So much for its funeral.
The death of the Harman Target Curve has been widely speculated since newer testing rigs like the Brüel & Kjær Type 5128 began taking over the headphone industry.
Yet, a new study comparing listener preferences among five in-ear headphone target curves has made one thing clear: the Harman Curve remains a top choice.
Among the 32 participants in the study, 72% favored two specific sound profiles. One of which was the Harman IE 2019 target.
The Search for New Standards
The audio industry has changed a lot in the last four years. Most companies now use the new Brüel & Kjær 5128 testing equipment, which better copies how human ears and bodies respond to sound.
But the switch created new problems.
The old and new measurement systems showed very different readings (up to 30dB in higher frequencies), like those from the GRAS Type 3.3. So, they couldn’t just carry over the older target curves.
Meanwhile, Harman kept their updated target curve close to the vest.
This left many companies and review websites in a tough spot. Without clear standards for the new testing equipment, they couldn’t properly test in-ear monitors or compare their findings consistently.
How could manufacturers tune their headphones without reliable targets? How could reviewers make fair comparisons between products?
What the Research Revealed
To solve these industry-wide problems, Sean Olive and his team designed a study to test different target curves using the new equipment.
They took on two key challenges.
First, they translated the popular Harman IE 2019 target to work with the newer B&K 5128. Then, they set up blind listening tests with 32 Harman employees aged 21 to 50 to compare it with four other potential curves.
Participants rated each curve on a 100-point scale, with all trials randomized and double-observed. And, they used modified Sennheiser MOMENTUM in-ears with MEMS microphones to make sure everyone got the same fit and sound quality.
The five target curves tested were:
- Har2019: A translated version of the original Harman IE 2019 curve for the B&K 5128, with slightly elevated bass relative to the average and peaks in the mid-treble range.
- SoundGuys: A balanced curve with a gradual 5 dB dip from 500 Hz to 5 kHz and a return to the average at 10 kHz.
- DFMod: A modified Diffuse Field curve with a 6.4dB bass shelf at 125 Hz and a slight high-frequency cut of -1.4dB at 2.5 kHz.
- APHarman2018Ver2: An approximation of the Harman AE Target from an over-ear study, with a slightly more bass-boosted profile and a smooth midrange.
- DF: The unaltered Diffuse Field curve provided by the B&K 5128, which represents the current international standard but consistently receives lower listener preference scores.
The results? The Harman IE 2019 and the SoundGuys curves tied statistically, with mean preference ratings of 65.69 and 65.97, respectively.
Insights on Listener Preferences
Looking closer at the results showed some interesting patterns in how different people enjoy their music.
The study found two main groups of listeners:
- Class 1 (72% of the group): This group strongly preferred the Harman and SoundGuys curves. Meaning, they enjoyed music with fuller bass and balanced high notes, similar to what you’d hear in a modern recording studio.
- Class 2 (28% of the group): This group liked less bass and brighter high notes, as found in the DFMod curve. They were typically older (average age 39.3) and liked 2dB less bass and 1-2dB more treble compared to Class 1.
This suggests a correlation between preferences and age, with older listeners tending to favor slightly different sound profiles.
It also proves a wider point: while audio experts might like more neutral sound, most people enjoy music with more impact.
Ultimately, these findings remind us that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in audio.
Age, listening experience, and personal preference all play important roles in how we enjoy music. Any target curve, no matter how well-designed, needs to account for these natural variations in listener preference.
Why Harman Target Remains Relevant
The research proves the Harman Curve isn’t going away. Instead, it’s growing with new technology and our better understanding of what people like.
Moving the curve to the new B&K 5128 system shows that while exact levels matter, how bass and treble work together might matter even more.
As long as there’s balance, listeners seem happy.
In practical terms, this means that manufacturers and audiophiles can still use the Harman Curve as a baseline. But, it now works more like a guide than a rule.
There should still be room for personalization.
This gives companies a proven foundation for making headphones sound good while leaving room for their own sound signature.
And for listeners, this means you don’t need to chase headphones that perfectly match the Harman target. Small adjustments of 2-3 decibels in bass or treble can still deliver excellent sound that matches your preferences.