possibility of break-in in balanced armature drivers. ...
    Seriously, it's not possible. That is not opinion, it's just that there is no diaphragm or other similar part that might change. Essentially your perception of "break-in" is in fact a perfectly credible description of the experience of becoming accustomed to the new sound.
     
  5. julian67

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    I received my warranty replacement EDC3s today. They work! I can also now tell that, as well as a poor connection, the old ones, when the cable did connect OK, had other problems. The new ones sound very different indeed, much more in line with the numerous comments made by others in praising them. I still think that a flat bass response is a mistake in an IEM as you need something to replace that bass feel that comes with moving air. It's odd, for example, to listen to a church or cathedral organ and hear the tones but not get even a slight hint of the sense of an instrument that can make your entire body resonate. In contrast, the rendering of voices and strings and the separation of different instruments is really impressive.

    I do like these IEMs and could live with them as a daily driver, but doubt I'll ever think bass from a BA sounds natural, regardless of quantity.

    In contrast to my defective originals, this warranty pair has cable connections that are tight. The right side is snug and just right. The left side requires considerable effort and determination to remove the cable, and re-inserting is kind of terrifyingly difficult and feels like it risks damaging the pins.

    Anyway, Massdrop's customer service has been first class in all respects. This is my third purchase of their own Massdrop branded audio gear, and I plan to buy their take on the Sennheiser 6*0 in the future. But I would probably not buy another Nuforce product.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2019
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Just got these :)

    wondering if you all are using the silicone tips or foam tips for all these impressions?
     
  7. s4tch

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    congrats! i prefer the silicones, it keeps the vividness and articulation at a very high level. with foams, i experienced some muddiness, and for the music i listen to usually, the tonal balance with the silicones is more fitting. of course ymmv
     
  8. daytripper

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    I never posted impressions, but I’m using Comply P-series cause I need the isolation for on stage vocal monitoring. I switch back and forth between different IEMs that are all more expensive than the EDC3, but always seems to to come back to it. Great for vocals and most comfortable IEM I own.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Anyone else find even the largest silicone tips to be too small? Such a bummer. Hopefully my friend can find me some bigger ones that fit the edc3.

    I must have huge ear holes.
     
  10. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^Comply makes tips that fit the narrow stems, I am checking on their largest size...

    It is not necessarily ear canal size- but different geometries and nozzles of IEMs can force the shells to be further out and you get shallower + wider fit. That's a trick I use when the shell doesn't allow flush fit for me- I use bigger tips.
     
  11. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    NuForce EDC3 is listed on the Comply Website. :D
    Comply EDC3.png
    Screen Shot 2020-05-21 at 9.16.51 PM.png
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Got the Comply Tips. I can’t compare to silicone tips because they don’t fit me.

    but my first impressions of the “audiophile/comfort” comply tips is very positive. I don’t hear the plastic tonality anymore and they sound more balanced. Bass is awesome. Totally neutral but when called for ITS THERE and controlled. They still have a little love bump in the upper midrange along with a little resonance that ruins them for me. But I’m guessing it’s better than any of the stock tips and I’m also guessing no one else will hear it. Or you’ll like it if you do. I feel good recommending them. But just the “comfort/audiophile” ones. Don’t bother with the others. The isolation tips took care of the upper midrange but made them too dull sounding.

    good find CEE TEE
     

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