Why does my line out to my FRFR speaker sound darker than my headphones?

[daveaphotopod]

I assume the headphones would be the most accurate, no? And I know that in theory, it "shouldn't" matter. But I've attached the headphones, taken them off, and tested the same through the speaker, and they sound different. 

 

And yes, I've made sure it's not "double-cab'd" (I know the FRFR speaker also has....er....speakers, like the cabs do, but it's full frequency, right? So it should allow everything, I assume.) 

 

I mean, I suppose I could disable the cab in the line 6 pod go, but then I lose the cab/speakers. mics, and that sort of defeats the purpose, and I know can't be accurate. Is there some setting I am missing? If this doesn't make sense, or you need anything explained better, let me know. 

 

I am pretty persistent when testing things side to side and the PA/speaker is definitely a lot darker. 

[silverhead]

It’s because every speaker/headphone has its own sonic characteristics, even if they specify FRFR, or PA. As I understand it, Full Range Flat Response means, as you note, that the full frequency range of human hearing is covered (20Hz - 20MHz). But within that range each speaker has its own frequency curve where some frequencies are more or less prominent. Sounds like your speakers emphasize frequencies that are a bit lower than the frequencies your headphones emphasize. Same with microphones: some are better for vocals, some for guitar cabinets (SM58 vs. 57 respectively).

 

To demonstrate this bring your playlist to any audio store that sells a range of PA speakers and headphones. Try them all. No two will sound identical although you may need sensitive ears to distinguish some.

 

There are many threads here that describe the preference of many users to maintain two different setlists of the ‘same’ presets, one tweaked for their specific headphones and one for their specific speakers.

[daveaphotopod]

I also just realized that after looking at the frequency response of my headphones, the MDR-V6, the 2k and above are booted. I wonder if THAT is why everything sounds brighter in the headphones compared to speaker. 

 

So unless I am misinterpreting something, the speaker "mostly" is just reproducing the sound, whereas the headphones even though being well-regarded in some online communities, colors the sound, a little. 

[grdGo33]

On 1/4/2024 at 1:31 PM, daveaphotopod said:

I also just realized that after looking at the frequency response of my headphones, the MDR-V6, the 2k and above are booted. I wonder if THAT is why everything sounds brighter in the headphones compared to speaker. 

 

So unless I am misinterpreting something, the speaker "mostly" is just reproducing the sound, whereas the headphones even though being well-regarded in some online communities, colors the sound, a little. 

 

Yep, plus bass...  (7506 is essentially the same as V6)   https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/sony-mdr-7506-review-headphone.19099/

 

Having listened to much music on many different headphones and quite enjoyed it, I could never really enjoy the sound of Pod Go + headphones...  So if your presets have been built to sound balanced on headphones, especially V6, it likely just won't translate on speakers!

 

But if you think that there are 'issues' with FR for headphones, for speakers, it's even worse.....    Right away, unless you have very good speakers in a well setup room, much of what you hear isn't even the sound from the speakers, it's the room reflections, with room modes; where some frequencies are boosted and other are null'd.  Takes a lot of work to get a pair of speakers to work well in a room, and it involves room treatment, careful speaker placement and specific listening position.  And then again, the speakers themselves will have their own FR and all, so just compounds with room issues. 

 

At least you can just put headphones on your head and they work as intended, as there's no room interaction!  (But not even... Might depend on the shape of your head; as depending on whether you can get a good seal, shape of your head/ears, some headphones might some awesome on the head of some people and not for others!!  Not even considering different hearing; just head and ear shape...!!!  LOL )

 

So likely a combination of everything; the V6 aren't super neutral, and likely your room and speakers aren't either!

 

PA speakers also aren't renown for their neutrality; likely to be even more all over the place vs home audio speakers, since their reason to exist is more to 'blast' (SPL) sound for large venues; so compression drivers, large drivers, often large plastic boxes, etc..   Not that they can't sound good, I'm sure there's some fantastic PA speakers out there (high end studio monitors sound fantastic), but depending on the venue, they're very likely not to be the sweetest sounding speakers out there.

 

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And yes, I've made sure it's not "double-cab'd" (I know the FRFR speaker also has....er....speakers, like the cabs do, but it's full frequency, right? So it should allow everything, I assume.) 

 

FRFR speakers aren't considered speaker 'cabs' as speaker guitar cabs such as the ones in the Pod Go.  So you should 100% be using the the cab block of the Go.  FRFR speaker are more like regular audio speakers, they're made to play music; whether they're drums, guitar, etc., a guitar speaker cab is more like designed to sound 'good' with a guitar amp (color the sound), which is why there's 100 different guitar cabs to make your sound different.

 

In contrast, FRFR speakers, Studio Monitors, or audiophile speakers, of headphones, are just trying to play the signal as accurately as possible; not impart their own sound.  So yeah, for PA speakers, FRFR, studio monitors or regular speakers, definitely use the PGO cab block otherwise it'll sound like poop!  ;)