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learning center

How We Rate Headphones
Learn about HeadRoom's evaluation procedure and how we rate headphones.

About Headphone Measurements
And in depth explanation how the measurements correlate with your ears.

How We Measure Headphones
Learn about our headphone testing procedure.

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"I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful purchase experience when I bought the Total Bithead amp and the Denon AH-D2000 headphones. I am going to tell all my friends who have iPods!"

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"I received my Denon AH-D1001S' today and even without any burn-in, these sound amazing. I bought these partly on research, partly on your recommendation and couldn't be happier."

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Learning Center: Build A Headphone Graph

home >  learning center > build a headphone graph

To build your graph, start by selecting the graph type and select up to 4 headphones to compare.  For information about interpereting these graphs see our article: About Headphone Measurements.


Click on the graph to open a larger window.


Select up to 4 Headphones
 
Amplitude (Frequency Response Only)
 
Frequency Response
A quantitative measure of a systems gain at various frequencies in response to a signal injected into the system. A linear system will respond at the same frequency with a certain magnitude and phase relative to the input. A "Flat" frequency response, when the gain is constant at all frequencies, is generally most desirable although can never be completely achieved. For example, a gain of two at both 20 Hertz and 20kHz, and at all frequencies in between.

 
 
Harmonic Distortion
Distortion artifacts that are exact integer distances higher in frequency than the originating tone, usually a result of non-linearities in the transfer function of an analog electronic device. For example: 1kHz might yeild a little distortion at 2kHz, 3kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, etc. Typically, it is thought the even harmonics (2, 4, 6, 8) sound better than odd harmonics (3, 5, 7, 9). This is somewhat true, but a gross oversimplification of the subject.

 
 
Impedance
The sum of both resistive and reactive impeding forces of a load. Headphone impedance commonly changes with frequency, and would become somewhat inductive or capacitive at different frequencies.

 
 
Isolation
The ability of a pair of headphones to block outside sounds so that the listener can hear the music on the headphones more clearly. Can be measured as a broad band reduction in amplitude in a single number in dB; or shown as a graph indicating the amount of attenuation over the audio spectrum.

 
 
Square Wave Response
An audio test signal which alternates between two D.C. levels. Used to visualize the systems ability to pass a wide range of frequencies in proper time-alignment.

 

 
Graph Type
 Frequency Response 
 Harmonic Distortion of a 500Hz Sine Wave Input 
 Impedance Versus Frequency 
 Isolation Response with Pink Noise Input to Monitor 
 Square Wave Response 500Hz 
 Square Wave Response 50Hz 

Please feel free to cut and paste the link below into the appropriate place in a discussion forum, blog, or website to display the graph. We provide this service free for non-commercial uses; those wishing to use the data on a commercial web site please contact jamey@headphone.com.