Volume matching for Auditioning HPs (only!)

Discussion in 'Measurement Techniques Discussion' started by mike.s, Apr 14, 2016.

  1. mike.s

    mike.s New

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    I'm trying to identify the minimal setup to quickly volume match two setups.

    Goal is to minimize volume affect when comparing headphones:
    I want to quickly volume match for the purpose of head-to-head comparisons of two headphones or two amps, balanced vs single ended etc... to see what I actually hear.

    I've found that I'm able to ID up to .5db changes in volume and I know I suffer from the "louder sounds better" syndrome.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    You really can't make two different kinds of headphone the "same" volume. Each headphone will have its own frequency response. The question is how to arrive at the same perceived volume. You can use an SPL meter weighted A or C, or perhaps at 1kHz, or some ISO standard. But none of these methods may reflect what you consider the same volume.

    For example, how does one volume 'match" a HD700 (with midbass, upper mid, and lower treble peaks) to an HD600? A treble sensitive person might have the volume set lower on the HD700 compared to a person who already has hearing damage from listening too loudly to the HD700 on a daily basis.

    People can identify 0.2db peaks if the peaks are broad enough. The problem with headphones is that their errors are gross, x10, x100 times 0.2db. Gross errors are extremely easy to pick up.

    The most appropriate method is to subjectively volume match each headphone to a comfortable listening level and note volume knob position. This is actually something that becomes natural over time to the point of marking the volume knob position unnecessary. Another method is to compare the headphones for an extended period of time to cover as many different conditions as possible: casual listening, intently listening, studying, reading, soft listening, loud listening, masturbating, etc.

    There is no need to overthink this "problem".
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2016
  3. mike.s

    mike.s New

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    OK, please stop with the mind reading... I have HD 700 and sometimes adore them and at others despise them. Just trying to do some "fair" listening comparisons with other HPs. Thanks for helping me swallow my measurement-crazy pride.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, I didn't know you owned the HD700.
     
  5. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    I am a firm believer in just cranking the same recordings you know off the back of your hand to a mixing reference level. Crank them to 80-90 db or so. Play it loud. The better headphones will come through as purrin said.

    Grados, Beyers, and the HD 700 will be revealed for what they truly are: fascist torture devices.
     
  6. MF_Kitten

    MF_Kitten Banned per own request

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    This is why DT770's annoy me with their treble. Sure, they have amazing bass, but the treble is too harsh for me to turn it up far enough to enjoy it. The result is just scooped mids instead. I wanna get some felt to put in front of the driver so I can reduce the treble and turn these suckers way up.

    To volume match, you need to devise a scientific approach that actually makes sense. The fletcher-munson curve informs us of how sensitive the human ear is to different frequencies at different volumes. If you can combine that knowledge with the frequency response graphs of each headphone, you could realistically find out how the different headphone volumes need to be set in order to actually match eachother in perceived volume.

    I think this approach doesn't make as much sense though, because while it's super cool and correct, the real test is in how loud you can get your headphones before you don't want to turn them up higher. The brighter and peakier a headphone is, the lower I run them. Of you can't get to normal listening levels where you can enjoy the cans for extended sessions, then they're doing something wrong for your needs.
     

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