Personally, I use both MMCX and 2-pin IEMs. Regardless of how my IEMs are designed, my main priority is to get the sound I want when listening to music. Despite this, the 0.78mm 2-pin design is a common failing in many IEMs due to its slim size, non-reversible connection, and loose connection from wear and tear. After testing hundreds of IEMs, I have to say that I prefer the MMCX style despite owning several 2-pin IEMs. I was interested in the Strauss & Wagner Leeds adapter, to see if it could convert my 0.78mm IEMs to MMCX connections without any signal loss. I will share my detailed testing in the Strauss & Wagner Leeds review.
Design
The ear hook design is slim, comfortable, and easy to connect. The 8cm length is the perfect length for almost all ears. While testing with the Moondrop Aria II and 64 Audio U12t, I was worried that the 2-pin connector wouldn’t properly connect with the recessed female port. To my surprise, they connected very well and there was no signal loss while listening. Because the 2-pin connection does loosen over time, I appreciated the fact that I could keep them connected and have the confidence that the MMCX would extend the life of my IEMs.
When testing the Strauss & Wagner Sion MMCX cable, the fit was comfortable, but I did notice that the ear hooks wrapped around my earlobes beyond the adapter. This didn’t affect the fit of the adapter, but it did take some getting used to. If you’re going to purchase a cable along with this adapter, I’d suggest choosing a flexible cable without ear hooks if you can.
Auditory impressions
I typically judge adapters based on how little they affect the sound rather than what they add to it. I got the same increase in fidelity and more treble that I expected from the S&W Sion cable. These adapters didn’t clip or hiss due to poor connections. They are easy to use and didn’t change the sound of the IEMs used or the cables. The soundstage wasn’t negatively affected by the adapter, and I actually got more separation from the Aria II in my testing.
Conclusion
Adapters are not meant to color sounds and their primary function is to transfer the signal without any changes. The S&W Leeds Adapter does just that. It is convenient, easy to connect, and transparent. If you are overwhelmed by different cables, using an adapter is an easy way to make a few specific cables multi-use. 2-pin connections are often a point of failure and will loosen over time. An adapter like this can not only extend the life of the connection, but it also reduces the number of extra cables you will need to carry around to enjoy your IEMs.
