For a long time, there has seemed to be a phenomenon within the entire HIFI industry or among enthusiasts, where people would first analyze the curves and then judge the sound quality of headphones, or judge the sound quality of headphones based on these curves. It seems very scientific, but unfortunately, it has become a kind of misguidance. On the one hand, looking at the differences between machines and human ears, the curves tested by machines are like two-dimensional, while the complex human ear is like a three-dimensional, and the variables of this carrier are complex and diverse because the structure of the human ear and body is as unique as DNA, with each person potentially being different. Additionally, listening experiences are also influenced by individual preferences, habits, and even age.
On the other hand, looking at the testing device and audio source equipment, the accuracy of different testing devices varies greatly. Even under the same conditions using IEC711 coupler, it is greatly affected by different software algorithms and the environment during user testing. Different curves will also be produced under different driving tests at different power levels. This is an undeniable fact. Even if users contact the official software and hardware companies official to inquire about the differences, they will still receive the same answers, as mentioned above or example same in the video.
At the same time, taking the recent new product KZ Symphony as an example, before we officially released the product and announced the curves, even during the research and development stage, we had actually used hobby testing software and hardware to test it. We did find differences between amateur equipment and our curves in some frequency bands. The main difference lies in the dip peaks, which are the crossover points between dynamic and planar driver, resulting in measurements at that position being incompatible with hobby equipment. Also, there is a small resonance peak at 1.5kHz on the hobby equipment.
Therefore, the "only curve" theory is not true. Such an obsession will often prompt users to look at curves, which will often produce corresponding effects in their hearts. But the actual listening experience still needs to be experienced by users themselves. Of course, we must respect the different listening preferences of users from different countries, different groups, and different uses. It is impossible for any product to satisfy all users. This is the meaning of the existence of multiple brands and multiple different IEMs.
We humbly accept users' needs for different listening sensations, but we also ask users to treat differences rationally and calmly, respect differences, and not be taken advantage of by hateful reviewers , account users , group admin who spread hatred. Pride and Prejudice will not make their views last long. Let music be a pure land and enjoy music.
Wow Jenny, with respect, I'm one of the earlier user of measurement rig before squid link has been created, before lot of reviewers using it, and I'm so familiar with the measurement rig behavior. I'm totally understand with the differences between 1 to another rig, effected with the whole system, the PC, the soundcard, even the eartips used and how deep the insertion is, and add another one of two x-factor from rig unit variations, dirt or dust problem. If you're saying the whole rig isn't up to the KZ standard, at least we the community can make a cue point as standard, a measurement rig that have similar results among one to another although of course with slightly different results because of the rig chain, including PC / laptops, soundcard, cables, eartips etc, but at least they will show similarities like A have slightly roll of trebles on his rig, then his all measurement will have slightly roll of trebles be it from budget sets or up until TOTL sets.
I've been playing around with lot of IEMs, from less than $10, up until $8,500 and I can "hear" the tonality and tuning from the FR graph, like 70% roughly of how it sounds. Still there are some IEMs that have different tonality but maybe just like more trebles or lower trebles from the FR, and depends on the driver characteristics, like EST drivers appear softer than the FR looks compared to more aggressive BAs. Of course there are things that we cant measure. The technicalities, separation, the bass tightness, and things like dampened sound or raw sounds. In multidriver IEMs, If drivers are overlapping, the sine sweeps will only record the highest response from the set, so all the drivers that produce sounds below the highest FRs wont be appear on the graph, so If multidriver have 1 very low upper extension for example, but overlapped by fullrange driver, that 1 driver is literally useless, except, that driver is having the similar db with that fullrange, but with just slightly below it. The FR? will appear the same.
I bought so many KZs too, I think more than 50% of every KZ release model since years back, since ED9, ZST, ZS5 until today's generation like D-fi, Krilla, PR2, Castor, and I also have AS24 switch, the KZ Flagship coming. And guess what? I measured them "just right" with my measurement rig, and have similar result with other reviewer. With my TOTL sets, I also have similar measurement with other reviewers, Z1R, Mest, Odin, Monarch, etc. It's kinda weird and sounded like a hard excuse to me when only KZ Symphony is "wrong" with the "hobby measurement rig", unless the new Symphony is using new technology that never been used before. If it using 13.2mm planar that you use with PR series, it should be measured just fine, like my PR2, I measured it just fine. And so does with the DDs.
I also an audio enthusiast that do lot of mods, here examples with the Castor and PR2 and Krilla, the latest from KZ :
I really like some of them, and I have to admit you guys have better tuning, slightly evolving from time to time, if 1 of the release turn out to be a flop, just accept it dont try to hard to defend it, just let go and do another one, a better one. We are here as audio community, sharing hobbies, sharing fun, review things, going with silly adventure together finding "Endgame Set" that don't exist. I praised KZ because of relatively good quality with very value price and KZ are evolving, I even think the race to the giant killer with very affordable price, is on KZ with highest chance among others, I mean it.
Sorry if my words are a bit harsh maybe, but I can't stand but just to give my 2 cents. Cheers! I'm waiting for my AS24 on my door.
I agree that FR graphs don't tell the whole picture, but the reality is that we can't buy every release under the sun. FR graphs can be useful to "get" a general profile of the IEM and if this match our preferences.
Anyway, I would love that KZ do a squig
like Moondrop did and you guys would show the graph with your TOTL equipment to the user to properly judge if the tuning is in tune with their preferences.
This is what I wanted to say also, the FR graphs is more like "synopsis" of the Movie, covering the how is the story going to be, without telling the whole details, fun, jumpscare, action scene and everything else. Whether you want to buy the ticket and watch the movie or not, it's up to you next, at least the synopsis will give you a hint about what are you going to watch.
KZ official squig will be nice idea too, sarcasm or not with TOTL rig it will be a very good idea.
Have a nice day all!