_gl: Easy UES / Ownluxe A1 EQ Correction Impulses

[_gl]

Thanks Bob : ).
 
OK, first post is updated with the new download.  It now contains:
 
- Balance RC - the new correction (below) -4dB
- the previous Purity bright2 correction (now also -4dB)
- Dry (-4dB)
 
Dry is just the raw sound, but volume matched to the corrections, to make comparing easier.
 
Balance RC corrects the massive 6dB resonance at 4.4k, and mids & treble are revoiced to be more balanced, while still retaining great detail (imo):
 

 
 
When you first compare it to Purity, you might miss the treble (I did) - listen to it for a while, it should make sense.  It's more balanced and 'correct'.
 
The resonance, and stronger treble/mids of Purity were really harsh, you'll probably hear this when listening loud.  Balance should be much nicer.  And try 'Dry' loud - ouch!
 
Let me know if you hear it the same, we can figure out if that resonance is the same on all copies, or something else is going on.

 

[Lurk650]

Not sure if my ears are the best to hear it but yeah the RC def sounds a lot more natural than Purity which was already a big improvement over stock. I can't even listen to stock now. I can't believe I thought that was actually good sounding LOL

 

[_gl]

  Not sure if my ears are the best to hear it but yeah the RC def sounds a lot more natural than Purity which was already a big improvement over stock. I can't even listen to stock now. I can't believe I thought that was actually good sounding LOL

 

.  Same here, raw sounds just awful now.
 
If you listing to Purity loud (within reason), do you also hear a harsh mid/trebley 'bite'?  That is the resonance.  If you're not sure I can prepare a test file that should reveal it (if you have the same).
 
Anyway, right after posting yesterday I thought that the Balance mids were now slightly too recessed (eg. voices a bit restrained), so I've got a new one coming - small tweak but sounds much better imo.
 
After comparing to my HD600 I realised that I kept the strong bass, the HD600 is _much_ brighter.  So I'll also do a brighter version, then you have options.
 
The beauty of starting with a fairly balanced curve is that you can then easily tilt it towards bass or treble, and it keeps sounding natural.

 

[Lurk650]

I do not hear it so yes would like to try the test track to hear it. I'm still bad at figuring out what sounds are at what frequency lol

 

[_gl]

  I do not hear it so yes would like to try the test track to hear it. I'm still bad at figuring out what sounds are at what frequency lol

 
Yeah me too, I have pretty good ears but I never really sat down and figured out exactly how different frequencies work.  Doing this is really good practice.
 
Should have the new curves & test track later today.

 

[Lurk650]

   
Yeah me too, I have pretty good ears but I never really sat down and figured out exactly how different frequencies work.  Doing this is really good practice.
 
Should have the new curves & test track later today.

You know enough to come up with these freqs though! 

 

[_gl]

  You know enough to come up with these freqs though! 

 
True, but I'm learning as I go - I already think yesterday's curve sounds bad ; ).
 
What's really interesting is how the smallest tweaks can change things from sounding too recesssed to clear etc.  I mean really small tweaks - I'm totally zoomed into my EQ and doing a lot of single-pixel movements.
 
I get now how hard it must be do build good sounding headphones, let alone IEMs.  In an EQ you can fine tune the smallest things, but I suspect drivers and physical constraints of these in-ear tubes make it really hard to avoid things like resonances and get something balanced.
 
I kinda whish that headphones were smart, ie. you could upload EQ corrections directly to them.  Then they'd sound the same anywhere.  I get that many people don't want to use any EQ (I don't usually), and that's great if you can afford the perfect phones and/or have the time to compare hundreds of models.  But I quite like making something you have better.

 

[Lurk650]

I personally never use EQ with headphones. Only in my car since my Pioneer PRS80 head unit is built for it

 

[Bob A (SD)]

Being a HUGE fan 

    of  _gl's HD600 impulse curves and having a pair of Easy UEs (Ownluxe A1) on hand I figured WTH and set up another foobar2000 DSP chain with the 64bit balanced RC curve.  And proceeded to listen with an extention cable I have available.
 
First let me say that I never found my pair of UEs as flawed as _gl describes in his opening post in this thread.  None of my 4 pairs of IEMs comes close to the aural experience my HD580 and HD600s provide.  And even my Philips SHP9500 which I also use with my DAP gives me more saatisfaction. But plainly IEMs excel for portability and given all my cans are open back (or in the case of the SHL5500 on ear), isolation.  So they serve me well in circumstances they were designed for.   I simply don't use them with my computer desktop audio system so this "audition" with _gl's corrections is a major departure for me. 
 
Second the sound quality between my Rockboxed xDuoo X3 and my desktop foobar2000 setup out of either my Vali 1 or G1217 Polaris amplifiers is different with the later being richer, more dynamic, and impactful. That's not to say the X3 DAP's SQ is poor.  It most certainly is not.  It's simply that the fb2k desktop system is on a different level albeit subtle.  Frankly only A-B'ing them really reveals the differences. 
 
The UEs sound great out of the fb2k system.  But then activating the convolver I could immediately sense added refinement and as Lurk650 commented, a more natural presentation.  Very nice!
 
So again kudos to _gl for these enhancements for UEs owners. 

 

 

[_gl]

Thanks for giving them a spin Bob

.
 
 
I've finished the final curves, called Open (see 1st post).  They correct the slightly recessed vocals of Balanced and sound more, erm, open.
 
There's also now two versions as promised - Warm (similar to Balance):
 

 
 
And Clean (brighter):
 

 
 
Plus all sample rates above 44.1k are included.
 
 
I think I've hit the limit of the drivers - Lurk, how do those curves compare to the DQSM D2?  Ballpark or is the D2 way better still?
 
(still considering the D2).

 

[Lurk650]

Gonna give them a run in a bit but I can bet they still won't beat the D2. D2 even beats out the TK13 which I'm listening to right now and are the best $100 under price wise

 

[_gl]

Gonna give them a run in a bit but I can bet they still won't beat the D2. D2 even beats out the TK13 which I'm listening to right now and are the best $100 under price wise

 
OK that's good to know (well it means I might have to buy D2's now ; ), I can see that dynamics just don't resolve all that well (but seem good for bass as people keep saying).
 
Look forward to your final impressions.

 

[Lurk650]

Trying to download the folder and I keep getting an error when I go to open it. Says invalid folder

 

[_gl]

Right, just tried and first time got a server error, then a tiny download, and now re-uploading the file fails with JSON errors as well.  Bear with me ...

 

[_gl]

Nope, headfi is having issues, will try again later.