paradoxper
Headphoneus Supremus
Shut up and build it. Christ.
SELL. SELL. SELL.
SELL. SELL. SELL.
Shut up and build it. Christ.
SELL. SELL. SELL.
OK, but making flat phase filter will not end up being flat phase at ear, but...Even if you don't compensate for the skewed phase response of headphones, I doubt it will sound bad in any way. Actually, it may sound better for other reasons, like resistor, connectors and wiring quality...However I'm going to attempt to correct for whatever you want to call it that will result in a flat phase and frequency response at the ear position.
...Because if this project becomes a flop, it will reflect in the end results. And the results will say all we need to know.
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OK, but making flat phase filter will not end up being flat phase at ear, but...Even if you don't compensate for the skewed phase response of headphones, I doubt it will sound bad in any way. Actually, it may sound better for other reasons, like resistor, connectors and wiring quality...
In any case, if you can, offer IIR, FIR and FIR with "analog phase". That would be the fairest thing to do and people will choose what's best for them.
It also should be noted that using passive components to create the BSC like the stock interface does also results in an uneven phase response. So the stock interface box does not have a flat phase response even when no EQ is applied. So with my interface combined with the FIR BSC, folks will finally be able to hear how these ribbons sound with a perfectly flat phase response. Something you certainly want from single driver systems. A flat phase response is one of the big reasons folks like full range driver speakers.
A point regarding the full range driver speakers which leads to this kind of headphones like MySphere or SR1a.
Yes, I am aware of Camerton. Imported in France by TotalDAC who introduced me to Voxativ.
Full range drivers have the advantage to avoid crossovers and can be enclosed in sealed cabinets avoiding many resonances. Sound is more natural and I see a good comparison with SR1a.
Another point of similitude are bass with low energy and I use a sub Sunfire Atmos XT265.
Voxativ in their Absolut system has programmed a specific DSP.
You can reach something like this with your new box + filters for the SR1a.
Kelowna, it is naive to think that I would let the very basic things like phase response to be in error.
"Uneven" phase response is what is needed for this.
Let's not forget that the reason for using EQ is physical and natural, that transducers are minimum-phase-systems, thus, whatever happens that will skew the frequency response, will also skew phase along with it.
What needs to be additionally compensated for is the dipole rolloff that is not completely compensated by proximity effect. Basically, phase is also skewed and in order to recreate the flat response and flat phase, the filter must turn the phase response the other way.
So, if you use FIR with flat phase, you would actually create the unnatural response, being flat, but with skewed phase (as you haven't compensated the original skew)
You don't need to use FIR for this, but if you prefer it, have it synthesised to recreate the phase response of the stock interface box.
If that is the case then why is there even a product like the LOKI? So I use a DAP, either the iBasso 220 or the Questyle QPR1 via optical out to send flac files over to DAVE/HMS. So there is an equalizer built into the DAP’s software and is that what I should use to boost bass response? Will it be as effective as the LOKI between the DAVE and headphone amplifier?Equalizing in the analogue domain is a bad idea – you'd add a bunch of electronics components to the signal path, and each of them has a detrimental impact. Use your software player for equalizing in the digital domain, it is perfectly suitable for this task. I once had a well-respected semi-professional analogue equalizer and couldn't use it for listening to music due to the massive loss of transparency it caused, so it just served for crossover-network tuning during my speaker-building phase.
Sub-bass enhancement is easy, but not the only function it can fulfill. BTW, the mentioned loss of transparency with digital equalizers is an unfounded myth. I'm into equalizing since a few years now and never detected such a thing, quite the opposite: Removing peaks and dips in fact enhances transparency, as respective masking effects are eliminated. Also consider that the music you listen to has been DSPed more than once during the recording process, so it's absurd to think that it's the final DSP during playback that does the harm.
See comments and questions below.
If that is the case then why is there even a product like the LOKI? So I use a DAP, either the iBasso 220 or the Questyle QPR1 via optical out to send flac files over to DAVE/HMS. So there is an equalizer built into the DAP’s software and is that what I should use to boost bass response? Will it be as effective as the LOKI between the DAVE and headphone amplifier?
Yes, Roon has developed their software around the capacity of powerful processors used at high clock rates able to manage DSP functions without altering music quality. Reason also why they advise to use a networked DAC.Why is there Honda Civic's when we have S class Mercedes's? The best way to do EQ is with DSP. But not all DSP is equal in quality. And if you have an analog source, you must have a ADC/DAC combo to do DSP. And the quality of the ADC/DAC combo will determine your end result. So it can be expensive to do good EQ with an analog source. If your source is digital from a computer, there's no need for something like the Loki.
Using portable DAP's as source gear is something people do because of the portability. Not because it's the best way to do things. A better way to do things is using a computer running software like Roon, and using Roon's PEQ, or generate 3rd party convolution filters and load into Roon's convolution engine. The DSP built into these portable devices is mediocre at best.
Yes, Roon has developed their software around the capacity of powerful processors used at high clock rates able to manage DSP functions without altering music quality. Reason also why they advise to use a networked DAC.
There was a discussion about the different clock frequency approaches between Antipodes and Roon.
Let’s know when your new box is ready.
As my search for the "ultimate amp" for the SR1a continues, I have to report that my experience with the Riviera Labs AIC-10 has improved significantly since I modified the EQ curve I am using for the RAAL.
As many others have reported, the SR1a respond extremely well to EQ (according to people more knowledgeable than me this is mainly because the lack of driver-ear / cup interactions reduces the time / phase domain artifacts EQ typically produces with "regular" headphones), and I am happily leveraging on this feature in order to tune their response for my tastes, basically compensating for my perceived lack of bass presence under 80Hz.
Previously I did a very silly mistake, by applying a +4dB bass shelf and not compensating for it, which caused relatively frequent (digital) clipping. After applying a balancing -4dB compensation, I now don't experience clipping anymore, even when pushing beyond my usual listening levels (i.e. up to 85+dB). Still, I like the Abyss TC much more for very energetic, dramatic and bass-heavy content, but the range of situations where the SR1a are thoroughly enjoyable - even at relatively spirited volume - has expanded.
I am going to audition a Viva Solista soon, and I am extremely curious about the upcoming HSA-1a direct drive amp from RAAL, but I would say that my urge has cooled down quite a bit.