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Johnny Steps

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 29, 2011
606
570
Last night I received a pair of Etymotic ER2SE IEMs and I hooked them up to the lightning adapter and iPhone 13 Pro (fresh install few days ago) and I noticed that at 50% volume, they sound low. I then tried them at the same volume but with the Apple USB C 3.5mm adapter on my 2018 iPad Pro and at the same volume they sounded WAY better. I thought maybe my lightning adapter was busted.

I went and bought a new adapter at Best Buy just now, and the same issue continues with the phone's audio. Even my AirPod Pros sound louder at the 50% volume level. Can anyone shed some light on this issue? No EQs have been messed with, both iPhone and iPad used high res lossless audio from Apple Music and my personal collection. Is the USB C one better or something?

Thanks for the help in advance!
 
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