Caporegime
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Ah I am up to date then.
what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)
- Thread starter garyfl
- Start date
Interesting findings with crossfeed, I've finally come across songs in my playlists that show distinct differences with crossfeed enabled on the X9 as opposed to some subtle differences (if at all) and it's genuinely quite excellent. I thought maybe the Arya was naturally crossfeeding by default as commentary by others suggested this might be the case, seems not and I just had not come to songs in my playlist yet during my sessions A/B testing with it until now that are produced/mastered in a specific way that makes crossfeeding a positive thing for them. Songs that have no audible difference remain unchanged, so effectively can leave it on at all times I guess. All amps/DACs need a feature like this.
In this song:
Because it has been produced with strict left/right imaging for the background instruments, the bass strings and cymbals coexist in the same space in the stereo image in my ears on the left channel, can tell them apart obviously but they sound like they are coming from the same position around 7 o'clock from my head tracking.
With crossfeed enabled and left on the default 700Hz/4.5dB option the bass strings are lifted from that very left position and brought closer and it feels like the bass exists at around 8 o'clock position whilst the cymbals remain at 7. I disconnected the headphones and enabled it on the speakers output and yes there is some improvement here too but not to the same degree which was expected anyway.
Seal's Kiss From a Rose also has the same type of difference with it on and off.
Both Arya and HE1000se show the same here and both sound excellent.
Also observed after more listening between both headphones that where the HE1000se is brighter than the Arya, that brightness is not harsh or peaky like the Arya can be on the stock pads especially, the HE is just brighter without the harsh peaks that result in fatigue. On moist music I appreciate this more as it gives the impression or more detail, but on songs that are highly compressed or poorly mastered, this can result in a grating feeling in my head with the HE, whilst the Arya just makes those types of files sound mushy if that makes sense.
HE1000se is unforgiving to poorly mastered
The other two crossfeed modes shown above don't seem to have much noticeable benefit over not using crossfeed to my ears.
So yeah, crossfeed is great, but it is best experienced with songs that have been produced/mastered with specific type of stereo imaging, can just leave it on and experience the benefits when a song works with it, otherwise carry on as normal.
In this song:
Because it has been produced with strict left/right imaging for the background instruments, the bass strings and cymbals coexist in the same space in the stereo image in my ears on the left channel, can tell them apart obviously but they sound like they are coming from the same position around 7 o'clock from my head tracking.
With crossfeed enabled and left on the default 700Hz/4.5dB option the bass strings are lifted from that very left position and brought closer and it feels like the bass exists at around 8 o'clock position whilst the cymbals remain at 7. I disconnected the headphones and enabled it on the speakers output and yes there is some improvement here too but not to the same degree which was expected anyway.
Seal's Kiss From a Rose also has the same type of difference with it on and off.
Both Arya and HE1000se show the same here and both sound excellent.
Also observed after more listening between both headphones that where the HE1000se is brighter than the Arya, that brightness is not harsh or peaky like the Arya can be on the stock pads especially, the HE is just brighter without the harsh peaks that result in fatigue. On moist music I appreciate this more as it gives the impression or more detail, but on songs that are highly compressed or poorly mastered, this can result in a grating feeling in my head with the HE, whilst the Arya just makes those types of files sound mushy if that makes sense.
HE1000se is unforgiving to poorly mastered
The other two crossfeed modes shown above don't seem to have much noticeable benefit over not using crossfeed to my ears.
So yeah, crossfeed is great, but it is best experienced with songs that have been produced/mastered with specific type of stereo imaging, can just leave it on and experience the benefits when a song works with it, otherwise carry on as normal.
My thoughts on X9 crossfeed, using my Wired Amiron Home, but first some thoughts on the tuning of the Amiron. I bought them as I wanted some audiophile headphones for my PC, so needed to be worn for extended periods. Every review talks about them being non-fatiguing, and comfortable to wear for long periods. Also that they don't display the usual Beyerdynamic usual analytical and exaggerated highs, and were instead slightly warm. Well I suppose they are, I generally prefer a slight warmth, but really, as long as the treble doesn't go harsh or there's more than a little sibilance going on, I'm happy.
Anyway, the HP-EQ for the Amirons, to bring them back to Harman, is... wild. I didn't realise they were so far off the target. Not that Harman should be everything, but still. Turning on this EQ on this headphone, resulted in what I'd expect from a Beyer (at least based off descriptions of their sound), a slightly harsh high, and something I wouldn't want to listen to for long periods. Turning on crossfeed (top one, default), along with the EQ, tames the highs slightly, and actually makes the Amiron feel balanced and easy to listen to again. I should note, that whatever I listen to for 10 minutes, I totally get used to that tonal balance, and shifting away from it by toggling the settings results in me going "I'm not sure this is better, it's too warm" to "this is good", then switching back to "this is too bright" I never realised just how adjustable my perception of the sound could be. The X9 makes turning things on and off easy!
I'm waiting on the HiFi store getting in the headphones I ordered, as I"m looking forward to hearing what the x9 can do with them.
Anyway EQ and crossfeed are great on this DAC.
Anyway, the HP-EQ for the Amirons, to bring them back to Harman, is... wild. I didn't realise they were so far off the target. Not that Harman should be everything, but still. Turning on this EQ on this headphone, resulted in what I'd expect from a Beyer (at least based off descriptions of their sound), a slightly harsh high, and something I wouldn't want to listen to for long periods. Turning on crossfeed (top one, default), along with the EQ, tames the highs slightly, and actually makes the Amiron feel balanced and easy to listen to again. I should note, that whatever I listen to for 10 minutes, I totally get used to that tonal balance, and shifting away from it by toggling the settings results in me going "I'm not sure this is better, it's too warm" to "this is good", then switching back to "this is too bright" I never realised just how adjustable my perception of the sound could be. The X9 makes turning things on and off easy!
I'm waiting on the HiFi store getting in the headphones I ordered, as I"m looking forward to hearing what the x9 can do with them.
Anyway EQ and crossfeed are great on this DAC.
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I think it works so well because it's implemented with some due care. I tried Peace/APO previously as some know but didn't get anything I thought was acceptable on results so binned it off when I had the Ananda Nano/Sundara, the EQ/effects on the X9 are hardware level too, so that no doubt helps be more effective and also artefact/distortion-free.
Some of the HP-EQ profiles make instruments in some songs sound a bit off though I found, like the middle LMG Harmon profile on both HE and Arya, it makes instruments that tend to live in the upper mid frequency range sound a bit too digitised on those songs, maybe it's the songs themselves, but those instruments didn't feel natural with it on, whereas other profiles for the same headphones worked fine. I still prefer with HP-EQ off though but now with crossover on fulltime.
But yes being able to toggle these so conveniently is a big win.
Edit*
Although saying that, after many more sources of music later it's become apparent that both EQ and Crossfeed need to be used conservatively as not all songs like either/both.
These two covers by Boyce Avenue for example only sounds the best in Bypass mode as it's a song that has been produced/mastered superbly and applying any effects to it removes that production quality:
The fact these these are youtube videos from years ago is what amazes me the most as they sound so good.
Some of the HP-EQ profiles make instruments in some songs sound a bit off though I found, like the middle LMG Harmon profile on both HE and Arya, it makes instruments that tend to live in the upper mid frequency range sound a bit too digitised on those songs, maybe it's the songs themselves, but those instruments didn't feel natural with it on, whereas other profiles for the same headphones worked fine. I still prefer with HP-EQ off though but now with crossover on fulltime.
But yes being able to toggle these so conveniently is a big win.
Edit*
Although saying that, after many more sources of music later it's become apparent that both EQ and Crossfeed need to be used conservatively as not all songs like either/both.
These two covers by Boyce Avenue for example only sounds the best in Bypass mode as it's a song that has been produced/mastered superbly and applying any effects to it removes that production quality:
The fact these these are youtube videos from years ago is what amazes me the most as they sound so good.
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Caporegime
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USB on the side?!?
WTF? I hope that’s not the only usb input.
WTF? I hope that’s not the only usb input.
I bet it won’t be. I’m wondering if it’s for local files storage attachment. But that would then mean file playback. Puzzling.
Should get stats soon.
It's going to be for plugging in a phone/tablet or DAP etc
Looks like from that pic that it's low profile and small desktop footprint, also being silver fits in with the already silver on black aesthetics I have. Hmmm.
Looks like from that pic that it's low profile and small desktop footprint, also being silver fits in with the already silver on black aesthetics I have. Hmmm.
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Caporegime
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Looks like the K11 but 50% wider.
No XLR though.
No XLR though.
Caporegime
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Just ordered a 4.4mm Linsul cable as it’s on sale in Amazon, and a 4.4 to XLR adaptor just for the lolz
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Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
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- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
I got the OpenHeart one, matches the cable I got. Under £15. I just want an adaptor, not too bother having the best quality.
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Looks nice, apart from looking like a bigger K11, it also matches their portable CD player in aesthetics.
On Head-Fi there are some pictures of the K15 too (basically looks identical to the K17). I think both these units are of interest to me although I might wait to let the dust settle and look at towards the end of the year. I've spent too much on audio recently so it really has got to be useful features being added, a nice upgrade, or a replacement that won't cost me too much after trade-in something else.
