Improving IEM sound quality

[12345poopi]

I have a set of audio technica ATH IM02

Any way to make it sound better

More accuracy. More clarity. More transparent. More bassy

How would I achieve all of this without an EQ but using other methods

Thanks

[slightlyjaded]

Visit the doctor....Have the wax removed from your ears....

[ShearMe]

EQ is the only way.

[NannerBeans]

Um. Get better headphones? Idk. 

[hawaiims]

Better source. Whether it's a better audio file or better MP3 player. 

 

You could try different ear tips as well. The seal and comfort you get can make a huge difference.  

[Guest]

Better source. Whether it's a better audio file or better MP3 player. 

 

Doubtful.

[hawaiims]

Doubtful.

Well if you're listening to songs on youtube for example the audio quality is absymal even if you choose the "720p" option (anything 720p and above on youtube has a 384kbps stereo bitrate for videos uploaded after winter 2014), so most songs on youtube will be 152 or 128kbps at best even on 720p.

 

 

Even something like spotify non-premium sounds loads better than the best audio you'll find on youtube even to an untrained ear like me. So yes, the source files matters a lot, especially for more expensive IEMs or headphones which are a lot less forgiving than cheap ones when it comes to a bad source. 

[Guest]

Well if you're listening to songs on youtube for example the audio quality is absymal even if you choose the "720p" option (anything 720p and above on youtube has a 384kbps stereo bitrate for videos uploaded after winter 2014), so most songs on youtube will be 152 or 128kbps at best even on 720p.

 

Even something like spotify non-premium sounds loads better than the best audio you'll find on youtube even to an untrained ear like me. So yes, the source files matters a lot, especially for more expensive IEMs or headphones which are a lot less forgiving than cheap ones when it comes to a bad source. 

 

Fascinating, but Youtube is a worst-case scenario. For the most part, what the OP describes does not sound like an issue with file quality.

 

[ShearMe]

Well if you're listening to songs on youtube for example the audio quality is absymal even if you choose the "720p" option (anything 720p and above on youtube has a 384kbps stereo bitrate for videos uploaded after winter 2014), so most songs on youtube will be 152 or 128kbps at best even on 720p.

Even something like spotify non-premium sounds loads better than the best audio you'll find on youtube even to an untrained ear like me. So yes, the source files matters a lot, especially for more expensive IEMs or headphones which are a lot less forgiving than cheap ones when it comes to a bad source.

I think this depends more on the quality of the upload. Plenty of songs sound just fine at 128kbps, whether or not on YouTube.

[JR1911]

If possible, you could try different eartips. Different tips might give a better seal and possibly improve the sound quality.

[Guest]

I think this depends more on the quality of the upload. Plenty of songs sound just fine at 128kbps, whether or not on YouTube.

 

But it makes you more audiopeel if you can hear the difference AND describe it as trash.

 

[Lays]

But it makes you more audiopeel if you can hear the difference AND describe it as trash.

 

 

 

ya and bigger numbers too :]

[Pomfinator]

EQ or be happy with what you got.  You can't make anything sound better than it already is.  If the song sounds like trash it's either the source, the encoded file, or your brain.

[12345poopi]

thanks for the help guys

I'm quite new here haha

But I agree when he says spotify non premium sounds much better than anything on YouTube

I think my only option would be source

Thanks guys!

[hawaiims]

But it makes you more audiopeel if you can hear the difference AND describe it as trash.

 

I'm not even one those advocates for loss-less audio like many "audiophiles" are, I think the difference between a well encoded AAC or MP3 file and a FLAC or apple lossless file is negligble and you wouldn't even be able to tell it in a blind test. 

 

Even though you might have some good quality tracks, we have to face that youtube is the most popular music platform in the world now and that 90% of the music you'll find on youtube sounds like utter junk. 

[slightlyjaded]

I'm not even one those advocates for loss-less audio like many "audiophiles" are, I think the difference between a well encoded AAC or MP3 file and a FLAC or apple lossless file is negligble and you wouldn't even be able to tell it in a blind test. 

 

Even though you might have some good quality tracks, we have to face that youtube is the most popular music platform in the world now and that 90% of the music you'll find on youtube sounds like utter junk. 

*cough 90% of the music on youtube is pop.....

[hawaiims]

*cough 90% of the music on youtube is pop.....

Yeah a lot of pop is poorly mastered and has next to no dynamic range. 

 

Then again it sounds like a convoluted nonstop mess even if it is well mastered so I guess po(o)p music is a lot more forgiving for shitty headphones or shitty sources. 

[ShearMe]

90% of the music you'll find on youtube sounds like utter junk.

Maybe 90% of uploaded music, but not 90% of music I've found. Probably the opposite.

[Guest]

I'm not even one those advocates for loss-less audio like many "audiophiles" are, I think the difference between a well encoded AAC or MP3 file and a FLAC or apple lossless file is negligble and you wouldn't even be able to tell it in a blind test. 

 

Even though you might have some good quality tracks, we have to face that youtube is the most popular music platform in the world now and that 90% of the music you'll find on youtube sounds like utter junk. 

 

And that's even before mp3 conversion!!!

 

 

[hawaiims]

Maybe 90% of uploaded music, but not 90% of music I've found. Probably the opposite.

Yes that's what I meant. The quality of the songs uploaded on YouTube. Not the selection, because you can actually found some obscure hard to find tracks on YouTube that you would never find on iTunes or Spotify. 

[mr moose]

Want to try and get the experience to change?

 

Put the left bud in your right ear and the right bud in your left ear then turn around and face the other way.

 

 

Yeah, that's a mind fuck right there...

[Guest]

Want to try and get the experience to change?

 

Put the left bud in your right ear and the right bud in your left ear then turn around and face the other way.

 

 

Yeah, that's a mind fuck right there...

 

Remarkable.

 

[ShearMe]

Yes that's what I meant. The quality of the songs uploaded on YouTube. Not the selection, because you can actually found some obscure hard to find tracks on YouTube that you would never find on iTunes or Spotify.

Black Sheep by Metric had the vocals sung by Brie Larson in Scott Pilgrim VS The World, and you literally can't purchase that version AFAIK because it was a pre-order exclusive for the movie's soundtrack on iTunes. As I love Metric's music, but dislike the way their lead singer sings, I must resort to YouTube.

https://youtu.be/-jMruFHTwrY

[WR10]

I'm no audiophile , but when I first started using Spotify ( used youtube previously ) for music , I can actually hear the difference in quality.

Also , yes changing eartips does change the sound quality.

Of course this is based on my limited experience