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OHSNAP
60
Oct 11, 2021
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Daniel_LagoeQuestion, when you installed Equalizer APO (EAPO) and installed the APO on your playback devices - - - - and unchecked “use original APO”.......did the application also enable the audio enhancements on you output devices > (under) sound settings > additional device properties > advanced > signal enhancements? Using the EAPO troubleshooting option it also is trying to enable the audio enhancements on each device the APO was installed.
Daniel_Lagoe
23
Oct 11, 2021
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OHSNAPThat has to be checked for EQAPO to work. The audio enhancement it is enabling is EQAPO.
OHSNAP
60
Oct 11, 2021
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Daniel_LagoeOK, thanks, I didn't see that on the ASR thread. I thought enabling the 'enhancements' was improper for purists - - - so I did not allow the EQAPO to do it.
Daniel_Lagoe
23
Oct 12, 2021
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OHSNAPYeah no problem, you can check it out here:
https://sourceforge.net/p/equalizerapo/wiki/Documentation/
Just go to the "Control Panel" section. It is required for it to work. I believe normally the reason you want to disable it is to get rid of other APOs that Windows has by default you can't defeat easily, but since you're doing that inside of EQ APO (by unchecking the "use original APOs") it's a non-issue.
(Edited)
OHSNAP
60
Oct 19, 2021
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Daniel_Lagoe@Daniel_Lagoe
Is this how you would apply Crin's settings using PEACE (my PEACE screenshot is below)? Sry, I'm new to EQing, but it has me intrigued with the amount of control you have at your fingertips with the software.
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(Please Note: I am NOT an audio or electrical engineer, please take everything I say as just the perspective of a hobbyist, and not objectively)
My Equipment Gustard X16 DAC Topping A90 Headphone AMP ScandiSound 4-Pin XLR Headphone Cable from Etsy (cable review and link to buy them at end)
The Set-Up for best sound quality on PC 1. Download EQ APO. https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ 2. Install EQ APO on the DAC your headphone will be using, while doing the install check the “troubleshooting options” and uncheck “use original APO”. For Information on audio quality and why to check the above box and do the other extra steps read here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ending-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/ 3. Install Peace GUI. https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/ 4. Open Sound Control Panel turn off Windows system sounds and enhancements. Then go to the DAC your headphone will be using and change the settings to at least 96khz and 24bit. 5. Open Peace GUI and follow Crinacle auto EQ settings to get the headphones close to a better target curve. (see below link for information, settings also below) https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master/results/crinacle/gras_43ag-7_harman_over-ear_2018/Sennheiser%20HD%208XX Apply preamp gain of -6.4 dB. Type Fc Q Gain Peaking 53 Hz 0.59 5.5 dB Peaking 191 Hz 0.25 -5.4 dB Peaking 1396 Hz 1.97 5.6 dB Peaking 2160 Hz 1.65 5.4 dB Peaking 6115 Hz 6.86 -2.8 dB Peaking 40 Hz 3.01 -1.1 dB Peaking 54 Hz 4.73 1.5 dB Peaking 10141 Hz 1.76 2.1 dB Peaking 12819 Hz 1.42 1.2 dB Peaking 19721 Hz 0.42 -6.6 dB 6. If using Tidal MQA I recommend adding a low-pass filter to filter out the distortion and artifacts MQA creates in higher frequencies. Mine is set to 20khz, but you can experiment and go more or less. Warning: setting it too low will get rid of some of the cool airy effect and some of the spaciousness. Learn more about MQA: https://youtu.be/pRjsu9-Vznc 7. You can also add a low end high-pass filter to make it easier on the drivers to allow more headroom with your EQ. Mine is set to 22hz, but again, do some experimenting and figure out what is best for YOU. 8. One cool thing to do is set-up Peace GUI to open automatically when you use the DAC for your headphones. You can also make separate settings for your speakers that open automatically for your speakers. That way you don’t have to open it every time or close it when you switch devices. 9. Find your own preferred frequency response curve. Keep in mind to add at last -.1 db gain on EQ APO preamp so the Windows limiter doesn't mess up your audio quality. How I found my preferred frequency response curve is below. Some information on EQing A larger Q value means a steeper boost/cut, in other words it affects less frequencies. A smaller Q value is obviously the opposite. For example a boost of 2db with a Q of 5 will not be as audible as a 2db boost with a Q value of 2, BUT the more audible one will affect more frequencies and could potentially boost frequencies you don't want boosted. Finding the prefered settings takes time and patience. Setting high Q values for higher frequencies might not be audible, but in lower frequencies the same higher Q value might be audible. If there is a dip in higher frequencies that is narrow, LEAVE IT ALONE. There is a lot of information out there, but a good place to start is here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/psychoacoustics-fundamentals.16018/
My EQ Settings My EQ settings are INSANE and most people will not like them, maybe only try them out if you NEED bass and enjoy music like Hip-Hop and Electronica. I got to these settings by first following Crinacle settings on Auto EQ. Then I opened songs that I love and know really well in FL Studios, then moved around Parametric EQ (making sure the Limiter was off) sliders until I found EQ settings that to me sounded better on all (or most) of my music. BE CAREFUL doing this as some settings will sound amazing with some songs, but ruin other songs. Make sure to check all the settings you might change on multiple songs. See below picture for the settings I ended up with:
Now, finally for the review Before EQ I don’t have much to say, I honestly hated them. Coming from the DT-1990 Pro and being someone who loves vocals they sounded off to me on pretty much every song I played. I actually was just about to return them…. But I did not act on that impulse and I spent the time to EQ them. After doing the basic EQ settings from Crinacle I started to like them more, but to me it was still missing a lot. What I noticed after Crinacle EQ is that: 1. There was still very little bass to me (especially punchy bass, like kick drums) 2. The vocals still didn’t sound as present as I wanted them to 3. It had a plastic, tinny, or metallic sound (not sure wtf this actually means, but I thought of those words hearing it.) Fixing “1.” Fixing the bass proved to be harder than I thought it would be, a large bump in the bass extending too high and you’d get a very muddy sound. A large bump not extending high enough felt like there was no punch… Finally I figured out a steeper slope and a boost around the punchy bass kick region (65-90hz) fixed that issue. Fixing “2.” I love music with both male and female vocals and with vocals the information presents throughout a wide range of frequencies. Male and female vocals present at fundamental frequencies around 180-360hz region, warmth and low presence around 500hz, lyrical quality from 700-1040hz, and high end presence and clarity can be anywhere from 2100-8000hz in my experience making music. Adding EQ with higher Q values (steeper boost/cut, not as narrow) presented tons of issues so I went for a smaller boost with smaller Q value (which means the EQ peak isn’t as narrow). Adding some lower Q value boosts to 330, 700, and 1000hz really improved the vocals and brought them to the front. I tried tons of times to boost some higher frequencies, but every time I did even if the vocals sounded better, the music would sound more “metallic”, tinny, or “plasticky” (not sure how to describe it). I don’t want to list the boost at 240hz as I’m not set in stone with it yet and might end up getting rid of it favoring another .5 db at 330 with lower Q setting. Fixing “3.” A short time in FL Studios moving the sliders around made it pretty apparent where the issues were which was around the 8khz region. Now in the original EQ it calls for a BOOST at around 8khz, but what I enjoyed the most was actually a dip there. So try it if you hear something that sounds some what tinny, metallic, or plasticky (again, bad words for audio, they just popped into my head). I should add, some songs, to me, still have a slight tinny, metallic, or plastic sound that I cannot get rid of. Getting rid of some of the really high frequencies around 16khz also seemed to help a little. POST ALL EQ Pretty amazing sound, very easy to listen to for long periods. I use it with no problem for music, movies, Discord, and gaming. My music preference again is mostly electronica. For music there are still some songs that don’t sound amazing to be honest, but the ones that do sound good make up for it. The HD 8XX presents a euphoric effect with certain tracks. Songs: KREAM – Take Control – Love this song so I had to get it sounding just right and the EQ I’m currently using makes it sound amazing on these headphones. It’s large and expansive while at the same time providing a clear high-end and vocals. The voice sounds great, could maybe be a little more forward for my preference and a bit more “centered”, but it still sounds amazing. Two Thirds/Feint/Veela – Epiphany – This song has fast paced drums, beautiful vocals, good panning, and is well separated on everything I play it with. The same is true while using the HD 8XX, it has deep bass, very euphoric voices, and the highs sound amazing. The drums sound punchy, but not overdone. It sounds bassy without sounding muddy. Ic3peak – Плак-Плак – No clue what is being said, but her voice is great and it has the electronic sound that I love. Her voice is smooth, sound-stage is on point, and the bass sounds amazing!
I could go on, but I think I’d be reiterating the same points...so to sum it up (post EQ): Pros: Sound-Stage Bass Vocals Euphoric Comfortable (even in long listening sessions) Cons: Tinny, metallic, or plastic sound Some things that seem they should be centered often sound off to each side Would be nice if I didn’t have to EQ as much as I did The cable connectors (felt like I was going to break them replacing the cable) Would I recommend this Headphone? This is ENTIRELY dependent on if the person is comfortable EQing them. If they aren’t, I would honestly say to stay away from them. If you want the sound-stage and don’t want to EQ, get the HD800S. If you want bass get an LCD-X or DT-1990 Pro. If you want the same amount of details to be present, but better tonal balance with good sound-stage and don’t want the HD800S look at the Arya (non-stealth). Cable Review ScandiSound 4-Pin XLR Headphone Cable from Etsy (link below)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1032327667/cable-for-sennheiser-hd8xxhd800hd820?ref=shop_home_active_2&frs=1&crt=1 AMAZING quality for the price! Very strong feel and great construction. The cable measured the same resistance on both the left and right channels (tested both pins of each side). Also, the cables resistance is MUCH lower (as to be expected, it’s a 5ft cable versus a 10ft). This cable is using Canare L-4E6S which is some of the best cable you can get when it comes to signal isolation. This is the cable of choice for high-end companies like Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.