John
Last month we saw how Roon delivered very real audible improvements to the sound of Audeze headphones via its server-side DSP engine. I noted how Audeze’s flagship LCDi4 IEM sounded fuller, richer and warmer with the corresponding filter applied. Vocals were less chesty, cardboard boxed. The DSP re-samples nothing; everything from 44.1kHz to 768kHz is filtered natively.
Audeze are keen to point out that the filters aren’t intended to fix issues with their headphones but to enhance the listening experience. Click to your Roon endpoint’s settings, choose your Audeze headphone and enjoy. Or not. Your call. Easy.
This week sees these DSP settings migrated to a potentially far wider audience than Roon via Audeze’s REVEAL plugin pack – a free download for Windows or MacOS. Those very same Audeze headphone filters can now be added to playback software that supports AU, VST or AAX plugins.
On the pro side, that means the likes of Ableton Live, Logic or ProTools and for audiophiles JRiver, Audirvana Plus, Pure Music, VOX, Foobar2000 (via VST adapter) etc. Note how Audeze continue to straddle the pro audio / home audio divide.
Download the REVEAL (102Mb) from the Audeze website, unzip the installer and run it before firing up your preferred playback software.
In this correspondent’s case, that’s Audirvana Plus whose Audio Units Preferences tab gives us direct access to the freshly installed REVEAL plugin. Activate it from the dropdown and click ‘configure’ to choose your Audeze headphone. All models are covered, even the new LCD-MX4.
The wet/dry mix option is for those who wish to fine tune the sound further to their liking but to hear the DSP filters applied in full – as per Roon’s backend – 100% wet is required.
Not bad for a free (and optional) upgrade. Not bad at all.
Further information: Audeze
