Question Driving a set of Beyerdynamic T5p3

[soupladel]

I have tried posting on a number of forums and i still havent had an answer, so here goes...

My primary source for these headphones will either be my Iphone 15 or my PC, but i am unlikely to use them on the go so i am looking at some sort of desktop solution.

I already have a Mojo 2 which does the job but i am picking up on some sibilance so am maybe looking for either a combined desktop solution or even a seperate DAC amd AMP.

I have looked at a few different solutions but i am hoping for some extra advice that will fit my needs, nut i a, looking to buy whatever solution from the UK as i have been given advice elsewhere but they arent available in the UK.

Anyone have any advice for me?

 

[Gray]

I have tried posting on a number of forums and i still havent had an answer

Maybe they've been reluctant to recommend anything because of what you said about sibilance:

i am picking up on some sibilance

You need to understand the reason for that.
Assuming you're not one of those people that are allergic to normal levels of treble - it could just be that poor recordings are being exposed for what they are.

i have been given advice elsewhere but they arent available in the UK.

Anyone have any advice for me?

Well you could do worse than to go for a Topping DX5II*, not least because it has the option of the 'Topping Tune' parametric EQ which would allow you to tailor the sound to your preference.

* Chinese made, but obtainable from UK retailers.

 

[soupladel]

Ok I am using the term sibilance because i dont really know what else to call it, effectly what i am picking up on is perhaps best described as a distortion in the high end, something similar to the lower quality MP3s of days gone by. I have set the Mojo 2 at a neutral level for both the bass and high end which has tempered it a little.

Whilst i have had these headphones for close to a year, i have barely used them (i wont bore you the details but thet are medical in natuer) so don't know if what i am hearing is perhaps caused due to a lack of use/bedding in.

In terms of quality of recording i have access to several streaming and downloading services including Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz. All have been set to the highest available download/bitrates and i have a 1.6Gbps internet service.

I have had it in the back of my mind for a while for something a bit more permenant which is why i am looking for a desktop solution that might help with what i am picking up as well as making use of these headphones more. Maybe in someways i am going about this the wrong way (i am stilll in the market for something on my desk) given i have mention my access to the above services is there suggested tracks i can use to rule out the quality of the music?

 

[PieterG]

Beyerdynamic headphones are often described as somewhat bright, however this T5p3 is said to be warmer with smoother treble. It should pair well with the Mojo 2, which also has smooth treble. So what you're describing is different from how most users experience the setup you have. I wouldn't give up on it.

As wonderful as the Topping DX5ii is, that would actually increase the risk of sibilance on paper, compared to your Mojo 2. Can you try to reduce the area around 7kHz by 2-3 dB? And if certain consonants are still harsh, perhaps drop 1-2 dB around 5kHz? Don't cut too aggressively (5+ dB) and leave the higher frequencies as they are, because the sound might become dull overall if you reduce treble heavily.

My ears are also sensitive to brightness, and i prefer music with some body rather than a lean analytical sound. I've been playing around with EQ recently and i noticed that small changes are not immediately obvious in A to B comparisons. It's over multiple listening sessions that i notice the improvements. So take your time and avoid big jumps.

 

[Rodolfo]

I have tried posting on a number of forums and i still havent had an answer, so here goes...

My primary source for these headphones will either be my Iphone 15 or my PC, but i am unlikely to use them on the go so i am looking at some sort of desktop solution.

I already have a Mojo 2 which does the job but i am picking up on some sibilance so am maybe looking for either a combined desktop solution or even a seperate DAC amd AMP.

I have looked at a few different solutions but i am hoping for some extra advice that will fit my needs, nut i a, looking to buy whatever solution from the UK as i have been given advice elsewhere but they arent available in the UK.

Anyone have any advice for me?

Some sibilance sucks: Consider a Fiio K11 R2R or K13 R2R to complement your "warm" T5s.

 

[soupladel]

Some sibilance sucks: Consider a Fiio K11 R2R or K13 R2R to complement your "warm" T5s.

What about the Fiio K15, i like the look of this one but am not sure if its is overkill (if there is sucha things high end audio)

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

What about the Fiio K15, i like the look of this one but am not sure if its is overkill (if there is sucha things high end audio)

The K15 is not overkill for your Beyerdynamic T5p 3s, they would do justice to a much better unit.

I drive my Focal Elegias, about on the same level as your Beyers, with a Pathos Converto Mk2 and, to me, they seem well matched.

 

[Rodolfo]

The K15 is not overkill for your Beyerdynamic T5p 3s, they would do justice to a much better unit.

I drive my Focal Elegias, about on the same level as your Beyers, with a Pathos Converto Mk2 and, to me, they seem well matched.

What about the Fiio K15, i like the look of this one but am not sure if its is overkill (if there is sucha things high end audio)

Why, for what?? Looks? What does "to a much better unit" mean?

I don't know the TP5. I referenced and focused on the sibilance he experienced: hence the 2 R2R decks -which the K15 lacks, is not -regardless of its looks (or its unit?, maybe...) 😉

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

Why, for what?? Looks? What does "to a much better unit" mean?

Is it really that difficult to understand? A DAC/headphone amp that is better, i.e. performs better. Beyer T5ps are very good headphones. Also, I made no recommendation of what to buy, R2R or otherwise.

 

[soupladel]

The K15 is not overkill for your Beyerdynamic T5p 3s, they would do justice to a much better unit.

I drive my Focal Elegias, about on the same level as your Beyers, with a Pathos Converto Mk2 and, to me, they seem well matched.

Something else i have been looking at is the Audiolab D7, if we were to put that against the Fiio K15 which would come out the winner?

 

[PieterG]

Something else i have been looking at is the Audiolab D7, if we were to put that against the Fiio K15 which would come out the winner?

I have the D9. In my opinion it's not the very best headphone amp or DAC, but it does everything with ease, is very refined overall, and very forgiving when it comes to pairing with other components. The D7 is a step down technically, but i suspect it has the same brand traits and signature.

I considered the K15 for my desktop. The amp and DAC specs are excellent, but i couldn't tell you how it sounds. It's proposed in a package with the Warmer R2R on some sites, and recommended with the likes of Sennheiser HD800. Price was the main reason i went for something else.

Unless you have the opportunity to demo these units or are prepared to return them if they don't fix the issue, then i would strongly suggest buying something with EQ built in. The Audiolab D7 doesn't have that, but there's a good chance it would sound just fine out of the box.

 

[soupladel]

I have the D9. In my opinion it's not the very best headphone amp or DAC, but it does everything with ease, is very refined overall, and very forgiving when it comes to pairing with other components. The D7 is a step down technically, but i suspect it has the same brand traits and signature.

I considered the K15 for my desktop. The amp and DAC specs are excellent, but i couldn't tell you how it sounds. It's proposed in a package with the Warmer R2R on some sites, and recommended with the likes of Sennheiser HD800. Price was the main reason i went for something else.

Unless you have the opportunity to demo these units or are prepared to return them if they don't fix the issue, then i would strongly suggest buying something with EQ built in. The Audiolab D7 doesn't have that, but there's a good chance it would sound just fine out of the box.

I have only made cursory views of the products I have been considering and to my shame I hadn’t picked up on the fact theD7 doesn’t have EQ which means the Fiio is probably the leading contender.

However that being said I might need to be convinced that something Chinese made is better than something made elsewhere such as Europe, US or elsewhere in Asia