Make Sony the ColleXion Sound BETTER! 🔥 (Custom EQ for WH-1000XX)
I think the Sony WH-1000XX sounds good out of the box, and even better with the DSEE Ultimate setting, but I think there’s a bit more that can be done to make it sound cleaner and smoother in the vocals and more relaxed, using the 10-band graphic EQ in the Sony Sound Connect app.
So I got to work, and the result is what I call the Springapore EQ setting for the ColleXion headphones. It’s a crisp, punchy setting that cleans the vocals from bloat, and slightly boosts airiness.
If you’re new to graphic Equalizers, don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through the process of how I arrived at this EQ so that you can even create your own EQ that works for you. Because as much as I think this is the best setting, you might feel differently since everyone’s hearing is different.
Before changing the settings, you need a point of reference, so select some music that you’re very familiar with, and as you make the changes, try to listen out for differences.
I recommend using music with vocals as a point of reference, because humans are naturally more sensitive to changes in voices. Also you need to know what those numbers on the graph mean but don’t worry, I will explain them while making my own adjustments.
Let’s make our changes on Custom 2 so it’s easier to toggle EQ to ‘Off’ and compare the difference. In fact, try playing some music, then toggling between Off and a flat Custom 2. You’ll notice that actually the ‘Off’ setting actually has its own EQ, so it sounds different, and it’s even louder than Custom 2 which is actually the real flat setting.
31hz to 250hz
Toggle back to Custom 2, and let’s start on the left side from 31hz to 250hz, this is the bass region. Sub bass from 31hz to 63hz, mid-bass at 125hz, and high bass at 250hz. Any adjustment at 250hz will also affect the mids so keep that in mind.
I increased the sub bass at 31hz and 63hz to give bass notes more gravity, and then I increased the 125hz to add some tightness and punch to the bass.
Next, I decreased the 250hz dial. Since 250hz is the midpoint between bass and mids, this creates some separation so the bass sounds tight and clean, but doesn’t bloom over into the mids.
500hz to 4khz
From 500hz to 4khz we have the midrange frequencies, and this affects vocals as well as most sounds in general like music instruments and sound effects. We have the low-mids at 500hz which affects the fullness and body of vocals, 1khz affects the loudness of vocals and instruments, and 2khz affects the crispness or sharpness of vocals. I kept 500hz and 1kHz at 0, and raised the 2kHz dial, because I find that gives vocals just enough crispness, but not getting as bright as the off setting.
4khz is what is known as the Presence dial. It adjusts the clarity and detail of vocals and instruments to make them sound more, or less obvious from the soundstage. But be careful, too much can make everything sound too harsh while too little can make instruments and vocals sound too distant. I set it to +1 because I want its vocals to pop out a bit more from the sound stage.
8kz and 16 kHz
We also have treble dials at 8kz and 16 kHz. These adjust the brightness and airiness of the whole sound in general, specifically the brightness and crispness of instruments at 8kHz, and airiness and transparency at 16khz. If you feel that your sound is dull and veiled, you need to increase them. If it’s too bright and annoying, decrease them.
For me, the ColleXion on flat settings sound a bit too dark. So I pumped up both dials, 8khz to give instruments more sizzle, and 16khz to expand the air and transparency of its soundstage.
Since the ColleXion does have a treble rolloff above 13 kHz this should bring the airiness back but if it’s too bright for you, may set it to +3 or lower.
So that was my SPRINGAPORE EQ setting for the ColleXion, a preset which has a crisp, punchy sound that cleans up bloatiness in the vocals while improving the airiness in the soundstage.
You can also get the EQ by scanning on the QR code below or clicking it. What do you think about this setting? Or do you have another setting that you want to share? Tell us in the comments!
