That's an absolute bargain!
General Headphone Audio
- Thread starter garyfl
- Start date
That's an absolute bargain!
Had a go at measuring and comparing DAC's audible output this evening to compare the differences between filters and just general response between the K15 and Audiolab Q-DAC. When I first got the K15 I was convinced that it was brighter than the QDAC, Looking at the results, the K15's default "Fast" filter is indeed brighter than QDAC, at least vs the Optimum Transient filter that I use it on. What may or may not be more surprising is that each DAC has comparable filters that have no discernible difference in frequency response between them. There are differences seen in phase and impulse response, but I can't really grasp the audible differences those make.
K15 Impulse
QDAC Impulse
Edit: looking at the filtered impulses(not shown), the k15 adds delay at the lower frequencies in all filters, whereas the qdac does not. Not sure why or what audible impact it will have.
K15 Impulse
QDAC Impulse
Edit: looking at the filtered impulses(not shown), the k15 adds delay at the lower frequencies in all filters, whereas the qdac does not. Not sure why or what audible impact it will have.
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I reached out to Sendy Audio recently about the new Egret model, wood and metal, looks like something out of a ZMF playbook but for once I actually like the aesthetics 
Egret on its way soon. Should be interesting to see how it compares to what I am familiar with.
Egret on its way soon. Should be interesting to see how it compares to what I am familiar with.
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I ended up getting the Airpod Pros 3 in HK for £185, it sounds okay. Noise cancelling is better than the CMF but it's not 6x the price difference suggests.
The foam ear plugs I got free from a hostel actually blocks out more noise than the APP3 with ANC actually.
The foam ear plugs I got free from a hostel actually blocks out more noise than the APP3 with ANC actually.
Like Beats and BOSE etc, bit overrated airpods seem to be, paying for the name as opposed to the sound.
I kinda like it, it's aesthetically pleasing
Anyone I've just had a genius thought, and wondered if there are adpaters to convert the Sennheiser 2 pin connector to 3.5mm so I could use the same cable for everything, turns out that these do exist:
Wish I saw these now before buying that cable off Amazon lol. Can just use the Fosi cable for everything now
Wish I saw these now before buying that cable off Amazon lol. Can just use the Fosi cable for everything now
Great find.Anyone I've just had a genius thought, and wondered if there are adpaters to convert the Sennheiser 2 pin connector to 3.5mm so I could use the same cable for everything, turns out that these do exist:
Wish I saw these now before buying that cable off Amazon lol. Can just use the Fosi cable for everything now
I think I've seen those before and possibly MMX ones to for IEM cables. I've never given them a thought, or remembered long enough to post about them as I don't use other headphone connectors. But I can see the appeal and how they might be useful if you want just one cable.
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Although I already spent over £25 on cables for the Senns so I will just leave them on there.
They will allow us to use the Meze Boom Mic with the HD600
Boom mic you say, I use this wireless badboy:
@mrk
Some of these can be fun. The majority just keep going round in circles but they show how well audio can be spaced out.
Edit:
Link to others:
www.youtube.com
Some of these can be fun. The majority just keep going round in circles but they show how well audio can be spaced out.
Edit:
Link to others:
Binaulab 3D Audio
Welcome to the Binaulab Audio 3D channel! Here you will find an exciting journey into the world of immersive audio. Discover how we transform simple sounds into engaging and three-dimensional experiences. We share experiments, tutorials, and unique creations that will expand your auditory...
www.youtube.com
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Oh yeah I have heard a bunch of these "8D Audio" tracks and the novelty does wear off after a bit, though still rather cool.
I have an update on the Kiwi Ears Septet and Astral, got the Linsoul memory foam TP45 tips and what a difference they have made to both models.
Having had a full day to listen to them here are my thoughts, especially as someone coming big cans, as at $300 for IEMs you expect them to at least get close to even HD600 to warrant the cost.
Neither of the Kiwis had any audible noise at any volume at any gain when nothing is playing, so I just left it on low gain as didn't feel any loudness was lacking. The Septet needs to be bumped to 74% to get the same loudness as the Astral at 62% for reference.
Septet config:
^ This piano acoustic is noticeably more visceral on the Astral, her voice gives goosebumps with the volume cranked up to 64 on the A90D, the Septet needs to be bumped to 74 to get the same loudness, but even still Hannah's voice isn't as rewarding, though it is still very good at vocal presentation. Astral also has more air in the midrange vocals with this track, the open-back of the Septet has no benefit here, the Astral is just more musical with songs like this.
Astral's treble sparkle also made the song more enjoyable thanks to the upper end detail coming out that is very present in the track. I'm using my HE1000se as a reference point on this specific area here to compare against as it's so resolving for tracks like this.
The additional armatures on the Astral definitely seem to be helping. The PZT and micro-planar drivers don't seem to do anything in this specific area of vocals for the Septet.
^ Is another track that has awesome layering in its mastering, both male and female vocals this time and again the Astral feels more musical and detailed to me.
Even though the Septet has the wider range of drivers and boasts a more natural tuning, my finding is that the Astral sounds nicer for ears that prefer a smoother and musical sound signature.
That's not to say either are perfect, they both centrally compress the midrange to some degree. The Septet does this more than the Astral. The frequency range on the Septet goes to as low as 8Hz, yet the Astral "feels" like it has better handle on low bass extension, probably as a byproduct of the midrange and upper range being more detailed trickling into an impact on bass perception I guess.
I also found on some songs with heavy bass and mids, that the low end filters into the midrange causing some muffling of details in this sort of music. Seems other reviews on headfi of the Septet mention the same.
I have not heard enough IEMs in this price range to say if either model sounds great for this kind of price, but from these in isolation I would say for comfort, sound and the cable features etc. I think that memory foam tips should have come in included at this price, as the silicone tips included are basic quality and don't even fit medium ear holes, I had to buy £12.99 MF tips to make them fit and sound how they are supposed to.
Astral will be staying put in my slowly growing arsenal
I have an update on the Kiwi Ears Septet and Astral, got the Linsoul memory foam TP45 tips and what a difference they have made to both models.
Having had a full day to listen to them here are my thoughts, especially as someone coming big cans, as at $300 for IEMs you expect them to at least get close to even HD600 to warrant the cost.
Neither of the Kiwis had any audible noise at any volume at any gain when nothing is playing, so I just left it on low gain as didn't feel any loudness was lacking. The Septet needs to be bumped to 74% to get the same loudness as the Astral at 62% for reference.
Septet config:
- 10mm dynamic driver
- 4 Balanced armatures
- 1 Micro-planar
- 1 PZT
- Open-back
- 6.62g each
- 10mm dynamic driver
- 6 Balanced armatures
- Closed-back
- 5.59g each
^ This piano acoustic is noticeably more visceral on the Astral, her voice gives goosebumps with the volume cranked up to 64 on the A90D, the Septet needs to be bumped to 74 to get the same loudness, but even still Hannah's voice isn't as rewarding, though it is still very good at vocal presentation. Astral also has more air in the midrange vocals with this track, the open-back of the Septet has no benefit here, the Astral is just more musical with songs like this.
Astral's treble sparkle also made the song more enjoyable thanks to the upper end detail coming out that is very present in the track. I'm using my HE1000se as a reference point on this specific area here to compare against as it's so resolving for tracks like this.
The additional armatures on the Astral definitely seem to be helping. The PZT and micro-planar drivers don't seem to do anything in this specific area of vocals for the Septet.
^ Is another track that has awesome layering in its mastering, both male and female vocals this time and again the Astral feels more musical and detailed to me.
Even though the Septet has the wider range of drivers and boasts a more natural tuning, my finding is that the Astral sounds nicer for ears that prefer a smoother and musical sound signature.
That's not to say either are perfect, they both centrally compress the midrange to some degree. The Septet does this more than the Astral. The frequency range on the Septet goes to as low as 8Hz, yet the Astral "feels" like it has better handle on low bass extension, probably as a byproduct of the midrange and upper range being more detailed trickling into an impact on bass perception I guess.
I also found on some songs with heavy bass and mids, that the low end filters into the midrange causing some muffling of details in this sort of music. Seems other reviews on headfi of the Septet mention the same.
I have not heard enough IEMs in this price range to say if either model sounds great for this kind of price, but from these in isolation I would say for comfort, sound and the cable features etc. I think that memory foam tips should have come in included at this price, as the silicone tips included are basic quality and don't even fit medium ear holes, I had to buy £12.99 MF tips to make them fit and sound how they are supposed to.
Astral will be staying put in my slowly growing arsenal
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I have been mostly off line for the last month....free IEMs??? £270 IEMs?!!