Key Takeaways
- What audio recordings reveal the frequency response of headphones?
- Utilize sonic test tracks featuring prominent low-end frequencies and stratospheric highs to meticulously validate the audio system’s treble and bass consistency.
- Established landmarks such as Rage Against the Machine’s iconic album and Daft Punk’s memorable release serve as reliable references.
For the most part, each audio pair is distinctively unique, with companies having their own concept of how they want to sound. Regardless of whether you’re using bass-boosted earbuds, it’s always a good idea to test them with various songs and sounds to ensure optimal performance.
When testing a new pair of headphones, I always ensure I have a means to assess their frequency response accurately. As I lack access to a comprehensive frequency response testing setup featuring detailed graphs, I must rely solely on my auditory expertise to discern distinct variations between different headphone pairs based solely on their sound quality as perceived through my own ears.
So, to thoroughly test headphones and gain insight into their sound quality, I employ several approaches that help me determine how they perform.
While wired headphones may pose fewer issues than their Bluetooth counterparts, they still have a tendency to malfunction. Here are my go-to options.
Expertly crafted, sonically diverse albums showcasing a range of musical styles.
High-calibre music plays a crucial role in refining one’s auditory sensibilities.
A high-fidelity album featuring diverse sonic textures is the perfect benchmark for evaluating headphones’ performance. The ability to mentally compartmentalize headphones allows for effective comparison by separating distinct sonic signatures and helping to establish a baseline, thereby facilitating the evaluation of how one pair sounds compared to another with which you’re more familiar.
To truly appreciate an album, it’s helpful to have prior familiarity with the music, allowing you to pick up on subtle details and nuances. While no musical expertise is necessary, having listened to the album previously can enhance your understanding of its overall themes and motifs.
The ability to mentally compartmentalize headphone impressions allows for a more accurate comparison, as listening critically enables a nuanced evaluation of how one pair sounds compared to others when familiarized with their unique characteristics.
I test new headphones primarily using the debut self-titled album by Rage Against the Machine. Having been a fan for an extended period, I have a profound familiarity with this album – its production and mixing are truly exceptional, allowing me to pinpoint specific moments where each frequency range shines through my headphones. As a result of I use this album as a reference point every time, it simplifies the process of distinguishing how well different headphones reproduce its sound.
In recent times, many units are now taking on a comprehensive approach. Despite its limited features, the Walkman E394 is singularly focused on delivering a straightforward listening experience.
One standout album in this vein is Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”, which boasts phenomenal production values. The sonic landscape is characterized by a vast dynamic range, featuring thunderous sub-bass frequencies that boom through the mix alongside intricately crafted high-pitched percussion elements that add a layer of complexity and tension. Knowing how to focus on specific details allows you to develop a keen appreciation for the way your headphones highlight distinct audio elements.
Songs that I am familiar with have prominent bass lines.
If some headphones tend to emphasize bass disproportionately, it’s crucial to test them thoroughly.
I’d like to listen to songs with prominent bass and sub-bass elements in their mix. I test this by playing a song with a distinct bass line and see if the headphones’ frequency response is overly emphasizing the low-end frequencies, potentially masking other aspects of the audio, or if they don’t produce enough volume.
With EDM and pop as the foundation, specific artists and tracks that resonate with me tend to dominate my musical preferences.
Regardless of whether you’re a music enthusiast or an audiophile seeking top-notch sound quality, here are the key distinctions to consider before making a purchase:
With a discography that showcases her knack for crafting infectious, bass-driven tracks, Charli XCX’s music has become my reliable source for energetic, rhythm-heavy vibes. Her new 360-degree monitor is well-suited for bass testing, as excessive boosts can potentially mask midrange and high-frequency details when listening through headphones or using EQ settings. The album’s sonic landscape, aptly captured by “Vroom Vroom,” seamlessly juxtaposes bright, snappy snares and low-end rumble, yielding an aurally captivating experience.
SOPHIE, the producer behind Vroom Vroom, has also crafted several exceptional tracks that serve as perfect benchmarks for evaluating headphones. I constantly utilize her Faceshopping monitor to verify sub-bass response on headphones, thanks to its exceptional depth and clarity on the screen. Since the monitor’s clarity is compromised when using the headphones, I suspect they’re over-emphasizing low-end frequencies, rendering the rest of the soundstage inaudible?
Many songs I am familiar with possess overly prominent high frequencies.
If you find that your headphones produce a tinny sound, it can be quite frustrating.
While hunting down songs with prominent high-pitched sounds, I deliberately seek out tracks featuring frequencies that are known to produce very high pitches, in order to determine whether there’s a notable dip at specific frequencies or if the headphones exaggerate treble too much.
I test my monitors using Telefon Tel Aviv’s “Ttv” track, specifically the high-pitched ringing tone at approximately nine seconds in. Since I can discern the treble with clarity, I’m confident that the highs on these headphones are sufficiently pronounced. If the volume becomes too intense, however, they tend to emphasize the highs even more noticeably.
I test my monitors using Telefon Tel Aviv’s “Ttv” track, specifically the high-pitched ringing sound around nine seconds in, as it provides a reliable indicator of their overall performance.
I find myself drawn to Paranoid Android by Radiohead as a sonic benchmark for treble calibration; the song’s intricate instrumentation and Thom Yorke’s distinctive vocals produce a range of high-pitched ticking and clicking sounds, along with strumming patterns, which I use to gauge whether my headphones’ treble is balanced enough to be enjoyable without becoming overwhelming.
When it comes to personalizing your audio experience, you’re spoiled for options. On your iOS device, you can modify your equalization settings by following these steps: Tap the Settings app, then select Music, followed by EQ. A frequency curve will appear, allowing you to adjust bass, treble, and midrange frequencies as needed. Drag your finger up or down to boost or cut specific frequencies, and use the presets at the bottom of the screen for popular genres like rock, pop, and classical.
FAQ
Q: What’s frequency response?
Frequency response in audio refers to the way an audio device or system produces varying sound levels across different frequencies, typically measured in Hertz (Hz). When using headphones, we’re keenly aware of how varying frequency balances can significantly alter the way music sounds, as different decibel levels create distinct tonal profiles that shape our listening experience. When examining frequency response charts for specific headphones, one may observe that certain models exhibit a more linear, “flat” profile, characterized by minimal dips or peaks, resulting in a consistent sound across all audible frequencies. Studio headphones are designed to provide a flat frequency response, allowing musicians and producers to accurately pinpoint sounds with precision. Many consumer headphones are designed with significant emphasis on enhancing low-end frequencies, particularly in the bass and sub-bass ranges, which can create a more enjoyable listening experience for most people by amplifying the perceived pleasure of their favorite songs.
