Best eq for UM2

[cibbi77]

I've a pair of westone UM2, a rockboxxed ipod nano, silvercab by qables, x1 amp.
I'm looking for the best equalizer setting.

Anybody has experience about?

 

[qingcai]

never do any EQ

 

[spinali]

I no longer own my UM2, but the question interests me, as well. My old UM2 was nearly impossible to manage, EQ-wise. I found that a certain strong component of bass was integral to the UM2 sound; otherwise, there's danger of a prominent 3k hump.

I partially managed the problem by carrying along a Xenos portable amp that let me fix EQ on the fly.

 

[Funk-O-Meter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinali /img/forum/go_quote.gif I no longer own my UM2, but the question interests me, as well. My old UM2 was nearly impossible to manage, EQ-wise. I found that a certain strong component of bass was integral to the UM2 sound; otherwise, there's danger of a prominent 3k hump. I partially managed the problem by carrying along a Xenos portable amp that let me fix EQ on the fly.

I felt exaclty the same way so I sold them and bought some livewires.

If I remember right pull out some 6k-7k, add some 12k. There is a serious 2k-3k hump like Spinali mentioned but it's part of the warm UM-2 sound that you might or might not want to thin out. I think about switching to Rockbox just for the eq as my iPod has almost useless EQ.

 

[countach]

Try a curve like ____ᬬ

 

[spinali]

Quote:

Try a curve like ____·¨¨ __________________ Team Etymōtic!

Easily said if you have an Ety.However, the UM2 has a thick bass that makes much of the treble detail disappear. Some would say "warm," but that's being kind.

Interestingly, however, I was able to coax an excellent sound from the UM2 by using the EQ from my iMac. Using iTunes>Preferences>Playback>Sound Enhancer (middle setting). The sound becomes remarkably balanced-sounding. Apple achieved the effect using the power of its 10-band EQ, and I suspect Rockbox could approximate these results. The final Rockbox EQ will likely be cup-shaped.

 

[countach]

Actually lowering the bottom part of the UM2 makes the highs shine, getting a more balanced sound.

But if there is not a good source, will be difficult to get rid of the muddy and nasty sound the UM2 can get too.

Now I am playing around for first time with Rockbox and its pretty annoying making anything with the interface. (EQ'in, for example). This a very draft software, I hope it'll became more refined...

 

[jcx]

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/reference_earphones.htm

free/cheap function gen sw for a soundcard shouldn't be too hard to find, "pink noise" and 1/3 octave filtered noise with sweepable center freq would also be good for correcting frequency response by ear

you should also read up on loudness curves and have a idea of the spl you're using for the eq