forthelol

forthelol OP t1_j69yooe wrote

For when I'm just putting music on to sleep, I'd just use Spotify for that. I love Spotify don't get me wrong, I frequent podcasts on Spotify since it's easier to access there from different devices just for convenience. But when I'm looking for that detail in dedicated listening, off to the FLACs!!

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forthelol OP t1_j69xy69 wrote

Oh wow, I haven't actually played with that bit because of the paywall bit that shows up after fidgeting a little with it. So if I were to just AutoEQ, would I do a comparison between say Blessing 2 and Blessing 2 Dusk, then under equalizer, select Blessing 2 Dusk > AutoEQ > let it process, then export to Wavelet? And then if I were to play around it myself, instead of AutoEQ, I'd just edit the values myself

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forthelol OP t1_j68b884 wrote

What would you use to create the file to import into Wavelet if you don't mind me asking? I've been trying to get EqualizerAPO to work but I think I'm having driver issues on my PC. But I've been manually playing around with the EQ settings in Poweramp, and have Poweramp Equalizer as well.

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forthelol OP t1_j66skff wrote

I've looked into that recently actually. Poweramp actually allows for higher sample rates in settings as well (and differentiable by USB DAC as well). I've compared it to the trial version of USB Audio Player Pro but don't hear any difference in delivery once I adjusted Poweramp's settings for higher sample rate and format even with my Razer dongle. If the audio source doesn't go that high, like USB Audio Player Pro, it matches the audio source. Poweramp is just my choice in this scenario since I got it for cheap years ago and am no longer in the Android ecosystem as my daily driver :P

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forthelol OP t1_j66mb1l wrote

I think that feature's new no? I remember looking into it when I had the 2 XL, but when I gave up on pursuing 4 and on, I haven't caught up on Graphene. Good to know, maybe down the line if I head back to the Pixel line it'll be an option.

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forthelol OP t1_j66eou7 wrote

I've notice the difference in the stock Pixel 2 dongle vs a Razer dongle I have. I'm not sure if it's because it can drive it a little better, but it does sound a little different in a good way. I remember reading that the THX DAC in the Razer dongle is 'gimmicky', but I've been alternating between the two to see if I can spot the difference in the two. You do bring up a point with the Apple USB-C dongle, which (knock on wood) would be something I would grab if my current dongles fail.

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forthelol OP t1_j66e258 wrote

GrapheneOS was an option, but either ways I was going to neuter it to remove stock apps/services/etc just to push the battery life a bit more. Outside of initial setup of Poweramp for the license, I don't use it for anything web-based, so I don't need a hardened OS if it's not being used outside of storing about 60GB of FLAC. Plus I'd have to dig around for the source and build it, and I was honestly lazy haha.

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forthelol OP t1_j65rm67 wrote

Yeah diminished returns is definitely something to keep in mind in this hobby and others as well. I think unless they're being used daily for professional purchases where you absolutely need that 'min-max', the difference is very subjective to what you value it to be.

I held out on the Blessing 2 and they were already considered an affordable splurge for the longest time as is, and I've overlooked the sale for $270 on Amazon as well as ShenZhenAudio in the past. I think the Blessing 2 were worth the blind buy (though I easily could return to Amazon if I didn't like it) with absolutely no regrets asides from not getting them sooner, and sits well in that price point where I feel comfortable for the value. For anything above the $400-500 price point, I think I would personally have to test drive them for a bit before making that purchase. Especially since the Blessing 2 seems to fill that niche that a lot of people have between the more budget options (sub $200) and the kilobuck.

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forthelol OP t1_j65mwxi wrote

That's actually good to know since it's been a lot of back and forth between the two tiers for Tidal. I prefer to just have my music offline so I'm not tied to needing cell reception or WiFi when listening wherever I go.

> Also I can help set a baseline where you go from with the Parametric EQ... But I understand if you're not interested

I think I'll try to figure out a bit more about sound first, just to see what I like/dislike. But when the time comes to jump into that rabbit hole, I'll definitely reach out. Thank you for the offer!

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forthelol OP t1_j65m7xi wrote

I've seen that a lot as well on Reddit and other mediums about the Blessing 2 too. I don't have that kilobuck exposure yet, though I've been offered to borrow my cousin's Unique Melody and 64Audio IEMs when I visit next time just to experience the higher end of the price bracket. Hopefully the Blessing 2 will be enough for me to not dive too deep into the rabbit hole.

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forthelol OP t1_j65khto wrote

I'm not as confident with EQ-ing to my own taste just yet, but I've been fiddling around with EqualizerAPO on Windows to play around at home.

I use Spotify primarily just because the family plan made it cheap and easy across the board. But I'm potentially looking into Tidal since it's the same for the base family plan. Other than that, my media are usually ripped from CDs, or purchased through mediums like Qobuz and ProStudioMasters

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forthelol OP t1_j65inv3 wrote

Thank you for the clarification! The terminology gets thrown around a lot so I'm still trying to figure out what they're actually referring to, especially in my own experience and words, so definitely duly noted my friend!

The AutoEQ is pre-defined in the Wavelet app, but it's either the Crinacle target or the Oratory1990 target that's being used. I'll link both of them respectively as well for your reference.

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forthelol OP t1_j65hf95 wrote

It's a Google Pixel 2 XL from back in 2017 that I had laying around as a backup phone. The app is Poweramp that I purchased at a steal for $0.99 way back when it was only $3.99 for the full version. Currently it's priced at $6.99, but I feel that it's worth it. You can also wait for it to go on its periodic sale, last time it went on sale during Thanksgiving I believe for $2.49 if you want to save a quick buck.

There's also a skin applied that I got for free years ago called Aurora now priced at $1.49. It gives Poweramp a cleaner look compared to default.

Additionally I use the Wavelet app for it's AutoEQ feature.

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forthelol OP t1_j64v85e wrote

Setup: Moondrop Blessing 2 with my old Pixel 2 XL running a (completely) neutered LineageOS just for PowerAmp and Wavelet to emulate a DAP.

Disclaimer: I'm an audio noob so I can only go as in-depth as my very limited knowledge goes (but I'm still learning). Coming from budget IEMs like the Moondrop Chu, TinHifi T2 (and several KZ IEMs in the past), I've finally caved and gotten my first IEM over $50 after eyeing them for 2 years.

The Chu and T2 have been my daily driver for the past 6-ish months and 3 years respectively, and have served me well. But recently I've delved back into my collection of Cpop and Kpop after adding some newer additions to it, and found something missing that I couldn't put my finger on. Originally I was leaning towards the Aria but they didn't seem like a true upgrade from the Chu's, so I bit the bullet on the Blessing 2's. Right off the bat, I notice the difference in soundstage (I believe that's the term), where I could separate the different instruments in the background, and the vocals were more 'forward' as opposed to blending in with everything. Mind you I've never really used full on headphones before unless you count the Sony WH-1000XM2 which was waaayyyyy to bass heavy. I'm still listening and learning the terminology and the Blessing 2's themselves and what they're capable of, but the below are some of the stark differences I've noticed.

  • IU's My Sea at 3:54, the high note did not sound harsh and leave my ears ringing like with the Chu, the strings could be differentiated and came off less muffled, and IU's voice was more 'forward'.

  • IU's famous E5,F5,F#5 in Good Day at 3:25 - the Blessing 2's did not comes off a little harsh and ringing again with like the Chu and the T2, the strings and brass could be differentiated more clearly throughout the entire song,

  • IU's Love Poem at her higher notes would come off a little muffled and ringing on the Chu and T2, but on the Blessing 2's, it sounds less muffled and doesn't leave my ears ringing a little towards the middle/end of the song.

  • Taeyeon's 11;11 come off warm (I believe that's the term) compared to both the Chu and T2 for me without EQ (and slightly warmer when EQ'd), and the instruments and bass are a little more defined and fun.

  • Sondia's Grown Ups/Adult - the Blessing 2's soundstage is very apparent in this song with all of the instruments being very well defined and not blending together, from the 3:00 mark where the song comes off more energetic and impactful, it's not fatiguing to the ears on the Blessing versus the Chu and T2.

  • Polyphia's Playing God comes off more fun, and I could practically feel the guitar strings vibrating in my ears. The song sounds good on the Chu, okay on the T2, but much more enjoyable on the Blessing 2.

Overall, the Blessing 2's sound very pleasant and correct(?) with the music I primary listen to, and I've noticed I've been listening more than I usually do. I was originally afraid of whether or not the nozzles were too big, but they're actually more comfortable and sit in my ears better than the Airpod Pros do with the stock medium sized tips. If I can manage to somehow get the spring tips on the nozzle, I've read that it does play around a bit with the sound so I'm interested to hear how they sound. I'm no longer left wanting 'more' out of my music with the Blessing 2.

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