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Originally Posted by shake babies for exercise /img/forum/go_quote.gif
How does the EQ and DSP degrade SQ?
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I've lost track of this thread over the pages.....so back in late here!
Generally, direct source (cutting out the photoshop circuit to enhance and shape the sound) gives a purer and faithful transcription of what is recorded .
When I had a magnificent Aiwa 5 multi-changer CD with flashing disco lights and quadruple bass boost as a teenager, it felt like it was the best system in the world!
Its sound processing gives that thump and bass which kids like. I suppose what's changed over the years is taste. I like the record sounding more like it was intended. A graphic equalizer is inserted into the circuit between the CD and output - so I guess it is less faithful that way .
FWIW, my hi-fi system doesn't have a graphic equaliser - it's direct source only, one of the Musical Fidelity things about 'sound fidelity'. I don't need it either, and the 280Pros sound great on a cheap headphone amp like the Musical Fidelity X-Cans v2. The impedance of the 280Pros are 64 ohms - they should be easy to drive without amp, but honestly, I prefer it amp'd, and that's when the sound of the 280Pros really shine.
Righteousball didn't appreciate this sexy singer on the mini-disc thread that won't die (he don't know what he's missing
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Well coming to think of it, neither did the critics who just didn't 'get her' latest release! The album is positively sensuous on the 280Pros. Anyone who has a pair which they don't believe merit keeping, should listen to 'Jasmine Flower'. The soundstaging on the 280Pros is really wide and Heather's frail and delicate soaring voice backed acoustically only by guitar and cello, really takes on a sonic dimension which I can't fathom at all with my Sennheiser HD25MarkII's. I'm sure some of the audiophile high end fodder listeners such as the HD650s would find it even more attractive with an open backed sound staging, however the 280Pro really makes this an album of sensuous and hypnotic listening. There is no piercing treble nor siblance on my pair either (which hasn't been fully run in!!!). There is incredible resolution though. At times it is so different from what I'm used to, I'm finding myself listening to new things in music. Not bad for such a cheap pair of quality built headphones...
Well I am mystified about the criticisms of this set of headphones too. For US$75-100, some of which seem to be based on a set of headphones which haven't been run in sufficiently; others based on unamp'd experiences, and more yet based on a preference for the Aiwa/Sony DJ Techno thump trend in sonic imaging.