Cowon iAUDIO 9 & Grado SR80i

[Hattifnatt]

I recently purchased a kit consisting of iAUDIO 9 and Grado SR80i. I already got used to the interface of the player and I like it, however it seems strange to me that my old earphones (Sennheiser PX 100 II ) actually sound louder then the Grado's. Is it the player not powerful enough to drive them ? would I benefit from a portable amp without sacrificing sound quality ?

Also, what EQ settings do you recommend for the Grado ? So far I've tested the presets and I like the "rock" preset, but this maybe only because it seems to me that it raises the volume a little bit. I think I should mess up with the individual settings myself, but I'm not such a big fan of tweaking things myself, it would be nice for somebody to post some EQ setting for those headphones, just to give me an idea. I listen almost exclusive alternative rock, and some pop-rock.

Thank you!

[CrowdAds]

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Hattifnatt

I recently purchased a kit consisting of iAUDIO 9 and Grado SR80i. I already got used to the interface of the player and I like it, however it seems strange to me that my old earphones (Sennheiser PX 100 II ) actually sound louder then the Grado's. Is it the player not powerful enough to drive them ? would I benefit from a portable amp without sacrificing sound quality ?

I had that same player before, with the Grado SR60i. It has plenty of power for your Grados, they are just a completely different sound than the PX100's.

Originally Posted by Hattifnatt

Also, what EQ settings do you recommend for the Grado ? So far I've tested the presets and I like the "rock" preset, but this maybe only because it seems to me that it raises the volume a little bit. I think I should mess up with the individual settings myself, but I'm not such a big fan of tweaking things myself, it would be nice for somebody to post some EQ setting for those headphones, just to give me an idea. I listen almost exclusive alternative rock, and some pop-rock.

Thank you!

Go into the custom settings, and as a first attempt, bump up the Mach3Bass to 6 or 7, leaving everything else alone....that should make a nice improvement all by itself.

[WalkGood]

It's possible that your i9 is running the EU firmware, just change the region to anywhere other than the EU. For example change to USA.

• Open your system folder
• Delete the "PARAM" file
• Power off
• Power up - no need to change firmware, you are back at the original screen. Now choose your language (DO NOT CHOOSE EUROPE). Last choose your radio setting (any will do).
• Now your volume should be fine and gives it much more power

Edit: I guess I failed to mention, due to health regulations in the EU they force DAP mfg's to put a volume limiter on the player, this is probably why you have weak volume.

[Hattifnatt]

I already selected another region than Europe, so I think this is not the case.

I bumped up the Mach3Bass to 7 and left all other settings alone, and indeed it made up for a nice improvement. Still, the PX 100 II sounds a bit louder and warmer. Any other suggestions to warm up the sound a little bit ?

The Grado's are superb when it comes to detail, though.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Hattifnatt

I already selected another region than Europe, so I think this is not the case.

I bumped up the Mach3Bass to 7 and left all other settings alone, and indeed it made up for a nice improvement. Still, the PX 100 II sounds a bit louder and warmer. Any other suggestions to warm up the sound a little bit ?

The Grado's are superb when it comes to detail, though.

Try enabling Stereo Enhance, and bump BBE up to 2 or 3.

[WalkGood]

Marvin if you have to run Mach3Bass @ 7 the grados can't be that nice Remember the commercial where's the bass



Edit: no offense to the OP