Are my Equalizer APO settings correct for HIFIMAN HE400i (2016)?

[shaney777]

*Using JDS Labs Atom stack

Are my Equalizer APO settings correct for Amir's HIFIMAN HE400i (2016) configuration? (Photo attached)
For the two low shelf, is corner frequency right?
When the DAC is connected, I assume you put the computer volume at 99% (?) and power on these six EQ settings?
Is it working then? Open Amazon Music HD and you're good to go?
I know I am probably missing something.
Is the device and channel config. right?
Anything I need to do in the computer audio settings?
How can I verify for certain that Equalizer APO is actually being applied to the audio?

Lots of questions, yes, but I want it to be right.

 

[daftcombo]

Weird that the graph shows a straight line.

It should look something like this:

But your use of the pre-amp to compensate the positive EQ settings seems correct.

You can go further and follow these advises to configure EqAPO:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nding-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/

 

[aandres_gm]

In my experience, a flat line means the EQ is not on.

 

[Stefano_Milano]

You have to rename the txt file as config.txt

 

[aandres_gm]

You have to rename the txt file as config.txt

Not necessarily, but it needs to be saved in the right directory

 

[shaney777]

This is without the individual power buttons turned on. With them turned on, it indicates PC usage and has a curved graph, but I genuinely can hear no difference, so I don't know if it's even on. What do I need to do with the .txt file?

 

[Berwhale]

Have you tried using the PEACE UI for eAPO?...

Settings about give this in eAPO (Peace.txt gets included in config.txt and is expanded below):

 

[Jimbob54]

I'd echo the Peace recommendation. Then you can easily toggle it all on/off and check its applying.

 

[aandres_gm]

This is without the individual power buttons turned on. With them turned on, it indicates PC usage and has a curved graph, but I genuinely can hear no difference, so I don't know if it's even on. What do I need to do with the .txt file?

The easiest test would be to add a crazy preamp, like -20dB or something. Toggling it on/off will show you whether it is working or not. In order for a file to work, you need to store it in C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config.

If your file is stored there and not having any effect, you can try a different installation parameter or checking which protocol Amazon HD is using to output: ASIO or Exclusive WASAPI won't be affected by APO. Change the protocol to WASAPI shared or DirectSound and the EQ should work.

 

[daftcombo]

I genuinely can hear no difference, so I don't know if it's even on

Not golden-ear maybe? ;-)

 

[Berwhale]

Not golden-ear maybe? ;-)

Or eAPO has been disabled by a Windows update. Check the Configurator to see if it's still installed on your audio device...

PEACE has a handy feature that detects a Windows version change and warns you to check your eAPO settings

 

[shaney777]

You all are amazing, thank you so much!!! <3

 

[aandres_gm]

You all are amazing, thank you so much!!! <3

Telling us what solved the issue in the end is great for the posterity

 

[shaney777]

Telling us what solved the issue in the end is great for the posterity

I have not attempted yet since I returned the amp and DAC, but I'll be getting another set soon.

 

[Offler]

In the analysis panel you have to switch from confix.txt to "whatever.txt" file you need. Then the line will not be flat.

In some cases the EQ did not worked anyway, I had to rename the EQ file to config.txt, and restart PC to make it work properly.

 

[Jose Hidalgo]

I'd echo the Peace recommendation. Then you can easily toggle it all on/off and check its applying.

Sure. Or just use Mega Switcher and be done with it.

It comes with all needed EQ presets (no need to manually add preset data), including many presets that aren't available anywhere else (e.g. Optimum HiFi presets). PEACE is great, but MSW is more suitable to the OP's purpose and it works right out of the box. Performance is of course identical since both are GUIs for EAPO.

 

[shaney777]

The easiest test would be to add a crazy preamp, like -20dB or something. Toggling it on/off will show you whether it is working or not. In order for a file to work, you need to store it in C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config.

If your file is stored there and not having any effect, you can try a different installation parameter or checking which protocol Amazon HD is using to output: ASIO or Exclusive WASAPI won't be affected by APO. Change the protocol to WASAPI shared or DirectSound and the EQ should work.

I don't notice a difference with -20dB, so I am guessing it's not working. How do I change the protocol? I am not smart enough to figure out this stuff hahaha

 

[aandres_gm]

I don't notice a difference with -20dB, so I am guessing it's not working. How do I change the protocol? I am not smart enough to figure out this stuff hahaha

It seems Amazon can't use any exclusive modes, so there's nothing you can change there.

Are you sure the EQ file is stored in the right folder? You can also try messing with the installation parameters, perhaps that's the issue.

 

[shaney777]

The easiest test would be to add a crazy preamp, like -20dB or something. Toggling it on/off will show you whether it is working or not. In order for a file to work, you need to store it in C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO\config.

If your file is stored there and not having any effect, you can try a different installation parameter or checking which protocol Amazon HD is using to output: ASIO or Exclusive WASAPI won't be affected by APO. Change the protocol to WASAPI shared or DirectSound and the EQ should work.

You said there is no way to change the Amazon protocols? I have the file stored in the right area now.

 

[shaney777]

I got it!! I know it's working because the volume is quite lower with the EQ in effect. Thank y'all again!!