Sensaphonics, Supermacro 627, iPod, and Treble Booster!

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoide What would the iPod treble boost correspond to in terms of the Foobar equalizer?

I don't use Foobar. You can open the eq in iTunes,select treble boost, and it will show exactly what it is doing.

If the ipod had a custom eq I would probably lower the boost just a bit and add a slight boost to the mids. I'm not a fan of eq but if it makes it sound more enjoyable and has no distortion, I don't see the harm.

I never used bass boost on the ipod when I had the etys because there was always a little distortion. Even bass boost with the PPA amp did not bring my desired effect. It made the bass more prominant but took away the very low end.

 

[gorman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindrone According to Ultimate Ear's own product information page, a "snippet" of the specs they're quoting: Sensitivity: 119db @ 1mw Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 16k Impedance: 13.3 If you care about their frequency response graph, you can also go take a look at their page.. there's a spike at 16k that makes the treble sharper and always apparent. That's how they made it, that's what they wanted it to sound like.

Lindrone, what are you talking about? You were comparing Sensas to UE, stating that their frequency response was identical. I was mentioning the fact that the only frequency response chart we saw of a 2X-S was painting a very different picture.

Now what? You are saying frequency response is identical because both quote 20Hz to 16KHz? Are you really saying this? 'Cause that's the same for many, many headphones around. What matters is the decibel levels at different frequencies. Otherwise I could say Headphone XYZ responds to 16KHz, hiding the fact that it does but at -25db with respect of source and other frequencies.

The spike you are quoting, at 16KHz is of about 1.5db magnitude. Hardly enough to make the treble sharper and always apparent, especially given the human average hearing threshold at that frequency. It's not as if we're talking magic here...

 

[lindrone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorman Now what? You are saying frequency response is identical because both quote 20Hz to 16KHz? Are you really saying this? 'Cause that's the same for many, many headphones around. What matters is the decibel levels at different frequencies. Otherwise I could say Headphone XYZ responds to 16KHz, hiding the fact that it does but at -25db with respect of source and other frequencies.

You're not reading exactly what I said. I said that the rated frequency reproduction extension is the same across both IEM's (in fact, with many other IEM's they're all stated from 20hz to 16kHz).. I didn't say those frequency sounds exactly the same. However the rated working frequency is the same.

The original writer of the post stated both frequency ratings and basically stated that Sensa is rolled off because it only has up to 16kHz, but then UE-10 Pro only has up to 16kHz as well. So that statement itself is flawed. I was simply pointing out that the statement is flawed.


Quote:

The spike you are quoting, at 16KHz is of about 1.5db magnitude. Hardly enough to make the treble sharper and always apparent, especially given the human average hearing threshold at that frequency. It's not as if we're talking magic here...

Actually, if I'm reading the chart correctly (it's really hard to read it correctly, actually.. it's a really smart chart).. the sound falls off about -3db a little bit before 16kHz and then is kicked back up another +1.5db magnitude. I believe that the slight fall-off and then the rise of the very top-end of its supposed effective reproduction range is what gives its treble an extra "kick" in the way it sounds.

Even it's 1.5db... the truth is, most frequency response graph and most of the reason why certain headphones sounds the way they do... is a difference of very few db. So to discount 1.5db of different as neglible in terms of what it does to the final sound signature. Of course a fall-off of 1.5db doesn't mean you can't hear the sound anymore, and an increase of 1.5db doesn't mean it is all the sudden louder than everything else. However the subtle difference between those is what we dwell on and what we listen to. It could make one headphone appreciable for one person over another headphone.

Quite literally, this is exactly what the original poster wanted in the extra treble response that he used to get from the ER-4, a few extra db of difference at a certain frequency.

 

[jlingo]

Hi Iamdone,

I agree that Sensaphonics is missing an edge in its upper mid area. I notice that when listening to Women singing Opera. This upper mid making the woman voice soo sweet(Hayley Westenra, Pure)

The bassboost only works if you are using Supermacro Bassboost option.

because bassboost in supermacro starts at 100 hz 1dB and reaches 6dB at 20 hZ.

So resulting in extreme Low deep stong tight Bass. And it's not a muddy and boomy upper bass. If you are in Australia I will let you have a listen. It's like a really high quality subwover.

DON'T USE BASS BOOST IN IPOD. it's 100% different from the one in supermacro. It's distorted and sound, muddy and boomy.

Bottom Line, properly EQ, Sensaphonics could be hell a lot better.

Lindrone,
High Roll off, doesn't mean that Sensa doesn't go up to 16kHz. It's just at a lower dB. When you look at E5C, it starts rolling off at an even lower frequency. So I need EQ to increase them to the way it should sound nice to me.
I personally like Ety and Sennheiser HD600. Sensaphonics misses extra high to my ears.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo Hi Iamdone, I agree that Sensaphonics is missing an edge in its upper mid area. I notice that when listening to Women singing Opera. This upper mid making the woman voice soo sweet(Hayley Westenra, Pure) The bassboost only works if you are using Supermacro Bassboost option. because bassboost in supermacro starts at 100 hz 1dB and reaches 6dB at 20 hZ. So resulting in extreme Low deep stong tight Bass. And it's not a muddy and boomy upper bass. If you are in Australia I will let you have a listen. It's like a really high quality subwover. I personally like Ety and Sennheiser HD600. Sensaphonics misses extra high to my ears.

Yeah, I have the same bass boost on my PPA (not sure the exact setting) but I never tried it with the sensas. I use the SR-71 with them and have no problems with the bass.

If you like the extra highs and detail, check out the RS-1 as well.

 

[jlingo]

iamdone,

I don't have bass problem with Supermacro either. but BassBoost in supermacro, I would say synergize very well with Sensahonics 2X-S. It's like Treble Boost in iPod, helps to make the sound a lot more detailed, refreshing.

So we are hobbyist, our current gear is not problem but would be nice to tweak it more. And I WANT MORE!! so Fortunately, you also find treble booster in iPod as a great addition. and I think combined with BassBooster in Supermacro is superb, which you should try. It gives a nicer sound to Sennsaphonics 2X-S.

I'm not looking for a full size headphone. I prefer canalphone. I will surely go and buy UE10-Pro once I have more disposable income. May be in a year if I can resist.

 

[toaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo ...I love the sound of Sensaphonics especially the bass, I just need the extra high and that's it.

i think what you want are phones that simply cater to the high frequencies.

the sensaphonics high end has both better extension and detail than the etys.

the etys put only the high-end in your face.

 

[jlingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 i think what you want are phones that simply cater to the high frequencies. the sensaphonics high end has both better extension and detail than the etys. the etys put only the high-end in your face.

I don't agree with you that sensaphonics has high end better extension and detail than Etys,

but I agree with you that Ety put high as priority, while the mid, and low sound so much thinner compared to Sensaphonics.

I need the best of both world combining Ety And Sensaphonics together. Like I said may be UE10-Pro.

 

[toaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdone The sensas have a more balanced sound and are clear across the entire spectrum, but they do not present detail in the way the etys do.

Certainly true, as long as we maintain that we are referring to details in the highend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdone They are missing the top end sparkle and the edge of notes...and take some of the excitement out of the music.

I am gonna have to go ahead and sort of...disagree with you there.

Not only do i find the sensas to have all the detail of the etys in the high-end, plus more, but the fact that the sensas are so much more dynamic and engaging than the etys (the word infinitely here would probably not be uncalled for) creates an added excitement not just due to extra detail, but also due to an intimate presentation as well.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 Certainly true, as long as we maintain that we are referring to details in the highend. I am gonna have to go ahead and sort of...disagree with you there. Not only do i find the sensas to have all the detail of the etys in the high-end, plus more, but the fact that the sensas are so much more dynamic and engaging than the etys (the word infinitely here would probably not be uncalled for) creates an added excitement not just due to extra detail, but also due to an intimate presentation as well.

I see what you are talking about with detail across the spectrum, which is true. The sensa have more detai across the spectrum. On the highend it doesn't. The etys are light in the mids and bass. The sensas present this in a much more realistic way. Very balanced.

The Grado RS-1 is even more balanced with deeper bass, better mids and extended highs with more detail throughout. So you can clear highs without sacraficing the rest of the spectrum.

Now I don't know how the ue10 stacks up against the RS-1. It sounds like they might be closer than the sensas but lacking the warmth. Makes me think of the SR-225 but better. I think I'll have to give the universal model a try before making the plunge. Even though the might be closer to what I want, they still might not be right. Plus I'm not looking for home headphones anymore so the sensas work great for my portable needs.

 

[toaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdone ...So you can clear highs without sacraficing the rest of the spectrum.

are you saying that the sensas sacrifice high-end for the rest of the spectrum?

 

[jlingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 are you saying that the sensas sacrifice high-end for the rest of the spectrum?

No he didn't mean that. He meant that there is other headphone which is capable of producing excellent(extended, detailed) high(Sibilance), without sacrificing the rest of the spectrum.

Etymotic seems thin and dry except for the high, but using proper Amp, also improved the sound quality dramatically. With Supermacro 627 really gives the thickness, and weight. I heard with SM 227 even better, tube alike.

 

[toaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo No he didn't mean that. He meant that there is other headphone which is capable of producing excellent(extended, detailed) high(Sibilance), without sacrificing the rest of the spectrum.

that is one of the great things about the sensas.

they give great highs (with the sparkling effect of the etys, but better) and fill in the whole spectrum with fat, juicy goodness.

 

[jlingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 that is one of the great things about the sensas. they give great highs (with the sparkling effect of the etys, but better) and fill in the whole spectrum with fat, juicy goodness.

Well my recommendation would be
Those who are in love with Ety(Thin, dry, excellent high) should go UE10-Pro(added warmth and bass without sacrificing high)
Those who are in love with Shure(Thick, Bassy, Rolled off high) should go Sensaphonics 2X-S(added high, without sacrificing mid-range and bass).

I'm from Ety ER-4S going to Sensaphonics feel a bit of a shocker in character, just almost couldn't take it. It feels like as if you have a full treble in equalizer and all a sudden you drop it down to flat.

Where with HD600 that I still own, I still like the quality of the sound, not as bright as Ety but better high than Sensaphonics IMO. Most imporantly, I like the laid-back sound in HD600.

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster22 that is one of the great things about the sensas. they give great highs (with the sparkling effect of the etys, but better) and fill in the whole spectrum with fat, juicy goodness.

It almost sounds like you're listening to different headphones. The highs are definately lower in volume that the rest of the spectrum. There is a slight spike just on the cymbols but the rest of the highend drops. They do not sparkle. They sound much better with the treble booster on. With it off, it sounds like you have a slight cold. This is how I felt they sounded after listening to the hd650/zu or the RS-1. Something's just missing. Coming from the shure E5, I can see how these statements can be made, but not when comparing to other headphones.

When was the last time you listen to the etys? Yes the sensas sound much better than the etys overall but I think you are misleading people about the highend. It's there, clear, and much better than the shure E5, but I don't think it's quite where it should be. The etys sound harsh at times because the rest of the spectrum is too low causing an inbalance. As I said, you can still have great highs (without sibilance or harshness), all while keeping the mids and bass, I just haven't heard it done in a canalphone yet.