We often get questions about how you can make your headphones sound better, or perhaps, like another pair of headphones. This process, called EQ matching, in the simplest terms takes the frequency response curve of your headphones and matches it to a target curve, which could be a reference curve (what experts think perfect headphones should sound like) or even another pair of headphone's actual curve.

To do so was, to put it mildly, a pain. Until I stumbled across the incredible work of Jaakko Pasanen and AutoEQ.app. 

We take absolutely zero credit for this at Antlion Audio. I spoke briefly with Jaakko over on the Head-fi forums about us wanting to write this post and give him full credit & offer donations for his work and he stated very clearly if you like his work to please donate whatever you feel it was worth to your favorite charity. I don't know Jaakko personally, but he sure seems awesome from this one interaction!

Long story short, this is a fantastic tool that allows you to hear/adjust/match EQ in real time from a web browser across a massive (but not exhaustive) number of models.

What do you need to start?

I suggest you grab EQ APO or a similar well known EQ app. A full list of apps is on the site after selecting the headphones.

If your EQ app of choice is not listed, instructions on how to DIY a solution is here: https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/wiki#my-equalizer-app-is-missing

We'll be using EQ APO in our tutorial, but it should work roughly the same in every app.

You also need a pair of headphones/IEMs that have been measured, more on that in a moment.

Step 1: Start

Open the website AutoEq.app and select your pair of headphones or IEMs from the drop down list.

If your headphones/IEMs are not listed you'd need to get a measurement of them and import the info manually, a tutorial by Jaakko on this is here: https://medium.com/@jaakkopasanen/make-your-headphones-sound-supreme-1cbd567832a9

Step 2: Matching to a curve

By default once you are past the first page and onto the actual matching program it will auto select the most common curve you'd want to match on the left. For instance my R70x I use as my daily driver will default to Harman Over Ear 2018, which is Harman's preferred reference curve for over ear headphones.

From that left hand drop down menu you can select any number of curves to match to (1), then select your EQ program (2). Finally, simply listen to the change as you toggle the EQ on and off. (2) 

You can also adjust the values by using the various dials under the advanced tab.

Jaakko suggests focusing on bass and treble as that is going to vary the most on preference and anatomical differences between listeners. Remember: Audio is a preference, no curve will please everyone, so play around a little!

Step 2.5: Matching to another Headphone/IEM

If, instead, you want to match your headphones to another pair, select the headphones you want yours to sound like first.

Then press this button.

Then select the headphones you are currently wearing.

That's it!

Jaakko asked I warn everyone that this introduces a lot of variability. Or to put it in my words, take what you hear with a grain of salt. It's going to give you an idea of what that pair of headphones sounds like, but it's like making a copy of a copy. You're just going to lose a lot of the nuance in the transaction.

Step 3: Export to Your EQ Program

As stated earlier we'll be using EQ APO as the example interface, but the process should be relatively simple for any EQ app.

You can follow the directions on screen and use the "include" feature of EQ APO, or if you're daring like me, you can grab a variable graphic EQ by going to the plus icon -> graphic EQ -> variable and then simply import the file (Note you'll need to select to view all files, as the file you download will be .txt and the program looks for a .csv, but in my testing it worked fine).

I like the variable EQ method because it gives me a graph to look at. I am a simple man who likes to look at graphs.

One thing you'll notice is that the EQ is all negative values. Jaakko says this is to prevent clipping, but as a result you'll need to manually increase the volume with a pre-amp in EQ APO as well. Simply adjust the pre-amp to roughly match where you have it without the EQ and, as Jaakko says, beware of any clipping/distortion that may occur as you do this.

That's really all these is to it, whether you're exporting a reference curve, a modified curve to your liking, or matching two headphones you've done it!

A Little Something Extra

Another common question we get is, "Isn't a reference curve supposed to be flat?"

The answer is no, and the reasons basically boil down to you don't hear things flat and when you make things flat they sound unnatural. However, this was previously kind of a pain to demonstrate.

Jaakko once again has us covered though, because he's included a "flat" option. If you follow the reference matching tutorial above but select "flat" as your reference you can make your headphones have a flat EQ. Odds are you're not going to like the result, but this is a fantastic experiment to help everyone understand how our ears really work. We're simply more sensitive to certain frequencies, so a flat curve is going to bloat or starve certain parts of your natural hearing, creating that unnatural sound.

In most cases in my experience this will give harsh treble, muddy bass, and you'll kind of lose fidelity in the mid-range vocals as a result. Your mileage may vary and you don't have to just take my word for it, go play with sound!

Really, get in there, figure out what you like and don't like, and remember: There's no wrong answer. Every pair of ears (and in fact, every individual ear) is different AND every piece of equipment you use is ALSO different, even if it's the same model and brand. Find the sound you love for the gear you love.

Special thanks once again to Jaakko. If you like what he's created here please really do send a donation of what you think it is worth to a charity or the next person you see who needs a little something extra.