esanthosh
Skilled
Use @ to mention the name instead of quoting the whole post. Saves scrolling
Generally, 'Cutting off excess' always works better than enhancing anything via EQ.
Unless I have RE-ZERO on hand, it's really difficult to present a clear picture to you.
I have not needed to use EQ with DBA-02 MKI or MKII as I like them as-is. I called DBA-02 MKI as RE0 v1.5. If you can withstand RE-ZERO's treble, it is likely that you won't find DBA-02 offensive in treble. I don't understand why you would need to enhance bass with MK2. It is fine as-is. From how I remember RE-ZERO, DBA-02 MK2 should be a step up in clarity and even bass quantity. Of course, sub-bass is not MK2's forte. Of course, XBA-3 has more quantity, but I felt it was a bit too much for my taste as well.
I cannot put out a percentage to how far XBA-3 falls behind DBA-02. So, subjectively speaking....Bass once EQ-ed down should be better than RE-ZERO. With treble, you are likely to miss that forward and crisp nature of RE-ZERO, but you are unlikely to feel let down as the quantity is still enhanced. It won't have the clarity of RE-ZERO's mid range. It sounds more like it's smoother cousin, XBA-1, just a tad recessed. When you want to put a lens to the details, you would feel there's a smoke screen obstructing you from getting there. That's how the 'veil' is. But, you can EQ it out. Crisper sounding DBA-02 is likely to show you more of the micro-details, but MK2 is more restrained and you are unlikely to feel it until you start comparing.
I generally do not go for 'horses for the courses' thing. Even at the top-tier, some IEMs sound better with certain genre(s) and not as good with others. Personally, if I like a signature, I listen to all genres with it. Between the two, I don't think either of them qualify as all rounders. You are unlikely to find an IEM that changes colors like a chameleon and enhance treble or bass depending on the track. At most, a neutral, close to flat IEM with end to end presence would reveal whatever is in the recording. Even they can be boring or even bad at times. So, my suggestion would be to look for the kind of signature you want rather than a generic term like "all rounder" - because the definition of that term varies from person to person.
Added:
Uh, oh! Forgot to mention one unimportant detail - Got a SE535CL (as loaner)!
Generally, 'Cutting off excess' always works better than enhancing anything via EQ.
Unless I have RE-ZERO on hand, it's really difficult to present a clear picture to you.
I have not needed to use EQ with DBA-02 MKI or MKII as I like them as-is. I called DBA-02 MKI as RE0 v1.5. If you can withstand RE-ZERO's treble, it is likely that you won't find DBA-02 offensive in treble. I don't understand why you would need to enhance bass with MK2. It is fine as-is. From how I remember RE-ZERO, DBA-02 MK2 should be a step up in clarity and even bass quantity. Of course, sub-bass is not MK2's forte. Of course, XBA-3 has more quantity, but I felt it was a bit too much for my taste as well.
I cannot put out a percentage to how far XBA-3 falls behind DBA-02. So, subjectively speaking....Bass once EQ-ed down should be better than RE-ZERO. With treble, you are likely to miss that forward and crisp nature of RE-ZERO, but you are unlikely to feel let down as the quantity is still enhanced. It won't have the clarity of RE-ZERO's mid range. It sounds more like it's smoother cousin, XBA-1, just a tad recessed. When you want to put a lens to the details, you would feel there's a smoke screen obstructing you from getting there. That's how the 'veil' is. But, you can EQ it out. Crisper sounding DBA-02 is likely to show you more of the micro-details, but MK2 is more restrained and you are unlikely to feel it until you start comparing.
I generally do not go for 'horses for the courses' thing. Even at the top-tier, some IEMs sound better with certain genre(s) and not as good with others. Personally, if I like a signature, I listen to all genres with it. Between the two, I don't think either of them qualify as all rounders. You are unlikely to find an IEM that changes colors like a chameleon and enhance treble or bass depending on the track. At most, a neutral, close to flat IEM with end to end presence would reveal whatever is in the recording. Even they can be boring or even bad at times. So, my suggestion would be to look for the kind of signature you want rather than a generic term like "all rounder" - because the definition of that term varies from person to person.
Added:
Uh, oh! Forgot to mention one unimportant detail - Got a SE535CL (as loaner)!