Gradofan2
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2005
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As several others on Headfi, I bought the “Aphex 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom” sound processor (a name contrived on The Man Show no doubt) to fine tune the sound of my system to compensate for the inadequacies of any particular component, or of any recording. I got it primarily to brighten the sound of my Senns and to add perceived dynamics, clarity and detail – which it does – making them sound much more like Grados, or ATH’s. But, it also allows me to fine tune each recording to enhance the quality of the sound.
It’s not an EQ, but a unique sound processor, which allows you to dynamically shape the sound to your preferences. You can read more about the Apex 204 here:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tom?sku=181820
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/docum...ive&sku=181820
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...n/m_181820.pdf
On first impressions, it seems to do the job it claims to do pretty effectively. It permits the user to enhance bass frequencies, adding texture, and impact, and the perception of speed (it tightens the bass); and the high frequencies, adding the perception of extension, clarity, detail and brilliance. It adds vibrancy, and liveliness – making relatively flat, lifeless recordings come to life. It allows the user to add or reduce the balance of bass, mids and highs, and it can add, or reduce, the perception of air in the soundstage.
I presume, it achieves these qualities by adding a degree of distortion, much as tubes, or opamps do – but, it is not objectionable distortion, and the various controls permit the user to dial in the amount of distortion the user prefers. That shouldn’t disturb most persons, since every recording has distortion imparted by the recording engineer via the selection and placement of the recording devices, as well as via the mix that gets finally transferred to the disc, as well as via the various playback components. The Aphex 204 just allows the user to customize the nature and degree of that distortion to their personal preferences. It does seem to transfer the signal as cleanly and clearly as it receives it from the source, with the addition of the sonic enhancements tuned by the user – with no loss, or excessive, distortion of the details. Those that think they’re hearing the pure, transparent sound produced by the original musicians – are fooling themselves. So, they might as well tune the sound to their preferences… so long as no details and clarity are lost in the signal transfer.
Whatever… the Aphex 204 does brighten the Senns to sound much more like the Grados, and ATH’s… while adding a vibrancy and liveliness, which makes the music seem much more life-like. Those that already think the Senns are too bright… may not like what it does… but, those who think the Senns are too dark… will likely be very pleased at the effects it adds.
It may be just the answer for those who are not purists, and who don’t have the patience, to keep trying multiple components in their search for just the right combination of components, which can “synergize” to produce “just the right sound.”
What do the rest of you guys who have been seduced by the “Aural Exciter” think about her???
It’s not an EQ, but a unique sound processor, which allows you to dynamically shape the sound to your preferences. You can read more about the Apex 204 here:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tom?sku=181820
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/docum...ive&sku=181820
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...n/m_181820.pdf
On first impressions, it seems to do the job it claims to do pretty effectively. It permits the user to enhance bass frequencies, adding texture, and impact, and the perception of speed (it tightens the bass); and the high frequencies, adding the perception of extension, clarity, detail and brilliance. It adds vibrancy, and liveliness – making relatively flat, lifeless recordings come to life. It allows the user to add or reduce the balance of bass, mids and highs, and it can add, or reduce, the perception of air in the soundstage.
I presume, it achieves these qualities by adding a degree of distortion, much as tubes, or opamps do – but, it is not objectionable distortion, and the various controls permit the user to dial in the amount of distortion the user prefers. That shouldn’t disturb most persons, since every recording has distortion imparted by the recording engineer via the selection and placement of the recording devices, as well as via the mix that gets finally transferred to the disc, as well as via the various playback components. The Aphex 204 just allows the user to customize the nature and degree of that distortion to their personal preferences. It does seem to transfer the signal as cleanly and clearly as it receives it from the source, with the addition of the sonic enhancements tuned by the user – with no loss, or excessive, distortion of the details. Those that think they’re hearing the pure, transparent sound produced by the original musicians – are fooling themselves. So, they might as well tune the sound to their preferences… so long as no details and clarity are lost in the signal transfer.
Whatever… the Aphex 204 does brighten the Senns to sound much more like the Grados, and ATH’s… while adding a vibrancy and liveliness, which makes the music seem much more life-like. Those that already think the Senns are too bright… may not like what it does… but, those who think the Senns are too dark… will likely be very pleased at the effects it adds.
It may be just the answer for those who are not purists, and who don’t have the patience, to keep trying multiple components in their search for just the right combination of components, which can “synergize” to produce “just the right sound.”
What do the rest of you guys who have been seduced by the “Aural Exciter” think about her???
