Sundara Open-Back - EQ to avoid tinnitus?

[AudioLimey]

Hello. I find that some speakers (B&W i.e. bright) immediately trigger tinnitus, even at low volume. Some speakers do not and I've been happily using KEF R100 speakers for a few years.
I now need some Hifi headphones, up to £200/$200.
These need to be dark and not bright (by default), or can be EQ'd to be dark. Based on Amir's test, I'm interested in the Sundara Open-Back headphones.

Q - if I buy these, add some PEQ, can I further knockdown the treble if needs-be, or will that ruin other aspects?
Q - is it better to buy headphones which are dark by default?

Thanks

 

[LTig]

AFAIK the best way is to filter out those frequencies which trigger your tinnitus.

 

[Chagall]

Sundara or the new Edition XV (which may be more comfortable - arguably the most important factor in a headphone) both have reduced treble compared to other Hifiman models. You can always use EQ to further tame the treble. However, you generally want a neutral response and good frequency balance, so don't turn it down too much.

The issue with using EQ is that measurement gear isn't ultra-precise in the treble region, and you may not perceive it the same way instruments measure it. That's why it's best to use a wide-Q shelf and gently bring the treble down with your preference in mind.

 

[AudioLimey]

Thank you both

 

[solderdude]

Have you determined at which frequency the tinnitus occurs ?

AudioNotch - Tinnitus Treatment Sound Therapy - Tuner and Tone Generator

Free online tuner and tone/frequency generator by AudioNotch.com: Tailor-Made Notched Sound Therapy for Tinnitus treatment.

audionotch.com

Both or only 1 sided ?
Do you have an idea what may be causing the tinnitus (there are so many different reasons requiring a different approach).
Is it a pure tone or 'noise' ?

Consider the Jade Audio JT7 instead of the Sundara.

 

[Jiraya369]

Have you determined at which frequency the tinnitus occurs ?

AudioNotch - Tinnitus Treatment Sound Therapy - Tuner and Tone Generator

Free online tuner and tone/frequency generator by AudioNotch.com: Tailor-Made Notched Sound Therapy for Tinnitus treatment.

audionotch.com

Both or only 1 sided ?
Do you have an idea what may be causing the tinnitus (there are so many different reasons requiring a different approach).
Is it a pure tone or 'noise' ?

Consider the Jade Audio JT1 instead of the Sundara.

i'd say jt7 would be a bit better, open back planar

problem is qc!

 

[AudioLimey]

Hi @solderdude . Thanks for the link - will give it a try.

I have background tinnitus constantly in one ear. I believe it's caused by 30% hearing loss in the other ear. Bright speakers cause me an immediate tinnitus spike in both ears, which lasts for the whole day.

Warm speakers don't cause that. In the past I've owned Wharfedale speakers, which have a warm signature, and they are not a problem.

I'll look into the Jade Audio JT7.

 

[solderdude]

I also have tinnitus caused by some hearing loss in the upper treble on the left side.
Happened overnight.

The tone I hear is 13kHz.
I determined that the left side has an early roll-off from 11kHz while the right side goes to 14kHz.

I read that one should notch the (in my case) 13kHz on the left side but that only made it worse.
Perhaps the trick was to notch the right side so I rolled off the right side but that sounded 'rolled off'.
Instead I decided to boost the 'subdued' treble on the left side and when listening to that almost daily the tinnitus that had became distractedly loud and heard that even during the day became much more manageable to the point I did not notice it anymore during the day.

I have been managing this now for over 10 years this way and that seems to work in MY SPECIFIC case.
This may not work or even make it worse with the many other possible causes of tinnitus.

While typing this I am enjoying the JT7.

 

[DAP chap]

Hi, I don't experience tinnitus, but I don't like bright and had mostly been returning planar magnetics. I am pro-Fiio and am liking the FT1 Pro, which is right at your cost limit. I tried and returned the JT3 but not the JT7, which in videos looked too clampy for my head.

Good luck finding a healthy and pleasing option.

 

[RoA]

I have a Sundara (and have tiinitus) and EQ in Roon. In my case I lift lower and upper treble (I am 59). I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to cut treble. I EQ all my HP's.

 

[Phorize]

Hi @solderdude . Thanks for the link - will give it a try.

I have background tinnitus constantly in one ear. I believe it's caused by 30% hearing loss in the other ear. Bright speakers cause me an immediate tinnitus spike in both ears, which lasts for the whole day.

Warm speakers don't cause that. In the past I've owned Wharfedale speakers, which have a warm signature, and they are not a problem.

I'll look into the Jade Audio JT7.

Not quite the answer you were pointing to but considering the cognitive side of tinnitus may help. My understanding is that physiologically speaking the initial trigger for tinnitus is essentially the increase in gain within the brain stem/cortical region due to lower than expected input at particular frequencies (those showing loss on your audiogram). However, the sensitivity is a cognitive issue rather than a physiological one. We are subjected to a relentless barrage of sound 24/7, and yet the brain assumes most of it to be irrelevant and filters it out of consciousness awareness completely. Tinnitus retraining therapy.and CBT leverage the ability of the brain to adapt what you consciously hear, and I believe can achieve good outcomes for people who struggle to 'unhear' tinnitus once it triggers. As I said not quite what you were focusing on but thought I'd mention it in case it was useful.

 

[solderdude]

Tinnitus is a brain issue and the cause of it can be many as well as the ways it manifests in and its severity.

Could be triggered by certain sounds/frequencies and in a lot of cases it can be managed in some way but usually there is no cure, just some relieve.
It is possible filtering certain or overall high frequencies can help. One just needs to find out what it is. It will require EQ or when that is not possible a passive filter might lower certain treble frequencies.