Panasonic RP-TCM125 Review (Budget IEM)

[tomtoo]

Hi,

Here are some thoughts about the EQ.

Notes about the EQ design:

• 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
• Occluding IE devices generally must have very good fitting/seal in the user's ear canal for best performance.
  please spend a few minutes to pick up the best ear tip... Best optimization you can make otherwise the FR/Score/EQ presented here are just worthless.
• Just select the tip based on
  1. more bass = better seal
  2. More isolation from the outside world = better fit
  3. Comfort

Very good L/R match.

I have generated one EQ, the APO config files are attached.

Score no EQ: 9.6
Score Armirm: 74.2
Score with EQ: 108.5

Panasonic RP-TCM125-A APO EQ Score 96000Hz
April252021-143033

Preamp: -9.7 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 161.7 Hz Gain -9.55 dB Q 0.33
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 889.5 Hz Gain 2.56 dB Q 0.92
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4774 Hz Gain -5.25 dB Q 5.07
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 7063 Hz Gain 10 dB Q 2.51

View attachment 126147

Hey, looks like you are deep into this. So a strange question. If i would give you some PEQ settings for this iem's could you than make a plot fom this curve against the harmann curve?

 

[oversky]

Nither Amirm's nor Maiky76's EQ makes my RP-TCM125 sound good.
Fortunately, EQ from oratory1990 (HJE120) does a better job,
make it sound more like sony MDR-ZX110 (EQed with Amirm's setting).
I guess that measurements for IEM are more liable to fitting.

 

[Nango]

Nither Amirm's nor Maiky76's EQ makes my RP-TCM125 sound good.
Fortunately, EQ from oratory1990 (HJE120) does a better job,
make it sound more like sony MDR-ZX110 (EQed with Amirm's setting).
I guess that measurements for IEM are more liable to fitting.

My favorite is from the Reference Analyzer site:

 

[oversky]

My favorite is from the Reference Analyzer site:

View attachment 171798View attachment 171799

Thank you.
I'll try it.

 

[oversky]

My favorite is from the Reference Analyzer site:

View attachment 171798View attachment 171799

I made a comparison graph.
Maiky76 is the OTT profile.

 

[GaryH]

I made a comparison graph.
Maiky76 is the OTT profile.

You need to align all the curves to the same level at a particular frequency to compare them fairly - the standard is 500 Hz.

 

[oversky]

You need to align all the curves to the same level at a particular frequency to compare them fairly - the standard is 500 Hz.

Thank you for the suggestion.
I decide to level all EQs at 425Hz,
that's what Amirm did in the frequency response measurements.

 

[GaryH]

Thank you for the suggestion.
I decide to level all EQs at 425Hz,
that's what Amirm did in the frequency response measurements.

As I said, the standard is 500 Hz, used in the scientific literature (by professional acoustic scientists like Dr. Sean Olive of Harman) and recommended by the IEC standard.

 

[oversky]

As I said, the standard is 500 Hz, used in the scientific literature (by professional acoustic scientists like Dr. Sean Olive of Harman) and recommended by the IEC standard.

Clearly, you know what you were saying.
It seems that I missed the previous 425Hz vs 500 Hz discussion.
Thank you again.

Panasonic RP-TCM125 Review (Budget IEM)

Hi, Here are some thoughts about the EQ. Notes about the EQ design: 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...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Panasonic RP-TCM125 Review (Budget IEM)

Hi, Here are some thoughts about the EQ. Notes about the EQ design: 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...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Panasonic RP-TCM125 Review (Budget IEM)

Hi, Here are some thoughts about the EQ. Notes about the EQ design: 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...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[a2Thompson]

So I have tried these (TPM125 version) for the last few days with the Maiky76 EQ curve and the sound is just fantastic. I am having a real hard time believing their cost. I do get a really solid seal with the stock tips and I would say I am actually hearing sub-bass--though I'm not sure what that would exactly sound like with headphones--such that on bass heavy tracks, even at lower volume, I kinda feel the bass in my feet and body unless I pay super close attention, so probably some kinda of psychosomatic response. I'm gonna try these other curves as well. Amazing that I'm having so much fun listening to the candy-blue colored headphones that I bought so many times for my daughter (who kept losing them) just because they were really cheap, fit well, and had a microphone.

 

[phoenixsong]

Competition should be stiff around that cost nowadays