[korzena]

I used to try software EQ, but it always give me an impression of some distortion which I don't like. Only when my EQing is minimal, I don't hear the distortion, but at the same time, it doesn't give me much difference in sound as it's minimal. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[SmOgER]

Quote:

I tried many many eq (vst): equality, equick, fab filter pro q , lp 10, psp neon hr.
The last one I've adopted is spl passeq, I get decent results with my hd800.
But I guess my eq quest has not ended.
 

Would u mind posting your current EQ settings for dat HD800?
 

I used to try software EQ, but it always give me an impression of some distortion which I don't like. Only when my EQing is minimal, I don't hear the distortion, but at the same time, it doesn't give me much difference in sound as it's minimal. Am I doing something wrong?
 

Unless you tried physical EQ, I will say distortion is caused by headphones not being able to reproduce particular frequency (quite common if you are boosting muffled 2k+ tone), try one step higher/lower frequencies, or if it's 4-8k, just boost highs on 16K and see how you'll like it.
 
BTW, in poll 3rd option seems a bit useless as it is misleading and gives no real info... yes and no would be enough.

 

[korzena]

Quote:

Would u mind posting your current EQ settings for dat HD800?
 

 
Unless you tried physical EQ, I will say distortion is caused by headphones not being able to reproduce particular frequency (quite common if you are boosting muffled 2k+ tone), try one step higher/lower frequencies, or if it's 4-8k, just boost highs on 16K and see how you'll like it.

Let's say if I want to boost 4-8k by +2.5dB, how much should I raise the 16k freq?

 

[SmOgER]

Just try and you'll see 

Every HP is different and responds differently, not to mention a big variety of software and DAC's.

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

 but even then I don't think it would be much better than good DAC and SW.

 
You don't know that until you try it.
 
I much prefer hardware to software.
 
Very best,

 

[chewy4]

I believe most hardware analog EQs add THD. Whereas the THD added in digital one's is way below audible levels.
 
Some people like this, which is why electri-q has a mode where it uses an algorithm based on an analog circuit to provide warmth. Probably not quite the same though.

 

[SmOgER]

Just tried to switch off EQ on S600 and it sounded totally like a joke! 
LOL 

EQ can really make a heck of a difference...
I think people could greatly benefit from some factory built-in EQ to HP hidden in the cans which also would be an amp (possibly with couple of presets controlled by a simple button/switch), are such a HP's even exist?? I mean, if we have active noise cancelling, somewhere should be something similiar already.... Why do we have to carry around all this extra stuff (poor Mal) just to enjoy our music?  

 

 

[ev13wt]

Yes sure. Depending on the music, I will sometimes EQ for fun sound.
 
In gaming I usually EQ down the bass on my 2012 edition MMX 300 600Ohm. Not that its too much, but I just don't like it for FPS multiplayer.

 

[ev13wt]

An interesting experiment would be to get ones ears measured and then program a DSP unit to EQ to the ear test result at different frequencies and levels.

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

Just tried to switch off EQ on S600 and it sounded totally like a joke! 
LOL 

EQ can really make a heck of a difference...
I think people could greatly benefit from some factory built-in EQ to HP hidden in the cans which also would be an amp (possibly with couple of presets controlled by a simple button/switch), are such a HP's even exist?? I mean, if we have active noise cancelling, somewhere should be something similiar already.... Why do we have to carry around all this extra stuff (poor Mal) just to enjoy our music?  

 

I don't think that would be a bad idea, it could help deal with some unwanted and uncontrollable spikes in the hardware and even make a headphone neutral stock, but I have a feeling they'd be shunned by the audiophile community for "cheating".

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

Would u mind posting your current EQ settings for dat HD800?

 
Here are my current settings , with spl passeq . Second channel is linked, and hence automatically with same settings no need to
show it.
 

 
Using the vst plugin Analyser , from christian w budde (free) I get this curve:
 

 
Notice that the  full eq curve is below zero, to avoid any clipping.
In order to do that I  can use either the volume knob of spl passeq,
or decrease volume before in a dsp chain.
 
I  use the spl passeq vst inside "ART Teknika Console",  that's more convenient.
 
Here on this dsp chain, I  decrease volume of 3db, using a free vst, before applying spl passeq.
 

 
And the "ART Teknika Console" allow to access values , using sliders, instead of the knob of the regular interface:
 

 
Notice that I  use spl passeq version 1.1.1 , as the most recent version are more cpu heavy, and change almost nothing to processing.
 
And concerning the hardware eq vst  VS. software eq, according to spl marketing , their implementation is very close to the real hardware.

 

[Achmedisdead]

Quote:

Just tried to switch off EQ on S600 and it sounded totally like a joke! 
LOL 

EQ can really make a heck of a difference...
 

Now you know why I say the S500 is so much better....

 You can get great sound from S600 but EQ is required.

 

[SmOgER]

You are here already! Jeez... 
Your avatar says it all.

 

[Achmedisdead]

Quote:

You are here already! Jeez... 
Your avatar says it all.

Just for the record, I voted "Sometimes" in the poll.

 

[bachatum]

Not really, music that is mastered right with a good sound source sounds good enough for me.