I asked this question sir because even with an equalizer the frequency response of the drivers/speakers themselves can be optimal or not depending on the music type and ranges. Those that are killer for jazz, classical, or normal rock sometimes can be “crunchy” and distort when listening to super low frequency bass output of Rap and Hip Hop because their range is not low enough for the bass levels. So the frequency rang of the headset is just as important as the equalizer. Frequency ranges have to be matched to the music source type also. I have had to use one set for one genre, and another for a different genre to get proper clean accurate representation...
I’d note that we might not be on quite the level of, say, J. Gordon Holt* here, for my daughter. Heheh.
*Founder of Stereophile Magazine, for FR readers who don’t go back that far.)
I’d also note that powerful lows below 60 Hz or so are also not a big consideration in this instance. Their absence is acceptable, if the bass from 60 Hz and up is decent. (It is.)
The problem you describe is not really “frequency response”, it is distortion characteristics - a far different matter. However, my daughter generally doesn’t listen at high levels, which reduces most (not all) distortion related problems with headphones. In this case, with these headphones I mentioned as being reliable and acceptable when it comes to the Bluetooth operation itself, and ok over most of the frequency range, below 4kHz or so, they are quite acceptable. “Hollow” sounding resonances (a high sensitivity of mine) are even low enough in level to be acceptable for this use.
Now, it’s POSSIBLE that my daughter is also hearing a distortion not related to frequency response, but, the high frequency rolloff is definite and bothers ME. It also may unmask said distortion for her, while I primarily “tune into” the drooping top end. Different aberrations bother different listeners... differently.
When it comes to headphones and low, powerful bass, my old Sony MDR-V6’s are good enough for me, and any genre I listen too. (I’d swear they got better with years of use, but, maybe that’s just me adjusting to them!) Low bass is primarily felt in the body, anyway. If I want more, I’ll clamp a bass exciter to my chair.
This from a guy who in his younger years used to mess around with subharmonic synthesizers a lot. An interesting form of “nice” distortion, tho’ not truly “fi”.
:-) :-) :-)