magicscreen
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Yes, it is! You can transform any cheap & bad headphone into audiophile quality by using EQ.Ain't home audio funny?
Yes, it is! You can transform any cheap & bad headphone into audiophile quality by using EQ.Ain't home audio funny?
Yep, that's right in line with Sean Olive's previous review of the Sundara headphones.Here are some thoughts about the EQ.
Notes about the EQ design:
Excellent L/R match.
- The average L/R is used to calculate the score.
- The resolution is 12 points per octave interpolated from the raw data (provided by @amirm)
- A Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the EQ.
- The EQ Score is designed to MAXIMIZE the Score WHILE fitting the Harman target curve with a fixed complexity.
This will avoid weird results if one only optimizes for the Score.
It will probably flatten the Error regression doing so, the tonal balance should be more neutral.- The EQs are starting point and may require tuning (certainly at LF).
- The range above 10kHz is usually not EQed unless smooth enough to do so.
- I am using PEQ (PK) as from my experience the definition is more consistent across different DSP/platform implementations than shelves.
- With some HP/amp combo the boosts and preamp gain need to be carefully considered to avoid issues
I have generated two EQ, the APO config files are attached.
Score Flat@ HF: default Harman curve
Score no EQ: 85.4
Score Armirm: 87.1
Score with EQ: 88.3
Code:Hifiman Sundara APO EQ Score Flat@HF 96000Hz April162021-130912 Preamp: -7.6 dB Filter 1: ON PK Fc 25.8 Hz Gain 6 dB Q 0.69 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 223 Hz Gain -2.17 dB Q 0.76 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 928 Hz Gain -1.62 dB Q 1.72 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2082 Hz Gain 1.67 dB Q 2.52 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5302 Hz Gain 1.94 dB Q 4.55 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6275 Hz Gain -4 dB Q 8 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 8500 Hz Gain -1.38 dB Q 7.76 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 13645 Hz Gain -7.75 dB Q 4.7
View attachment 124279
Score -1.5dB@ HF: default Harman curve decreased by 1.5dB at HF. looks closer to the initial response
Score no EQ: 84.0
Score Armirm: 82.4
Score with EQ: 92.8
Code:Hifiman Sundara APO EQ Score -1.5dB@HF 96000Hz April162021-130342 Preamp: -8 dB Filter 1: ON PK Fc 29.5 Hz Gain 8 dB Q 0.88 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 941 Hz Gain -0.95 dB Q 6.16 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2072 Hz Gain 2.18 dB Q 4.23 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6301 Hz Gain -5.45 dB Q 7.48 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7423 Hz Gain 2.42 dB Q 0.93 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 8500 Hz Gain -2.68 dB Q 7.76 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 13516 Hz Gain -8.92 dB Q 4.71
View attachment 124281
Not really. You can't get good imaging on a headphone with bad soundstage with EQ. There are just some things that can't be fixed via software.Yes, it is! You can transform any cheap & bad headphone into audiophile quality by using EQ.
@amirm "...test fixture"? Not to sound pretentious, but I've seen this mistake a few times. Maybe a typo in your (skeleton) review template?Mounting the headphone on the text fixture...
Not true. Some will exhibit major distortion when corrected, though maybe only in certain regions. You can get much better results though, no doubt.Yes, it is! You can transform any cheap & bad headphone into audiophile quality by using EQ.
It was. The old, old headbands had a lot of breakage there. There are swivel headbands you can get for it though. They don't look as stylish but has similar comfort but with swivel.Nice to see there are more reasonable priced great performing headphones. Though what is it with hifiman and cup swifel? Why hifiman? Why? Was the swifel a weak point in former designs? And instead of improving they just killed it?
Also from hifiman or another manufacturer?It was. The old, old headbands had a lot of breakage there. There are swivel headbands you can get for it though. They don't look as stylish but has similar comfort but with swivel.
I’m not sure I can tell a clear sound difference screaming “planar” vs. my Sennys and Beyers. The big selling point here is that, given the impedance and distortion figures, you can apply that gargantuan sub bass shelf without fear of distortion, all at a very reasonable price. A good way to get good clean bass out of an affordable open back. I’m simplifiying, of course.Thanks! Do planar magnetic headphones have a difference (sense of) sound compared to traditional headphones? Was wondering if they are worth a try. HD6XX are my most used at the moment.
And what do you think that would change given what Amir's measuring here?Wish planars (specially Sundara) were been tested on more powerful (in terms of current) amps than the RME.
Nothing! He did drive them as it is at 114 dB.And what do you think that would change given what Amir's measuring here?
I did the opposite (returned Ananda, kept Sundara), but I agree with your comparisonsSold the Sundara (Redundant having that and Ananda)
Both I think, but the Hifiman one is this one. This video shows how to do it but in reverse. Careful with the Sundara screw things though, they can be a bit of a pain.Also from hifiman or another manufacturer?