Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?

[robthemac]

The left earphone of my beloved Shure SE-846 IEM has died. I've tried replacement sources, cables and filters. Tried to clean the MMXC connector and not had no damn luck. Right earphone is still working great.

There's still some signal passing through. If I increase the laptop volume to 100/100 (usual listening volume being 14/100) there's a quiet, mid-heavy signal. However I suspect it isn't a single driver failure as I wouldn't expect it to be this quiet. I'm hoping it's a loose connection or dry solder or something.

Replacement from Shure would be USD$300 plus shipping, as it doesn't look like they'll do repairs.

Anyone want to have a crack? No harm if you completely fuck it up, it'll go in the bin, which is where it's heading anyway.

[Jay]

The left earphone of my beloved Shure SE-846 IEM has died. I've tried replacement sources, cables and filters. Tried to clean the MMXC connector and not had no damn luck. Right earphone is still working great.

There's still some signal passing through. If I increase the laptop volume to 100/100 (usual listening volume being 14/100) there's a quiet, mid-heavy signal. However I suspect it isn't a single driver failure as I wouldn't expect it to be this quiet. I'm hoping it's a loose connection or dry solder or something.

Replacement from Shure would be USD$300 plus shipping, as it doesn't look like they'll do repairs.

Anyone want to have a crack? No harm if you completely fuck it up, it'll go in the bin, which is where it's heading anyway.

Ear wax blockage?

[robthemac]

The left earphone of my beloved Shure SE-846 IEM has died. I've tried replacement sources, cables and filters. Tried to clean the MMXC connector and not had no damn luck. Right earphone is still working great.

There's still some signal passing through. If I increase the laptop volume to 100/100 (usual listening volume being 14/100) there's a quiet, mid-heavy signal. However I suspect it isn't a single driver failure as I wouldn't expect it to be this quiet. I'm hoping it's a loose connection or dry solder or something.

Replacement from Shure would be USD$300 plus shipping, as it doesn't look like they'll do repairs.

Anyone want to have a crack? No harm if you completely fuck it up, it'll go in the bin, which is where it's heading anyway.

Ear wax blockage?

Cleaned out all that.

[robthemac]

After some dredging of the HeadFi forums, it looks to commonly be a problem with the MMCX connector, which in theory is replaceable. Found a video of a guy doing it in about five minutes.

Might order the part and have a crack.

[jeremyb]

How old are they? if you bought locally I'd be bringing up the consumer guarantees act

[robthemac]

How old are they? if you bought locally I'd be bringing up the consumer guarantees act

Oh I bought them second hand about five years ago. And they've lived a very hard life.

[Cdog]

Check its not at the cable end by swapping the L&R connections?

[StrummersOfThunder]

Have you tried boiling it in soup ?

[robthemac]

Check its not at the cable end by swapping the L&R connections?

Yep, have done this and swapped cables.

Talking to guys on the forum who have done these repairs, sounds more like a driver failure. Very much not user repairable, if that's the case.

[robthemac]

Have you tried boiling it in soup ?

Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?

[StrummersOfThunder]

Have you tried boiling it in soup ?

Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?

Correct

[robthemac]

Have you tried boiling it in soup ?

Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?

Correct

I feel like wearing them in my ears, covered in earmuffs while mowing the lawns has a similar effect.

[Cdog]

Check its not at the cable end by swapping the L&R connections?

Yep, have done this and swapped cables.

Talking to guys on the forum who have done these repairs, sounds more like a driver failure. Very much not user repairable, if that's the case.

Bugger. May I suggest tp consider getting a replacement (new or 2nd hand?) and keeping this for parts. Could be wearing out.

[jeremyb]

Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?

Correct

I feel like wearing them in my ears, covered in earmuffs while mowing the lawns has a similar effect.

I have a cheap pair of chinese IEMs I use for this, usually don't bother with earmuffs over the top, they cut out enough noise

[robthemac]

Check its not at the cable end by swapping the L&R connections?

Yep, have done this and swapped cables.

Talking to guys on the forum who have done these repairs, sounds more like a driver failure. Very much not user repairable, if that's the case.

Bugger. May I suggest tp consider getting a replacement (new or 2nd hand?) and keeping this for parts. Could be wearing out.

New replacement is $2000. Second-hand will be $1000ish. Replacing just one side from manufacturer is USD$300 which is starting to look tempting.

I'm sending my other IEMs to a place in Vietnam to get re-shelled. Might see if they'll try and repair the Shures while they're at it.