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Equation RP-21 - left/right balance issues?

post #1 of 7
1/20/12 at 7:25am
Thread Starter 

I'm on my second pair of RP-21s. The first one was too loud in the right speaker, the second one is too loud in the left speaker. In both cases, they are just slightly louder than the other channel, by the same amount, which is interesting.

 

I'm wondering.. do other people have the same problem or was I just unlucky? Or am I the only one to notice this?

 

BTW, I verified with various sources and I tried swapping the L/R sides, so it's definitely a headphone issue.

 

Here's a test mono MP3 you can use to check on your headphones.

 

 

The first headphone also had some loose plastic, so I'm really losing confidence in Equation's quality check.

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post #2 of 7
1/20/12 at 10:06am

I looked at a ton of charts both at Headphone.com and Innerfidelity.com and only found a few headphones that have a L/R channel imbalance.  I would say it is somewhat rare.

 

Dave Rat did a brief test with a pair of RP-21's on youtube and the only thing he mentions is a poor seal due to fit.  Perhaps this is the issue with you as well.  Try changing the earcups / pads around and see if it is merely a seal issue.  If you want you could talk to Tyll Hertsens and see if he would measure them if he has time.  He measures both L/R channel balance so you could see any discrepancies there.

 

Try another pair of headphones with the exact track and setup.  Report back your findings.


Edited by NA Blur - 2/2/12 at 3:47pm
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post #3 of 7
1/20/12 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 

It's not because of poor sealing, one driver is simply louder than the other. And of course I tried listening with other headphones to make sure it's not a source issue.

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post #4 of 7
1/20/12 at 12:32pm

Equation has had some history of quality control issues, being a small-time manufacturer. Have you contacted the company directly? Perhaps they'll send you a free pair verified free from defects.

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post #5 of 7
1/20/12 at 12:57pm

Equation not being equal?

 

Irony

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post #6 of 7
1/20/12 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssrock64 View Post

Equation has had some history of quality control issues, being a small-time manufacturer. Have you contacted the company directly? Perhaps they'll send you a free pair verified free from defects.



 

Well, they're new so I'm returning them.

 

The only dilemma is whether I get another RP-21 or just ask for money back and get some other headphones.

 

Apart from build quality, I generally like the RP-21. The only complaint I have in terms of sound is that they have a little bit too much bass.


Edited by koppa - 1/20/12 at 3:07pm
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post #7 of 7
1/21/12 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 

Just in case there are some RP-21 owners browsing..

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