Auzentech X-Meridian Back With a Bang in New Second Generation Model

[zAAm]

Ya I'd be really suprised to tell a difference between 110 and 120dB SNR. It's like saying you can notice the difference between 44.1 and 48Khz. I've read in a review that the human ear actualy can't notice the difference of 192Khz so that's complete overkill and that's why no one record its music at this rate. To me the Crystalizer really helps, perhaps because I listen to high-bitrate MP3 rather than WAV/Flac stuff who knows. Hell I have a setup worth 2500-3000$ with very fine ears and I can't tell the difference between 320kbps VBR and WAV so it's just snob audiophile BS when they say mp3 sucks and that Flac is way better. However you have to not exagerate the effect of the crystalizer. I set it to 30% otherwise it's way too much effect.

I can usually tell the difference between MP3's and Flacs because of the type of music I listen to. MP3's lose a little bass response which is important when listening to low hitting DnB and so forth. Obviously it's not always that apparent and I'd settle for 320kbps MP3's if I don't have a choice. I just rip my CD's to Flacs to ensure the best quality, I mean, why not?

I've never heard the Crystalizer in action so I can't comment on that, but I prefer using no EQ's or effects - just the music as it was intended. Granted, EQ settings can compensate a bit when using inferior speakers/amplifiers or when speaker placement is restricted, but that's obviously not the ideal scenario.

Lastly, I'm not an audiophile, just a sound quality enthusiast I'd say, but I do spend a fair amount on sound (have a custom ~$1200 DLS SQ system in my car) and still don't think you'd be able to tell the difference between those two SNR's without some serious sound or I guess when listening to silence really loud...

 

[Wile E]

Ya I'd be really suprised to tell a difference between 110 and 120dB SNR. It's like saying you can notice the difference between 44.1 and 48Khz. I've read in a review that the human ear actualy can't notice the difference of 192Khz so that's complete overkill and that's why no one record its music at this rate. To me the Crystalizer really helps, perhaps because I listen to high-bitrate MP3 rather than WAV/Flac stuff who knows. Hell I have a setup worth 2500-3000$ with very fine ears and I can't tell the difference between 320kbps VBR and WAV so it's just snob audiophile BS when they say mp3 sucks and that Flac is way better. However you have to not exagerate the effect of the crystalizer. I set it to 30% otherwise it's way too much effect

I missed this. I have proven to my friends in a double blind that I hear the difference between Flac and 320kb/s mp3. The reason you can't tell the difference is because you are using the crystalizer. Crystalizer makes the flac file inaccurate. Turn off crystalizer, and use a good set of IEMs or cans, and the difference is obvious.

 

[PanzerIV]

I missed this. I have proven to my friends in a double blind that I hear the difference between Flac and 320kb/s mp3. The reason you can't tell the difference is because you are using the crystalizer. Crystalizer makes the flac file inaccurate. Turn off crystalizer, and use a good set of IEMs or cans, and the difference is obvious.

Perhaps the whole point of the Crystalizer is to make that 320kbps mp3 file sound as good as the Flac without any "effects"? If it can achieve this job then it will save you a hell out of space, not to forget that it's much harder to find or buy ur music online in Flac format so I'd rather have everything in mp3 rather than various format. Oh and most of the mp3 players and all car radio won't read the flac and even if my Cowon S9 reads Flac file, pretty sure it does, well I would fill that 32Gb flash drive way too quickly for a difference I may not even notice or that I will but won't be worth it.

Anyhow, better sounding equipement will enhance much more ur sound quality than going from 320kbps mp3 to flac, that's for sure

 

[Wile E]

Perhaps the whole point of the Crystalizer is to make that 320kbps mp3 file sound as good as the Flac without any "effects"? If it can achieve this job then it will save you a hell out of space, not to forget that it's much harder to find or buy ur music online in Flac format so I'd rather have everything in mp3 rather than various format. Oh and most of the mp3 players and all car radio won't read the flac and even if my Cowon S9 reads Flac file, pretty sure it does, well I would fill that 32Gb flash drive way too quickly for a difference I may not even notice or that I will but won't be worth it.

Anyhow, better sounding equipement will enhance much more ur sound quality than going from 320kbps mp3 to flac, that's for sure

No, Crystalizer doesn't make mp3 sound like flac, it makes flac sound like mp3. Actually, thru my IEMs, it even makes 320k mp3 sound worse.

And with the cost of storage as low as it is these days, I'll continue to use flac for home listening, and aac for portable/mobile. I already have 7TB available, and plan to add more. Space is of zero concern to me, only audio quality matters. If you are happy with mp3 and Crystalizer, you wasted your money on high end equipment.

 

[TheMonkey]

no, crystalizer doesn't make mp3 sound like flac, it makes flac sound like mp3. Actually, thru my iems, it even makes 320k mp3 sound worse.

And with the cost of storage as low as it is these days, i'll continue to use flac for home listening, and aac for portable/mobile. I already have 7tb available, and plan to add more. Space is of zero concern to me, only audio quality matters. If you are happy with mp3 and crystalizer, you wasted your money on high end equipment.

+1

 

[Meizuman]

...To me the Crystalizer really helps, perhaps because I listen to high-bitrate MP3 rather than WAV/Flac stuff who knows. Hell I have a setup worth 2500-3000$ with very fine ears and I can't tell the difference between 320kbps VBR and WAV so it's just snob audiophile BS when they say mp3 sucks and that Flac is way better. However you have to not exagerate the effect of the crystalizer. I set it to 30% otherwise it's way too much effect.

Man, you have to have something wrong with your ears, just saying.

EDIT: WAV (CD rip) vs. 192kbps has clear difference even with 40€ Philips SBC HP800 headphones.. WAV vs 320kbps is a bit harder, but then again, this sound hardware is worth about 65€ total.

 

[eidairaman1]

i just leave it at 50% myself, cant tell what the diff is.

 

[Meizuman]

Crystalizer is loudness. Plus maybe some sort of algorithm to add the effect based on gain and frequency.