Interesting as that graph contradicts my partially quoted statement. The article doesn’t mention the andromeda by name, but calls it “A popular and fairly expensive IEM is officially listed by the manufacturer as 12.8Ohm @ 1kHz impedance and 112.8dB @ 1mW (normalised 132dB/1V).” and hinting at the price as “Using iEMatch (which retails for less than 5% of the cost of the IEM in question)”.
From what I can tell there is no other IEM that matches the specification, so either there is another IEM, the article lies or the graph lies. But also note that there are like 4? different Versions of the Andromeda, so that may be another explanation.
I would have loved for a simple explanation as well, but to me it seems there is a lot of confusing, contradicting and plainly wrong info on these kind of things out there. I am far from being knowledgable about this topic as well (which is why I quote that complicated stuff instead of offering a potentially wrong interpretation), but did enough research to at least build my very own hypothesis to explain my experience of a poor sound with the Mest with different sources. On one hand there is (very complicated) physics/electrical engineering, but then on the other hand it is not obvious at all how those graphs, numbers and measurements translate to a subjective experience. Futhermore… gathering experimental, subjective results and performing objective measurements can be both very time and money intensive
As you say, it might not tbe the regular Andromeda. But it can be, because impedance specified on all transducers, are not set in stone like that. The impedance values you see is basically the closest value to a few specific standard values (like 16, 32,64, 150, 300, 600 ohm…). So say if something is specified at 16ohm@1khz, it might actually be 15,5ohm, or 16,5ohm…
Man oh man, thank you. I’ll have to digest this a bit, going to read it over a few times. I definitely need the “explain it like I’m 5” treatment lol thanks again for the explanation, my man.
Olina put most stuff on the market to shame with my library and preferences. There’s a reason it’s the only iem I still pair with the more expensive ones.
With double stock dampeners, as I said many times before, could easily be my endgame IEM and just walk away.
If I needed high volumes cash fast, Id sell everything and keep a good source and Olina or Tea2. Prolly Olina because price.
I’ve been through 35 IEMs on my short new found journey of nearing seven months. From the U12T and Mest MK2 to budgets like the BLON-03. Never heard of Mangird/Xenns until most recently. Thanks to @hawaiibadboy I jumped on the Up. It was an instant love and I wanted more. Then I jumped on the Tea 2 after stumbling into @nymz thread. Well here I am today introducing the original Tea to the family and it was an instant connection. Never would have expected these to be my trifecta at this point and the most pleasing to my preferences. Along with the Penon Serial and Audio Hekili. Wish I would have found them earlier. Either way my journey is not done but, I do think I can slow down with purchases because of my current satisfaction.
I haven’t listened to the Tea against anything other than the Tea 2 and Up. Will try to get a listen in against the Serial within the next couple of days.
Awesome. I am glad you liked the OG Tea by the way! Awesome trifecta you’ve got so far.
Surprised the U12T didn’t do it for you. I was always very close to pulling the trigger but never did due to the price.
U12T was almost there for me but, those diminishing returns are steep. I don’t think there’s a single IEM at that price or above that would ever sit right with me. Even the Mest MK2 never felt worth it for the price. Especially when something like the Teas or Up are so great for me.
I’ve found the range of near perfection to be the $300-$400. It’s where I’m most happy and don’t thing about the diminishing returns. With some hitting above that range like the Up. Which for me isn’t even as technical in sound as the others it’s signature just brings me to bliss when I hear it. And I get it, that’s probably what the higher range does for others, it just didn’t for me.
So I got my 2.5 cable and interestingly enough there was no difference between the SE and BAL inputs that I could tell. I’m wondering if the BTR3K SE power bottle necked the Olina like you said but the BAL of the BTR3K is about the same power as the SE of the 5K so both outputs of the 5K give more than enough power for the Olina
could be this … or the fact that you need to pay more attention…! I was watching a show and realized sound effects were happening outside of my head and it was a new feeling so I changed back to SE and noticed it was closer to my head. I wouldn’t say it was a night & day difference but it was enough for me to notice.
btw how’s the cable? do you like it?
Love it! I regret not getting it with a right angle connector though because it makes the Q5K almost impossible to wear on my shirt collar. I have a right angle adapter to SE coming so I can A/B both inputs more closely today however I will say the difference between the BTR3K and the Q5K was much more noticeable then the input differences (if I end up noticing a difference)
I just snagged a pair of OG Tea on Drop last since they are $260 currently ( down from $299 ), compared to the Tea MKII at $350. I had always been curious, I am pretty impressed with them. I am still in the first impressions phase on them, but I am very happy with the purchase.
I’m super happy with the OG Tea which I just received on Friday. I know we all have our preferences but, the OG Tea is easily my favorite IEM to date. After a weekend with them they’re definitely sitting on the throne. With the Up sitting right next to it. Trying to work on comparison between the OG and the Tea 2 without getting overly complex
Looks like you and @John_W_Clark have received your sets at around the same time. With both of you guys enjoying them so much, makes me want them EVEN more.
