[ElMarcado]

  Guys, my SZ2000 distorts when EQ'd, and they plenty almost no bass without EQ. I don't know if my eq sucks, or what, but it sounds like clipping, like when the driver can't handle more. I don't know what's happening. They came from Japan and I can't easily return them. What it can be?? They vibrate my head like mad, but distorts when I ask them too much.
 
My source is a MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 which puts out like 2 Vrms at most. I HIGHLY doubt that they are defective because they drop the bass like mad, its just that I'm hearing a weird distortion which shouldn't be there. Maybe they need a more powerful source? Is 2 Vrms enough to prevent clipping? Maybe I'm hearing EQ distortion?
 
I'm using FLAC files. I need help!

I think it's my source because my PortaPro's clips at the exact volume level. Can't be a coincidence. I'm using stock pads. Any help?

 

[dogears]

If your source has the clips then that's about it

 

[ElMarcado]

  If your source has the clips then that's about it

I've seen a post in which the guy with the 2pac avatar said that the SZ2000 will distort on something like the FiiO E12, which is easily more powerful than the MacBook Pro Retina headphone out. I think I need a more powerful amp. Can someone confirm this?

 

[DoctorZoidberg]

You need an amp. My sz1000 clip and distort out of my e18 without EQ. It's almost certainly a power issue. I have a C5 on the way so I will be able to confirm/deny this theory soon.

 

[vapman]

SZ2000 clips easily when you try to get it too loud with a not powerful enough source. Definitely let us know if the C5 fixes it @DoctorZoidberg although I would assume it probably would. The C5 is a godly match with the SZ's.
 
I may be getting a spare set of SZ's recabled by @PETEREK soon. I was gonna do the work myself, but I got a 2 pin cable from him for some of my IEMs and it's so much better than anything I could do myself.

 

[dogears]

Oh okay. I think it's the amplifier that would 'clip' (when overdriven) but not the headphone driver

 

[vapman]

  Oh okay. I think it's the amplifier that would 'clip' (when overdriven) but not the headphone driver

It probably is cause I remember experiencing this when I owned the soundblaster E5. When switching to high gain the SZ just got really muddy and nasty. In reality it can handle more power than your ears can, so when you max out an amp that can't push as much power as the SZ is capable of, is when you begin to get distortion.
 
distortion/clipping because of too much power  being fed to the SZ would sound very different.

 

[Phoniac]

From a technical point of view I can confirm that the SZ, no matter which version, is distortion free at 4.36 Vrms, equalling 1.19 Watts at its impedance rating of 16 Ohm. Full bass attacks without driver problems.

 

[Phoniac]

  SZ2000 clips easily when you try to get it too loud with a not powerful enough source.

 
No, the SZ2000 does not clip. The amp does.

 

[dogears]

Could be the chain then? You can test it with another pair of headphones.

 

[Imperatore]

Got these today.   Initially wasn't that impressed so I searched this thread from EQ settings.  Saw badboy's video and tried to replicate, then I understood
 
This is what I set my Creative X7 to based on that video.  I am using low gain as high gain doesn't give me much freedome in volume increments.
 
 

 
 
I then realised that on the video I think 6DB was used on the settings and mine was at -12 so I adjusted again.
 

 

[ElMarcado]

  Got these today.   Initially wasn't that impressed so I searched this thread from EQ settings.  Saw badboy's video and tried to replicate, then I understood
 
This is what I set my Creative X7 to based on that video.  I am using low gain as high gain doesn't give me much freedome in volume increments.
 
 

These have the most crazy sub-bass I've ever heard. Out of the box, they sound pretty balanced but not that impressive. But give them a sub-bass boost and man, you wouldn't go back to flat, 'reference headphones' for those bass-heavy albums. I LOVE my pair. <3
 
By the way, that EQ looks like it's all bass and nothing else. These are pretty grainy and rolled-off in the treble, and IMO, without a treble boost, the bass eats the rest of the sound. Try boosting everything from 1k to 8k 3 dB for a more balanced sound. 

 

[Imperatore]

Thanks for your input so I have it set like:
 

31	6db
62	4db
125	-3db
250	-5db
500	-6db
1k	3db
2k	3db
4k	3db
8k	3db
16k	-5db

 
Will continue to tweak but sounds goods at the moment

 

[Hawaiibadboy]

  Got these today.   Initially wasn't that impressed so I searched this thread from EQ settings.  Saw badboy's video and tried to replicate, then I understood
 
This is what I set my Creative X7 to based on that video.  I am using low gain as high gain doesn't give me much freedome in volume increments.
 
 

 
 
I then realised that on the video I think 6DB was used on the settings and mine was at -12 so I adjusted again.
 

Thanks for sharing!
Helps others with your set-up in the future.

 

[ElMarcado]

 
Thanks for sharing!
Helps others with your set-up in the future.

Hey Hawaiibadboy, my SZ2000 distorts/rattles when reproducing very low bass at high volume, about 75 dB and above with EQ. Other users have experienced this. No amp. Stock pads. Is that normal? Will a good amp fix that problem?