The iEMatch puts an end to unwanted noise and brings your tracks back to life.
Do you find that your headphones/IEMs often have a background hiss from your source? Or do you listen really loudly to try and get the full ‘quality’ of the music?
If so, then we have your perfect match – the iEMatch.
This original 3.5mm version is perfect for ALL headphones/IEMS using a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Simply connect the iEMatch between them and your source for reduced background noise and hiss.
Some headphones are more sensitive than others so the iEMatch has both High and Ultra sensitivity settings to boost your sound. Choose which best suits your headphone.
It also provides a more open and transparent dynamic range and increases the usable volume range.
This means you can increase the digital volume and get back the resolution you lose by listening at less than full volume.
Rediscover the lost high-pitched note of the E-string or the low rumble of the bass drum.
Our small but mighty iEMatch works with smartphones, DAPs, computers and in-flight travel systems.
A top tip – take it with you when you fly – no more painful soundtracks to inflight movies. It works wonders.
And for good measure we’ve added memory foam earplugs (they really do work!), an aeroplane adapter and travel pouch.
A perfect little travel kit – great music and the chance to enjoy a power nap.
Did you know you normally lose at least 2 Bits of resolution when listening to your favourite tracks? This is because you can’t listen at full volume.
Using the iEMatch enables you to turn up the digital volume and get those 2 Bits back.
Choose from ultra or high sensistivity to fine tune your tunes!
Read our tech note to discover more.
Balanced or Single-Ended? iEMatch automatically converts to give you the best listening experience using the 3.5 TRRS-Balanced headphone jack.
Headphones may be fitted with a TRRS jack and a switch to alternate between unbalanced mode (even with microphone) for direct connection to a smartphone and to balanced mode for use with suitably-equipped DAP/DAC/headphone amplifiers.
The ‘S-Balanced®’ TRRS system by iFi provides a way to select the TRRS plug to offer either a balanced connection or a single-ended one.
It uses premium components from 6063-TS aluminium – magnesium alloy through to the signal transfer cable which is a 6N silver copper matrix.
Add in the gold plated TRRS-Balanced connectors and there you have it – game, set and iEMatch.
| Ultra (-24dB)& High-Gain(-12dB) sensitivity adjustment | |
| TRRS-Balanced® for Single-Ended and Balanced operation | |
| 6N silver/copper matrix wiring with FINAL 6063-T5 aluminium-magnesium alloy shell | |
| Gold-plated printed circuit board with audiophile components (eg MELF resistors) | |
| Gold-plated 3.5mm male/female connectors | |
| Input Impedance: > 16 Ohm | |
| Output Impedance: < 2.5 Ohms (High-Sensitivity) < 1 Ohms (Ultra-Sensitivity) | |
| Compatible Headphone impedance: 16 Ohm to 600 Ohm rated impedance 12.5 Ohm minimum impedance |
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| Weight: 12.2g | |
| Total Length : 116mm |
We’re working on it — check back soon!
I use this with my Shure SE846 earphones connected to an iBasso DX220 DAP with Amp9, which has a tube (valve) internally. Without this widget the hiss made the amp impossible to use, and I had to fall back on the (still good) Amp 1 mk2. I don’t know of anything else that can do the job. The sound quality to my ears is not impacted. Lovely.
Andromeda is relatively sensitive and low impedance than others so sometimes noise bothers. This product helped a lot of reducing noise and improving dynamic range.
I liked to set its High adjustment settings than Ultra, so that it didn’t compromise Andromeda’s rich and clear mid range sound.
When I switched to Ultra, I felt it a little bland and more base added.
I tested Raspberry Pi -> HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro -> Vacuum tube amplifier -> iEMatch -> Andromeda.
First, some background on why I had to get this product: I recently purchased a new gaming laptop, an HP Omen 15-dc1062nr. I love the laptop, but unfortunately since it was intended for full-sized headphones/headsets, it has a large amount of background hiss/crackle on my sensitive IEM’s (Fiio FH1’s), which I unfortunately have to use because my full-sized headphones have a cracked headband and won’t clamp down.
Read more…
I rarely if ever do reviews; but this little device made such a difference to my setup!
I have a pair of campfire andros and use these with a portable Dac/amp that has a reported output impedance of around 0.9ohms. Prior to using the IEMatch i could barely turn up the volume on my DAC (with my phone at 100% to ensure no resolution loss). The sound was very boxed in with a boomy low end and a very exaggerated forward mid and recessed treble. I was in fact about to sell my andros at this point in all honestly as I only ever use them portably when I’m working away.
I thought I’d trial this as this as any attenuation could perhaps help.
Read more…
This made a startling difference in sound quality from my iphone to a Trond bluetooth receiver to my etymotic research hf3 earbuds. I needed only the increased impedance to allow me to listen at a lower volume, but I was amazed at how much clearer the sound is with this attentuator.
I’ve worked with audio engineers and have done radio production, so I have a fairly good ear, though I’m in no way an audiophile. To my ear, however, this device is a simple, relatively inexpensive way to make a huge difference in sound quality.
Does what it says – especially helps on my portable headphone amps – output has never been better. The iEMatch also works great connecting audio (via 1/8) to external speakers.
It also improves the signal and noise floor. Kind of pricey – but worth it to have in your personal audio arsenal / toolbox.
| iEMatch | EarBuddy | iEMatch2.5 | |
 |  | |
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| Primary use | Sensitive headphones ($150>) | Sensitive headphones (<$150) | Digital Audio Players |
| 3.5mm Balanced | Yes | - | - |
| 3.5mm Single-Ended | Yes | Yes | - |
| 2.5mm Balanced | - | - | Yes |
| Ultra (-24dB) / High (-12dB) Sensitivity | Yes | - | Yes |
| High(-16dB) Sensitivity | - | Yes | - |
| 6N silver / copper matrix wiring | Yes | - | Yes |
| 6N copper matrix wiring | - | Yes | - |
| FINAL 6063-T5 aluminium-magnesium alloy | Yes | - | Yes |
| Input impedance | >16 Ohm | >16 Ohm | >16 Ohm |
| Output impedance | < 2.5 Ohms (High-Sensitivity) < 1 Ohms (Ultra-Sensitivity) | < 2.7 Ohms (High-Sensitivity) | < 2.5 Ohms (High-Sensitivity) < 1 Ohms (Ultra-Sensitivity) |
| Compatibility | 16 Ohm to 600 Ohm rated impedance 12.5 Ohm minimum impedance | 16 Ohm to 600 Ohm rated impedance 12.5 Ohm minimum impedance | 16 Ohm to 600 Ohm rated impedance 12.5 Ohm minimum impedance |
| Weight | 12.2g | 6g | 12.2g |
| Total length | 116mm | 116mm | 116mm |
IEMs stands for In-Ear Monitors.
These fit inside your ear. You’ve been using them for years. You just called them something else.
You will also see these referred to as earphones, ear buds and CIEMs. CIEMs are Custom In-Ear Monitors – IEMs made specifically to fit your ear shape.
A DAP is a device like an iPod or an MP3 player that stores and/or plays back music digitally.
DACs convert digital information, stored or streamed by computers, into music we can hear through speakers or headphones.
Every device that’s a source of digital sound has a built-in DAC (TVs, games consoles, CD players, phones, portable music players etc). Dedicated external DACs sound much better than standard DACs used in digital devices such as phones.
