General Headphone Audio

Still waiting for my XS to arrive and due to leave the country on holiday on Sunday.... just had an email from Royal Mail that they are expecting the parcel and there will likely be a customs charge due to declared value which I was somewhat expecting but I know some on others haven't been charged so will see what happens. I don't know what they will have declared the value at, presumably the sale price I paid rather than the full price?

This has been the longest wait I've ever had on a AE order.
 
Zeos review of the Fiio K13 R2R is up, noticed it on the Head-Fi forums late last night (I don't think @mrk has linked to this one yet). I don't necessarily like linking to Youtube reviews, but I do think this is interesting because Zeos tends be an impression channel without any work on measurements etc. I also don't like the fact he reviews it on a £300 after-market power supply and he should have reviewed it on the stock internal power supply. However he does love it. And in the background he has the Fiio K15 which he references and I suspect he probably filmed the review at the same time. I think it kinda makes sense the K13 R2R would appeal to him as he doesn't necessarily gravitate towards neutral.

So this review has kinda of put this back on my radar. I would like to simplify my current setup. And either of these two units might be a way to do that. i.e. Fiio K13, balanced to PreSonus speakers (or something like that), RCA to iFi Zen CAN Signature and another RCA to tube AMP. That would mean I could reduce my current boxes from 5 to 3. Which is appealing and obviously I could sell those boxes to claw back money. A K15 wouldn't have the second RCA out, but would have RCA input. A feature I have used in the past. Again something for next year when finances have recovered a bit.

But thought I'd link to the review.

 
I've been Londoning around so probably not seen on my feed yet, will watch it a bit later the car needs washing!
 
I have had a look around and found a model that someone has designed to home build a headphone measuring rig, should be quite useful for playing about with the DMS Omega a bit. It does feel a bit strange just having some ears on the desk though.

Whats-App-Image-2025-10-26-at-18-39-26.jpg
 
Well it seems to work, obviously it can't be compared directly to proper measurements, but as a comparative tool it seems like it may be useful. Below is a comparison of mt HE6SEv2 stock(blue) and after EQ(orange) that adds a bass shelf, rolls off the treble and slightly pulls up the 2khz dip.

Screenshot-2025-10-27-211725.jpg
 
Had a play with the length of the ear canal and managed to remove the bump that occurs in the mids and flatten out the response to be more real, it still seems to have an issue with bass frequencies but I assume this is down to the mic.


Omega Purple
HD650 Blue
Screenshot-2025-10-28-091837.jpg


HE6SEV2
Stock blue
EQ Orange
Screenshot-2025-10-28-091912.jpg
 
Angst said:
Well it seems to work, obviously it can't be compared directly to proper measurements, but as a comparative tool it seems like it may be useful. Below is a comparison of mt HE6SEv2 stock(blue) and after EQ(orange) that adds a bass shelf, rolls off the treble and slightly pulls up the 2khz dip.
Click to expand...

Very cool. So the plastic ear goes on a Mic, or similar and that's how you take the measurements? I suppose if you print two ears for left and right you could use the a Yoga block, or something to hold the mic and ear setup you have a cheap measuring rig. I've seen that on Youtube before but never gave it too much thought on how they build the rig.
 
Timber said:
Very cool. So the plastic ear goes on a Mic, or similar and that's how you take the measurements? I suppose if you print two ears for left and right you could use the a Yoga block, or something to hold the mic and ear setup you have a cheap measuring rig. I've seen that on Youtube before but never gave it too much thought on how they build the rig.
Click to expand...

Yea the Mic fits inside a short tube behind the ear, tries to simulate an ear and canal, the ear isn't really necessary but it should bring it slightly closer to measurements from proper rigs.

Whats-App-Image-2025-10-28-at-07-56-02.jpg



Taking the he6, which is supposed to have a pretty flat bass response down to 20hz I've had a go at some rough compensation for the drop off in bass response of the rig/mic.

Omega orange
He6sev2 teal
hd650 purple

Screenshot-2025-10-28-101514.jpg




edit:

Looks like the mic input had auto gain control enabled. Disabled that, and the results look much better. Ive removed the bass compensation aswell and put it back to manufacturer calibration.
Omega Purple
He6sev2 Red
hd650 Orange


Screenshot-2025-10-28-115731.jpg
 
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Angst said:
Yea the Mic fits inside a short tube behind the ear, tries to simulate an ear and canal, the ear isn't really necessary but it should bring it slightly closer to measurements from proper rigs.
Click to expand...

Ah OK, got you. Did you 3D print the white pieces as well?
 
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My XS are ready for collection but I've unfortunately been stung by customs. Not the saving you buy from AE when this happens. Probably cheaper elsewhere.
 
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Pain when that happens. I've been stung before on deliveries from Asia (particularly when I was collecting Japanese Game Cube games, or other console bits). I remember being stung one time on this Famicom-style 3DS case. Basically took it over £50 and pretty much doubled the price of it. Was not happy.

Just as an aside bumped in this thread on r/headphones. Assume it's not one of you guys! But I've not seen someone be so cautious. Bags for dust covers, toilet/cardboard rolls on the stands to protect the headbands.
 
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Never seen toilet cardboard on hanger before. I've seen people put cotton socks on guitar hangers because some hanger's rubber or foam material reacts badly with the nitro finish of guitars.
 
Timber said:
Just as an aside bumped in this thread on r/headphones. Assume it's not one of you guys! But I've not seen someone be so cautious. Bags for dust covers, toilet/cardboard rolls on the stands to protect the headbands.
Click to expand...

Have to be honest I've just got a couple of drawers my headphones go in - I probably should invest in something a bit better for storage.
 
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Rroff said:
Have to be honest I've just got a couple of drawers my headphones go in - I probably should invest in something a bit better for storage.
Click to expand...

Probably a good system.

I've got these 100% cotton draw bags from Amazon where I store the headphones not in use and they sit in a plastic tub under the printer. I then keep a couple out I'm using most often atm on these super cheap plastic hooks. Kinda works, again could be better. But also the most expensive headphones I have are the HD 660S2 so it's not like I'm rocking something super expensive.
 
I have 2 on hangers like this. They are foldable (magnets keep them up), and they are also slightly curved with a rubber surface. But I have them up on the metal band above the leather strap so no pressure is put on the strap. It is thin enough for it to fit in between. I just stick them on the side of my desk.

www.aliexpress.com

Small Hanging Headphone Stand Foldable Hook Mount Computer Game Accessories Suitable For School Dormitory Home Office Black - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com www.aliexpress.com
 
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