Topic: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ (Read 2529 times)

AustinValentine · « **on:** February 27, 2014, 10:24:48 PM »

Afternoon Pirates!

Context: Since October I’ve been on the hunt for a decent pair of all-purpose, closed back phones. (I’m not going to bore you all with the long details, but if you’re interested click this link http://www.head-fi.org/products/focal-spirit-professional/reviews/10488.) I thought I had hit the end of my hunt with the Focal Spirit Professionals. They sound great and my ears fit inside their undersized pads. After two weeks of use though, I’ve run into an issue: while their memory foam pads have softened, the clamping force on the headphones remains rather high. The lower end of the pads presses right on my temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and has restarted some old problems that I had with that spot: popping, clicking, crackling, and general pain and discomfort. I’ve stopped wearing them for the past few days and the TMJ problems have almost entirely subsided.

So, now I’m back to using the M-100’s with XL pads because they don’t cause me physical pain. The downsize to this is that everything sounds like its being played out an 80’s Monte Carlo SS with hydraulics and an oversized subwoofer in the trunk.

This is not acceptable. I’m more of a Subaru Forester kind of guy. Bummer.

What’s Up: So, while I plan my next move re: the FSP’s, I’ve decided to try to equalize these things. In general, I like the sound of the M-100 – they just have way too much bass and slightly recessed mids. Audirvana Plus’s Audiounits preference has a 31-band graphic equalizer plugin that looked up to the task. That being said, I’ve never used digital EQ for anything before, so I’ll just outline what I’ve tried. Mainly, I want to see if the logic of what I’m doing seems fairly sound or if I’m just plain doing this wrong.

First, I pulled up two FR charts, the M-100’s and the FSP’s from InnerFidelity, and the headphone target response curve from Olive-Welti-McMullen (2013) also from IF.

Next, I set about trying to correct the bass. It looked to me like the M-100’s have a bass hump of around 8-9db – that’s a lot of bass. But, the target response and the FSP do have a slight subbass/bass bump of around 5db from 20-70hz, which then declines from 70 until it levels out at 250hz. Splitting the difference, I left around 5db in and applied a -4db EQ from 20-60hz, with incrementally smaller decreases until 250hz. (There is a slight FR shift/notch on the graph between 100 and 125hz, so I decreased and increased accordingly.)

After that, I wanted to touch up the midrange. Looking again at the target & FSP for the mids, the M-100 seems to have a recessed midrange from 250-800hz, so I brought the mids up gradually until reaching +3db @ 400hz and then tapered back down to +0db @ 800hz.

Results: So far, this is what it looks like…

…and it sounds quite a bit better. I haven’t tried playing with the treble yet, as I’m afraid it won’t EQ as well. I’m playing it safe and leaving the treble as it is for the moment.

Wrapup: So, all that being said, I think this is what I’m looking for as far as feedback/comments/assistance:

1.   Tips on whether or not I’m on the right track here with how I’m going about EQing this headphone. Am I getting anything fundamentally wrong? Is there any better/more precise way of doing this?
2.   Thoughts on fixing the headphone clamp problem on the Focal Spirit Professionals. IMO, They don’t stretch very well becaus e of issues with the design of the headband and stretching them would mess with the seal. For those that have this headphone for longer than my few weeks, did the clamp get any better for you over a longer period of time? It would be a shame to give up on a headphone because of something as dumb as jaw pressure.
3.   Recommendations on FSP/M-100 alternatives. In my FSP review link at the beginning, I outline what mid-fi portables I’ve tried. Keeping in mind the clamp issues, anything else you have to recommend would be most welcome.
4.   Anything. I’m happy to read peanut gallery comments or whatever. Thanks!

Stapsy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2014, 12:09:06 AM »

In on particular order here are my thoughts on this for you:

1. Mod the M-100. I figure there must be someone out there who has done this. At least it may get you closer to the sound you want without having to use as much EQ

2. Stretch the Focal band - Pretty self explanatory. I suppose this may ruin resale if it doesn't work. I did it with my HD800 and do find them overall more comfortable. Before the clamping pressure could keep them suspended on my head without even needing the headband and caused strain in the areas you mention

3. Find new pads for the Focals. This one may be a bit harder but perhaps some more cushioning would help

4. It is possible that there is something about the Focals sound that is doing this to you. I read your review and you mentioned punchy. In my experience punchiness can lead to fatigue and similar TMJ symptoms. The obvious answer is the Focals are physically pressing on your head in an uncomfortable way. I have also found that punchiness can cause me to clench my jaw or brace myself when listening to music. This is similar to things I have noted a couple people mention about the Gugnir and my own experience with the HD800 through less than stellar amplifiers. It doesn't allow you to relax and you subconciously tense up. Perhaps try wearing the Focals for an hour without music and see if you still get the TMJ issues. When I switched to the Vali I did find this largely went away.

5. Get some IEMs. Many more neutralish options in that price range.

AstralStorm · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:31:46 AM »

I'd say skip the curves, launch a tone generator and retry.

Such graphic eqs as described in ISO are not accurate enough in the highs. Typically, high Q values are required more often there. This also makes approximating actual peak/dip shape properly impossible at times.
Only very best headphones do not have narrow peaks or dips. This is especially problematic with closed headphones, as they tend to have peakier sound nature.

So instead, I'd recommend a parametric equalizer with as many bands as you can have. (5 parametric + 2 shelf is a minimum value in my opinion)

AustinValentine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:09:23 PM »

Quote from: Stapsy on February 28, 2014, 12:09:06 AM

In on particular order here are my thoughts on this for you:

1. Mod the M-100. I figure there must be someone out there who has done this. At least it may get you closer to the sound you want without having to use as much EQ

2. Stretch the Focal band - Pretty self explanatory. I suppose this may ruin resale if it doesn't work. I did it with my HD800 and do find them overall more comfortable. Before the clamping pressure could keep them suspended on my head without even needing the headband and caused strain in the areas you mention

3. Find new pads for the Focals. This one may be a bit harder but perhaps some more cushioning would help

4. It is possible that there is something about the Focals sound that is doing this to you. I read your review and you mentioned punchy. In my experience punchiness can lead to fatigue and similar TMJ symptoms. The obvious answer is the Focals are physically pressing on your head in an uncomfortable way. I have also found that punchiness can cause me to clench my jaw or brace myself when listening to music. This is similar to things I have noted a couple people mention about the Gugnir and my own experience with the HD800 through less than stellar amplifiers. It doesn't allow you to relax and you subconciously tense up. Perhaps try wearing the Focals for an hour without music and see if you still get the TMJ issues. When I switched to the Vali I did find this largely went away.

5. Get some IEMs. Many more neutralish options in that price range.

Thanks for the reply, Stapsy! You would *think* that more people would have tried to mod out the M-100's...but after reading all ~19,000 posts on the Head-Fi appreciation thread, I've only discovered a small vent mod (that didn't do much) and that human beings are awful. Seriously, whenever someone criticizes the M-100's sound they get something like this hurled at them,

Quote (selected)

Sorry you could not appreciate the V-MODA M-100. The bass was probably not boomy or loose or flabby enough for you. I'm guessing that the frequency curve was not V shaped enough for you and with the M-100 you could hear the midrange and singer's voices more clearly and the treble was not hot and sizzly like you would get with the Sony XB-500, Nixon Master Blaster, Beats Pro (Black) and V-Moda Crossfade LP.

That wasn't directed at me, but...yikes. Just yikes.

I can't do IEMs sadly as I don't deal well with ear canal pressure. As for pad rolling: the Focal's pads are stuck on with an adhesive circle and are a pain in the butt to remove...and it's unclear when replacements will become available. Good news though: I did say "to hell with it" and stretch the band carefully across a stack of books and them overnight. This seems to have done the trick without damaging the headband. Put them on this morning and the clamp has lessened. 3/1/2014 update - Nope nope nope nope. TMJ problems came right back this morning. Balls.

I'll have to stay watchful of whether or not the punchy sound is contributing to the jaw issues. That's something I hadn't considered, so extra thanks for that tip.

AustinValentine · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:36:07 PM »

Quote from: AstralStorm on February 28, 2014, 10:31:46 AM

So instead, I'd recommend a parametric equalizer with as many bands as you can have. (5 parametric + 2 shelf is a minimum value in my opinion)

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CCN152/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=10KZTEVJCXNBJ&coliid=I2GPBPLL1QLWQ4 This is what Marv recommended from the other EQ thread here. It's definitely in my shopping list for when I get a bit of extra cash together.

Author Topic: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ (Read 2529 times)

AustinValentine

Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ

Stapsy

Re: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ

AstralStorm

Re: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ

AustinValentine

Re: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ

AustinValentine

Re: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ

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Author Topic: Flattening a V-Moda M-100 Using Digital EQ (Read 2529 times)