Most of the discussion on IEM's and headphones is fixated on Frequency Response and Distortion. I've been comparing my listening experience on the KZ XVX vs the ARTTI T10.
From a purely subjective view, the difference I hear goes beyond frequency response alone, to what I think is a difference in the dynamic range. The difference between quiet and loud segments of the audio, and sometimes its down to how volume changes on a single instrument in a phrase. With the T10, the difference between soft and loud is more visceral. Engaging.
In the traditional professional studio/live mixing world, I am familiar with the concept of using dynamic processors, such as compressors, limiters, and expanders, to reduce or increase the dynamic range. In instances where the dynamic range is reduced, it also comes with a dose of distortion, i.e a deviation from the original signal, showing up as extra overtones, 2nd order, 3rd order, etc, etc.
I am familiar with distortion measurements with speakers, and interpret this to imply that the speaker is "limiting" the expression of the sound, and therefore to an extend destroying it. And am familiar with the fact that this distortion varies with level., gets worse as loudness increases, so one can measure the distortion at different levels of loudness.
I may have already answered my own quest/question, but does this also apply to headphones and IEM's, i.e besides frequency response, the other important factor to consider when evaluating headphones, or IEM's would be to take a good look at their measured distortion.
If that be the case, the two budget IEM's measured recently by AmirM on ASR, should sound pretty good. Links below.
www.audiosciencereview.com
www.audiosciencereview.com
I have had an amazing experience with buying DAC's based purely on the measurements, which have correlated perfectly with my listening experience. The DAC's I own which measure better, sound better, no contest.
If this be the same with IEM's then the Moondrop Chu 2 and the 7Hz Zero 2, should be right there on top of the pile, going by measurements alone. Especially cos they both have exemplary performance in Distortion measurements, which I interpret as also having great Dynamic Range.
I am inclined to buy one of these, to test the hypothesis, do measurements of IEMs, correlate with the listening experience?
From a purely subjective view, the difference I hear goes beyond frequency response alone, to what I think is a difference in the dynamic range. The difference between quiet and loud segments of the audio, and sometimes its down to how volume changes on a single instrument in a phrase. With the T10, the difference between soft and loud is more visceral. Engaging.
In the traditional professional studio/live mixing world, I am familiar with the concept of using dynamic processors, such as compressors, limiters, and expanders, to reduce or increase the dynamic range. In instances where the dynamic range is reduced, it also comes with a dose of distortion, i.e a deviation from the original signal, showing up as extra overtones, 2nd order, 3rd order, etc, etc.
I am familiar with distortion measurements with speakers, and interpret this to imply that the speaker is "limiting" the expression of the sound, and therefore to an extend destroying it. And am familiar with the fact that this distortion varies with level., gets worse as loudness increases, so one can measure the distortion at different levels of loudness.
I may have already answered my own quest/question, but does this also apply to headphones and IEM's, i.e besides frequency response, the other important factor to consider when evaluating headphones, or IEM's would be to take a good look at their measured distortion.
If that be the case, the two budget IEM's measured recently by AmirM on ASR, should sound pretty good. Links below.
Moondrop Chu II IEM Review
This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Moondrop Chu II In-Ear Monitor. It is on kind loan from a member and costs just $19. Compared to some other IEMs I have tested, these are lighter weight due to lack of extra metallic parts. They are also a bit smaller which...
www.audiosciencereview.com
7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM Review
This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 IEM. It was kindly donated to me by a member and costs US $24.99. The cable is soft and longer than typical which I like. They take fair amount of effort to push it but then they make a reassuring...
www.audiosciencereview.com
I have had an amazing experience with buying DAC's based purely on the measurements, which have correlated perfectly with my listening experience. The DAC's I own which measure better, sound better, no contest.
If this be the same with IEM's then the Moondrop Chu 2 and the 7Hz Zero 2, should be right there on top of the pile, going by measurements alone. Especially cos they both have exemplary performance in Distortion measurements, which I interpret as also having great Dynamic Range.
I am inclined to buy one of these, to test the hypothesis, do measurements of IEMs, correlate with the listening experience?
