Custom or Universal IEMs Including JH Audio, Empire Ears, and More
You found your dream in-ear monitors, and you've chosen the Dragon Cable that speaks to your sound preferences. Whether you've opted for a pair of universal fit IEMs or a set of custom IEMs, all you need to do is connect your cable to your IEMs.
Simple, right?
Yes and no. It's not complicated, but it requires finesse. If you rush it or do it improperly, you risk bending the pins or damaging the connectors. If you take the time to properly attach your Dragon Cable to your IEMs, you will ensure a long life for the connectors, pins, and wires.
Our Dragon IEM cables are compatible with IEMs from Empire Ears (all 2-pin models), qdc (all 2-pin models), JH Audio (4-pin models and legacy 2-pin models), Audeze (2-pin models), plus many other brands.
Understanding IEM Pins and Sockets
Dragon Cables use .78mm pins. This is the most popular pin/socket size. Some manufacturers use a slightly smaller pin and socket. You can put a larger pin in a smaller socket, but once the socket expands, you can't go back to a smaller pin.
As for sockets, there are two types: flush mount and recessed. In the former, connectors are flush with the outside of the ear piece. This allows the manufacturer to fit more technology inside of the IEM, and it is what most manufacturers use.
While Dragon IEM cables are designed to best fit recessed mounts, they fit very well with flush mounts. When you first insert the connectors, they won't go in all the way; don't force them. The inside of the socket is a clamshell. As you insert the connector, it expands. This lets the connectors fit deep inside the socket and prevents bending of the pins.
Don't force the pins, as they can bend. If they do bend, you can gently bend them back into alignment. Contact us for specific instructions on how to do this.
Connecting Your 2-Pin Dragon IEM Cable
Dragon IEM V2 Connection Instructions
1) Look for the embossed L and R on the plastic part of the connector. These need to match up with the left and right ear pieces on your IEMs.
2) Look for the rasied arrow on the top of the connector. The arrow needs to face up to the sky for the correct polarity of the IEM.
3) With the curve of the connector pointing upward, slide the connector with an "R" marking straight into the right IEM until flush with the shell. Repeat with the "L" marking and the left IEM.
4) Remove the connectors by pulling and gently wiggling.
Dragon IEM V1 Connection Instructions
1) Instead of L and R, older Dragon V1 Cables have a red dot for the right channel and a blue dot for the left channel. These need to match up with the left and right ear pieces on your IEMs.
2) The red and blue dots need to face up to the sky for the correct orientation of the polarity of the IEM.
3) With the red dot facing upward, slide the connector straight into the right IEM until flush with the shell. Repeat with the blue dot and the left IEM.
4) Remove the connectors by pulling and gently wiggling.
Know your left IEM shell from your right
Wondering how to tell the left IEM shell from the right? Empire Ears, for example, prints and L or an R on the underside of each shell below the IEM name. JH Audio, meanwhile, prints the model number/serial number in red on the right shell and in white on the left shell.
At left is the Empire Ears ODIN with an IEM V1 cable. The blue dot indicates that this connector goes to the left IEM shell. On the right is the ODIN connected to an IEM V2 cable. The L on the cable connecter indicates that this connector foes to the left IEM shell.
Connecting your Audeze 2-pin IEMs IEMs to a Dragon IEM V2 Cable:
Dragon Cables for the Audeze LCD-i3, LCD-i4, and earlier iSINE IEMs utilize a drop-down approach. The cable drops straight down; it doesn't wrap around your ear. These IEM models come with detachable ear hooks that wrap around your ear.
1) Look for a little slotted key inside the IEM socket.
2) Look for a recessed slot on the cable connector.
3) Gently insert.
Remove the connectors by pulling and gently wiggling.
You can use the Audeze cable with your other 2-pin IEMs, but please note that this cable is not designed with memory wire for wrapping around the ear. Doing so will stress the cable, resulting in bend flex damage.
Connecting your 4-Pin Dragon IEM Cable to JH Audio IEMs
1) Look for the arrow on the top of the connector. The arrow needs to face up to the sky for the correct orientation of the polarity of the IEM.
2) There's a little slotted key at the top of the connector. If you look in the socket of the IEM, there's a recessed slot. This helps guide in.
3) Once you insert the connector into the socket, you can't push it in all the way; you have to start screwing it as you push. You'll be using a push-screw-push-screw alternating motion.
4) Remove the connectors by pulling and gently wiggling.
Other connection types: MMCX
At this time, we do not make Dragon Cables with MMCX connectors. We find that this connection type can be finicky. Unless the male connector (on the cable) and the female connector (on the IEM) are produced by the same company, they're not going to be a perfect fit. Over time, some of the gold will wear down and the little locking collar becomes compressed. You'll end up having a shorting problem.
But as with other connection types, the care you use when detaching and attaching the cable will go a long way toward preserving the integrity of the connectors.
We do sell IEMs that use MMCX connectors, such as the Sennheiser IE900, Meze Advar and the Astell&Kern PATHFINDER.
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