[Syliano]

Hey guys I got a little problem here. I use to own the Sennheiser HD600 paired with the Fiio E7+E9 for music production(mixing) for a long time, unaffortunately I had to part with the senns. A while after that I decided to buy the Focal spirit pro's because of the raving reviews. I like them a lot with the Fiio E7 alone, but they suck with the E7+E9 combi probably because of the low headphone impedance and high jack input impedance on the E9. It's just grainy and the highs are way to prominent. 
 
Now there are a few options im considering, since I do want to keep using the E7E9 combi;
 
- Get a resistor adaptor (Etymotic ER4P to ER4S (3.5MM plug)resistor adaptor)
- Ditch the E9 and just use the E7 for the spirit pro's (which is not practical because I use the line out from the E9 for my speakers)
- Get the HD650 and sell the focal spirit pro. 
 
What do you guys think I should do?
Could adding a resistor adaptor be a suitable solution?
If not will the HD650 with the Fiio E7E9 be a big improvement over the Spirit Pro paired with the E7?
 
Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Sell off the E7/E9 and get the Schiit Modi 2 (Uber?) and Magni 2 Uber.

 

[Syliano]

  Sell off the E7/E9 and get the Schiit Modi 2 (Uber?) and Magni 2 Uber.

Wasn't really looking to upgrade my amp and dac and its going to be too expensive to get those two things shipped to europe especially with the added costums charges.

 

[urardo]

From what I recall, the output impedance on the Fiio E9 6.5mm jack is quite a bit lower than on the 3.5mm. So, if you're using the 3.5mm (I don't know the Focal Spirit Pros...) it might simply be a matter of trying out a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter. Good luck!

 

[Syliano]

From what I recall, the output impedance on the Fiio E9 6.5mm jack is quite a bit lower than on the 3.5mm. So, if you're using the 3.5mm (I don't know the Focal Spirit Pros...) it might simply be a matter of trying out a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter. Good luck!

It's 10ohm on the 6.5mm input. I'm not using the 3.5mm input because it makes the sound even worse (it has a impedance of 43). The focal has an impedance of 32. I've heard the best amp impedance/headphone impedance ratio is 1/10. Thus making the 10ohm impedance problematic when it comes to high sensitive and low impedance headphones. 

 

[Music Alchemist]

I like the Focal Spirit Professional slightly more than the HD 650. Both are good headphones, but neither are ones I would recommend for studio work. They're just too dark. If your FSP sounds bright to you, something is wrong with your system.
 
Regardless, you'll need to use EQ for accurate results.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/413900/how-to-equalize-your-headphones-a-tutorial
http://www.head-fi.org/t/587703/how-to-equalize-your-headphones-a-tutorial-part-2
http://www.head-fi.org/t/615417/how-to-equalize-your-headphones-advanced-tutorial-in-progress

 

[Syliano]

I wouldn't call the fsp too dark to work with, regardless of the source. The sennheiser HD600 I had was much darker and still perfectly suitable for music production.

Regarding EQ, ive started using a demo of this vst recently which i really like. It makes the sound more in your face so to speak.

http://store.sonarworks.com/collections/headphone-calibration/products/sonarworks-reference-3-headphone-plugin

 

[Music Alchemist]

I wouldn't call the fsp too dark to work with, regardless of the source. The sennheiser HD600 I had was much darker and still perfectly suitable for music production.

Regarding EQ, ive started using a demo of this vst recently which i really like. It makes the sound more in your face so to speak.

http://store.sonarworks.com/collections/headphone-calibration/products/sonarworks-reference-3-headphone-plugin

 
If you know how to compensate for it, then it's fine, but just look at the measurements. Nearly all the mids and treble are too recessed. I owned two FSPs and it became annoying after awhile. I was actually going to mention the Sonarworks software, but they use their own proprietary compensation curve instead of an established one. Anyway, most studios rely on studio monitor speakers, with headphones used to merely check certain things.
 
Forgot to mention: I like the Yamaha HPH-MT220 a lot more than all these other headphones.

 

[Syliano]

I use them next to my monitor speakers ofcourse, but I've always preferred to work on headphones and then make the neccesary adjustments on monitors.Il give the yammies a look,i own the yamaha hs7 btw