Sonarworks Headphone Calibration software

[rutter]

It does. What you did was wrong for multiple reasons. One, with respect to the purpose and value of Sonarworks, two, with respect to an individual profile versus an average one, three, with respect to EQ per driver whereas unless I'm mistaken EQ is normally applied to a headphone. I.e., not very helpful. The person reported a complaint with a product they purchased, they didn't really need a complete shot in the dark.

 

[groovyd]

It does. What you did was wrong for multiple reasons. One, with respect to the purpose and value of Sonarworks, two, with respect to an individual profile versus an average one, three, with respect to EQ per driver whereas unless I'm mistaken EQ is normally applied to a headphone. I.e., not very helpful. The person reported a complaint with a product they purchased, they didn't really need a complete shot in the dark.

There was nothing wrong with what I did for any reason. One, for the purpose and value of sonarworks it was meant to show there does exist a 650 correction that sounds good for at least one user (me) and possibly the o.p. if they wanted to experiment with that curve. Two, there is no reason why a individual profile might not be better then the average profile for someone else's 650's. It could be just that their average profile isn't a good fit for their unit. Three, not really sure what you are even asserting here.

Why try so hard to prove me a waste of time or wrong? It's like you so badly want to be right or something... at least that's what it seems.

 

[rutter]

That correction costs >$100 on top. Given multiple people are reporting a poor profile for the HD650 maybe the focus should be on Sonarworks checking that profile rather than resorting to another EQ. Money has already been spent. LCD-X users also report a consistently good profile.

 

[groovyd]

That correction costs >$100 on top. Given multiple people are reporting a poor profile for the HD650 maybe the focus should be on Sonarworks checking that profile rather than resorting to another EQ. Money has already been spent. LCD-X users also report a consistently good profile.

Not disagreeing they should do their due diligence on their average profiles but my guess is they already do. Perhaps I could indicate an issue with this particular model of headphone and how the earpads seal against the measurement rig. The 650 earpads are quite unique and maybe not properly sealing on the test model. What would make that unlikely is I sent mine in and got a great correction for it. It could also be there is a high output variance by those headphones depending on the listener's exact head/ear geometry and I just got lucky. Maybe there is a lot of variance in those units in general and an average just won't fit any of the 650s particularly well. That would be a good argument for Ref4 and sending in for custom calibration.

 

[rutter]

Unless I'm mistaken individual profiles are loaded the same in both applications.

 

[the finisher]

I'm really liking Sonarworks Ref4 with the X, can't go back. I like the extra adjustments.
But the upgrade to the monitor/room EQ and DAW plugins is the main point for me.
Looking to more time with the HD6xx and HD280, just no time now.
Happy just listening to the LCD X for now.
Hard to believe how proper EQ can improve an already great sounding setup.
Ref 4 or True-fi is a must buy for LCD X owners IMO.

 

[rutter]

Yea, the LCD-X profile is a hit. By far the best $55 I've spent. Really makes me wonder why some of the other ones don't pan out. I think the HD800S profile is good too.

 

[thebkt]

If anything it'd be down to the characteristics of various headphones. In the case of some, like the HD650, it's designed to sound enjoyable, not neutral. No doubt more R&D goes into that sound than just damping and such. So no doubt some drivers simply adjust better than others. It's worth keeping in mind that the Sonarworks EQ is about flattening out the FR for the studio, not to make them sound subjectively better. I'm super happy with the purchase, but feel no need to use it with my Clears and certainly not with my HE-560, but I'm definitely in the must buy for LCD-X camp.

 

[rutter]

At this point I'm not buying excuses about any product. The LCD-X was supposedly designed to sound neutral and an app that literally neutralizes it makes a big difference. Stop. Don't talk about subjective nonsense either. The HD 650 sounded worse to me with Sonarworks.

 

[Richter Di]

I am using Sonarworks Reference 4 on my Laptop and the True-Fi beta app on my Sony NW-ZX2 android player.
Works like a charm. What a wonderful addition.
Tried it out with my Sennheiser HD 800, Hifiman HE-500 and Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00 Massdrop.

 

[the finisher]

Yes, I agree, I am a happy customer, I'm still waiting on my new HD 6xx adapters, but with the LCD X this app is worth every penny.

I really like how the limiter works even if the correction EQ is bypassed when switching to speakers with the HP version.

 

[alphanumerix1]

Is there profile for fostex th610?

 

[the finisher]

Not much Fostex, only T50RP Mklll, and TH-X00.

Not much Audeze either only LCD 2 and X.

 

[alphanumerix1]

damn..

 

[rutter]

Ok, so over in the LCD-X thread multiple are claiming that Reference 4 sounds better to them than True-Fi. One person even claimed that it sounds vastly superior or some such apparent nonsense. I presume that these people indeed tried both applications. My impression, from what I've read, observed, and from listening is that there is no difference in sound quality. Of course this is without applying something exclusive to one app, like dry/wet. Is there any validity to these claims? Possibly some bug or unintended effect? Am I missing something? Does the plug-in make some difference, any compatibility differences?

One person claims that he or she hears distortion with True-Fi and none with Reference 4 when the max lower volume value based on the applied EQ should be identical between the two. No plug-in involved. This is particularly serious as from what people claim damage to hearing and headphones can result.