I currently own an Element M, which I use with headphones and IEMs (using a 6.35mm to 4.4mm adapter)
It is really important to me to be able to use headphones and IEMs with my Matrix!
When using my IEM's (which are 11ohms impedance and 106db efficiency), I can hear the Element M's noise floor, but the noise level is acceptable.
I'm thinking about upgrading to the Element M2 or X2, but I'm worried that they might be too noisy with IEM's. Can anyone tell me if they have tested IEM's with their M2 or X2?
I've seen @Wei Cao of Matrix Audio's comments in other threads saying:
The built-in headphone amplifiers of mini-i 3 series and element 2nd gen models have high output power, when headphones at low impedance and high sensitivity work with Matrix devices mentioned above, especially IEMs, you may hear obvious noises from the headphones.
In this case, it's recommended to add an impedance adapter to the headphones.
According the manuals, the headphone output specs are as follows:
Element M 6.35mm Output: SNR 111db, THD+N < 0.0006% (-104db), Output Impedance < 0.6ohms, Output Power 1320mW @33ohms and 248mW @300ohms, Gain +12dB
Element X 4-pin XLR Output: SNR 117db, THD+N < 0.0005%, Output impedance < 1.5 oms, Output Power: 1700mW @33ohms, 1180mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
Element M2 4.4mm Balanced Output: SNR 119db, THD+N < 0.0005%, Output Impedance < 22ohms, Output Power 1800mW @33ohms, 1000mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
Element X2 4.4mm Balanced Output: SNR 119db, THD+N < 0.0005, Output Impedance < 12ohms, Output Power 2600mW @33ohms, 1100mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
So the M2 and X2 have higher power, higher output impedance, and higher gain - even the low gain setting.
Based on the specs, it looks like the M2 and X2 are probably better for headphones, but worse for IEM's than the Element M and Element X.
Nevertheless, I am very curious to hear from Matrix Audio and some actual X2 and M2 owners on this subject. Especially what your experience is using IEMs with the X2 and M2. Thanks very much for your time!
It is really important to me to be able to use headphones and IEMs with my Matrix!
When using my IEM's (which are 11ohms impedance and 106db efficiency), I can hear the Element M's noise floor, but the noise level is acceptable.
I'm thinking about upgrading to the Element M2 or X2, but I'm worried that they might be too noisy with IEM's. Can anyone tell me if they have tested IEM's with their M2 or X2?
I've seen @Wei Cao of Matrix Audio's comments in other threads saying:
The built-in headphone amplifiers of mini-i 3 series and element 2nd gen models have high output power, when headphones at low impedance and high sensitivity work with Matrix devices mentioned above, especially IEMs, you may hear obvious noises from the headphones.
In this case, it's recommended to add an impedance adapter to the headphones.
According the manuals, the headphone output specs are as follows:
Element M 6.35mm Output: SNR 111db, THD+N < 0.0006% (-104db), Output Impedance < 0.6ohms, Output Power 1320mW @33ohms and 248mW @300ohms, Gain +12dB
Element X 4-pin XLR Output: SNR 117db, THD+N < 0.0005%, Output impedance < 1.5 oms, Output Power: 1700mW @33ohms, 1180mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
Element M2 4.4mm Balanced Output: SNR 119db, THD+N < 0.0005%, Output Impedance < 22ohms, Output Power 1800mW @33ohms, 1000mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
Element X2 4.4mm Balanced Output: SNR 119db, THD+N < 0.0005, Output Impedance < 12ohms, Output Power 2600mW @33ohms, 1100mW @300ohms, Gain +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
So the M2 and X2 have higher power, higher output impedance, and higher gain - even the low gain setting.
Based on the specs, it looks like the M2 and X2 are probably better for headphones, but worse for IEM's than the Element M and Element X.
Nevertheless, I am very curious to hear from Matrix Audio and some actual X2 and M2 owners on this subject. Especially what your experience is using IEMs with the X2 and M2. Thanks very much for your time!
