What EQ settings you generally use when you are listening to trance?

[TheTranceHistorian]

I prefer closed-back headphones for music in general for a more intimate and focused feel and I daily drive a Beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro with a Topping DX3 Pro+ AMP/DAC combo. I also just bought an AEON Closed X and decided to jump into the world of EQ-ing as I haven't really done this before. I used Oratory1990's settings for each pair of cans (these settings are based on the Harman Kardon target). What I quickly found out though is that these EQs (at least for trance) are not ideal as they do nothing other than bringing up the presence and volume of supporting/secondary melodies. This gives the illusion of more detail and a less muffled sound, but it robs many trance tunes of their dynamism and I guess their dreamy/cloudy/mysterious quality.

So I started fiddling around with settings in the heavily recommended Equalizer APO. The settings shown below use the Dance preset as a base (which by default has extremely elevated bass without any compensation so it muffless tunes out of existence basically). I tweaked the bass to don't feel so overpowering and aggressive, but natural instead. I also raised the mids to bring out the details that were lost due to the other settings, but not to the extent that tracks would become too detail heavy / excessively elevated in their mids (so trance tunes can still have that cloudy, dreamy feel where you really need to focus to notice and recognize all the subtle elements and details).

Basically, with these settings, I achieve a similar sound as with flat/no EQ, but it's still noticably more lively, warmer, and pleasing to the ears while also having a natural (but not distracting) bass that I find both of these headphones lack by default. Now I know this has nothing to do with the so-called V-shaped sound profile many people claim to like who are into electronic music, but I feel these settings work very well for me (at least with the AEON Closed X I just got today).

What settings do you personally use and with what pair of headphones?

 

[SaltAcidFatHeatAcid]

I prefer closed-back headphones for music in general for a more intimate and focused feel and I daily drive a Beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro with a Topping DX3 Pro+ AMP/DAC combo. I also just bought an AEON Closed X and decided to jump into the world of EQ-ing as I haven't really done this before. I used Oratory1990's settings for each pair of cans (these settings are based on the Harman Kardon target). What I quickly found out though is that these EQs (at least for trance) are not ideal as they do nothing other than bringing up the presence and volume of supporting/secondary melodies. This gives the illusion of more detail and a less muffled sound, but it robs many trance tunes of their dynamism and I guess their dreamy/cloudy/mysterious quality.

So I started fiddling around with settings in the heavily recommended Equalizer APO. The settings shown below use the Dance preset as a base (which by default has extremely elevated bass without any compensation so it muffless tunes out of existence basically). I tweaked the bass to don't feel so overpowering and aggressive, but natural instead. I also raised the mids to bring out the details that were lost due to the other settings, but not to the extent that tracks would become too detail heavy / excessively elevated in their mids (so trance tunes can still have that cloudy, dreamy feel where you really need to focus to notice and recognize all the subtle elements and details).

Basically, with these settings, I achieve a similar sound as with flat/no EQ, but it's still noticably more lively, warmer, and pleasing to the ears while also having a natural (but not distracting) bass that I find both of these headphones lack by default. Now I know this has nothing to do with the so-called V-shaped sound profile many people claim to like who are into electronic music, but I feel these settings work very well for me (at least with the AEON Closed X I just got today).

What settings do you personally use and with what pair of headphones?​

I don't use EQ though I probably should. At home I use HD6XX open backs. At work, generally IEM (IKKO). IEMS have the best sound quality in my experience but the fatigue and potential for hearing damage is way way higher in my experience. Vs my open backs, which have almost no fatigue. I've been looking for a pair of closed backs for work though, and these AEON Closed X look solid. How did you settle on these ones?

 

[TheTranceHistorian]

I don't use EQ though I probably should. At home I use HD6XX open backs. At work, generally IEM (IKKO). IEMS have the best sound quality in my experience but the fatigue and potential for hearing damage is way way higher in my experience. Vs my open backs, which have almost no fatigue. I've been looking for a pair of closed backs for work though, and these AEON Closed X look solid. How did you settle on these ones?

I used to change my headphones regularly in the past to try to find what is best, not just in terms of sound, but in terms of build quality and comfort too. I was always a bit unsatisfied up until I bought a Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus, which is essentially a more refined version of the legendary DT770 Pro, but with a dedicated bass switch and it's easier to drive (only 16 Ohm). It's super easy to adjust its height, its ear cushions are large, deep, and comfy, it has excellent build quality (steel and high-quality plastic), and the headband has a thick cushion so it stays comfortable even if you use it for 10 hours straight.

Basically ever since I tried Beyer headphones, every other brand's headphones feel cheap... like a toy or something (it doesn't matter if you talk about HiFiMan, Sony, etc.). Plus Beyer headphones are super modular and you can basically repair everything in them. So the natural next step was to stick with Beyer but switch to a beefier version. The DT1770 Pro often came out on top in discussions regarding the best closed-back headphones and was specifically recommended for electronic music, and I happened to find one for one-third of its price with extra Dekoni leather earpads and two custom-made additional cables.

As for the AEON Closed X, this is the one that most often comes out on top nowadays when it comes to discussions about the best closed-back headphones, while many are even claiming that it's basically the only pair of headphones that has the strengths of open-back headphones in a closed form.

Edit:

Some of the headphones I used:

1. HiFiMan HE400SE (v2)
2. Sony MDR 7506
3. Beyerdynamic Tygr 300R
4. Playstation Wireless Stereo Headset 2.0
5. Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus
6. Edifier W800BT
7. Edifier WH950NB (I think it was this one)
8. SteelSeries Arctic Pro Wireless
9. Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro
10. AEON Closed X

 

[Magdelayna]

On a side note,its a shame that 99% of Trance listeners dont listen to the true sound quality that the producer intended - the raw WAV bounce of the track.

Its always compressed in MP3 form - theres a massive difference between that and listening to a WAV burnt to CD. I know its the day and age we live in,but i always think its a massive shame they never hear the true sound quality of the productions.

 

[TheTranceHistorian]

On a side note,its a shame that 99% of Trance listeners dont listen to the true sound quality that the producer intended - the raw WAV bounce of the track.

Its always compressed in MP3 form - theres a massive difference between that and listening to a WAV burnt to CD. I know its the day and age we live in,but i always think its a massive shame they never hear the true sound quality of the productions.

Agreed. I try to acquire every single tune I like in lossless (FLAC) format. I don't even use streaming platforms for this very reason: they don't have most of the tunes, while I can get lossless from CDs, Bandcamp (or alternatives), other sources, or high-quality rips from vinyl (in case the track never came out digitally).

 

[facade1984]

On a side note,its a shame that 99% of Trance listeners dont listen to the true sound quality that the producer intended - the raw WAV bounce of the track.

Its always compressed in MP3 form - theres a massive difference between that and listening to a WAV burnt to CD. I know its the day and age we live in,but i always think its a massive shame they never hear the true sound quality of the productions.

Thank you. Us lot put a lot of effort and thought into that sorta stuff so just play it as we intended innit

 

[SaltAcidFatHeatAcid]

On a side note,its a shame that 99% of Trance listeners dont listen to the true sound quality that the producer intended - the raw WAV bounce of the track.

Its always compressed in MP3 form - theres a massive difference between that and listening to a WAV burnt to CD. I know its the day and age we live in,but i always think its a massive shame they never hear the true sound quality of the productions.

My whole library is FLAC. I appreciate it .

@TheTranceHistorian many thanks for the post - I also have a DX3 pro+ in front of me, it's the best little device I've had in a while. About to order these closed backs based on yours and the ASR review. Whoooo yeah! Will update my experience with EQ upon arrival. And maybe I'll need to do some tweaking with the HD6XX's as well b/c they are a touch bass-weak.

 

[TheTranceHistorian]

My whole library is FLAC. I appreciate it .

@TheTranceHistorian many thanks for the post - I also have a DX3 pro+ in front of me, it's the best little device I've had in a while. About to order these closed backs based on yours and the ASR review. Whoooo yeah! Will update my experience with EQ upon arrival. And maybe I'll need to do some tweaking with the HD6XX's as well b/c they are a touch bass-weak.

Glad I could help. Right now though I would still vote for the DT1770 Pro as it works significantly better with electronic music, especially with trance, even though I did indeed achieve fantastic results by EQ-ing the AEON. So please keep that in mind.

But if you are looking for a more general purpose closed back, the AEON might be a better choice. But I can only give you more informed thoughts about it after using it for a few more days and getting a higher tier and/or a tube AMP for it as it works better with those (I tried it with one before, the AEON indeed sounded better with it than with the DX3 Pro+, I just don't have one currently).

So yeah, right now my definite vote would be on the Beyer still (plus it has a better head adjustment system).

 

[Magdelayna]

Thank you. Us lot put a lot of effort and thought into that sorta stuff so just play it as we intended innit

Thats the main draw of releasing on Bandcamp - they dont allow you to use MP3's - so the listener purchases the true WAVs of your music.

 

[Julian Del Agranda]

I hear no difference even with my own produtions 320 mp3 or wav on my Yamaha hs8 studio monitors.

Must be hearing damage

 

[Magdelayna]

I hear no difference even with my own produtions 320 mp3 or wav on my Yamaha hs8 studio monitors.

Must be hearing damage

Played through what medium though? With something like iTunes nah - but a WAV burnt on CD and playing on a proper CD player through monitors theres a big difference for me. But no one does that anymore haha.

 

[Julian Del Agranda]

Does the 'player' make a difference? For example I just play files in the standard Windows Media Player. I don't feel like there's difference between files. I don't feel that a 320 kbps mp3 is "damaged". I understand how it's technically damaged, but I don't hear that. A well produced track sounds crisp 'n clear and banging from low to high for me. (in 320 mp3). But like I said... might be me.

 

[Magdelayna]

Does the 'player' make a difference? For example I just play files in the standard Windows Media Player. I don't feel like there's difference between files. I don't feel that a 320 kbps mp3 is "damaged". I understand how it's technically damaged, but I don't hear that. A well produced track sounds crisp 'n clear and banging from low to high for me. (in 320 mp3). But like I said... might be me.

Well when you play a burnt WAV on a proper CD player,you arnt playing a 'file' as such. Its the truest sound you could hear a track on.

 

[Hensmon]

One thing Ive noticed is that all my rock CD rips from when I was a teen are all 128 or 192kbps in my library. Shockingly low. Yet it also sounds great. I even downloaded some digital lossless FLAC counterparts, and when I listened to both the difference is barely noticeable. In some instances I preferred the 192kbps over the 2000kbps.

This really confused me, how could that be? Maybe just an anomaly on the samples I tried? I do have a feeling a proper CD rip from back in the day is just superior to a digital export today. I also think with old music (pre 2004) the mastering/production/sound design is just superior, so it is more forgiving to lower bitrates. Todays' hyper polished electronic tracks could never survive a drop to 192. Either way, when 99% of my listening is home speakers or headphones I am unsure what differences can be heard from 320 to 1000+

 

[Electronlyman]

Todays' hyper polished electronic tracks could never survive a drop to 192. Either way, when 199% of my listening is home speakers or headphones I am unsure what differences can be heard from 320 to 1000+

My theory on this, is that modern tracks are often extremely sharp/high res, so if you compress that, it probably will be a bigger difference as if compared to files that were never so high res/sharp in the first place. Also modern EQ is spaced differently, there's more stuff in the higher freqs, which get cut off in the compression. In older tracks the mix is sitting a couple 'floors' lower - the beloved warm sound, so if you cut that to lower bitrate, you are not losing as much as in the modern mixes.

Probably the reason why your old recordings in low bitrate hold up pretty well.

 

[SaltAcidFatHeatAcid]

But if you are looking for a more general purpose closed back, the AEON might be a better choice. But I can only give you more informed thoughts about it after using it for a few more days and getting a higher tier and/or a tube AMP for it as it works better with those (I tried it with one before, the AEON indeed sounded better with it than with the DX3 Pro+, I just don't have one currently).

Sounds great. However, they are POWER HUNGRY which was a surprise. It maxes out the the DX3 Pro+. Nice and clean still vs my Motu M4 which has no hope of powering the beast. Will need to connect my Schit amp back in to the chain.

 

[Jetflag]

to my ears there's virtually no difference in a 320 kb mp3 and a wav. flac. file when listening to a final bounce.

though for editing/ production I prefer the latter two as it allows for more manipulation with less loss.

concerning eq when listening to music: the HD25 i'm using actually has a standard frequence range that jives really well with my knucklehead. so I leave any and all eq on my players (no1 preference still winamp, deal with it zoomers) level.

 

[TheTranceHistorian]

Sounds great. However, they are POWER HUNGRY which was a surprise. It maxes out the the DX3 Pro+. Nice and clean still vs my Motu M4 which has no hope of powering the beast. Will need to connect my Schit amp back in to the chain.

It's great to hear that you like the sound of the AEON Closed X and are happy with your purchase. I just sold mine though yesterday, because while I think it's indeed good (especially if you are listening to a diverse range of music), I feel my DT1770 Pro still significantly outclasses it when it comes to trance - not to mention my Beyer only cost me half as much, with Dekoni leather pads and two extra quality cables (I got a good deal).

As for the AMP/DAC, I also found the Topping DX3 Pro+ is not the best pairing for this pair of headphones. I tried it a year or so ago with an Ibasso DC06 Pro and it sounded much better with it, so you may want to try that. Also, feel free to tell me if you need my EQ settings for the Aeon Closed X, I still have it.

I decided not to pursue high-end audio any further in the world of headphones because I already reached what I consider endgame with my DT1770 Pro, and chose to buy some great speakers instead. My friend's father is a rock musician who semi-retired a while long ago and gifted my friend his entire audio gear: a pair of 500W Peavey speakers (each weighing 50kg), a Peavey mixer, an Agota (from my country) iron equalizer (it's heavy), and a hefty pre-amp. All of these are suited for outside concerts, meaning when they are used inside a house at normal volumes, they sound better than anything I've ever heard. My friend was willing to sell them after a lot of consideration, so I decided to buy them. Trance sounds otherworldly and amazing on these speakers.

 

[TheTranceHistorian]

to my ears there's virtually no difference in a 320 kb mp3 and a wav. flac. file when listening to a final bounce.

though for editing/ production I prefer the latter two as it allows for more manipulation with less loss.

concerning eq when listening to music: the HD25 i'm using actually has a standard frequence range that jives really well with my knucklehead. so I leave any and all eq on my players (no1 preference still winamp, deal with it zoomers) level.

I did an online test (320 kbps MP3 vs 1411 kbps FLAC) and was able to tell the difference in most cases even without a DAC/AMP and with mid-range headphones. The difference depends a lot though on the mixing/mastering of the track and the type of track being played. In any case, I think FLAC is the best due to music preservation purposes, because it's better suited for additional tweaks/edits, and because of the slightly improved audio quality.

 

[Jetflag]

I did an online test (320 kbps MP3 vs 1411 kbps FLAC) and was able to tell the difference in most cases even without a DAC/AMP and with mid-range headphones. The difference depends a lot though on the mixing/mastering of the track and the type of track being played. In any case, I think FLAC is the best due to music preservation purposes, because it's better suited for additional tweaks/edits, and because of the slightly improved audio quality.

Oh yeah it is.. but when listening to the overall bounced product of something which is finished I Don’t see/ hear the added value of “more detail”. I just get lost in the music and bollocks if there is a bit less clarity or bass here and there. Heh.

For me that type of detail neccesity is only necessary in editing..bit like why I use .mov and .png in my visual stuff, but when it comes to exporting I almost always put out a jpeg or mp4.