Wondering what EQ settings to use for the EL-8? Stock is surprisingly musical. It’s clear the Titanium was given a bit of a bass boost for consumer audiophiles picking them up from the Apple Store.
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Wondering what EQ settings to use for the EL-8? Stock is surprisingly musical. It’s clear the Titanium was given a bit of a bass boost for consumer audiophiles picking them up from the Apple Store.
From what I understand, the bass boost is in the Cipher cable itself, not so much in the tuning of the headphones themselves. I can definitely say I hear it that way, too, comparing the regular cable with the Cipher.
The one site I could find that measured FR measured a boost in the bass and treble, but they didn’t indicate whether that was with or without the cable. (It’s implied that it’s without.)
That’s true though, the Cipher EQ does add a ~ 3dB bass boost. I think these headphones may actually sound better without it. After spending more time with the EL-8 Titanium I can see the negative reviews since they have more of a consumer V-shaped tuning than an audiophile neutral tuning like Audeze’s other headphones. However, it’s a very mild V-shaped tuning that should make the headphones musical without negatively affecting the clarity.
This is the EL-8 Titanium, implied that it’s taken with the 3.5mm cable but not specifically stated. +3dB bass boost, and a sharp rise in the upper treble.
https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/audeze/el-8-titanium/
Hmm, my ears definitely don’t hear it, one of the first things I noted when I first listened to them (with standard cable as I didn’t have Cipher yet) was how thin they sounded in the low end.
Because I LOVE my Sine with cipher connected to my iPhone/iPod/iPad, I'm contemplating an EL-8 Titanium with cipher. Can I just correct that V-shape with the Audeze app by raising the midrange?Personally I was looking for a neutral headphone so the Titanium with the Cipher is too V-shaped for my taste. I think the Cipher cable adds too much bass, the mids are cleaner without the bass boost. I'm using it with the 3.5mm cable plugged directly into my MacBook Pro for the first time and I'm impressed with what I'm hearing. I suspect the EL-8 Closed and the Titanium do have different frequency responses based on the FR graphs I've seen.
While I think the Sine sounded just fine with the Cipher, I think the EL-8's sound may actually be better without it. Better as in more neutral. It's a bit too upfront for my taste with the Cipher. It does get punchier and more lively though. I do care about clean mids, and I think the Cipher cable with the Titanium cable makes the bass a bit too exaggerated. The +3dB boost with the Titanium's stock tuning is enough for my taste for their purpose. Will confirm with Audeze tomorrow.
Also, don't forget: the bass is still there and reaches deep, you're just getting cleaner mids/treble response instead.
Because I LOVE my Sine with cipher connected to my iPhone/iPod/iPad, I'm contemplating an EL-8 Titanium with cipher. Can I just correct that V-shape with the Audeze app by raising the midrange?
Did anyone tried the M1060 btw? And how will the compare next to the Sine and El-8?
I guess i get addicted to Planar headphones.
Yeah that's basically what I used for my Sine, except I cut 8kHz 1dB and 16 kHz 2dBI think Ty's Sine Cipher settings of +1dB at 500Hz and 1Hz and a -5dB reduction at 16Hz also works well on the EL-8.
With these EQ settings the Cipher cable is definitely a very noticeable improvement over the 3.5mm.
Yeah that's basically what I used for my Sine, except I cut 8KHz 1dB and 16 kHz 2dB
I'll try that when I get an EL-8 Titanium. But for now Daft Punk is Doin' It Right on my Audeze SineIf you're looking to totally get rid of the V-shape on the EL-8, I'd say to cut every frequency ~ -5dB except 500Hz-4KHz. Sounds better than trying to boost the mid-range.
Did anyone tried the M1060 btw? And how will the compare next to the Sine and El-8?
I guess i get addicted to Planar headphones.