[StarTreker]

While its true that our cans are not exactly cheap, they are not 1000+ dollar cans either. They come with protein leather pads. While better then vynl true, but not as good as sheepskin leather. I replaced pads with HM5 Sheepskin Oval pads, much improvement!

Regarding the headband, sadly there is nothing that can be done short of wrapping it in black duck tape. Perhaps somebody more knowledgeable will have a better solution. Considering I have probably 1000 hours on my cans, headband flake is least of my worries.

Be thankful your cans have not snapped at the hinges! I'm thankful it hasn't happened to me yet! I assume your drivers still pump out killer bass? I know it sucks but your still in the game buddy so chin up. Put em on your ears, fire up your favorite tunes.

 

[Phoniac]

I have several pairs of these and can tell you that manufacturing quality varies greatly. One 1000 headband is still like new, while another one started to peel off already after one month.

The funny thing is after all is peeled off it looks good again! IMHO using tape to fix it is the worst you can do as it looks terrible and can not be removed later without damaging the fabrique under that black faux leather.

With the 2000 there is no headband problem, obviously, only earpad problem. Both 1000 and 2000 peel off there as well. But ear pads are either easy to replace or already replaced anyway...

 

[poorejj]

Someone try my eq settings on their SZ2000. It's very good to my ears.

Preamp: -14.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 202 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 2.75
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 261 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 295 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 2.72
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 439 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 1.54
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 735 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 1.00
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1033 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 1.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1420 Hz Gain -6.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1665 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2185 Hz Gain -14.7 dB Q 5.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2246 Hz Gain 14.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 11: ON PK Fc 2868 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 4.61
Filter 12: ON PK Fc 3047 Hz Gain -6.7 dB Q 2.59
Filter 13: ON PK Fc 4480 Hz Gain 15.8 dB Q 1.00
Filter 14: ON PK Fc 5879 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 15: ON PK Fc 6996 Hz Gain -9.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 16: ON PK Fc 7758 Hz Gain -15.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 17: ON PK Fc 8018 Hz Gain 12.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 18: ON PK Fc 9949 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 19: ON PK Fc 12233 Hz Gain -9.6 dB Q 1.00
Filter 20: ON PK Fc 15907 Hz Gain -7.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 21: ON PK Fc 22 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75
Filter 22: ON PK Fc 47 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75

 

[SHAMuuu]

BTW, I just realized that the 800MW spec on the A5, is for 32OHM. Since my cans are 16OHM, chances are, the A5 will be outputting a full watt to the drivers. OK, I am definitely happy about the purchase then. lol

PC>X1>A5> SZ1k = specs online said they were 16-300ish compatible but oddly only shows specs at the 32 and 300 ohm.

High gain at 3 o'clock and no floor noise, so that is great. I would get some noise with 450mw @16ohm with M1(A3 Clone) at high gain at 3 oclock/

Mine is sz1k but i put a hell lot of dynamat xtreme in there which i would think brings it close to the 2k brass ring vibration attenuator.

All set in hm5 sheepskin Round (regular size) tried xl but regular fits better. Ovals are great too.

 

[StarTreker]

PC>X1>A5> SZ1k = specs online said they were 16-300ish compatible but oddly only shows specs at the 32 and 300 ohm.

High gain at 3 o'clock and no floor noise, so that is great. I would get some noise with 450mw @16ohm with M1(A3 Clone) at high gain at 3 oclock/

Mine is sz1k but i put a hell lot of dynamat xtreme in there which i would think brings it close to the 2k brass ring vibration attenuator.

All set in hm5 sheepskin Round (regular size) tried xl but regular fits better. Ovals are great too.

Yeah, I didn't get that either, why only state spec for 32-OHM, especially since most cans are 16-OHM, such as the SZ1000 and SZ2000. But I just used deductive reasoning that if the amp pushes out 800MW at 32-OHM, then it should be pushing 1W at 16-OHM. And very few cans are 300 OHM, so I really don't know who would use a portable headphone amp to try and power non efficient power hungry cans with them.

I did not know you did that mod to your cans. The only mod I've done to my SZ1K, is switch out the pads to HM5 Sheepskin Oval pads. Of course the amp upgrade to the Fiio A5 makes a huge difference in sound due to the power increase. I am glad that you got your A5, after I got mine. I knew other's would notice the increase in power through the sound coming out of the drivers too lol. Of course I never really considered floor noise. But now that I think about it, you are right about that too!

 

[SHAMuuu]

I was bothered that the sz2k had more vibrational control over sz1k, so i had to add some dynamat extreme so i could sleep better at night. The "brass" is so thin, its comical, so i know the dynamat i put in made a big difference.

Its on page 299 the pics of what i did. Its a bit risky to open them up...but what ever floats your boat.

 

[snellemin]

Yeah, I didn't get that either, why only state spec for 32-OHM, especially since most cans are 16-OHM, such as the SZ1000 and SZ2000. But I just used deductive reasoning that if the amp pushes out 800MW at 32-OHM, then it should be pushing 1W at 16-OHM. And very few cans are 300 OHM, so I really don't know who would use a portable headphone amp to try and power non efficient power hungry cans with them.

The unit is guaranteed to push out 800mW @ 32 ohms. At 16 ohms there will be power supply limitations. So you won't be able to get the needed current for the 40hz and below frequencies at max power.

 

[StarTreker]

The unit is guaranteed to push out 800mW @ 32 ohms. At 16 ohms there will be power supply limitations. So you won't be able to get the needed current for the 40hz and below frequencies at max power.

Well, I don't know how true that is, since I am getting plenty of 40 hertz signal in the sub base range with my cans. Infact, I swear I am hearing bass down into the 16 hertz range. Now, the A3 certainly had its limitations, and it was obvious, since I had distortion and crackle at high volumes, most noticeable in the Jurassic Park movies, when a T-Rex calls out his dominance. However, that is all gone now with the A5, so amp power was most certainly the culprit there.

Now, I am guessing, depending on the cans, how they are constructed, quality of construction, and power requirements, will greatly impact what the A5 will be able to provide to them. However, most reviewers give the A5 a 5-star out of 5 rating. The SZ series use carbon nano tube drivers, I am not an expert on that technology, but it might be indeed possible that they arn't as hard to drive as some others. But the SZ series most certainly needs at least a full watt in order to play well.

There is a type of can, forget its name, but I think it uses some kind of diaphram. Its an ugly square and longated can, that costs like 2000 dollars or something, and requires a special amp in order to power them, cause normal amps can't run the tech inside I guess. I think any can like that is absolutely rediculous. Oh lets make a can that most amps can't power, then lets jack up the price so high on it, so that we can push that whole posh hoity toity appeal to them, just like Bose and Apple does. PLEASE! lol

 

[poorejj]

Can someone with the sz2000's try out my eq settings and let me know what they think? I am using this in equalizer apo.

Preamp: -14.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 202 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 2.75
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 261 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 295 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 2.72
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 439 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 1.54
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 735 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 1.00
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1033 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 1.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1420 Hz Gain -6.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1665 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2185 Hz Gain -14.7 dB Q 5.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2246 Hz Gain 14.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 11: ON PK Fc 2868 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 4.61
Filter 12: ON PK Fc 3047 Hz Gain -6.7 dB Q 2.59
Filter 13: ON PK Fc 4480 Hz Gain 15.8 dB Q 1.00
Filter 14: ON PK Fc 5879 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 15: ON PK Fc 6996 Hz Gain -9.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 16: ON PK Fc 7758 Hz Gain -15.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 17: ON PK Fc 8018 Hz Gain 12.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 18: ON PK Fc 9949 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 19: ON PK Fc 12233 Hz Gain -9.6 dB Q 1.00
Filter 20: ON PK Fc 15907 Hz Gain -7.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 21: ON PK Fc 22 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75
Filter 22: ON PK Fc 47 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75

 

[snellemin]

Well, I don't know how true that is, since I am getting plenty of 40 hertz signal in the sub base range with my cans. Infact, I swear I am hearing bass down into the 16 hertz range. Now, the A3 certainly had its limitations, and it was obvious, since I had distortion and crackle at high volumes, most noticeable in the Jurassic Park movies, when a T-Rex calls out his dominance. However, that is all gone now with the A5, so amp power was most certainly the culprit there.

Now, I am guessing, depending on the cans, how they are constructed, quality of construction, and power requirements, will greatly impact what the A5 will be able to provide to them. However, most reviewers give the A5 a 5-star out of 5 rating. The SZ series use carbon nano tube drivers, I am not an expert on that technology, but it might be indeed possible that they arn't as hard to drive as some others. But the SZ series most certainly needs at least a full watt in order to play well.

What I'm saying is, that at 16 ohms a lot more current is required to produce the lower frequencies with authority. It will play no doubt, but not at the proper volume. For example, at 32 ohms it will play the 30Hz at 15db. But at 16 ohms it will play the same 30Hz at only 10db. This is due to the power supply limit. The limitation can be due to the chosen buffers, battery output limit, or as designed for longer play time.

 

[snellemin]

There is a type of can, forget its name, but I think it uses some kind of diaphram. Its an ugly square and longated can, that costs like 2000 dollars or something, and requires a special amp in order to power them, cause normal amps can't run the tech inside I guess. I think any can like that is absolutely rediculous. Oh lets make a can that most amps can't power, then lets jack up the price so high on it, so that we can push that whole posh hoity toity appeal to them, just like Bose and Apple does. PLEASE! lol

[/QUOTE]

That is a electrostatic headphone. And like electrostatic speakers, they require a separate power supply to energize the coils. For acoustic accuracy, nothing beats the speed of electrostatics. You have to listen to one to understand what I'm talking about.

 

[StarTreker]

What I'm saying is, that at 16 ohms a lot more current is required to produce the lower frequencies with authority. It will play no doubt, but not at the proper volume. For example, at 32 ohms it will play the 30Hz at 15db. But at 16 ohms it will play the same 30Hz at only 10db. This is due to the power supply limit. The limitation can be due to the chosen buffers, battery output limit, or as designed for longer play time.

Oh dude, thanks for clarifying! Now I understand what you were saying. Which does actually explain with the Fiio A3 did a bad job with my cans. I currently have my cans Equalized too, I am literally pumping 10+ DB into the bass channel from the equalizer unit, before it even enters the amp. So glad my new A5 is able to do a better job. Yeah, you want my advice, stay away from the Fiio A3. Cause personally, I think that amp is probably only good for like 45mm drivers and bellow. Got to have the A5 if you want your cans to feel alive. And like you say, if I had the SZ2000's, I would want something like the Schiit Magni 3, so I could pump a few wants into them real good lol.

There is a type of can, forget its name, but I think it uses some kind of diaphram. Its an ugly square and longated can, that costs like 2000 dollars or something, and requires a special amp in order to power them, cause normal amps can't run the tech inside I guess. I think any can like that is absolutely rediculous. Oh lets make a can that most amps can't power, then lets jack up the price so high on it, so that we can push that whole posh hoity toity appeal to them, just like Bose and Apple does. PLEASE! lol

That is a electrostatic headphone. And like electrostatic speakers, they require a separate power supply to energize the coils. For acoustic accuracy, nothing beats the speed of electrostatics. You have to listen to one to understand what I'm talking about.[/QUOTE]

Dude, you are really knowledgeable man! Thats why I love this website, you can learn a lot over here. Well, let me make you a promise. If I ever come in contact with those electrostatic headphones, I will be sure to try them out and give you all my opinion on them. But for now, I will enjoy my SZ1000's. And when I am on the go portable, I will enjoy my Cowin E7 Pro's, which incase you didn't know, are a high end bluetooth headphone, they got pretty good bass for a 45mm driver powered by a onboard opamp.

 

[snellemin]

Can someone with the sz2000's try out my eq settings and let me know what they think? I am using this in equalizer apo.

Preamp: -14.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 202 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 2.75
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 261 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 295 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 2.72
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 439 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 1.54
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 735 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 1.00
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1033 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 1.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1420 Hz Gain -6.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1665 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2185 Hz Gain -14.7 dB Q 5.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2246 Hz Gain 14.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 11: ON PK Fc 2868 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 4.61
Filter 12: ON PK Fc 3047 Hz Gain -6.7 dB Q 2.59
Filter 13: ON PK Fc 4480 Hz Gain 15.8 dB Q 1.00
Filter 14: ON PK Fc 5879 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 15: ON PK Fc 6996 Hz Gain -9.4 dB Q 5.00
Filter 16: ON PK Fc 7758 Hz Gain -15.0 dB Q 5.00
Filter 17: ON PK Fc 8018 Hz Gain 12.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 18: ON PK Fc 9949 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 5.00
Filter 19: ON PK Fc 12233 Hz Gain -9.6 dB Q 1.00
Filter 20: ON PK Fc 15907 Hz Gain -7.8 dB Q 5.00
Filter 21: ON PK Fc 22 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75
Filter 22: ON PK Fc 47 Hz Gain 9 dB Q .75

Well you didn't list what hardware you are using. That is the only way we could come close to what you are hearing with your EQ settings.

 

[poorejj]

Well you didn't list what hardware you are using. That is the only way we could come close to what you are hearing with your EQ settings.

This is the data from my SZ2000 config file for Equalizer APO on windows. I run this same configuration on my SZ2000's at work and at home. At work I have an O2 amp and separate DAC. At home I have an IFI Micro ICAN SE amp and Behringer UMC204HD DAC.

 

[poorejj]

Well you didn't list what hardware you are using. That is the only way we could come close to what you are hearing with your EQ settings.

Also,

I created the EQ after recording the frequency response of my headphones with Room EQ wizard and a decent headphone with fairly flat frequency response. I used the recorded frequency response of the SZ2000 and matched it to the harman curve, then bumped the low frequencies centered around like 45hz 9db.