This is the way

You're not alone. Everytime I've applied AutoEQ to a headphone I've been quite unimpressed and would rather just use the default tuning.

Edit: Let me rephrase, whenever I've applied a target curve to a headphone (be it AutoEQ results, or a custom curve tweaked by someone like Oratory) I haven't liked it more than the stock tuning.

Same here, ordered mine day of release and its black. Though it would be cool if they used a hex screw given the name lol.

Had a topping a90 before switching to soloist 3xp, definitely worth the upgrade if you have the fund for it imho.

Honestly if you just want to listen to music, instead of trying analyze it every time you put on a headphone, elite is as good as it gets. Not saying it’s not as detailed as other flagships, but it certainly have the best combination of technicality, musicality, build and comforts from all the flagships I have tried so far.

How do the AKG K702’s compare to the K612’s?

They’re objectively awful amps. If you want distortion go with tubes. Otherwise you’re better with SMSL, topping, schiit or jds stuff.

It’s really cool to downvote without providing why lol. Just trying to save people money here. I’ve owned so many pieces of bad, outdated and overpriced gear in my 15 years of being into the hobby I’m just trying to prevent people from doing the same.

If distorting the sound is something you’re after, tubes are the way to go, not buying a poorly performing solid state amp for over $2k…

the nozzle is shallow and doesn't go deep, extremely comfortable for me

Probably. My old 2014 MBP with ~1.3V full-scale output on the HP jack drives them plenty loud for my needs. I think the newer macbooks have better headphone outs.

+1. EQ for your own enjoyment.

I had the 6XX for a very long time but as soon as i tried the 600, it was a no brainer. 600 wins for me even if It's twice the price. If it sounds better then i prefer to pay the extra $$ and be happy. I'd always put back the 650 on the stand after 2-3 songs but with the 600 i can keep it for hours.

Yup like I said... Tastes very much differ from person to person all because of some lovely phenomenon called the HRTF

The calculator doesn’t lie.

I looked at those notes and adjusted accordingly. Maybe I just like the stock sound

Well yes Harman is mimicking Flat speakers in an anechoic room (crude TLDR I know) so of course it would sound flat... But if you read the notes attached to the oratory preset... He mentions which filters to adjust to preference since we all like different iterations of Harman or some form of Harman 🤷🏾‍♂️

I'm sure he spends a lot of time on them, but some of the EQ are just questionable, such as a massive subbass shelf on the hd600/6x0. It sounded noticeably distorted and I highly recommend anyone who use the EQ to also adjust by ears.

It's supposed to be neutral, so I can see it being described as not having oomph. I know I certainly prefer more bass than a "true neutral" curve.

It just sounds flat to me.

Someone isn't Harman positive... In all seriousness, you like what you like

Possibly re your last sentence. Should Haan sound flat? Just no ooomph to it.

He also tweaks it himself. he spends a fair amount of time on each one. And does measure each headphone himself. Oratory's eq is different from autoeq which are all fully auto generated.

I use profiles from the AutoEq project. It's a big improvement on my Chus, barely perceptible on my Sundaras, and makes things atrociously bad with my Blues.

One thing I'd double check since you said it's actively bad across four different headphones is make sure that you're either preamping down or taking the curve and only reducing frequencies (i.e. peaks at 0).

Could also be that you don't like Harman.

Totally agree on the LSRs, i have them for 8 years now and these things sound much better than they should!

I think it's absolutely fascinating how it can change the sound of your headphones. And makes me question what is the purpose of searching for the "perfect reproduction". Reproduction of what? The artist who didn't mix it? The producer with hearing loss? The mixing engineer who used speakers? The DAC or amp that has a slightly warmer or brighter signature compared to another DAC or amp? I'm a EQ believer: I can hear the difference!

These were made for the same people that bought gamer girl bath water.