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Favorite Convolution IRs for IEMs on Android?

InfiniteJester

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I've been diving deep into the world of convolution reverb for IEMs on Android, and I'm curious about your experiences and preferences. For those unfamiliar, convolution reverb uses impulse responses (IRs) to simulate acoustic spaces or modify the frequency response of audio equipment.

I've been experimenting with various IRs in JamesDSP, an audio app for Android that supports convolution. One IR that's caught my attention is "Phantom Room - Studio" - it adds a subtle sense of space without coloring the sound too much, which I find works well with most IEMs.

Some questions for discussion:

1. What are your go-to IRs for IEMs? Any specific ones that you feel enhance the listening experience?
2. How do you feel convolution affects the perceived soundstage and imaging of IEMs?
3. For those using JamesDSP or similar apps, what settings do you typically use alongside convolution?
4. Have you noticed any differences in how various IEMs respond to convolution? In my experience, Phantom Room works much better with FH9 than with MP145, for example.
5. Any tips for finding high-quality IRs specifically tailored for IEMs?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and recommendations!

Here is the .irs that I'm using, for if you want to try it:
 

Attachments

  • Phantom Room - Studio.zip
    12.4 KB · Views: 76
interesting, I've never looked into it before, I'll try it out when it's less hot - I don't want to put anything in my ears when it's over 30°c
 
1. What are your go-to IRs for IEMs? Any specific ones that you feel enhance the listening experience?
I tried using IRs for headphones and eventually found that they were too special effect-y.
2. How do you feel convolution affects the perceived soundstage and imaging of IEMs?
It helps, but arguably almost too much, and affects FR too much for my personal comfort.
3. For those using JamesDSP or similar apps, what settings do you typically use alongside convolution?
I have switched to using plain-jane crossfeed on headphones, which adds a lot of benefit in terms of space / stereo image, without significant coloration.
4. Have you noticed any differences in how various IEMs respond to convolution? In my experience, Phantom Room works much better with FH9 than with MP145, for example.
5. Any tips for finding high-quality IRs specifically tailored for IEMs?
https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-IR-Dataset

Some really good stuff in here if IR-based processing for listening is your thing.
 
I tried using IRs for headphones and eventually found that they were too special effect-y.

It helps, but arguably almost too much, and affects FR too much for my personal comfort.

I have switched to using plain-jane crossfeed on headphones, which adds a lot of benefit in terms of space / stereo image, without significant coloration.

https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-IR-Dataset

Some really good stuff in here if IR-based processing for listening is your thing.

Oh, man, thank you. What a nice collection. This seems to be the updated fork: https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set

And here is the "Room and Measurement Summary": https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set/wiki/Room-and-Measurement-Summary

They sound very different to the one I posted. These increase space and separation, mine gave the impression of more depth and a stronger central image, more similar to, precisely, crossfeed. I use Meier a lot. I keep changing things constantly to experiment with them.
 
Oh, man, thank you. What a nice collection. This seems to be the updated fork: https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set

And here is the "Room and Measurement Summary": https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set/wiki/Room-and-Measurement-Summary

They sound very different to the one I posted. These increase space and separation, mine gave the impression of more depth and a stronger central image, more similar to, precisely, crossfeed. I use Meier a lot. I keep changing things constantly to experiment with them.
Found these thanks to @dasdoing, they know a good bit about headphone IRs as well.
 
Shanon Pearce's work is indeed great. he takes RAW IRs from all kinds of rooms and tweaks them (and then again). raw IRs are pretty problematic, even if recorded in great rooms. they are just "too roomy".
I started tweaking one of the WDR rooms, too....cause I wasn't fully satisfied with his first set. In my last attempt I actually took his room 2 (of the second version of his set) and tweaked it:

I never concluded my work though, didn't consider id finished back then.

today I prefer solutions using the algorithm by Sennheiser AMBEO, like https://www.dear-reality.com/products/dearvr-monitor
IMO they are now better than anything based on real IRs.....which wasn't the case a few years ago.
 
Oh, man, thank you. What a nice collection. This seems to be the updated fork: https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set

And here is the "Room and Measurement Summary": https://github.com/ShanonPearce/ASH-Listening-Set/wiki/Room-and-Measurement-Summary

They sound very different to the one I posted. These increase space and separation, mine gave the impression of more depth and a stronger central image, more similar to, precisely, crossfeed. I use Meier a lot. I keep changing things constantly to experiment with them.
Hi Mr Jester, can you show me what to do with the file so they can work with Rootless-Jamesdsp. I really dont know how to do this. Thanks you
 
Hi Mr Jester, can you show me what to do with the file so they can work with Rootless-Jamesdsp. I really dont know how to do this. Thanks you

You must download the file and put it in a folder. Then you open JamesDSP and in the section called Convolver you activate the switch and click in Impulse Response:

1000089879.jpg


And then you click here:

1000089881.jpg


And you can select the file you downloaded.

I hope this helps.

Remember to have on the master switch:

1000089883.jpg
 
It also supports V4A convolution engine and loads and loads and loads of other (DSP) stuff. App is still in beta and not a late one and all do app is clean as the whistle, open source and GPL 3.0 and you can even fetch it and without Google analytics (API) on F-Droid it needs dirty patching of privacy (read DRM) grabbing permission per app (as that's how it is and your milage will vary) in order to be able to work.
So who wants to try have a look:
@Doodski decision is on you to put it on list or not for the time be, it's very promising project with unheard audio processing capabilities for a phone.
 
It also supports V4A convolution engine and loads and loads and loads of other (DSP) stuff. App is still in beta and not a late one and all do app is clean as the whistle, open source and GPL 3.0 and you can even fetch it and without Google analytics (API) on F-Droid it needs dirty patching of privacy (read DRM) grabbing permission per app (as that's how it is and your milage will vary) in order to be able to work.
So who wants to try have a look:
@Doodski decision is on you to put it on list or not for the time be, it's very promising project with unheard audio processing capabilities for a phone.
It's for EQ or PEQ?
 
It's for EQ or PEQ?
It's full DSP processor with conventional EQ's, multiple convolution FIR engine's, direct import from AutoEq and bunch of stuff that even I need to process more. :)
 
It's full DSP processor with conventional EQ's, multiple convolution FIR engine's, direct import from AutoEq and bunch of stuff that even I need to process more. :)
I already had it in the list but I added some more details this time around. :D Thankssss.
 
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