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Author Topic: Alpha Dogs Measurements  (Read 14016 times)

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ultrabike

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Alpha Dogs Measurements
« on: November 05, 2013, 06:17:52 AM »
Here are some measurements for one of the Alpha Dogs available at the meet. I believe these were originally demoed from the LG.

Frequency Response



CSD right



CSD left



While I didn't demo these with my own material, I don't think I heard the null between 3 and 4 kHz in the right driver with Dan's music. I felt these had pretty good bass and mids. Some felt these were a tad bright, but I feel they were pretty good in that regard. Perhaps there was a bit of lack of air, but consider these are closed cans. Pretty clean CSDs even in the location of the right driver null.

I like the looks of these quite a bit.
« Last Edit: January 26, 2014, 07:48:11 PM by purrin »
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jerg

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2013, 06:23:17 AM »
Looks like the 3-5kHz behaviour in the FR for BOTH channels is not worrisome, as shown in the CSDs where they are smoothed over actually.

These measure very well, though the apparent channel imbalance is worrisome. That 4dB difference between 4kHz and 8kHz will probably drive a discerning owner crazy.
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ultrabike

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2013, 06:37:24 AM »
Probably something was going on with that right driver. I also measured these a few times with sort of consistent results. Moving the cans a bit off center however filled out the null.
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mechgamer123

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2013, 07:56:54 AM »
Wooooah, what's with those measurements?
I have the tour pair of ADs in front of me and I honestly can't say I hear that severe of a dip in the 4k area. I also can't really hear the channel mismatch either.

Regarding the "brightness", that's one of those personal taste things, IMO. They're definitely brighter than the Mad Dog (and seem to lack a bit of high frequency extension), but they aren't quite as bright as my Stax SR-202 with 507 pads.

I think I've come to a realization that as much as I like the Alpha Dog's more neutral presentation, they're also a bit more harsh than the MD (Keep in mind both are being driven from an O2 with OPA2134 opamp) and I could imagine them getting slightly fatiguing after a long-ish listening session.

Just my $.02. I'll probably upgrade my Mad Dogs eventually once he starts processing upgrades.

They are indeed quite pretty though.
[Not sure how to link photos effectively, so I guess I'll just leave my photo off for now.]
« Last Edit: November 05, 2013, 08:13:31 AM by mechgamer123 »
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ultrabike

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2013, 08:46:21 AM »
The null seemed a bit cup positional sensitive, but did not go away, affected only the right cup, and was around 3 to 5 kHz. Maybe something to do with seal + cup shape on that particular channel. Perhaps some positional sensitivity with the design.

The tuning goal seems neutral, within the possible limitations of the driver. I agree they are probably brighter than the Mad Dogs, but definitively not annoyingly so... at least for me.
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Thujone

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2013, 01:26:58 PM »
Ummm. I'm not sure why everyone is trying to justify the FR. Sure, maybe they sound decent, but $600 for that kind of channel imbalance? That is inexcusable in my mind. Considering how easy it is to rapid prototype cups (granted the R&D had to take a long time, so I have to give credit there), that price is not even remotely justified.
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thegunner100

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2013, 02:25:39 PM »
Quote from: Thujone on November 05, 2013, 01:26:58 PM
Ummm. I'm not sure why everyone is trying to justify the FR. Sure, maybe they sound decent, but $600 for that kind of channel imbalance? That is inexcusable in my mind. Considering how easy it is to rapid prototype cups (granted the R&D had to take a long time, so I have to give credit there), that price is not even remotely justified.

This.

I didn't like the mad dogs 3.2 and I have a feeling I won't like the alpha dogs. Ill have a chance to try them out this weekend at the NYC head-fi meet to hear for myself though.  :boom:
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Hands

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2013, 04:25:14 PM »
Quote from: Thujone on November 05, 2013, 01:26:58 PM
Ummm. I'm not sure why everyone is trying to justify the FR. Sure, maybe they sound decent, but $600 for that kind of channel imbalance? That is inexcusable in my mind. Considering how easy it is to rapid prototype cups (granted the R&D had to take a long time, so I have to give credit there), that price is not even remotely justified.

FWIW, Marv had difficulties measuring my MD 3.2 when I sent them in (same pads as AD). I'm not saying this particular AD and other ADs can't exhibit what's seen here, but it's worth keeping in mind. I also think Dan said his tolerance is...2 or 3dB? Don't quote me on that. I'd hope that would mean it would be very unlikely a pair actually came out looking like this, as this example would exceed that on this setup. Though I suppose if he meant +/- 2-3dB from a reference curve, 4-6dB channel differences could be possible in an absolute worst case scenario. *shrug*

I'm on the AD "tour," so I'll hear them for myself soonish.
« Last Edit: November 05, 2013, 05:33:33 PM by hans030390 »
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Marvey

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2013, 06:07:51 PM »
The MD3.2 difficulties were the result of the pads being squished in the box too tightly. I was able to get better results the next day. Also, one driver was off with intermittent connection issues - that's why I was getting different measurements every time on it.

The alpha dog graphs above are consistent with what I heard. No ringing nastiness, but a bit of glare and hardness to the treble not unlike the HD800's 6kHz peak.

As far as the imbalance, take the measurements with a grain of salt. It was meet conditions and hardly ideal for perfect exacting placement / alignment of the cups on the coupler. Also the T50RP drivers tend to be not very well matched. It's just a fact of life with any of the T50RP mods.


P.S. I moved this thread to where only registered members can see it. I don't think it needs to be out the in public space yet because sometimes people get confused.
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mechgamer123

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Re: Alpha Dogs
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2013, 08:17:43 PM »
Yeah, I could see one driver just not having a good seal or something like that.
Hmm, so is that why I've heard people saying the AD "sounds like" the HD800 Purrin?

@Hans: Is your shipping info correct in the PM chain for the AD tour? I believe I'm sending the ADs out today to you.
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