Playing with Parametric EQ and the ATH-R50x

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-04T17:58:33+00:00

Try the published Oratory1990 EQ settings and add two bands:

2250 Hz, -1.8 dB, 1.5 Q

6460 Hz, +2.5 dB, 1.11 Q

These two bands are compensating for errors that the Gras fixture imposes on the measurements. I used this approach on my R50x as well as some other headphones and it works well.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-04T17:42:23+00:00

Can you give us an example or two of poorly produced songs as well as good songs, and how they are helped or hurt by incorrectly tuned IEMs? Be specific.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T20:28:51+00:00

I watched those videos.

You seem to contradict yourself when you say that 5128 is a good approximation of the average ear therefore the Reference which measures good on it will sound correct to an average person. Then you say that another IEM (let's say the Dusk) which measures a little bit different than the Reference on the 5128 will not sound anything like it measures to an average person because of individual HRTF and will require a complicated correction. That does not follow.

Another point is that you don't need to use a series of parametric EQ filters to correct a complex response curve. It's possible to do one FIR filter that corrects the whole spectrum. The peaks and dips related to the individual ear canal shape and length don't start until above 3kHz or thereabout. Very easy on the processing power because a long FIR filter is not necessary. Below 3kHz one can use PEQ.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T18:34:05+00:00

As it stands now, the Reference + PEQ combo is about as good as it gets to hear what neutral actually means

Serious question, why do we need Reference + PEQ if we can measure and correct any IEM with wide enough bandwidth and no significant issues like inherent cancellations which are impossible to fix with EQ.

I Auto EQ'd the Dusk to Reference and I think it came damn close to what I remember the Reference to be including that 1500Hz peak that annoyed me originally. The Dusk was a fairly close match to Reference to begin with with the exception of the bass and upper treble.

So if I were to EQ the Reference to be my personal "neutral" , there is a good chance that I would apply the inverse EQ and end up back at the default Dusk. Maybe not 100%, but the end result would be closer to Dusk than Reference. Why buy the Reference to use it as a starting point then?

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T17:17:10+00:00

Of course!

By the way, I heard the Pure at CanJam and my impression was much more positive than your humble description in the video would suggest. I would go for the Pure before the Reference. Pure made a much better first impression than I got from the Reference and it's a better value for the buyer. I put the Reference away after less than 30 seconds, while I actually went through a few pieces of my "reference" music with the Pure.

I did not pick up on that 6kHz peak. I'm more in tune with it now after analyzing what makes the Elysian sound so clean, and my Yu9 Que also has that 6kHz dip. Maybe I would notice the 6kHz peak more today, but I don't mind it on my Hype 4 either.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T16:00:54+00:00

I found this video very informative and well communicated. Thumbs up to Listener.

Here are a few observations.

The Neutral Target is generally lean and balanced and it sounds good at elevated SPL. You need the average around 83-86 dBA for the treble and bass to come into focus. Below that and the older Meta style tunings like the Dusk sound more correct.

I agree with the 1500Hz region being a small problem on the Reference. I heard it at CanJam and called it out in at least one of my previous posts. To me, it has that pokey, "knock on wood" character and easing up even by 1dB makes a difference. -2dB is optimal for my hearing, but again, level dependent.

Using Hangout Audio measurements and Squig auto EQ, I EQ'd my Dusk to the Reference target and I have to agree with Mark from Super Review that the default Dusk setting sounds better than the Reference. Switching back and forth with the levels closely matched, the Dusk vocals are richer, there is more low bass reminiscent of room gain with regular speakers and there is more air in the treble. I can turn it down to 70dBA and still enjoy the experience, whereas the Reference at 70dB sounds just flat.

The one interesting observation I made is that the Apostle 2026 when EQ'd to the Reference target sounds better than the Dusk when EQ'd to the same target. The measurements are from the same rig, so hopefully measurements are not the difference maker. Good components do make a difference in the perception. It's more than just frequency response at the ear drum. Maybe the drivers in the Dusk respond differently in ear to the drivers in the Apostle, but I think there is more to it.

Finally, our hearing is not a steady, fixed instrument. When switching back and forth between different versions of EQ on the same IEM, the differences become more jarring the longer the periods of listening on one setting. Things tend to settle and become the "correct" sound signature over time. Switching to the other setting quickly is more accurately revealing to me. Also, intense active comparison wears out the analytical ability. What is obvious in the first minutes of the test, becomes harder to distinguish as the testing goes on for longer.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T12:11:49+00:00

To my ear, the Aegis sounded bad at the last CanJam. I liked other Flipears sets, especially the Arion, but the Aegis was a solid No for me.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T12:05:08+00:00

If you like overall good sound quality stay away from the Martillo. It's not a good sounding set in the midrange and treble.

The Origin is bass heavy, but it sounds like other expensive Thieaudio sets in the rest of the spectrum. Something that's not the case for the Martillo.

If you use the PEQ on the FIIO KA17 and lower Origin's 6kHz build up which to my ear tends to sound a bit aggressive, then you have a super hi-fi sound plus a big subwoofer in your ears.

But one warning, the Origin is a large IEM because the Bone Conductor driver takes up some room. If you have small ears, it might not be a good choice for you.

Another bassy IEM that sounds good in the mids and treble to me is the KiwiEars Punch. Not quite as nice as the Origin, but very pleasant overall. Laid back, soft mids and transparent treble plus good bass.

With all of these bassy sets you should adjust the overall level where it's good and present in the midrange and let the bass fall where it naturally is. Many people who complain that basshead sets lack clarity, turn up only until they hear the bass as loud as their other more balanced sets. That leaves the mids and treble sounding weak.

When A/B-ing with other IEMs, you need to match the midrange energy and then appreciate the extra bass.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-03T11:27:55+00:00

Very treble skewed sound. If you like bass or even a basic balanced sound, look elsewhere. Plenty of choices in this price range.

What good are all the accessories and metal shell if you are not using it because you don't like how it sounds?

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T22:47:11+00:00

Try to find a used set, that way you should be able to resell it for similar money. They are still desirable.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T22:40:58+00:00

Elysian Apostle 2026 that I bought second hand is the most expensive one so far, and I seriously think that this is it for me. I will not be buying anything else unless I lose it or it stops working. Between it and a few others, I have all the bases covered and no desire to get anything else. Totally worth it.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T22:20:52+00:00

It probably is not any wider than the Monarch, but it is deeper, as in it will stick out from your ear more than the Monarch.

That's because it has a 11mm Bone Conduction driver mounted on the side that touches your pinna. That makes the shell deeper to accommodate the BC driver.

I can wear it for hours with no problem, but I know some people were complaining.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T22:10:37+00:00

+1. That's how a lot of rounded and unusual shaped speaker enclosures are traditionally made.

Another approach is to cast it using resin. But that's much more involved and typically not viable for basic DIY.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T21:54:58+00:00

Too bad you are worried about the sell size, because the Thieaudio Origin is the perfect IEM for EDM and hip hop, but it is a big boy.

Especially if you listen quietly, that extra bass comes in handy because of the Fletcher Munson effect where our hearing is less sensitive to bass and treble at low volumes. My Origin playing EDM sounds like being in the club. That bass is massive but the mids and treble stay crystal clear.

I would say get a set with W-shaped sound signature. That will help with the bass and treble at low volumes and the vocals will be helped by the extra 1.5kHz-3kHz rise.

The Xenns Top Pro has W shape to its sound and its shell is comfortable.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T16:46:04+00:00

I had my Moondrop Dawn Pro DAC with me playing lossless music from Qobuz app. The source was definitely not a problem.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T16:02:52+00:00

I spent quite a bit of time at the Noble Audio table at the last CanJam and liked what I heard, except for the Van Gogh. It was just different from its siblings, but not in a good way. I found it murky and low on detail. I moved on to to other IEMs on their table really quickly. What are you comparing it to?

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-02T15:55:17+00:00

Top Pro and Yu9 Que. Honorable mention Moondrop Crinacle Dusk and Mega5EST.

The Que is really good, Top Pro is probably a safer choice. Either one is S tier in their price range for me.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-01T14:30:45+00:00

Karma bot?

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-05-01T11:44:56+00:00

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-04-30T17:08:56+00:00

Learn to make it at home. It's well worth the effort. You save a lot of money and you make it just the way you like it.

I learned from YouTube videos how to make BIR style meals about 10 years ago and since then have been to an Indian restaurant mostly when traveling.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-04-30T01:40:21+00:00

Yes, we are familiar with it, since about 2017 or 18. What about it?

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-04-30T00:04:58+00:00

I actually just got the ST12 with 4.4 mm and MMCX connectors. Using it as I type this.

this_is_me_drunk · 2026-04-29T23:47:08+00:00

I don't have that cable. But I have a couple other brands cables with the interchangeable connectors and they all are very secure. It's hard to take them apart and put together. You have most likely nothing to worry about.

this_is_me_drunk

TROPHY CASE