Playback sound is weak, quiet, or muffled (IER-M500)

Possible causes

• The earbuds are not worn correctly on your ears, or the earbud tips or support pieces are the wrong size.
• Earwax or other dirt is stuck to the mesh part of the earbud tips.
• The earbud tips are worn out or broken after long-term use and storage.
• Moisture, such as sweat, remains on the sound outlet of the earbuds.
• There is an issue with the volume or settings on the playback device.

Workarounds

Try the following steps in order and check whether the issue improves:

• Check the wearing position and size of the earbud tips and supporters
• Clean the earbuds to remove dirt and moisture
• Check the volume settings of the playback device

Check the wearing position and size of the earbud tips and supporters

1. Position the earbuds correctly and fit them securely in your ears.

   1. Check the left and right shapes of the earbuds. You can identify the left earbud by the small raised bump on the bottom of the hanger (looped part).

   2. Place the hanger behind your ear and insert the earbud tip into your ear.

   3. Fit the earbud supporter into the grooves of your ear, then adjust the hanger so it sits securely behind your ear.

   4. Remove the earbuds slowly after each use.
      
      For more details on how to wear the IER-M500 earbuds, refer to the Operating Instructions.

2. Adjust the earbud tip size while listening to sound.
   Find the right earbud tip size for your left and right ears by following these steps:

   1. Place the earbuds securely into your ears and check the fit.
      • If they push back out and don't fit properly, replace the earbud tips with a smaller size.
      • If they feel comfortable but the bass is weak, replace the earbud tips with a larger size.
   2. Repeat the fit checks above until you find a size that feels just right.
      Hints:
      • Replace the earbud tips with ones that provide a better seal.
      • The optimal size may differ between the left and right ears.
      • The earbuds come with default M-size (Medium) earbud tips. However, you can replace them with a different size, from XS (Extra Small) to L (Large).
      • You can identify the size by the color on the inside of the earbud tip:
        • XS size (Extra Small): red
        • S size (Small): orange
        • M size (Medium): green
        • L size (Large): light blue
      • For instructions on how to replace the earbud tips, refer to the Operating Instructions.

3. Adjust the earbud supporter size.

   The earbuds also come with M-sized supporters that help secure them to your ears, and different sizes are available. If the supporter isn't secure or you can't achieve a comfortable fit, try changing the supporter size.

   For instructions on how to replace the supporter, refer to the Operating Instructions.

Clean the earbuds to remove dirt and moisture

1. Remove the earbud tips.

   While holding the earbuds in place, twist the earbud tip and pull it off without pinching the edge.

2. Wipe away dirt from the mesh part of the earbud tip.

   Lightly place a cotton swab on the mesh part and slowly rotate it to remove dirt.
   Be careful not to tear the mesh.

   

   Notes:

   • When cleaning the mesh part, avoid using sharp objects such as toothpicks or pen tips, as these may damage internal parts.
   • Earbud tips are consumable items, meaning they wear out over time. If you notice any damage such as cracks, peeling, chipping, or tears in the mesh, replace the earbud tips.

3. Remove moisture from the sound tube outlet (the part where the earbud tip attaches).

   Point the sound tube outlet downward and lightly tap it against a dry cloth about five times to remove any water droplets.

   

   Note: After removing the water droplets, let the earbud tips dry thoroughly at room temperature.

4. Reattach the earbud tips.

   Push the earbud tips firmly back onto the sound tube outlet. Do not attach them at an angle.

Check the volume settings of the playback device

1. Check the volume settings on your playback device (smartphone, music player, etc.) and in the app.

2. Make sure the volume limit function on your playback device is turned off.
   
   To change the volume limit, go to your Settings menu. For more details, refer to the user manual for your playback device.

   Note: Setting names may differ depending on your device or OS version. The following are examples only:

   • iPhone: Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Volume limit in Headphone Safety settings
   • Android device: Settings → Sounds & vibration → Media volume settings

Hint: If you are using your earbuds for stage performances, the volume may decrease because of the gain or limiter settings on the mixer or IEM (in-ear monitor) system. Check these settings and adjust if necessary.