The most reliable/easiest way to EQ headphones properly to achieve the most ideal sound (for non-professionals)

[gordonli]

@DivineCurrent Nice recommendation. Maybe its just me but these programs can be hard to find, tucked away in dark internet corners

 

[punkedrock]

Is this still the best way to EQ or should I use something else? I
'm hoping to use an app on Android for my Digital Audio Player: iBasso DX320. So far the best pick seems to be poweramp it has 31 parametric filters that seem to be everything one could need to use, though if there's a better app - please let me know.

Anyways, should I figure out the eq on my laptop then plug it into my dap? Or can i work from my DAP?

 

[bigshot]

I would work it out on your laptop where it’s easier to adjust the settings. It can take some time and careful listening to arrive at your own personal target curve.

 

[Hypops]

Is this still the best way to EQ or should I use something else?

There is no universally "best way" to EQ. Just the way that works best for you. Everyone who is serious about EQing has their own distinct set of tools, methods, and philosophies.

I'm hoping to use an app on Android for my Digital Audio Player: iBasso DX320. So far the best pick seems to be poweramp it has 31 parametric filters that seem to be everything one could need to use, though if there's a better app - please let me know.

Unless you're a professional mixing engineer, you shouldn't need that many filters. More important is having a good way to calculate your PEQ curves in advance (like REW or squig.link) before applying them in an app.

Anyways, should I figure out the eq on my laptop then plug it into my dap? Or can i work from my DAP?

Work from your laptop. You need some way of working with measurements, reference curves, and predicted EQ curves. Otherwise, you're just taking shots in the dark if you're applying EQ filters directly into your DAP.

 

[punkedrock]

Okay, If I'm working from my laptop would a FiiO Q5s be okay? It has prebuilt eq settings. SO - I'm guessing it's not even remotely okay to use. I might be able to give it a direcct pass in the iPhone app, however, it also has a bass boost switch on the dac/amp. I bought it a long time ago! I am still looking to upgrade just really broke.

Also, do any of ya'll know how to get the EQ on windows 11 to work with Qobuz giving me the best sound in the computer chain?

 

[bigshot]

You’d have to try it to see if one of the presets work for you. If you use your phone as the player, there are lots of apps that would be better.

 

[punkedrock]

You’d have to try it to see if one of the presets work for you. If you use your phone as the player, there are lots of apps that would be better.

I'd be using Windows 11 usb as the player. Preferably if I could sort out Qobuz for said porpose.
The only confusing thing here is the usb port would be hooked to the dac/amp. A fIIo Q5s that I'm unsure if it can just use the computer to eq or not.

 

[punkedrock]

Okay, so actually the FiiO that would plug in via usb has a graphic eq - that can be disabled. I did so. And then it has an option to select which curve to apply, so I think logically it's all disabled.

 

[Ghoostknight]

Also, do any of ya'll know how to get the EQ on windows 11 to work with Qobuz giving me the best sound in the computer chain?

not a windows pro anymore, maybe there are other solutions im not aware of, but the easiest and most common is probably still equalizerAPO but it comes with the con of having to use windows resampling if samplerates dont match up instead of exclusive mode

Work from your laptop. You need some way of working with measurements, reference curves, and predicted EQ curves. Otherwise, you're just taking shots in the dark if you're applying EQ filters directly into your DAP.

equalizerAPO also comes with a nice visualization of the EQ curve, so this stuff is not "really" needed if you learn to go from a flat response, tho this is more reliable with somewhat flat measuring speakers, headphones vary quite a lot so the endresult will vary way more with different headphones

Also if you use headphones: look into harman curve presets for your specific headphones and go from there, its not perfect and depends on your preference, but its a "standardized" starting point for each headphone
So you can actually do this:
1. apply harman target curve
2. make a second eq (or additional filters) that alter the response starting from the harman curve, that way you can import these additional filters to other headphones if you apply the harman curve first, since its a "standard starting point" just like flat measuring speakers

 

[Hypops]

I'd be using Windows 11 usb as the player. Preferably if I could sort out Qobuz for said porpose.
The only confusing thing here is the usb port would be hooked to the dac/amp. A fIIo Q5s that I'm unsure if it can just use the computer to eq or not.

On Windows, I would use REW to calculate your EQ filter profiles and Equalizer APO (with Peace visualizer) for applying EQ filters. If you're using IEMs rather than headphones, you could alternatively use squig.link to do your calculations instead of REW. Do you know what and why you want to EQ?

equalizerAPO also comes with a nice visualization of the EQ curve, so this stuff is not "really" needed if you learn to go from a flat response, tho this is more reliable with somewhat flat measuring speakers, headphones vary quite a lot so the endresult will vary way more with different headphones

This is not enough on its own IMO. To know what/how you're adjusting, you need the headphone/IEM measurement, a reference curve to work with (DF or Harman for headphones, or JM-1/IEF or Harman 2019 for IEMs), and a means of visualizing those adjustments. None of that is available on Equalizer APO or Peace. You need something like REW or squig.link to do that. REW and squig.link will also automatically calculate a set of filters to a particular target (to give a rough starting point). As for working from a "flat" response, you need to know where your "flat" reference point is first, otherwise you're just guessing IMO.

 

[XTF1]

This is not enough on its own IMO

I would agree with that, EQ-ing is dificult, unless shooting in the dark and pioneering new sounds is one’s thing.

FWIW, for HPs and IEMs, I use AutoEQ (https://autoeq.app/), selecting a target curve that works well for me as “starting point”. If a HP or IEM is no listed in AutoEQ, it’s almost a pass for me…
I then load the calculated filters into a SW EQ (EqAPO…), or PEQ-enabled HW.

From there, I usually turn the filters on & off, individually or by groups, trying to understand what the manufacturer intended to do with the raw sound signature of their HP/IEM

I may then explore further, EQ-ing some specific Freq., or the overall FR response, trying to hear the differences… and whether it’s worth or not!

 

[BS5711]

I'd be using Windows 11 usb as the player. Preferably if I could sort out Qobuz for said porpose.
The only confusing thing here is the usb port would be hooked to the dac/amp. A fIIo Q5s that I'm unsure if it can just use the computer to eq or not.

You can apply PEQ to Qobuz running it through UAPP on an Android device. It works well but is a little fiddly entering numbers on a small touchscreen but it can be done. The downside is UAPP only allows streaming you can’t play downloaded music from Qobuz (or Tidal) at least not when I last used it some time ago.

I agree that you really need a starting point for applying EQ rather than relying on a generic “pop” setting for example. I used Oratory 1990 data as a starting point.

I don’t use EQ much so can’t comment on specifics.

 

[bigshot]

Taking is slow, making small corrections, and spending time with the curve before altering it, will get you there.

 

[Hypops]

Taking is slow, making small corrections, and spending time with the curve before altering it, will get you there.

Unless you're just learning how to EQ. Then I'd start out swinging big just to learn what different kinds of corrections sound like (with appropriate negative gain, of course). I agree that smaller and fewer corrections are best, but it takes a lot of practice and experience to know how to do small adjustments efficiently and effectively IMO.

But like I said above, everyone has their own philosophy when it comes to EQ. There are a few best practices, but otherwise, it's all about learning how EQ works, what tools and strategies you prefer, and what your ultimate tuning goals are.

 

[bigshot]

I’ve found that big adjustments just confuse me. I do better working on one segment of sound at a time and make small changes, then listen for a while and see if it’s an improvement. Sailing a ship is about tacking back and forth a little at a time to keep going in the right direction. It’s the same with EQ.

A friend of mine is a sound mixer for live concerts. This is the technique he taught me. He said random corrections make random results. Better to focus and refine in passes.