Video summary

I Upgraded My Headphones for $0

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Audio / EQ Upgrade Goal (Cheap Headphones, “Better Than Expensive”)

  • The creator uses 5-year-old Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones (about $220).
  • Their goal is to improve them as much as possible, potentially reaching the quality of far more expensive headphones (a claimed $5,000 target).
  • The central approach is EQ (equalization)—changing the headphones’ frequency response instead of buying new hardware.

Core idea: use EQ to reshape sound, not replace gear.

“Before You Buy” Review / Testing Philosophy

  • The creator argues you can’t know what you like until you actually try the headphones you’re considering.
  • Ideally, you’ll listen to your own music, not just demo tracks.
  • They reference learning from audio YouTube creators/reviews, such as “Critical” and “Super Review”, plus a specific “easy headphone tuning” EQ video.

EQ Basics and Practical Constraints

How EQ works

  • EQ changes audio by adjusting frequency bands—boosting or cutting parts of the audible spectrum.

Main warning

  • Boosting bass can cause clipping/distortion if loudness and headroom aren’t managed.

Platform limitations

  • iPhones don’t support system-wide EQ, so the creator can’t reliably apply EQ in normal listening via their iPhone.
  • Windows / Android / Mac support EQ more readily.

Solution: Use a DAP for EQ-on-the-Go

  • To make EQ portable, the creator researches budget DAPs (digital audio players) and narrows options to:
    • Hiby R1 (chosen): small, portable, Android-like, supports playing music
    • Snowki Echo Mini: more nostalgia-focused
  • They explain that Hiby R1 can power the HD 6XX despite the 300-ohm impedance.
    • But they need higher volume (about 50 on the DAP vs about 15 on a more capable M-device).

Sponsor / Product Curation (Linsoul)

  • Sponsor: Linsoul (subtitles show “Linsel”).
  • Described as a curated audio retailer with products vetted by testing.
  • Sells headphones and accessories (including amps/dacs/decks and DAP-related items).

Examples mentioned

  • “Orchestra 2” IEMs
    • Neutral profile
    • Passive noise cancellation
    • High resolution
  • A gaming-focused model (with a Fresh Reviews / Counter-Strike angle)
    • Aims for positional audio (footsteps / enemy location)
  • Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lights
    • Built for long sessions
    • Reduced fatigue, “nonoffensive” tuning

EQ Tool Workflow: Export / Import and Parameter Model

Start with device-specific EQ

  • The creator first tries EQ settings tied to specific devices (e.g., Hiby software profiles like “MSEB / mage sound 8ball”).
  • They note:
    • It can be easy
    • But tinkering can lead to muddy or distorted sound

Cross-device portability needs a different approach

  • For portability, they use:
    • Hangout Audio EQ tool
    • Squiglink (helpful for visual/reference guidance)

EQ parameters explained

  • Frequency (about 20 Hz–20,000 Hz)
  • Gain (how much to boost or cut)
  • Filter types (e.g., peak, high shelf, low shelf)
  • Q factor (how narrow vs broad the change is)

Bass-boost example

  • They build an example around roughly ~100 Hz using:
    • Low shelf
    • Gain
    • Q
  • Then they export the resulting EQ settings.

Importing EQ and Measuring “Is It Audible?”

  • On Mac, they import EQ into SoundSource (free trial).
    • They find changes can be hard to hear.
  • They also test generating an EQ that makes one headphone sound like another model (within reason).

“Try on Headphones Without Buying”: EQ Target-Hopping

  • They test EQ “sound-alike” conversions across multiple brands/models, including:
    • DT 900 Pro
    • Audio-Technica ADX5000
    • Up to flagship-ish Audeze / Odyssey models (e.g., LCD 5S mentioned)
  • Findings:
    • Some conversions were an instant “no,” due to traits like too sibilant or too small/forward
    • ADX5000 sounded great but became exhausting
    • Odyssey LCD 5S sounded “nice,” with:
      • More mids
      • Cleaner treble
      • More airiness
  • Final standout “winner” profile:
    • Audeze / Addition XS (as described)
      • vocal-forward and airy
      • made music sound “better” even though it wasn’t a perfect match

Transfer to Portable EQ: Hiby Limitations → Android DAP Upgrade

  • Problem: the chosen DAP (Hiby R1) can’t import arbitrary EQ profiles (proprietary OS constraints).
  • They research an Android-based alternative and mention an entry-level option (Fiio M21 / JM21 confusion in subtitles).
  • They end up getting Fiio M21 because it’s more capable:
    • More RAM/power
    • More DACs / more outputs
  • With Android compatibility, they can install EQ apps.

EQ App Choices and Outcomes on the DAP

  • Apps used:
    • Power Amp Equalizer (paid, about $6, with trial)
    • Wavelet is mentioned as an alternative, but described as having issues on Fiio hardware (subtitles: “doesn’t work with the jacks”)
  • They apply their EQ and compare:
    • With EQ vs without EQ
    • Differences exist, but are smaller than on the laptop.

Why EQ Sounded Different on Laptop vs DAP (Analysis)

Even when using the “exact same” EQ file and same headphone model, results differ because:

  • Different DAC chips
  • Different power output and headroom
  • Potential differences in DAC implementation/analog stages

Conclusion:

  • The effect is not perfectly transferable across devices (unlike “settings on a monitor”).

AutoEQ as the “Fast” Fix (Harmon Target)

  • Inside Power Amp, they use AutoEQ:
    • Select HD 6XX
    • Auto-tunes toward a common preference curve: the Harmon target
  • This reduces manual fine-tuning and gives a consistent “upgraded” result.

Final Conclusion / Review-Style Takeaways

What EQ can—and can’t—do

  • EQ is not magic.
  • It won’t turn poor headphones into $5k-level gear.
  • But it can provide incremental improvements (described as “a couple percentage points”).
  • It also serves as a learning experience, helping the creator understand sound/mixing/listening.

Portable vs desktop reality

  • Desktop EQ is easier/more flexible.
  • Portable EQ is more constrained.
  • Suggested hybrid workflow:
    • Use something like Hiby R1 for portable listening (built-in EQ/stock profile)
    • Do the serious EQ work on a laptop

Remaining curiosity

  • They stay curious whether the actual Addition XS IEMs match what they approximated via EQ.

Main Speakers / Sources

Primary narrator

  • The video creator (first-person narration; mentions sourcing reviews and using EQ tools)

Referenced audio sources / creators

  • Super Review
  • Critical

EQ tools / references

  • Hangout Audio EQ tool
  • Squiglink

Apps used

  • SoundSource (Mac)
  • Poweramp Equalizer (DAP)
  • Wavelet (mentioned)

Hardware / brands referenced

  • Sennheiser HD 6XX
  • Hiby R1
  • Fiio M21
  • Linsoul
  • Headphone/IEM models mentioned:
    • DT 900 Pro
    • Audio-Technica ADX5000
    • Odyssey LCD 5S
    • Audeze / Addition XS

Original video