Volume effects tonality.
Jan 31, 2009 at 12:48 AM Post #16 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by bakhtiar /img/forum/go_quote.gif
From this scientific report, we can understand how our ears response to sound .

http://www.nedo.go.jp/itd/grant-e/re...pdf/is-01e.pdf

Since our ears are mechanical, there are some limitation in audio preception. So if you can differentiate from 20 kHz and 21 kHz, than you must be a superb audio analyzer device.

So nothing is perfect because we are NOT perfect. We are just humans with many weaknesses.

References :
Ear - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fletcher–Munson curves - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



This.

A lot of headphones are pre-tuned with a natural bass and treble boost to sound more natural at lower volumes. As you crank up the volume, the perceived frequency response flattens out, and that bass and treble boost becomes harsh and distracting.

Use something that's tuned to sound flat at high volume. That's about all I can suggest. Usually if a headphone is described as being warm and not too bassy, or forward in the mids, then it will sound good at high volumes. If people comment on massive bass and sparkly highs, chances are it's been EQ'd for low-level listening.

Gross generalization, of course, but surprisingly true.

The W3 has a somewhat recessed midrange to my ears, and sounds best at lower volumes. When you crank it the bass becomes overwhelming and the highs become sibilant with some tips. The ES2 on the other hand has a forward midrange, and at low volumes it sounds rolled-off at either end and somewhat closed-in. When you crank it, it opens up, flattens out, and separation improves dramatically.

Of course, if your headphones are harsh because of peaks in the treble or loose boomy bass, then it's a different story.
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 1:29 AM Post #17 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch /img/forum/go_quote.gif
This.

A lot of headphones are pre-tuned with a natural bass and treble boost to sound more natural at lower volumes. As you crank up the volume, the perceived frequency response flattens out, and that bass and treble boost becomes harsh and distracting.

Use something that's tuned to sound flat at high volume. That's about all I can suggest. Usually if a headphone is described as being warm and not too bassy, or forward in the mids, then it will sound good at high volumes. If people comment on massive bass and sparkly highs, chances are it's been EQ'd for low-level listening.

Gross generalization, of course, but surprisingly true.

The W3 has a somewhat recessed midrange to my ears, and sounds best at lower volumes. When you crank it the bass becomes overwhelming and the highs become sibilant with some tips. The ES2 on the other hand has a forward midrange, and at low volumes it sounds rolled-off at either end and somewhat closed-in. When you crank it, it opens up, flattens out, and separation improves dramatically.

Of course, if your headphones are harsh because of peaks in the treble or loose boomy bass, then it's a different story.



Catscratch - I recall ES2 was your favorite IEM. Do you still prefer it over W3 or "same but different".

Yes, agreed W3 midrange is a little recessed but if you pull the bass back a bit via EQ the midrange seems to sound fine. I cannot listen to W3 with same bass EQ as I do with SE530 or even UM2. It's a little odd why Westone made the W3 bass so strong.....but I think I have figured it out EQ'wise. Also, with W3, only Complys seem to sound most natural and smooth to me.
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 10:26 AM Post #18 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch /img/forum/go_quote.gif
This.

A lot of headphones are pre-tuned with a natural bass and treble boost to sound more natural at lower volumes. As you crank up the volume, the perceived frequency response flattens out, and that bass and treble boost becomes harsh and distracting.

Use something that's tuned to sound flat at high volume. That's about all I can suggest. Usually if a headphone is described as being warm and not too bassy, or forward in the mids, then it will sound good at high volumes. If people comment on massive bass and sparkly highs, chances are it's been EQ'd for low-level listening.

Gross generalization, of course, but surprisingly true.


Of course, if your headphones are harsh because of peaks in the treble or loose boomy bass, then it's a different story.



Very very interesting explanation.
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 10:55 AM Post #19 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I cannot listen to W3 with same bass EQ as I do with SE530 or even UM2. It's a little odd why Westone made the W3 bass so strong.....but I think I have figured it out EQ'wise. Also, with W3, only Complys seem to sound most natural and smooth to me.


It's not very bass strong when you're actually outside with ambient noise drowning out some of the bass ( I use the Westone 3 mostly for travelling )
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 6:35 PM Post #20 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by kite7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's not very bass strong when you're actually outside with ambient noise drowning out some of the bass ( I use the Westone 3 mostly for travelling )


True but in quiet places beware!
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 6:45 PM Post #21 of 22
only headphones with notable peaks or valleys start to sound harsh and less refined as the volume goes up. flat headphones allow you to push the volume and it to sound like a concert, but it isn't exactly good for your ears.
 
Jan 31, 2009 at 7:13 PM Post #22 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by DoomzDayz /img/forum/go_quote.gif
only headphones with notable peaks or valleys start to sound harsh and less refined as the volume goes up. flat headphones allow you to push the volume ???(((((((and it to))))))))??? sound like a concert, but it isn't exactly good for your ears.



Agreed the Phonaks remind me of this, might wanna fix that, slip up you got there.
wink.gif
 

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