[ClieOS]

I think we can universally agree software EQ degrades SQ on a technical standpoint as far as mobile devices are concerned. So the best we can do is to start with great hardware that doesn't need much, if any software EQ to begin with, and only resolve to EQ as the necessary evil to better suit individual taste. Never a bad thing for having more options, as long as it doesn't affect the fundamental.

 

[Marco Angel]

Im not supporting anybody, just giving away my thoughts...

I also think that most of the EQ affects in a bad way the "naturalness" of what is reproducing (songs, games, just videos, etc) i had and sold EQs from Yamaha for beeing bad at its job, the sound just doesn’t sound coherent and right.
Thats why i like to simply EQ my music with the subwoofer only, just increasing its volume and freq response, leaving the AMP-PRE-SPEAKERS work as they are.

BUT..... on the go, just having a pair of headphones and your source, you have to go with another alternatives, like modding the vents, trying different kind of tips, (anybody say cables?). also trying different sources or amps. So if your headphone didn’t sound just as you want, the EQ is your friend here. But if your goal is to have the best sound possible, you might avoid using the EQ from most sources.

That said, I found that the EQ in the ES100 doesent introduce artifacts to your sound, just leaving the goodness. At least my latest FH5 (soon to be sold) and my SE846 benefits from it just bumping the lower bass (31.5hz +5dB, 63hz +2dB) for extra subwoofer rumble just when the song ask for and not mudding the songs

Thats why im choosy whith the BTR5 and Qudelix 5K. so im waiting my hard earned money for the reviews and comparisons against the ES100

My 2 cents here

 

[crax1905]

Do you guys think which one should be bought; BTR5, ES100 or Shanling UP4? Tell us reasons, please.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Do you guys think which one should be bought; BTR5, ES100 or Shanling UP4? Tell us reasons, please.

at this point whichever comes out first gets my Money, thou I'm leaning toward the UP4 for the better Battery Life.

 

[crax1905]

at this point whichever comes out first gets my Money, thou I'm leaning toward the UP4 for the better Battery Life.

Actually I like BTR5 but nobody knows SQ of it. That is why I can't make a move to purchase. I need someone who has listened to BTR5 and ES100 and compared them together.

 

[Marco Angel]

Actually I like BTR5 but nobody knows SQ of it. That is why I can't make a move to purchase. I need someone who has listened to BTR5 and ES100 and compared them together.

Second here

 

[geffo]

Actually I like BTR5 but nobody knows SQ of it. That is why I can't make a move to purchase. I need someone who has listened to BTR5 and ES100 and compared them together.

I have the BTR5 and the BTR3 and used to own the ES100. The BTR5 easily outperforms the BTR3 and from my memory, sounds better than the ES100 in both balanced and unbalanced. I sold my ES100 when I ordered the BTR5 but it took a while to arrive from China so I didn't have them both side by side. The USB C was much needed for my use case and I'm really happy with it!

 

[crax1905]

I have the BTR5 and the BTR3 and used to own the ES100. The BTR5 easily outperforms the BTR3 and from my memory, sounds better than the ES100 in both balanced and unbalanced. I sold my ES100 when I ordered the BTR5 but it took a while to arrive from China so I didn't have them both side by side. The USB C was much needed for my use case and I'm really happy with it!

Thanks for your valuable comment. I hope you can use it flawlessly. I am now trying to sell ES100 to buy BTR5. Let's wait and see.

 

[Marco Angel]

I have the BTR5 and the BTR3 and used to own the ES100. The BTR5 easily outperforms the BTR3 and from my memory, sounds better than the ES100 in both balanced and unbalanced. I sold my ES100 when I ordered the BTR5 but it took a while to arrive from China so I didn't have them both side by side. The USB C was much needed for my use case and I'm really happy with it!

And how do you could compare the app from Fiio vs the ES100? one of the things from the ES100 is its super informative and customizable

 

[geffo]

I never really used much of the Radstone app personally, same with the Fiio app. Radstone seemed a tad more well thought out but there isn't anything that the Fiio app is missing that I've come across. I had always wished that the BTR3 has balanced output or the ES100 had USB C so this is the first device with all of the above.

 

[FiiO]

@FiiO how come the BTR5 is unavailable on taobao? I am an expat living in China and I cannot order on aliexpress. On the fiio official store, the BTR5 shows as "unavailable". When will it be available for purchase in the local chinese market?

Dear friend,

The 2nd pre-order in Chinese market have been sold out now.

Best regards

 

[FiiO]

 

[Hanesu]

And also note that You have to preset a EQ adjustment per song, you can't get good performance if it is always same preset. Do you alter your EQ preset per song/music you listen to? I wanted to warn you because you said above that "you might adjusted your EQ preset bad, that's why you don't use EQ."

Sorry, but this argument is simply not well thought through, especially from a logical point of view. There are different DAPs on the market that basically have a different sound. Right? Think about : What IS their actual difference? They pronounce different frequency regions differently (no matter whether it has analog or digital “reasons”). Just like an EQ does! Do you change DAPs with every song? Nope! Why should you do that with an EQ?
You should better see it the other way round: You could if you wanted - so it’s actually aN extra feature compared to a DAP without EQ. I never got why people are against EQs. In the end the only thing that counts is what you hear. You can be agains special effects in movies your whole life. But the day you don’t realize anymore it’s a special effect (because it’s made perfectly) you can just enjoy the movie- because what you see is what you see. So what about appreciating companies trying to improve EQs instead of refusing it for no reason? Nobody needs to use it, it’s just a bonus.

 

[crax1905]

Sorry, but this argument is simply not well thought through, especially from a logical point of view. There are different DAPs on the market that basically have a different sound. Right? Think about : What IS their actual difference? They pronounce different frequency regions differently (no matter whether it has analog or digital “reasons”). Just like an EQ does! Do you change DAPs with every song? Nope! Why should you do that with an EQ?
You should better see it the other way round: You could if you wanted - so it’s actually aN extra feature compared to a DAP without EQ. I never got why people are against EQs. In the end the only thing that counts is what you hear. You can be agains special effects in movies your whole life. But the day you don’t realize anymore it’s a special effect (because it’s made perfectly) you can just enjoy the movie- because what you see is what you see. So what about appreciating companies trying to improve EQs instead of refusing it for no reason? Nobody needs to use it, it’s just a bonus.

I just appreciate Earstudio for adding EQ in LDAC mode to its ES100. Is it okay?

 

[fsi22]

To those interested, The BTR5 is now available on AliExpress through the Official Fiio store.