Massdrop x E-MU Purpleheart Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Dec 18, 2016.

  1. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Oh man- I forgot! Yes, @Bill-P recommended those...seems like forever ago. Props to Bill-P! Thanks, @Elmer Danilovich
     
  2. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    This is the follow up from the previous measurement post.

    I thought this comment made a lot of sense. There's no way to let down his kindness. And personally I got curious about how responses would change.

    upload_2019-11-8_21-14-3.png

    First I examined how the response changed across different wearing style. Over-ear style means fitting pads around ears. I personally don't like it because my ears are too big to put in the quite small opening of PH. There's an interesting trade off between lows and highs: Low end extended well but but 6-8k hz treble recessed a lot.

    upload_2019-11-8_21-21-10.png

    Then I tried to investigate the leakage effect by using two different kinds of rubber bands (strong and weak). There is a clear tendency: the stronger clamping, the better bass extension.

    upload_2019-11-8_21-24-11.png

    Finally I tested how this weaker rubber band affected on-ear style (I didn't want to use stronger one because it pushed too much). The rubber band played almost the same role here. More relative gain at 800 hz and below.

    So, which result(s) is the closest to my perception? 1/3 octave warble tones were used to test this. Also Aeolus used as a control (to adjust against equal-loudness effect across frequency).

    1. With on-ear style, I think my loudness perception is closer to the measurement with a (weaker) rubber band. I might find a better seal on the real head than on the EARS.

    2. However, for over-ear uses, I don't hear as much bass as either type of rubber band results. A little imperfect seal and driver-ear distance of no-band case approximates my wearing better.

    PS. Every result is normalized at 3k hz, as the peak there seems invariant across test situations.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2019
  3. Philimon

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    Emu purpleheart is like a smaller and weaker Emu teak. (Duh)

    Emu purp gets atleast 75% of teak’s technicalities. The teak has a larger driver and probably much stronger magnet. While bass is good, it doesnt have the supply of bass and dynamics of its bigger bother. Soundstage is smaller, a little less delineation overall.

    In terms of tone, they are close but I cant really compare since Im using the purpleheart with non-stock pads and am basing emu teak (and TRX00) on memory. The stock small pads work like circumaurals on my small ears, but the thin pleather pads dont get a good seal with my long hair. So my first impressions found these a bit midcentric with some slightly peaky highs. So I installed some Brainwavz Prostock hybrid pads which do provide a good seal. They now sound like I expected but better because they dont have as peaky highs as the Emu teak, the purpleheart is the more balanced headphone. The so-called midbass and warmth of the Emu purpleheart sounds more natural to me. And Emu purp slightly peaky highs are mitigated by the midbass/warmth.

    Testing was done from iPhone dongle. Tomorrow I can test from Vali2+ and take measurements. Expect Vali2+ will tighten up the bass like it did with the Emu teak (vs iphone dongle.)

    Impressed with this cheap goodness I bought a new set of Emu walnuts (currently $75 on drop) to mod (like @Hands ). Update with results and comparison later.
     
  4. Philimon

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    As mentioned by others getting a good seal with EARS is difficult. Following measurement attempts were all LEFT side only with 4 slightly varied positioning and unaltered input/output between takes. Not much can change in positioning because the ear chambers are so small in these pads, but seal can be lost easily.

    Emu PH.jpg
    Emu PH bwh.jpg
    EMU PH bwv.jpg
    EMU PH bwfp.jpg

    No subjective impressions between pads yet. I just got my new Vali2+ connected and am impressed*. The Emu sounds much fuller, more cohesive soundstage, bass is a little more impactful and tighter, and at the same time more resolution and decay to higher frequencies like with electric guitar and cymbals.

    *connected to mac + eitr + modi mb, vs just iphone dongle impressions yesterday.
    These rock. Not missing having the 50mm Fosters. These are much cheaper and much less fragile. A better complimentary headphone to TH900 (vs another full-sized like the teak which would be totally pointless).
     
  5. Philimon

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    Emu PH bwh Loki+ 8k knob played with.jpg
    ^ 8k knob set to 8'oclock (zero/neutral setting is 12'00) is perfect, no other dial adjustments needed. Loki+ and brainwavz prostock hybrid pads. This is already more pleasurable than all my modded 50mm Fosters (Denon D2000, Emu teak/Lawton, TRX00 ebony). Just need to damp. Lokius next.
     
  6. Philimon

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Inspired by @Hands Emu walnut mod thread.
    Dense open cell foam in cups. Damplifier pro around driver and magnet. Damplifier pro around parts of cup that are plastic instead of wood.

    Emu PH mod1.jpg
    ^ no eq applied. brainwavz prostock hybrids still installed

    The bass may have been a little much yesterday so I am happy to have a small decrease.
    The highs I'd drop a bit with Schiit Loki still. Smooth and non-fatiguing but a little too much air on cymbals. Peaks in 6-9k range tend to make cymbals sizzle, this is more like they are a little spotlit (13kHz?), or maybe its just a little more amplitude in that whole treble region than Im used too. I like dark. Still not bad at all, just being picky.
    Vocals now a little more forward (Id say properly even now).
    I am wondering if Emu walnut with same mods will measure the same.
     
  7. CEE TEE

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    ^Walnut is less bassy/warm than PH.

    I prefer the PH with tighter/cleaner bass such as with an aftermarket pad swap that gives the ear more room inside the cup area (2 great things). I used to recommend a particular eBay seller of aftermarket pads but the last pads I bought from that seller were very different and not as good as the older replacement pads. (I just re-listened and swapped to confirm before posting this.)

    These mods look very interesting if they clean up the low end warmth/wooliness a bit. Great project and a fun headphone that punches above its weight!
     
  8. Philimon

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    Hey @CEE TEE . I am interested in seeing if mass damping mods with the little bit of damplifier pro closes the gap between purpleheart and walnut. Unfortunately I don't have the ability to take distortion or csd measurements. I might try making a fpc mic rig this year.

    I thought mod1 lost a little oomph and thump and warmth due to possibly overdamping driver with that fat slab of dense open foam. So I took out the foam and just added craft felt to cup walls for some reflection control.
    Emu PH mod2 vs mod1.jpg
    Emu PH mod2 and Loki 8k@8.jpg
    The overdamping of mod1 did make mids/highs sound clearer and zippier. But the fun was gone because bass was too constrained. It was not good. mod2 has Emu PH rocking again.

    Lovely headphone. Really competes with the THX00. Prefer to THX00 due to cost, comfort, and portability. The big Fosters are ungainly, weak clamp, fragile headbands, and kind of a pain trying to keep those cups pretty. Trade offs, prefer Emu PH.
     
  9. Tekker

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    How do you find the Purpleheart compares to the Nighthawk in terms of smoothness in the highs, and transient attack?
     
  10. Philimon

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    Nighthawk frequency response is very rocky including highs. Nighthawk is a painful listen. Nighthawk transients and dynamics are better than Emu PH or Emu teak. Emu PH technicalities Id put close to Emu teak/THX00 in mids/highs except for soundstage. 50mm THX00 bass is a little more impactful and clearer when things start to get complex but not a huge difference, weak memory.
     
  11. Poleepkwa

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    What pads you would recommend now?
     
  12. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^ Hey @Poleepkwa , I don't have another source for the pads with bigger opening.
    I need to see if BillP has a pair of the old better aftermarket pads so we have a target to aim for.
    Gave away like 2 sets and am stuck with "meh" pads.
    What we are looking for is a bigger opening and I think they were a little thinner.
    Better for fitting the ear inside the pad (rather than the pad being a bit on-ear) and cleaned up some of the extra warmth for a bit tighter/clearer sound.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2021

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