Kameleon portable headphone amplifier

A sort-off try it before you buy it....

But ONLY for HD650, T50RP and modified K550 owners (or those headphones that lack bass)

I have compiled an MP3 with excerpts of 3 songs.
Don't expect super-fi as the file was created using 3 MP3 files that were normalized and resampled and converted to MP3 again.

This 'master file' was then played back on FiiO X3 into the Kameleon which was recorded using the SB1240 on 44.1/16
The files created were MP'3 yet again and uploaded.

There are thus 4 files available for download for 7 days ! (click on the highlighted word 'download' on the left)

The recorded files are the same as the original files + FiiO X3 playback + Kameleon (with filter module) + recording + MP3 encoding.
It's thus NOT about sound quality but what the filters used CHANGE.

Also these files are NOT normalized after they have been recorded so do NOT level match with the original.

One called original file and this is the 'source file' that was played back on the X3.
There are 3 other files that have passed through the Kameleon and can give you a preview of HOW your headphones will sound ON the Kameleon from a portable player ON those specific headphones.

Let me be clear... it is pointless to play the HD650 file on another headphone as that other headphone requires a DIFFERENT correction.

For this reason the files available SHOULD only be played back on the 'target' headphone.

I made files for 3 headphones:
Modified T50RP (but you could also try it on standard T50RP's but the correction would not be completely accurate)
Sennheiser HD650
AKG K550 (the MODIFIED version).
This filter (for the modified K550) basically is only a 'bass boost' so you can play it on other headphones that are LACKING bass and see if the Kameleon with Bass boost is something you may like.

You can use any normal playback system to 'emulate' the Kameleon's action.

So IF you have a HD650 and want to know what the Kameleon will/can do for it play back the 'original' file and the 'Only for HD650' file.
The latter is how your HD650 will sound when connected to the Kameleon
The HD650 filter is designed for the older black driver version and the silver/white version needs slightly less treble boost)

The same goes for the T50RP.
Compare the 'original' file with the 'Only for T50RP' file and see if that's what you are looking for.
The filter PCB sound different from the Kameleon as the Kameleon cannot fully/exactly compensate but will certainly bring it closer to 'flat'.

The files will only be available till May 20th.

www.filemail.com/d/vwolzakhaiznckx

For the K550 there is indeed 'only' a subtle difference in the lows as for all other frequencies the damn thing is scaringly flat.

Indeed the trick is in not overdoing it although some people are of the opinion you cannot have enough bass (my 12 yo son ?)

Of course if you would like a tad more lows this would be very easy to implement and the proper time to say so.

The good part is that you can also have a module that is flat (won't cost that much) and turn it in a 'normal' but powerful headamp.
Also other headphone you might have and like but would like them more if they would do just ... this or that a bit better can be a much more pleasant listen.
Also when you would acquire other headphones in the future these can be corrected as well.

The lady: Patricia Barber (1st part), album companion, song touch of trash, middle part = Keb'Mo' album: slow down, song: I was wrong, last part = Mark Knopfler, album: sailing to philadelphia, song: el macho

I listened to the t50rp and the hd650, was convinced the T50rp filter was going to improve SQ and it did without a doubt, was a little sceptic on the hd650 filter (was very pleased with the org sound), but i really liked the changes. This doesn't exactly eases my waiting for a finished kameleon ( Javier )... but I know now I'll be as happy as a kid on easter.

These Maha (Powerex) batteries will be fine.
They can be left on charging indefinitely in the Kameleon, just not on fast chargers which the Kameleon is definitely not

It doesn't say they are Low Self Discharge and probably are not as well.
In general LSD cells tend to have a somewhat lower capacity.

If you already own these batteries you can use them.
However, if you still need to buy batteries I suggest the Vapextech.
They have about the same capacity (slightly lower) but are LSD and the charger was designed around these batteries.
A pleasant bonus is the price as they are half the price (GBP 4.50) of the Maha(powerex) battery.

I tried this with my T50RP and it was a very easy way of spotting the differences. I didn't refer to the earlier posts about the Fostex and didn't look at the graphs you made of my particular T50s until afterward. I was delighted that I could tell the difference, and relate it to the graph, so clear and more involving.

It also reminded me how good a 'phone the modded T50 are as they had fallen out of use since the HE6 arrived. I'll keep them out from now on, never a good idea to put things out of sight!

Over the weekend I'll dig out the current filter and have a listen that way.

I'm certainly looking forward to getting the Kameleon (3 filters have been requested from Javier)

Syd

The filters are active but rather basic compared to the filter PCB.
Also to keep power consumption low (portable) as few as possible active components are used.
This limits the usage and corrections that can be made.

Basically the filters are 'plugged' in an amp section and complete the circuit.
Therefore it is not possible to use the amp without a filter installed as the filter components are part of the whole circuit.
Of course when a module with just resistors is inserted it will act as a 'normal' amp.

Only a few headphones can be corrected reasonably well using passive filtering only.
It is relatively easy to 'filter' specific frequency(band)s but there aren't that many headphones that only need a single (simple) reduction filter.
Most headphones need boosting and reduction in different parts of the frequency range.
This can only be done actively as gain is needed to 'boost'.

It is possible to reduce the treble peak passively for a low impedance headphone but for 250 Ohm headphones the inductors need to become large in value and size as well because they need to be low in resistance.