[kpopmorelikekpoop]

An external DAC will bypass your soundcard's audio processing. An external headphone amp alone could be used "in combination" with your sound card. But why the need to stick with the soundcard? Why not just replace it all together with an external DAC/amp?

Im on a ~6 ? year old Asus Z97A with a terrible realtek soundcard that sounds completely awful in comparison.
Do external dac/amps also bypass this?
I want something cheap since Im just looking for the volume knob, has to be a decent one and available in Sweden. Fiio have ones but they're supposedly not built well.
Like the realtek sounds flat, cold and muffled/narrow compared to the STX II.

Currently wearing the X3s again and they seem somewhat, passably, comfortable at the moment.
Just wish they had that low end hum the X2s had.

Oh and uh you can still use software EQ with external Dac/amp?

 

[kpopmorelikekpoop]

I'm not sure I understand the problem you're having. Isn't it easier to just boost the volume through your streaming software than buying an external piece of hardware?

That said, a DAC wouldn't do anything, but literally any amp with volume controls would work. A little Fiio or something would do what you need it to.

Cant boost the volume for Stereo Mix, in say Discord. Meaning I have to raise system volume entirely meaning my ears would be in agony.

 

[cel4145]

Im on a ~6 ? year old Asus Z97A with a terrible realtek soundcard that sounds completely awful in comparison.
Do external dac/amps also bypass this?
I want something cheap since Im just looking for the volume knob, has to be a decent one and available in Sweden. Fiio have ones but they're supposedly not built well.
Like the realtek sounds flat, cold and muffled/narrow compared to the STX II.

Sorry. Not sure what's available in Sweden for cheap other than to suggest the Fiio E10K.

Oh and uh you can still use software EQ with external Dac/amp?

Software EQ is digital processing. So yes. You can use EQ with an external DAC/amp.

 

[kpopmorelikekpoop]

Sorry. Not sure what's available in Sweden for cheap other than to suggest the Fiio E10K.

Software EQ is digital processing. So yes. You can use EQ with an external DAC/amp.

Ive read bad things about the E10Ks volume knob, stops working for some.

Also what freq should I tweak to reduce these really harsh S's ?
https:// open.spotify.com/track/2pRmhfwgixiYF91SywOUFh?si=PkjjnfOXQp2md5ioa946IA

 

[cel4145]

Ive read bad things about the E10Ks volume knob, stops working for some.

Also what freq should I tweak to reduce these really harsh S's ?
https:// open.spotify.com/track/2pRmhfwgixiYF91SywOUFh?si=PkjjnfOXQp2md5ioa946IA

I don't know. I don't use EQ with the X3.

 

[Mink]

Ive read bad things about the E10Ks volume knob, stops working for some.

Also what freq should I tweak to reduce these really harsh S's ?
https:// open.spotify.com/track/2pRmhfwgixiYF91SywOUFh?si=PkjjnfOXQp2md5ioa946IA

Between 5K and 8.5K. I manually came up with this, with the help of Oratory's X3 freq response chart, but mainly by ears.
Never use the Freq though

 

[kpopmorelikekpoop]

I don't know. I don't use EQ with the X3.

Hmm. To me they feel super flat without eq. Tinny almost.

Between 5K and 8.5K. I manually came up with this, with the help of Oratory's X3 freq response chart, but mainly by ears.
Never use the Freq though

Does this require peace since you're not using graphic eq?

 

[Mink]

Hmm. To me they feel super flat without eq. Tinny almost.


Does this require peace since you're not using graphic eq?

Yes, I made those settings with Peace.

 

[Portafone]

Im on a ~6 ? year old Asus Z97A with a terrible realtek soundcard that sounds completely awful in comparison.
Do external dac/amps also bypass this?
I want something cheap since Im just looking for the volume knob, has to be a decent one and available in Sweden. Fiio have ones but they're supposedly not built well.
Like the realtek sounds flat, cold and muffled/narrow compared to the STX II.

Currently wearing the X3s again and they seem somewhat, passably, comfortable at the moment.
Just wish they had that low end hum the X2s had.

Oh and uh you can still use software EQ with external Dac/amp?

iFi Zen DAC is good for the price. I have it, I like it. I have an iFi purifier2 to help clean the signal from the laptop. Kept the 5.3 firmware with the X3s. Sound is good IMO and its got a knob.

 

[cel4145]

Hmm. To me they feel super flat without eq. Tinny almost.

One might find them to be neutralish. But not flat. There is an audible dip and boost.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/1-4/graph#16488/3992

 

[iFi audio]

iFi Zen DAC is good for the price. I have it, I like it. I have an iFi purifier2 to help clean the signal from the laptop. Kept the 5.3 firmware with the X3s. Sound is good IMO and its got a knob.

Thanks and enjoy

 

[SomeGuyDude]

"tinny" is... not a word I could imagine being used with the X3 unless you're someone who chiefly listens to very bass-heavy gear.

 

[kpopmorelikekpoop]

iFi Zen DAC is good for the price. I have it, I like it. I have an iFi purifier2 to help clean the signal from the laptop. Kept the 5.3 firmware with the X3s. Sound is good IMO and its got a knob.

A bit pricy.

"tinny" is... not a word I could imagine being used with the X3 unless you're someone who chiefly listens to very bass-heavy gear.

Idk some people say X2s are super bassy without EQ out of the box. I found them not so, like EDM music thats known for its bass, sounded lacking. (less lacking than X3 ofc)
Some people say they have boomy or punchy bass. But I dont know what they define as boomy or punchy bass.
I'd say they were equal to some cheap jbl bluetooth speakers without an EQ.
When I hear punchy or boomy I think a home theatre, and thats kinda why you spend >150 on a headphone, thats kinda the experience you want without disturbing others.

 

[Cruelhand Luke]

A bit pricy.


Idk some people say X2s are super bassy without EQ out of the box. I found them not so, like EDM music thats known for its bass, sounded lacking. (less lacking than X3 ofc)
Some people say they have boomy or punchy bass. But I dont know what they define as boomy or punchy bass.
I'd say they were equal to some cheap jbl bluetooth speakers without an EQ.
When I hear punchy or boomy I think a home theatre, and thats kinda why you spend >150 on a headphone, thats kinda the experience you want without disturbing others.

These headphones just aren't made for you bud.
You like big bass and you cannot lie....

Get some closed back bass canons and stop bumming people out with your negative vibes.

 

[iFi audio]

A bit pricy.

But considering what it does...