I feel you on that. I’m thinking a 3k peak is a spot for me. Re-listening to Kiwi Ears Cadenza, it has that extra energy at 3k that’s just a little harsh for me.
So it does make sense. Different flavors are great for finding what works for you!
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Looks like im getting the EA500 and the new blon.
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You going mad scientist on the EA500 will be fun
Well, probably wont mod iems like crazy anymore.
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Fair enough. But you’ll play with some bass boosts, which is what I’m expecting
we see, i dont expect it to be doing it for the bass for me at least.
As even the Oxygen sounds bright neutral to me (a big part due to the speed and tightness of the bass).
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Question for ya’ll: Do you guys notice any quality difference between modding to get a bass-boost vs EQ for example? (Distortion, incoherencies etc.)
I would say yes - using PEQ vs. just putting a filter over the nozzle, there’s a clear difference in the pop on the mid bass, talking about my pair of OH10s. I’m no expert but if I’m remembering correctly, using EQ or PEQ does introduce some level of distortion. But someone more knowledgeable will probably chime in soon.
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I’ve personally never found it worked out as something I liked/kept. I’ve messed with the S12, and different dynamics my blocking vents, and there was something always off about the sound as a byproduct of trying to raise the bass. Recently with the EA500 I went back to no mods after a day or two.
EDIT: Zero experience with EQ, can’t compare that
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Ya I had similar experiences from both. I think blocking the vents affects how sound moves within the acoustic housing. Usually hear some distortion with EQ, but both sound wonky in some ways versus stock, but that 10db+ bass-shelf is so tempting…
blocking vents completely is a whole other story. But adding more acoustic resistance WILL make the sound travel slower.
PEQ, as long as you do preamp settings correctly and the driver can handle the PEQ, it is fine.
oh btw, someone else got cursed by Final Audio QC.
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YO WHAT IS THATTTTTTTT
and thanks for the explanation chief 
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Yeah, that is a no for me!
Which one? Left or right unit?
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Yes! 
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Nothin’ a little EQ can’t fix…
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Or if you’re into physical mods, a lump of epoxy in each of the nozzles should get them to sound the same.
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ez fix then. Just kill both drivers, no sound from both = perfect unit matching.
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At this point, I think there’s just some worker at the Final factory who gets their kicks sending out units like this and seeing what graphs pop up on squig and various forums. It’s so bad it has to be a prank, right?
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Late to the party, but I have to chime in since I received these as part of a partial payment for a higher end set of IEMs. The Z12 (and presumably S12 Pro) is REALLY nice for its price-point. Treble zing aside, I actually prefer these over all the sub-$1K tribrids and DDs I’ve owned. Def. more comfortable than the Timeless from what I remember and better staging to boot.
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