JaZZ
Headphoneus Supremus
I just discovered something incredible:
Comparing X3 II and X5 II via digital out and Chord Hugo revealed no sonic differences at all! They sound the same.
But that's not the point. I also compared the X5 II with the X5 via Hugo and Shure SE846. It's hard to believe, but they sound very different, even in the digital domain. The X5 has its well-know warmth with an analogue touch, sounds quite bassy. The X5 II sounds cleaner and more transparent and a little less bass-friendly. Shifting the X5's five EQ sliders below 1 kHz down by 0.4 dB at least brought the sonic balance closer, but the over-all impression of a clear sonic difference remained.
Those who own both (X3 II or X5 II and X5): Try the same and report your findings!
Maybe the coloration has to do with the hardware equalizer. I own a Technics SH-9010 – a semi-professional parametric equalizer rated highly at its time – which colors the sound massively, sacrifices a lot of transparency. I don't expect hardware EQ components of the size necessary for portable players to be any more neutral and transparent. Electronics components are bad for the sound anyway.
Comparing X3 II and X5 II via digital out and Chord Hugo revealed no sonic differences at all! They sound the same.
But that's not the point. I also compared the X5 II with the X5 via Hugo and Shure SE846. It's hard to believe, but they sound very different, even in the digital domain. The X5 has its well-know warmth with an analogue touch, sounds quite bassy. The X5 II sounds cleaner and more transparent and a little less bass-friendly. Shifting the X5's five EQ sliders below 1 kHz down by 0.4 dB at least brought the sonic balance closer, but the over-all impression of a clear sonic difference remained.
Those who own both (X3 II or X5 II and X5): Try the same and report your findings!
If the original x3 had a less colored sound signature it would be a highly desired item as it has hardware eq.
I really hope that the next x3 brings back that feature. And a display that can be seen in daylight.
Maybe the coloration has to do with the hardware equalizer. I own a Technics SH-9010 – a semi-professional parametric equalizer rated highly at its time – which colors the sound massively, sacrifices a lot of transparency. I don't expect hardware EQ components of the size necessary for portable players to be any more neutral and transparent. Electronics components are bad for the sound anyway.