AVR a bit better than current DAC/AMP setup?

Submitted by EdgarChvz t3_10e8rhi in headphones

Recently decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Focal Clears. So far I love these headphones but today I decided to plug them into my Onkyo TX-SR393 AVR just to see what the difference would be to my Schiit Modi 3E/Magni Heresy and to my surprise got lower and more satisfying bass out of it than I did from my stack. Is this something that I can change from my settings on my computer or are the “not as deep basses” just a con of my current DAC/AMP setup? Just trying use all that these headphones have to offer.

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SuperValue t1_j4pmxul wrote

My guess is the output impedence is higher. On many dynamic cans, raising that will also increase the bass and reduce the damping factor giving it some bass "flab".

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GZoST t1_j4qm7l9 wrote

High output impedance on the amp + frequency-dependent headphone impedance leads to changes in the frequency response.

The Clears, like many dynamic headphones, have a strong rise in impedance around the resonance frequency of the driver (~50 Hz here). This leads to an increase in bass around that frequency.

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EdgarChvz OP t1_j4qycsr wrote

I see I see, still have a lot to learn but this was very helpful, thank you very much

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GZoST t1_j4rgnzg wrote

Glad that I could be of help!

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pinkcunt123 t1_j4ppeud wrote

You can just add bass via EQ. You can even make the Clear driver clip, if you want to.

As for why the AVR introduced a bass bump, refer to u/SuperValue who already explained it on here :)

This is basically why tube amps make dynamic driver headphones sound "warmer": high output impedance, which increases bass.

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EdgarChvz OP t1_j4qyo73 wrote

I have heard of a few people using tube amps with the Clears but now it makes sense why they would go that route, thank you, might look into tube amps in the future and will try EQ as well

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RayceManyon t1_j4qyjgx wrote

A receiver will add whatever EQ setting you have to the headphone jack. The Schiit is just ampifcation/DAC.

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