[Davie]

I'm not a big fan of bass boost. Apart from a kind of half-baked purism, I just don't find that it tends to sound good. However I was recently tempted to push the X-Bass switch on my Panasonic PCDP due to the practically non-existent bass response on the PMX60's with Cibo Matto's Stereotype-A.

And voila!! That clear but strangely hyped-up and bass-shy sound suddenly was full, clear and smooth sounding. It was like the things were *designed* for bass boost and just wouldn't sound quite right without it. Would a company like Sennheiser do this?

Anyway, I plan to test the PMX60/bass boost combo with other CDs and portables when I get home from work.

 

[blessingx]

I'm not sure how a company could design a set for bass boost. Implementations of that are quite diverse, though generally sucking badly (as you mentioned).

Glad it worked in this case though.

Just joined Team 170!

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by blessingx I'm not sure how a company could design a set for bass boost. Implementations of that are quite diverse, though generally sucking badly (as you mentioned). Glad it worked in this case though. Just joined Team 170!

Yeah, I heard they just lowered the admission fee for Team 170. Welcome one and all!

The difference in implementations if one of the reasons I don't like bass boost, and why designing for it might not make sense. But since we're not exactly in the realm of audiophile quality here, perhaps they might still design the things with the idea that there will be some kind of bass compensation. Just a thought.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by Davie ...since we're not exactly in the realm of audiophile quality here...

You may have something here. I don't really know too many people in the general public who have bass boost in the off position (or say a three band EQ not turned all the way up). If you're right what could be next... studio decisions made based on bass boost and over exaggerated sub-woofers? Maybe we're already there.

 

[Davie]

I really think that bass equalization may be required to get a decent sound out of these. I have them at home now and am listening to them with a different portable - a Philips 8cm MP3/CD player that has a two-step bass boost. With a one level increase, the PMX60s are sounding pretty nice. Unequalized, I simply find them too trebly and "ungrounded" to listen to for a long time, but with the bass adjustment I am able to listen to them quite happily.

Edit: Also, with this modest bass increase, the bass is quite firm and not at all muddy. This contrasts with my experience with other headphones, which tend to sound congested with the bass boost on. More evidence that these are designed to sound "right" with the bass boost on.

 

[Spyro]

I find the exact same thing with the PX-200's.

Perfect with minor bass boost.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spyro I find the exact same thing with the PX-200's. Perfect with minor bass boost.

Believe it or not, the PX-200s are *bass monsters* compared to the PMX-60. Also, you can increase the perceived bass on the PX-200s substantially by positioning them somewhat lower than normal.

The PMX60 un-equalized is like listening to a regular set of headphones with the bass control on your receiver turned 90 degrees to the left.