Auditory Masking and Listening Fatigue

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by Lyander, Jun 2, 2018.

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  1. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Hello all,

    So I'm still reading up on the topic in my spare time but would like to hear your input on the matter, because I still consider myself a noob when it comes to sound outside of being able to report my own subjective experiences. Did a cursory search to make sure the topic wasn't covered here before, apologies if it has been and I just missed it.

    For some background: I recently came into a new pair of cans, the Klipsch HP-3. Coming off the TH-X00 Ebony and based on measurements posted on this site, I expected the tonality to be largely similar, save for the HP-3 having a much heavier low end and maybe less sizzle in the lower treble. This was a case example of measurements not entirely coinciding with my subjective experiences, perhaps the most drastic one to date.

    An aside re: subjective tonality differences between the two cans:
    Out of my system, the Fostexes actually felt a bit bassier to my ears on some tracks, likely due to their having a subbass emphasis rather than a midbass one as on the Klipsch. In all I'd say the Fostex is actually rather mid-centric, at least in relation to most other gear I've had the pleasure of having at home (Senn HD800; Klipsch HP-3; Beyer DT880; AKG K550/K242 HD), but still doesn't qualify as shouty. HD650 on the end of the wrong chain is shouty. Midrange on the Klipsch is definitely its weak spot, being both less "full" and with this odd haze over it that I can't feel entirely comfortable attributing to FR.

    Treble on both will benefit from some EQ or damping, as per my tastes, but the specific problem areas are different. In practise, that just means I feel my ears get stabbed on a certain set of songs with the one headphone, another set with the other, with there maybe being some overlap between 9kHz and 10kHz.

    Back on topic, the differences between the stock HP-3 and the venting as described in the Preview thread here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...3-headphones-preview.5072/page-10#post-169368 effected more drastic changes than I expected. Not only was the bass volume appreciably reduced, but the highs became significantly more fatiguing to my ears. That's what comes of dealing with a v-shaped sound signature I suppose, but I'm buying some SAATI Acoustex filters from a very kind member soon that I hope will alleviate the sizzle.

    To the crux of the matter: certain areas in the "air" region bother me a great deal, I've found, 10-11kHz spikes proving particularly unpleasant in the marriage of my ears and music library. This was particularly bad on the X00EB, which prompted me to begin investigating front dampening materials. The HP-3 exhibits some of the same, only nudged down to 9 or 10kHz. Oddly, once I tried listening after reverting to stock I found that the same tracks that bothered me became markedly less fatiguing.

    Yes, I made sure to volume-match between listening sessions. It essentially boiled down to me listening with vents, taking the cans off my head, then popping the pads off and then re-listening to the problem area wit the HP-3 in stock configuration.

    I'm familiar with the concept of frequency masking, have read up a bit on the matter, and am aware that both signal and masking signal are being simultaneously reproduced. What I'm wondering is, if spikes in the treble region are liable to damaging hearing in that specific area (NIHL starting from the top down and all), then wouldn't the same hold true regardless of whether or not one is able to still perceive the same with boosts in lower frequencies masking them? This would explain cans such as the Klipsch and the Sony Z1R still managing to sound fatiguing despite being bottom-heavy.

    P.S.
    I'm aware this isn't so much talk on audio gear as it is talk on people's experiences with the same, so if this is in the wrong sub forum please feel free to nuke or relocate it :))
     
  2. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

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    Just because one thing dominates your attention; Does not mean that another thing isn't there. If it's there and it's loud enough than it's probably going to be causing some damage. Especially if you are not aware of it.

    I've had a similar fatigue problem with the Aurisonics Kicker.
    Most of the time it's just an occasional feeling of fatigue sneaking up. But some tracks are killer.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2018
  3. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Hmm, okay, so that coincides with my own experience at least. Interesting how the fatigue still kicks in even without one's subjective perception thereof.
     

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