Hi all





Just got the great news that my Arrow is shipping. So excited!





Wanted to pick the brains of the head-fi community on optimal settings for gain, bass, impedance, and crossfeed for my various headphones: Westone 3, Sennheiser HD 580, Etymotic ER6i, and Grado SR60i.





Ready to weigh in? Go!





Thanks all!

I am using the UM3X's, leave everything at 0. Seriously, increasing impedance dulls the treble, increasing gain seems to slightly clutter the sound, a combination of both does nothing for SQ. In fact, I find that leaving everything at 0 is the most natural sound, but I don't mind the occasional bass boost to 1. The Westone 3's have more bass already so you may not need the bass boost function at all. The crossfeed option is up to you, I find it very subtle and it does nothing for my taste. I prefer it off.
 
I hope you enjoy your new amp when it comes in!
 

Thanks.
I figured the IEMs wouldn't need much enhancement, except for a little bass boost perhaps on the ER6i, which is a bit thin. The HD580s will be a different story I would think, right?

Hi, 
 
I have a HD580 and UM3X and I've been considering an Arrow amp. Anyone out there with either of those combinations who can help me out with some more information?
 
Thanks.

atsq17 said:

Hi, 


 


I have a HD580 and UM3X and I've been considering an Arrow amp. Anyone out there with either of those combinations who can help me out with some more information?


 


Thanks.

Click to expand...

 


As I noted above I have both the HD580 and Westone 3 (close cousin of the UM3X).

To be honest, I've mostly been using the Arrow with my newly acquired HD 25, which is a great combo. I've used the HD580 just enough to play around with the gain and imp settings. I was amazed that the Arrow supplies plenty of power at the lowest gain setting (at least for my listening levels). Because of that there was no need to increase the impedance. What prevents me from using the HD580 more is simply the cord length, which is too long for portable use.

For both these Senn phones, bass is ample with no boost, particularly on the HD25, which provide thumping bass. On the W3 I feel the need to boost the bass to the "I" position, as otherwise the trebles are just a tad too "sparkly", for lack of a better term. It's annoying.

I've not listened to the UM3X but from what I understand it is more neutral, less enhanced on highs and lows compared with the W3. How that translates to your own preferences only you can answer.

But I will say that the ability to make adjustments is one of the major strengths of this amp, in contrast to others of similar size (eg, Pico Slim, RSA Shadow, TTVJ Slim), which cost more but mostly eschew user controls. I'm sure you'll find it to suit your listening needs.

Hope this helps!