[Solan]

Likely a perceived notion. Likewise, the same for the perceptions that EQ solves for everything and costs nothing.

It costs, by all means. But we should recognise that studios EQ, and balance the cost/benefit. What should also be considered, is that there are different types of EQ. The type with 20 levers that you can push up and down seem not to be optimal for studio use. It seems (though I am surely not an expert here, just an avid listener) that the most coveted studio EQ is the Pultec, which has very few levers, and which can only EQ down, not up. It seems to preserve the original signal best, making the loss side of the equation the smallest, while also providing the most sought-for EQ. Something to consider to us audiophiles.

Pultec sample at right after 173 secs, when he flips a switch:

 

[paradoxper]

It costs, by all means. But we should recognise that studios EQ, and balance the cost/benefit. What should also be considered, is that there are different types of EQ. The type with 20 levers that you can push up and down seem not to be optimal for studio use. It seems (though I am surely not an expert here, just an avid listener) that the most coveted studio EQ is the Pultec, which has very few levers, and which can only EQ down, not up. It seems to preserve the original signal best, making the loss side of the equation the smallest, while also providing the most sought-for EQ. Something to consider to us audiophiles.

Pultec sample at right after 173 secs, when he flips a switch:

I may not disagree with you. It should also be recognized that engineers and audiophiles serve different masters. Which was, in part, my directive point.

In that, I would, if I were you, have asked why don't audiophiles consider means of studio EQ -- something such as the Maag Audio Mastering EQ.

But you're correct, part of the issue is different types / understanding of EQ.

However, curiously many audiophiles are staunchly and willfully ignorant to the technicalities therein.

 

[Solan]

I may not disagree with you. It should also be recognized that engineers and audiophiles serve different masters. Which was, in part, my directive point.

Point taken and pun appreciated.

We do also walk in different herds. For let's admit it, though we do follow our own tastes, we also follow the prevalent advice in the herd. In the studio end, some engineers regard V76 as the holy grail whereas others have not heard of it. Just like in head-fi. So I guess I should also speak of sub-herds.

I try to cross between the herds, for I know I have no chance of testing it all myself. So I borrow different ears and different judgements. From different herds. I struck a really lucky one with the 1266, and even with simple EQ it seems to respond well to it. Other headphones don't. But as you said, EQ still does cost, so it's a matter of finding the "ultimate". But I have, as you may have noticed, no belief in "neutrality" or "harman curves" as absolutes. I go for musical tonality, and optimal tonality differs for different music.

But positions stated, I am interested in which experiences people have had with different tonal tweaks -- everything from cable type to tube/ss to plain eq.

 

[paradoxper]

Point taken and pun appreciated.

We do also walk in different herds. For let's admit it, though we do follow our own tastes, we also follow the prevalent advice in the herd. In the studio end, some engineers regard V76 as the holy grail whereas others have not heard of it. Just like in head-fi. So I guess I should also speak of sub-herds.

I try to cross between the herds, for I know I have no chance of testing it all myself. So I borrow different ears and different judgements. From different herds. I struck a really lucky one with the 1266, and even with simple EQ it seems to respond well to it. Other headphones don't. But as you said, EQ still does cost, so it's a matter of finding the "ultimate". But I have, as you may have noticed, no belief in "neutrality" or "harman curves" as absolutes. I go for musical tonality, and optimal tonality differs for different music.

But positions stated, I am interested in which experiences people have had with different tonal tweaks -- everything from cable type to tube/ss to plain eq.

Yes, it's not so cut and dry in anything.

It may be interesting to start a larger discussion of why don't audiophiles employ EQ. In that, a broader scope than just DAW > plug-in, emulation.
It's a complicated chain, certainly. I would ask considering the compulsive and deep-reaching potential nature of the audiophile.

 

[DJJEZ]

Curious how many other people toe in/out their 1266TC? It's alot more uncomfortable but makes the bass totally insane lol

 

[Ciggavelli]

Curious how many other people toe in/out their 1266TC? It's alot more uncomfortable but makes the bass totally insane lol

I definitely do that (but the other way). There’s a fine line though. Toe out too much and the bass gets loose. Toe out just right and you have subwoofers in your ears

The only other headphones with that much bass are the Fostex th900mk2. Though, the TCs toed out are the winners. You can drive the th900mk2s off a DragonFly though

 

[Slim1970]

Curious how many other people toe in/out their 1266TC? It's alot more uncomfortable but makes the bass totally insane lol

I do, but not to that degree. You definitely like your bass, haha.

 

[DJJEZ]

I definitely do that (but the other way). There’s a fine line though. Toe out too much and the bass gets loose. Toe out just right and you have subwoofers in your ears

The only other headphones with that much bass are the Fostex th900mk2. Though, the TCs toed out are the winners. You can drive the th900mk2s off a DragonFly though

It's just too much fun with them toe'd out I barely listen anymore with them perfectly straight. My jaw is literally on the floor every song from the bass lol

 

[tholt]

It's just too much fun with them toe'd out I barely listen anymore with them perfectly straight. My jaw is literally on the floor every song from the bass lol

Have you played with rotating the ear cups? Putting the seam at 3 and 9 oclock (or even more extreme) will increase the air gap in the back = more bass.

 

[DJJEZ]

Have you played with rotating the ear cups? Putting the seam at 3 and 9 oclock (or even more extreme) will increase the air gap in the back = more bass.

Initially I thought 1pm was the best but after experimenting, 3pm seems to be the best bass and that's where I keep it. I will try 9pm again and get back to you with what I think.

Curious what everyone else is using?

 

[Ciggavelli]

Initially I thought 1pm was the best but after experimenting, 3pm seems to be the best bass and that's where I keep it. I will try 9pm again and get back to you with what I think.

Curious what everyone else is using?

2 and 10. Toe out with the back of the earpads touching your head. It allows for a ton of bass and the headphones move around less. I have a big head, so I’m not sure if that is interacting with everything though

 

[DJJEZ]

2 and 10. Toe out with the back of the earpads touching your head. It allows for a ton of bass and the headphones move around less. I have a big head, so I’m not sure if that is interacting with everything though

Have you bent the frame at all?

 

[Ciggavelli]

Have you bent the frame at all?

Yes, I did bend it outward. I had to bend it with the OG headband because it was pretty tight. Now with the new headband, I just went up one size on the o-rings. It fits pretty well

 

[jlbrach]

this is what makes the abyss so different...the ability to change the sound appreciably...only the sr1a allows the same as far as I know

 

[tholt]

Initially I thought 1pm was the best but after experimenting, 3pm seems to be the best bass and that's where I keep it. I will try 9pm again and get back to you with what I think.

Curious what everyone else is using?

I also have mine at 3 and 9 and slightly toed in toward the front, which after a ton of experimenting is the best general setting for me. Interestingly with the Phi, having the pads at 3 and 9 would result in a lot of bass distortion, but not so with the TC.

I find there are pros and cons to most of the typical positions for the pads. As I rotate the pad seams toward vertical I get a slightly fuller and intimate sound but lose some airiness, soundstaging and bass.

this is what makes the abyss so different...the ability to change the sound appreciably...only the sr1a allows the same as far as I know

True and unique. These headphones are endlessly tweakable.