slooploop2 OP t1_iufbgxj wrote on October 30, 2022 at 10:01 PM

Reply to comment by Daprosy in Hifiman HE400SE Versus HD560S - Modestly Priced Madness by slooploop2

I don’t like reviewing things with EQ because I’ve never actually found the technical aspects of a headphone to be improved with EQ—quite the opposite in fact, so blank slate seems to be the most controlled way to review something to me. I do use EQ for a few headphones occasionally such as taking down 1kHz on the Borealis about 3dB with a 1.5 Q filter or bringing up upper midrange on Audeze stuff, but it does take away from dynamics so I only use EQ if I’m willing to take a hit to dynamics.

I don’t value soundstage, but EQ collapses the stage to the point where I actively notice the degration.

I tried both with Oratory EQ and it really just exacerbated most of the non-midrange issues I had with the HE400SE so I legitimately think the oratory EQ does it sort of a disservice…somehow.

I’ve had people question why I don’t talk about EQ in my reviews and it’s always been bizarre to me—I’m reviewing a product in the state it’s delivered; deviating from that in a way that varies so much depending on HRTF verges on dishonest to me.

Daprosy t1_iuhw9yw wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:42 PM

Fair enough just an odd conclusion to take. If a headphone has -10dB tuning in bass region, that could be a reason not to buy that headphone outright. If a simple EQ to that frequency reduces this issue then why is that dishonest to mention? Some headphones you simply cannot EQ as it distorts.

Similar to if you have 2 headphones, with one being much harder to drive you wouldn't review both from the same low power source, you would appreciate the different requirements of each headphone and review accordingly.