I was also thinking the volume issue that was mentioned on the 5K could be the gain is set to low.
I was pretty sure I remember reading it has a high and low setting that changes between 1 VRMS and 2 VMRS. On that low gain it could be much quieter than the BTR3K. I own the BTR5 and it has a high and low as well, and it was a big jump in output volume.
Are you maxing out your volume on your phone then using Qudelix-5k to control volume? Itās generally advised to do this but I forgot the reasoning - something to do with minimising info loss
That is how the BTR5 works too, and I had to check the settings for each source that I connected.
I know that most people will say turn the source up and adjust volume on the DAC. I see the logic in that, but I tend to do it the opposite way. Being able to have two sources at the same time was why I bought the BTR5 in the first place. I set the BTR5 around 50 ( 60 is the max ), and then turned both my laptop and phone to where they needed to be, that way I could adjust each independently. It also gave me control of my music volume on my desk/keyboard.
I did this journey all backwards. My first amplifier was bought so I could hook my phone and computer to the same headphones. I had a BTR5 and a pair of KZ ZS10 Pro for work, and realized my SHP9500 sounded better in the BTR5. Next thing I know, I am watching YT videos, then I end up here reading about better IEMs and learning about why I like or dislike different headphones and IEMs.
Initially I wanted to describe why it is better to keep BT source volume at max, but then found this interesting piece on quora why it may not be the best idea at least in Android OS. Quite perspective changing, especially since even in the Q5k app it is written, that maxing the source volume is desirableā¦
My current phone ( Samsung S20 ) even shows the volume in a different color when it thinks it might have to clip, it goes from black to a weird orange color.
Iāve always heard a difference in my cars Bluetooth audio when maxing out the source (my phone). When the volume is down on my phone, the low end becomes noticeably lighter. But with my 3K Iāve never noticed a difference honestly.
With the 5K, I donāt believe volume matters between source and device. I read somewhere in the companion app that the 5K uses volume matching or something like that, making the volume always high on the source not necessary.
I thought to try some Final E tips on the Oriveti OH300s, to tame the occasional sibilance on vocal syllables. I already love the tuning on these, the sibilance on occasion was the only issue for me. Well 15 minutes later, still no sibilance. Iād only really been trying wide bore tips.\
These are very high recs from me, even for hybrids. Easily in my top 10 for musical enjoyment, it might be tricky getting more specific after thatā¦ could quite likely be in the top 6 somewhere though.
Great summary post on ways to (reversibly) mod your IEM:
@paulwasabii you probably know all the tricks of the trade but tagging you just in case
I might try the 80% coverage of metal nozzle mesh on my S12 instead of front vent tape to tame the treble peaks