The Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs GAEA ranks #15 out of 1118 total In-Ear Headphones for sound quality. See all Headphones rankings for every top pick.
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#15 Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs GAEA: $1,299 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Tuned close to the Harman target that most listeners prefer in blind tests (preference score 86).
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. The rating reflects sound quality only; comfort, build and noise isolation are not part of the score.
Is the Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs GAEA right for you?
Buy it if
- you want the tuning most listeners prefer in blind tests out of the box (Harman score 86).
- you want sub-bass rumble that reaches down to 20 Hz.
Skip it if
- you want to buy it new: it is discontinued.
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.01 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 10 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/100mV |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ Presets
Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Harman match with this EQ: 92 out of 100, up from 86.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 903 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.17 |
| Peak | 1,594 Hz | -2.5 dB | 5.00 |
| Peak | 3,266 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.81 |
| Peak | 6,727 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.73 |
Neutral target
Set a preamp of -2.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Neutral match with this EQ: 93 out of 100, up from 48.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -8.5 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 903 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.15 |
| Peak | 1,594 Hz | -2.5 dB | 5.01 |
| Peak | 3,266 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.81 |
| Peak | 6,728 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.73 |
Studio flat target
Set a preamp of -4.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Studio flat match with this EQ: 96 out of 100, up from 30.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -11.1 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 156 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 914 Hz | +1.6 dB | 3.02 |
| Peak | 1,565 Hz | -2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,311 Hz | +1.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,856 Hz | +4.6 dB | 2.70 |
| Peak | 3,503 Hz | +1.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,838 Hz | -2.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,468 Hz | +1.2 dB | 5.52 |
Warm target
Set a preamp of -2.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Warm match with this EQ: 93 out of 100, up from 82.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 885 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.66 |
| Peak | 1,622 Hz | -2.9 dB | 4.83 |
| Peak | 3,275 Hz | +1.2 dB | 4.57 |
| Peak | 4,889 Hz | -2.9 dB | 3.90 |
| Peak | 8,000 Hz | -1.8 dB | 4.42 |
Bass target
Set a preamp of -3.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Bass match with this EQ: 94 out of 100, up from 76.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 903 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.17 |
| Peak | 1,594 Hz | -2.5 dB | 5.00 |
| Peak | 3,266 Hz | +2.4 dB | 2.82 |
| Peak | 6,727 Hz | +1.8 dB | 3.74 |
Bright target
Set a preamp of -3.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted Bright match with this EQ: 93 out of 100, up from 39.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -8.5 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 100 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 902 Hz | +1.6 dB | 3.57 |
| Peak | 1,596 Hz | -2.9 dB | 4.52 |
| Peak | 3,220 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.37 |
| Peak | 5,345 Hz | +3.4 dB | 0.74 |
V-shaped target
Set a preamp of -4.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by Speaker Ranking from the median of 3 squig.link measurements, in the filter layout AutoEQ uses. Predicted V-shaped match with this EQ: 91 out of 100, up from 76.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.70 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,557 Hz | -3.0 dB | 4.48 |
| Peak | 3,144 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.54 |
| Peak | 5,345 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.69 |
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Frequency Response
How the Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs GAEA measures across the audible range, against the Harman in-ear target that most listeners prefer in blind tests. Where the line sits above the target that range sounds louder (more bass, brighter treble), below it quieter. The curve is the median of 3 independent measurements, so one odd sample or rig cannot skew it, and both lines are shifted so their 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB.
Measurement data: median of 3 measurements from the squig.link databases of dchpgall, dl and recode. Thanks to each of them for publishing their work.