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DAC to bring forward treble frequencies for AudioEngine A5s?

post #1 of 7
1/13/12 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 

Tweeters produce highs that are way too recessed (or rolled-off, as the kids say) for my liking.

I've been tolerating it for a few months now, and I'm drawing a line.

 

Is there a DAC out there that will offer good synergy by unveiling the highs?  I know Audioengine has a couple of new DACs of their own, and I'm sure they provide great synergy in and of themselves, but I'm finding these speakers to be way more boomy and boxy than I'd anticipated, and so, while I like the speakers decently enough,  I'm a bit hesitant to purchase based on AEs press materials alone.

 

Any thoughts from the gallery greatly appreciated.  USB, Optical, battery-powered, portable...doesn't matter.

Budget around $300 max.

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post #2 of 7
1/13/12 at 12:53pm

The a5's are over hyped and not the best speakers , dacs generally measure flat in frequency responce it would be difficult to find 1 with boosted treble, you'd be better off eqing them about +3db to 15khz 16khz 17khz 18khz 19khz 20khz , +2db 14khz 13khz 12khz.

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post #3 of 7
1/13/12 at 1:06pm

I don't think a DAC will solve your need. A good eq would. 

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post #4 of 7
1/13/12 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRG1990 View Post

The a5's are over hyped and not the best speakers , dacs generally measure flat in frequency responce it would be difficult to find 1 with boosted treble, you'd be better off eqing them about +3db to 15khz 16khz 17khz 18khz 19khz 20khz , +2db 14khz 13khz 12khz.

This. You should have bought some Adams A3x instead.
 

 

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post #5 of 7
1/13/12 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeadBeats View Post

This. You should have bought some Adams A3x instead.
 

 



Thanks for the heads up.  I'll certainly take a look when it comes time to open the wallet once again.

In the meantime, I've spent money on a pair of A5s, and I'm willing to do a bit of work to coax the best sound possible out of them, even if it may not be the best sound I could've potentially had at a similar cost.

 

I'll give the EQ settings a look, but I am curious: if a DAC offers a relatively flat response across the spectrum, where do the perceptions of "better separation, deeper soundstage" and all these other coloration descriptions commonly associated with DACs come from?

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post #6 of 7
1/13/12 at 5:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneway23 View Post

I'll give the EQ settings a look, but I am curious: if a DAC offers a relatively flat response across the spectrum, where do the perceptions of "better separation, deeper soundstage" and all these other coloration descriptions commonly associated with DACs come from?


Maybe lower distortion and noise, but mostly just placebo.

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post #7 of 7
1/16/12 at 8:41pm

Remove any EQ and give them some time to break in.  Also try moving them closer to a wall to bring in the low-end.  And if you're not happy after that then send 'em back! 

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