# What Makes "Stuff" Fatiguing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Audio Science\ **Created:** [January 10, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776 "2020-01-10T14:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/41 "2020-01-16T23:23:41Z")
I aim to please…I should post it on r/headphoneporn and my Instagram lol ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 11:30pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/42 "2020-01-16T23:30:48Z")
It was a great inside joke. 👍🏽 ---
**Author:** ![MrCypruz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrcypruz/32/2617_2.png) [@MrCypruz](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MrCypruz)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/43 "2020-01-17T03:46:22Z")
Oh man, you made my evening with this post! Jeeezzzz not sure where all this creativity comes from! 🧢🧢🧢 off! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Poor Aunt Sandy…Let’s hope she’s not into audio! ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/44 "2020-01-17T04:28:39Z")
> [@MrCypruz](#): > > Not sure where all this creativity comes from! Whiskey. True story. And thanks, glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/45 "2020-01-17T05:34:09Z")
Whiskey! The right answer 😉 🥃 ---
**Author:** ![Soundphile](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/soundphile/32/6754_2.png) [@Soundphile](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Soundphile)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/46 "2020-01-18T14:24:32Z")
It depends on what’s the question. Definitely not an answer to “what makes stuff fatiguing?”! I’ll give my two cents on the matter. I think most of the answers provided here are spot on. What makes stuff fatiguing for me are peaks, especially in upper midrange and treble; too much bass; loud volume; uncomfortable headbands on full-size headphones and large shells on IEMs. All those things make the listening experience fatiguing and unappealing. ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/47 "2020-01-18T14:54:59Z")
It was in direct response to @ProfFalkin and his creativity, and was not meant as a response to the fatigue question. So if read in line, with the comments above, and attention to detail of whom I was replying to, should have given it all the context needed… sorry if I confused anyone… ---
**Author:** ![Soundphile](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/soundphile/32/6754_2.png) [@Soundphile](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Soundphile)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/48 "2020-01-18T15:00:44Z")
Sorry, it was meant as a joke on the fact that I never grow tired of whiskey - I know your post was in direct response to @ProfFalkin’s message! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/49 "2020-01-18T15:07:04Z")
Ha, yeah, damn text loses nuance and causes confusion sometimes, I figured it was a joke but, wanted to explain it in direct explanation just incase people didn’t understand how I was responding… I responded directly to avoid confusion and was hoping it came off like an explanation and not “snotty” . I probably failed at it…maybe the future is video posts where people post video “talking heads” responses lol … oh dear god!!! What have I just come up with…“The horror, the horror!” ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/50 "2020-01-18T17:58:23Z")
Max Headron (?) I’m with you on the nuances. I’m quite playful when chatting and all of that is lost in written form because all my physical cues are missing. I worry that I come off as an ass sometimes\*. 😳 _If it’s not an intentional response to an aggressive individual_\*\*. \*\*Douche ---
**Author:** ![rrwwss52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rrwwss52/32/945_2.png) [@rrwwss52](https://forum.headphones.com/u/rrwwss52)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/51 "2020-01-18T22:37:07Z")
Bad whiskey can be fatiguing! 😀 ---
**Author:** ![S\_P](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/s_p/32/8684_2.png) [@S\_P](https://forum.headphones.com/u/S_P)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/52 "2020-02-05T21:11:42Z")
Unfortunately, I find the Focal Clear a bit fatiguing; I’d appreciate any suggestions from community members who are treble sensitive. I currently own the HD650, and never had any issues with them. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/53 "2020-02-05T21:26:39Z")
> [@S\_P](#): > > community members who are treble sensitive Dynamic driver headphones (such as the Clear) can be fatiguing. I own Focal Elex and find them much more fatiguing than my HD-600s. I also have planar headphones – they have a more diffuse presentation (e.g., Hifiman HE-560, Dan Clark AEON Flow) that’s easier on my ears. You might start with a search of past discussions on planar headphones. I’m not sure of your budget or quality expectations, but many consumer grade (\<$300) products are mid-range focused and can be pretty easy on the ears too. This includes Bose, Sony, etc. ---
**Author:** ![MartinTransporter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/martintransporter/32/8809_2.png) [@MartinTransporter](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MartinTransporter)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/54 "2020-02-05T21:35:17Z")
> [@generic](#): > > Dan Brown AEON Flow You have a link on this? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/55 "2020-02-05T21:36:02Z")
Edit fixed… ---
**Author:** ![MRHifiReviews](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrhifireviews/32/13974_2.png) [@MRHifiReviews](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MRHifiReviews)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/56 "2020-02-05T21:41:43Z")
Have you tried Tone Control via a Schiit Loki to see if that helps? ---
**Author:** ![lost33](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lost33/32/6850_2.png) [@lost33](https://forum.headphones.com/u/lost33)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/57 "2020-02-06T00:43:47Z")
Wow, First time I have heard that Focal Clears are fatiguing due to the treble? Interesting…There are other headphones that you might want to stay away from if the Clears are bothering you on the high end? Grados, Beyers etc… Some eq’ing may help. Alex ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/58 "2020-02-06T02:11:31Z")
Yeah, wow, first I’ve heard of this problem with Clears… hmm that is a conundrum… I think any mid-forward headphone might be better for you… maybe the ZMF Aeolus… but even that has similar treble, but maybe a tad mellower… HD650 or 6XX is good consideration… hmm ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/59 "2020-02-06T02:28:59Z")
Could it be a perceived ‘metallic’ sound that you find fatiguing? I’ve read of a few people that find Focal drivers sounding too metallic for their liking. It is an aluminium/magnesium driver. ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/60 "2020-02-06T02:33:46Z")
> [@ValentineLuke](#): > > perceived ‘metallic’ sound that you find fatiguing? I’m one of those people. To my ears, the Elex sounded like people (women in particular) were singing through a trumpet instead of a microphone. Everything was coated with a shiny metallic sparkle. After a while the sensation went away, but I chalk this up to the ringing and stiffness inherent with metal. Because of the metal, Focal has strong and precise dynamics – this increases fatigue. Most other dynamic driver materials self-dampen and don’t have the same intensity. [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776.md?page=4)