I would love to know how these are compared to the LCD-5, both EQ’d as well. I’m in a really tough position here.
1 Like
Not sure the best place to post this, but I just wanted to say that after @listener’s 3 headphones, 1 song: Which one sounds best? video the other day, I feel seen. This was exactly the sort of thing I had in mind in my feedback above, in terms of how you could discuss frequency response by reference to actual examples of songs and instruments. I totally agreed with what you were saying on the latest Noise Floor (at about 2:28:50) - keeping the language as ‘audiophile’ as you can, but tying as many things as you can back to FR. It’s not easy at all for someone like me to tie my subjective experiences to FR features - but you guys, particularly with your access to measurements of the headphones you are listening to, and your experience and understanding, are well placed to lead the discourse here and help us understand. I hope we can look forward to more videos like this one in the future, and likewise I hope we will see some more of this in your reviews of headphones.
1 Like
That is indeed the goal with this type of format. I think there are a few things we may refine with it but it’s certainly a start.
1 Like
@Resolve - Lovely review - bought these and am digging them - based on your review.
Quick question. why use a peak to add bass? Why not use a low shelf filter? Sorry for the primitive question if this is otherwise obvious 
You can use either one. I like peak for a wider Q boost, rather than the specific shelf function.
1 Like
Got it. Thanks for the fast repsonse - always wondered why folks do that.
I took your EQ and did a couple tweaks. Brought the 5khz thing from -3.5 to -2.5, and i turned off the high shelf slight-trim all together. Likely my person HRT preference.
These headphones are a banger… gosh… so happy with them (I’ve had Arya V2, Stealth, Empyrean V1, Elite, Expanse, Stealth, Noire, 800s, etc. and i prefer this sound to all of them so far.)
1 Like
I like yur minimalist approach to EQ. I have the Arya Stealth, not the Unveiled, but I, too, use just three filters:
-
Low Shelf 50 hz 3.5 dB 0.707
-
Peak 2000 hz 3.0 dB 3.0
-
Peak 5000 hz -3.0 dB 4.0
So, not that far off from yours. 
The Aryas just sound good right from the box.
Hi…;-). Really could use your opinion and knowledge on whether Hifiman He1000 stealth edition is possible and easy to eq and if you would prefer to buy it instead of Hifiman He1000se or Hifiman Arya unveiled. All of these now have a price that is close to each other and if Hifiman He1000 stealth can be eq to match the other two, I would buy these since they are the cheapest of the three and I also prefer the design of the stealth edition. Thanks!
how is the arya unveiled compared to he1000 stealth?
I saw this discussion and started tinkering on the Qudelix T71 (portable 8V RMS DAC/Amp). My EQ profile ended up a bit more detailed. Kind of a mix of what you guys started with, the Harman 2018 target on Squig, thoughts from martel80 on head-fi and my personal preference (which gave it a some peakier peaks). Pregain I set simply by taste on my rig.
I wonder what you guys think about it and if it is even of any use on your rig.
Btw: Still can’t make my mind if I prefer the EQd Arya Unveiled or the Arya Organic. The Organic is like a really good and pleasend scratch behind my ears, while the Unveiled has so much better vocals.
1 Like
Just got the Arya Unveiled and own the HE1000 Stealth. HE1000 Stealth is more trebly for sure - it would be very fatiguing for me on certain tracks and on certain recordings, that aspect combined with the more recessed mids would make the track sound thin and tinny. I find the Arya Unveiled is much more versatile. Midrange is more forward and more enjoyable on the Arya Unveiled. In particular, I think the overall “timbre” is better on the Arya U.
I also found that I can crank the volume on the Arya U higher as well, whereas I couldn’t really do that on the HE1K S because of its treble.
I think, without any EQ, the HE1K S has a slightly more elevated bass (going all the way down to the sub-bass) so you get more rumble and all that. The subjective qualities I’m hesitant to comment on since I think I need to spend more with the Arya U to talk about it definitively, but I’d say that the HE1K S sounds “wider”, though I don’t know if that’s the right word. You could say “airier” maybe? I think it’s more of a consequence of its tuning; bigger dip in midrange, more pronounced treble. I think that enhances sense of space, separation and all that. But as I said, it can make the headphone sound lean/thin and does not pair well with certain genres of music. Also, re the bass, I think you get more “impact” - but again, could be a frequency response thing. Imaging / layering sounds fantastic on both.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you want (without EQ) more bass rumble/impact, a wider perceived soundstage and a bit more of that ‘resolution’ and “wow” factor, the HE1K S would be better. Personally, I think the Arya Unveiled’s tuning is superior to the HE1K S, and I think it still sounds wide and spacious even if it may be a slightly less than the latter headphone. I find that I gravitate more towards my Arya Unveiled than I ever did for the HE1K S, which always felt like I kept it for when and if ever I wanted that Hifiman sound (with all the quirks that came with it).
BTW massive thank you to @Resolve for the EQ preset. Also, do you plan on listening to the HE1K S anytime soon?
2 Likes