Earbud target curve tests

[Sam L]

Fiio EM5 version 1.5
Bass Edition

version 1.4 might have leaned a bit more neutral than some users prefer. For v1.5, I'll be generating 2 versions -- a bass edition (with some warmth added in the lower mids) and a more neutral version coming later in the week.

Here's the bass edition for the Fiio EM5 and here are the changes from v1.4:



I'm running the wavelet file at 60% strength.

 

[Sam L]

v1.5 Bass Edition for the K's Nameless

Sadly, my Nameless was stolen, so I can't test this out. I'd suggest starting the wavelet file at 50% strength.

 

[Sam L]

Nicehck me80, version 1.5 bass edition

Should still retain upper mid and treble energy as in v.1.4 with a tad more bass presence. v1.5 is intended to add a bit of lower mid warmth but it's very subtle on the m80. My recommendation is to run the wavelet at around 60-75% at first and tweak from there. As always, observations are welcome!

 

[mkz]

Nicehck me80, version 1.5 bass edition

Should still retain upper mid and treble energy as in v.1.4 with a tad more bass presence. v1.5 is intended to add a bit of lower mid warmth but it's very subtle on the m80. My recommendation is to run the wavelet at around 60-75% at first and tweak from there. As always, observations are welcome!

Thank you Sam.

 

[Sam L]

Thank you Sam.

Anything to bring phenomenal sound from the buds we enjoy!

 

[Sam L]

version 1.5 bass edition for the Nicehck b40

For the wavelet file, I'd start around 50%.

 

[Sam L]

ISN Rambo 2 version 1.5
bass edition

I'm able to run this, so far, at 100% strength on wavelet with no distortion (knock on wood.)

I you use the PEQ file through peace/apo equalizer, I recommend setting the preamp value to -7dB and adjust from there.

 

[Sam L]

edit (jan.13): added additional files, including 10 band eq settings (FixedBandEq file)

Yincrow X6
version 1.5 bass edition

What the wavelet file is doing (bass version):


I'm running wavelet at 70% eq strength.

For peace/apo, start with a pre-amp value = -6.9dB

 

[cenizas]

Sam Target v1.5 Bass Edition

version 1.4 might have leaned a bit more neutral than some users prefer. For v1.5, I'll be generating 2 versions -- a bass edition (with some warmth added in the lower mids) and a more neutral version coming later in the week.

Here's the bass edition for the Fiio EM5 and here are the changes from v1.4:



I'm running the wavelet file at 60% strength.

Tried it on the em5, running it at 80%, sounds amazing. It's like a whole other earbud, the fiio takes on the eq super well. While I still like the stock tuning, the compensated fiio is a very welcome second signature. Tried the nameless comp as well, was running it at 80% as well at first, but that was a bit lean in the lower mids and mid bass. No such issue on the fiio though, perhaps it's just the driver characteristics. At 50% the nameless comp sounds good. I'm thinking perhaps some of the lower end buds might benefit more midbass to hide the inherent flaws of cheaper drivers, sort of like how the X6 does it

 

[sarkar1990]

version 1.5 bass edition for the ISN Rambo 2

I'm able to run this, so far, at 100% strength on wavelet with no distortion (knock on wood.)

I you use the PEQ file through peace/apo equalizer, I recommend setting the preamp value to -7dB and adjust from there.

Gonna try it out. will there be a bass edition as well?

 

[Sam L]

Gonna try it out. will there be a bass edition as well?

some of us can always use more bass, right?

There's already a +2 to +5dB lift in the bass and sub-bass with the files I uploaded. I probably won't go any higher than that because of the following reasons:
- I want to maintain adherence to an "ideal" earbuds target curve that applies generally to all earbuds as much as possible.
- at some point, the more I add to the bass the additional headroom required to accommodate will affect other parts of the spectrum
- wavelet's bass filter is amazing and would be a more consistent, higher quality "fix" for those that want more bass.

I will make a more analytical/neutral version of all these files at some point. The difference will be lower mid drop by -2dB and a flat target for sub-bass and bass regions (like v1.4)

 

[Sam L]

Tried it on the em5, running it at 80%, sounds amazing. It's like a whole other earbud, the fiio takes on the eq super well. While I still like the stock tuning, the compensated fiio is a very welcome second signature. Tried the nameless comp as well, was running it at 80% as well at first, but that was a bit lean in the lower mids and mid bass. No such issue on the fiio though, perhaps it's just the driver characteristics. At 50% the nameless comp sounds good. I'm thinking perhaps some of the lower end buds might benefit more midbass to hide the inherent flaws of cheaper drivers, sort of like how the X6 does it

Yes, fully agree. The driver in the EM5 is incredibly forgiving and can take pretty much anything you throw at it via EQ. I don't think people have a sense of how dramatic these wavelet files can affect sound in a positive, meaningful manner. The overall signature is literally like listening to an entirely different high end earbud, which has started to open up my thinking in presenting at least 2 versions of files from now on -- a bass version and a more neutral/analytical-ish version.

I run the Nameless at 50% as well, so we match there. I'm not running the em5 quite as high as you but that's only because my brain can't handle how different the sound profile sounds from stock. It's as if I need to re-burn-in my brain, so I'm at 60% although 80% sounds fantastic too (and for that matter 100% works perfectly as well).

 

[mkz]

Do you also have PEQ file for **** BK2? Just received it along with the suggested cable here so excited to try out. Thanks.

 

[Sam L]

Do you also have PEQ file for **** BK2? Just received it along with the suggested cable here so excited to try out. Thanks.

Here you go.

v1.5 BK2 PEQ file (I'm also including an updated v1.5 since I re-measured the bk2)
start with a pre-amp value of -10dB

I'm running the wavelet at 80% strength.

**edit**
this is the bass version

 

[Sam L]

version 1.5 bass edition
Monk Lite 120 ohm

Let me know how it sounds. I'm still waiting for my replacement set to arrive via aliexpress.