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Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:46 pm
by 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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:50 pm
by Jay
robthemac wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:46 pm
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?
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:57 pm
by robthemac
Jay wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:50 pm
robthemac wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 7:46 pm
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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 8:24 pm
by 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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:08 pm
by jeremyb
How old are they? if you bought locally I'd be bringing up the consumer guarantees act
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:13 pm
by robthemac
jeremyb wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:08 pm
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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:18 am
by Cdog
Check its not at the cable end by swapping the L&R connections?
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:37 am
by StrummersOfThunder
Have you tried boiling it in soup ?
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:48 am
by robthemac
Cdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:18 am
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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:49 am
by robthemac
Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:13 am
by StrummersOfThunder
robthemac wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:49 am
Leaving it in the guitar room, you mean?
Correct
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:18 am
by robthemac
I feel like wearing them in my ears, covered in earmuffs while mowing the lawns has a similar effect.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:20 am
by Cdog
robthemac wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:48 am
Cdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:18 am
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.
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:01 am
by jeremyb
robthemac wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:18 am
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
Re: Anyone want to have a crack at repairing an in-ear monitor?
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:31 am
by robthemac
Cdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:20 am
robthemac wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:48 am
Cdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:18 am
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.