Creative EP-630 Settings Help

[googlehotshot]

Hey everyone. I just recently purchased a Cowon D2 (2gb), and I can safely say that it's a very capable and feature-rich player =). The creative zen 4gb was actually 70 dollars (canadian) cheaper, but I kept reading reviews about how the D2 had exceptional sound quality, so I payed more for a smaller capacity D2 hehe. I'll just buy an SDHC card for cheap i guess. But I hope my choice of getting the D2 was better? Because I've found that I simply can't get the ideal sounds with my Creative EP-630 In-Ear headphones. I typically listen to alternative/rock/metal/rnb/pop. I can get the absolute perfect sounds for one genre; I can get deep bass without compromising the vocals and it's all very rich..but when i switch to another song of a different genre such as rock...it just sounds terrible heh....I've been reading the User-Jeteffects thread, but I havn't been able to find the ideal Settings that work with the 630's. ANYY help would greatly be appreciated =). I'm not sure if this effects anything, but i do have firmware 3.54 installed.

On a seperate note - I'm finding that the battery-life is welll below the advertised 52 hours. I'm sure all of you are tired of hearing that, as i've read in the forums of many others with the same problem heheh. Don't worry, i'm not asking for tips on that. I guess Cowon simply tested it with all bare minimum settings heh. I'm maxing out at about 19 hours, with moderate jeteffects settings.

[neogenesus]

i am currently using Creative EP630, and my jet effect setting is :
-. EQ = Flat
-. BBE = 5
-. Mach3Bass = 5
-. 3D surround = 2
-. Stereo Enhance = 2
-. MP enhance = yes

I listen to all type of music (anything sounds good to me), but mostly Jazz, R&B, Pop, Rock.
As for the battery life, i never actually calculate it xD. Usually i charge my D2 once a week or once every 2 weeks (depends on how long i use it, type of file (MP3, OGG, etc), jet effects, video (this will greatly reduce the battery life)). Oh and also if u change songs alot with the touchscreen (so the screen on and off alot) will also reduce the battery life, that's why i use the + and - while in Hold mode.

[A2WannaBe]

For my EP630s, I have everything normal, and turn MPE on, but I guess that's me. I think the EP630 is bassy enough, and the treble is fine.

[erasmus]

I have the same problem with my ep 630. Its due to they dont play high mids and high freq very well.

They have big drops in 1.2-2 khz and peaks awfully at around 5 khz. bass is booming at 190-280 hz but may be different from person to person.

And worst of all they don't sound the same at different volume levels. They are muddy with lack of brights at low levels (15-24) they get a little better form 25 and up.

With that said - I still find them good for the price (and think they are Sennheiser cx300 OEM's)

My settings are mostly to compensate for the weak areas:

Low volume level:
EQ:
80hz=0
230=0
1.4khz WIDE = 3
3.2khz WIDE = 6
5.3kkhz = 0/1

BBE=2
MP=sometimes on


At higher volume levels - I use
EQ:
80hz=0
230=0
1.4khz WIDE = 3
3.2khz WIDE = 2-3
5.3kkhz = 0/1

BBE=2
MP=off

[googlehotshot]

Thanks alot for your responses. Erasmus, I took your settings and tweaked them a bit, and thanks to you, I believe I finally have an ideal setting. I don't have to really touch the equalizer anymore. What I could do is make different presets optimized for each genre, but I find that to be quite a hassle to change it every other song...even though it would sound much better in the end. It isn't quite what I was hoping for, as I had to compromise to satisfy all my genres. It's really tough getting a setting that will fit RnB with deep bass and rich vocals, or Symphonic Metal with complex vibrant instrumentals, with vibrant and crisp vocals for pop..especially with these headphones.

Here is what I've decided on :

Low volume level: I would say it sounds the best between 9-18
EQ:
80hz = 4
230hz = 4
1.4khz WIDE = 5
3.2khz WIDE = 2
5.3kkhz = 4

BBE=2
Mach3Bass=4
3D Surround=1
Stereo Enhance=3

These settings work pretty well for me personally. The best I could get out of these headphones anyway. Try these settings out for yourselves. Hopefully it'll be an improvement. If not, I guess what you have works great for you then. But thanks again for the help. Greatly appreciated =)

[neogenesus]

Yea, sound is really subjective matter. One might be good and enjoyable for me, but horrible to others. Glad u finally found the setting you looking for. Just play with the setting (tweak a little bit at a time).

[erasmus]

Glad you found a working setting. Tried your tweak, it also works fine - maybe a little too hevy bass for my taste. But, yes "sound is really subjective matter"

[4ki]

EP630s are harsh in nature, and my take is that the midrange needs a gentle hump in order to get a good sound sig. When you don't need IEMs, I suggest you try some koss ksc75s which are cheaper than all hell, to get an idea of what quality headphones "should" sound like. In short I think that the D2 bodes well with most models above $30, but the EP630 just isn't it.

If you feel like upgrading without killing too much money, you can save some cash, and get either mylarones for $57 or Ultimate ears sf.3s for around the same price, for some more compatible IEMs. I sold my EP630s for $20 on head-fi, then did so. Made music a lot more enjoyable.