The Headphone Show's EQ Tier List

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OK. So, I read up on the topic. Went a different direction with EQ settings. Using Foobar2000, found some parametric EQ settings for the Sony MDR Z1R and the Sennheiser HD-820. I need to use closed back headphones for a good part of the day, so looking to get them as close tonally to open back as possible.

Found some detailed settings for setting the Z1R. To my surprise, they seem to work quite well. The tonal balance is much improved, and the sound remains coherent. Need to spend time evaluating with the Z1R with the parametric EQ settings, but initial impressions are very positive. The Z1R with proper EQ is a MUCH better sounding headphone, among the best I’ve heard.

Here’s what I found and currently using:

  • Filter: ON LS Fc 80 Hz Gain -1 dB

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 100 Hz Gain 0 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON HSC 20 dB Fc 100 Hz Gain -2 dB

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 130 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 4

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 2700 Hz Gain 4 dB Q 3

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 3250 Hz Gain -8 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 3400 Hz Gain -2 dB Q 20

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 4100 Hz Gain 4 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 4900 Hz Gain 4 dB Q 5

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 5800 Hz Gain 3 dB Q 5

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 6600 Hz Gain 4 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 9200 Hz Gain -3 dB Q 5

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain -6 dB Q 15

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 15000 Hz Gain -6 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON PK Fc 19000 Hz Gain -4 dB Q 10

  • Filter: ON HSC 20 dB Fc 11000 Hz Gain -2 dB
    Save as mdr.txt in the Equalizer APO config folder and include it in config.txt.

For the HD-820, using the parametric EQ settings from the Headphones.com review. Only gave it a quick listen, but definitely seems better. The midrange is somewhat more balanced.

More to follow.

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