Learning Center: How We Rate Headphones

How HeadRoom Rates Headphones

HeadRoom has been carefully testing and evaluating headphones for nearly two decades.

Every pair of headphones sold on headphone.com must complete an extensive testing and evaluation procedure conducted by our expert sales team:

•  We use and handle every headphone, comparing their features & sound to similar models
•  Test them in the field if they're designed for specific activities
•  Conduct group training sessions complete evaluation forms
•  Put every pair of headphones through a rigorous measurement test. While we still think a pair of ears and real-time use are ultimately the best way to test headphones, the measurements are a helpful tool that provide objective data to compare various headphones

HeadRoom's Headphone Value Rating

Our value rating is a result of evaluating sound quality, build, features, and fit in respect to the price of the headphone and the overall value they offer to a listener. Other factors such as fashion, ease of use, and warranties are also considered.

Keep in mind, all ears hear differently, and people have vastly different tastes of what sounds good to them, the style of headphones they prefer, the activities they may be performing, and the amount of money they are willing to spend. What makes your ears happy simply may not sound or fit the same for someone else. HeadRoom is happy to offer a 30 Day Guaranty to ensure that you really do get it right between your ears.

HeadRoom ratings are NOT absolute measures but rather how well the product performs in the particular intended application and relative to other headphones at that price.

5 stars: This headphone is not only the best headphone in its application at this price, but also performs unexpectedly well and is an excellent value for the money.

4.5 stars: This headphone is often the best performer at its app/price. It performs well and has no remarkable flaws. It is always a very good value in a particular application.

4 stars: This headphone performs well in its app/price; but has one or two flaws worth mentioning. It may or may not be the best option, and likely a good value in its application.

3.5 stars: A good headphone that is likely not to be the best in its app/price. It is suitable for its intended use, but has some limitation or area of underperformance that the customer should be aware of. It is a good value when chosen thoughtfully.

3 stars: This is the lowest level of rating that implies a positive recommendation. Its very unlikely to be the best in its app/price, but it does perform adequately well. The customer won’t feel “gipped” with a purchase.

2.5 stars: This headphone is not recommended, though it may have one particular strength that makes it good for a narrow area of application, but not as a solid performer over a broader scope. This product is likely not a good value unless it’s particularly suitable for the customers use.

2 stars: A poor headphone. Not well suited for its application, and certainly not amongst the recommended choices. Not likely a headphone we would carry unless there were simply no other alternatives.

1.5 stars: A joke. Way over priced or underperforming. We might carry it just to trash on something so people know we’re not afraid to trash talk a product.

1 stars: An unredeemable piece of s#*t.

.5 stars: No comment. We burned them after listening. Don’t even want to know they exist.

How HeadRoom Chooses "Top Picks"

Our Top Picks are chosen according to the overall value rating of headphone, and how well they apply to a particular activity or headphone type. How well they perform for a specific activity is determined by rigorous in-house tests, industry research, and customer feedback. Our Top Picks in a certain type of product category is determined by our in-house evaluations and product feedback we have received over the many years of testing extensive numbers of headphones & related gear.

Learn about HeadRoom's Top Picks.