What Does Frequency Response Mean In Headphones?
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For most of you who are addicted to listening to songs on your headphone, the frequency response is an important subject. However, it is no surprise that whenever this subject comes up, you shy away because you do not know the details of it. In simple terms, frequency response headphones deal with bass, mids, and treble. The combination of these three things brings to your ears that magical sound which you love to listen to.
Making Sense of Frequency Response might be difficult you at first but after reading this article you will be clear on all the concepts.
The basics of headphones frequency response
The Frequency response function in headphones usually ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz. As this is the audible range for most human ears the companies manufacturing headphones stick to this estimate.
Nonetheless, there are companies which are even making headphones with 5 to 33,000 Hz ranges. The one thing to know here is that even though the headphone frequency response may be high, it does not guarantee better sound quality.
Some facts about frequency response include:
- If you are listening to a sound which is below 20 Hz bass frequencies, you will be able to feel that sound more than actually hear it.
- The treble frequencies which are over 20,000 Hz cannot be heard in a normal environment. You have to listen very closely if you want them to be audible.
- When the frequency is lowered, the sound that is heard is mostly described as a thumping
- While you increase the frequency, you will catch all the sounds as very sharp and rather shrill.
- The headphone frequency response test will help you in showing the frequency of your headphone in a chart.
The relation between frequency response and sound quality
Frequency response and sound quality are related but not to the extent that most people think. The best way for you to understand this relationship is by finding out the effect it has on the different music genres.
#1- EDM, pop and hip hop
For EDM, pop and hip-hop music genres, the frequency response graph must look like a V shape. This means that whenever you listen to the songs that fall in this category, the highs and the lows are quite evident. The mid-range is kept to a minimum in this and the overall tone changes quickly.
#2- Classical and folk music
Some headphones are specially designed to help the users get a more subtle listening experience. The logical sound produced in the genres of classical and folk music take the highs and the midranges up while decreasing the lows. You get to experience a more real-life side of music.
#3- Hybrid
As the name suggests, a hybrid sound would be a mixture of different types of genres. As a common listener, you will not be able to identify which genre is playing. In this type of sound, the frequency response consists of more lows and less of highs and mid ranges.
Importance of headphone frequency range
Understanding the headphone frequency range is very important especially if you are entering a field concerning music. The most basic question you will be expected to answer is can you control the headphone frequency response? If you get stuck in answering this question, do not worry, we have got you covered.
The first point to consider is that frequency response is not just about mixing up the bass, the mid, and the treble in a soundtrack. While the end product is what the listeners will listen to, you should be able to identify the response in each instrument. To create a balance in the tones, the frequency response is more than necessary.
You must be aware that even a slight change in the mix can completely destroy the listening experience of the listener. Or if the change proves to be accurate, it can enhance the listening experience in more ways than you can imagine.
To sum it up, you need to be able to get as close to a perfectly flat sound as is possible. In the old days, this response was not probable because all the little things could not be controlled. Now, however, the new technology has allowed the frequency response to become much smoother for the human ear to experience the perfection.
How to calculate frequency response?
While this is a more technical part of understanding the frequency response of headphone, you should know this so that you can measure the response without the help of anyone else.
Here are the steps that go into calculating the frequency response:
- You would need a big enough space so that you can measure the frequency response in different positions. The variety allows you to obtain the closest and the best results.
- The second thing you need is a microphone. The microphone is placed very near to the headphones so that the sound is captured clearly.
- Now, you need to have access to a particular software that will catch the notes and then show the final output spectrum.
- After you have followed these steps and have obtained the results, you can use different levels of sound intensities. This will help to understand the high and the low frequencies which your headphone can catch.
These steps are very easy to follow and you can get your results in under ten minutes.
As song lovers, the frequency response is a vital element to understand and engage in. It is you, the end listener, who can improve the industry. This includes both the industries which are producing music and also the ones which are manufacturing the headphones. As a well aware person, you can bring a positive change. You can help the other listeners gain insight into the elements that are a part of your music experience. It is your right to ask for better things. Now that you know all about frequency response, are you still willing to settle for less than you deserve?
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