Andy G., Author at Headphonesty

Flat, bright, bassy, v-shaped — we’ve heard them all before, but which sound signature should you go for? When it comes to choosing headphones, some features can objectively tell you how well they’ll sound. For example, you can check its frequency response rate, which should ideally be at least 20 Hz - 20 kHz. You can also check what Bluetooth codecs it implements to know how accurately it compresses and transmits audio data. And, you can even check its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which should land in the 60-100 dB range for clearer sound quality. Another feature to consider in headphones is their sound signature. Sound signatures represent how your headphones add a unique color to your music. However, they’re also tricky to navigate because they’re entirely subjective. If you aren’t at least somewhat well-versed in the fundamental differences, it makes it that much harder to narrow down your options and find your ideal-sounding headphones. And that’s a big deal considering there are thousands and thousands of choices out there. But not to worry - we’ve created an easy-to-digest guide to sound signatures that will hopefully have all your questions answered. So let’s get to it! What Is a Sound Signature? A sound signature refers to the characteristics of a device’s sound. In headphones, it refers to how the drivers are tuned to amplify or reduce specific frequencies. So, for instance, some headphones will have more pronounced bass, while others might have enhanced mid-range frequencies. Many headphone brands are known for having specific sound signatures. Audio Technica, for example, is generally known for its balanced sound. Other brands will have several different headphone models with different sound signatures. For instance, Beyerdynamic offers a range of headphones with neutral, bright, v-shaped, and analytical sound signatures. Having headphones with different sound signatures appeals to a broader listener market because specific sound signatures are more suited for certain types of music. Why is it important to understand sound signatures? If you’re unfamiliar with sound signatures, it’s likely not going to be at the forefront of your mind when buying headphones. As such, it becomes all too easy to write off a pair of “bad-sounding” headphones to poor manufacturing and call it a day. When in fact, it’s usually just the sound profile that isn’t good, not the device. That’s why it’s essential to understand the distinctive ‘color’ of each sound signature to get the best listening experience. But before you can fully grasp sound signatures, it’s equally important to understand how sound frequencies work. How Sound Frequencies Work When a sound is produced, it compresses air molecules around us and causes them to vibrate. These vibrations create a chain reaction of waves that allows sound to travel through the air -- thus, creating what we know as ‘soundwaves.’ Once the sound wave reaches our ears, our complex auditory system analyzes them using its five characteristics: amplitude, time period, velocity, wavelength, and frequency. Sound wave frequencies are measured in hertz, which is determined by the number of waves generated in a second. For example, if a sound produces 20 soundwaves per second, its frequency is 20 hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies produce significantly more waves that are packed tightly together. The shrill ringing of a phone, for example, measures around 2000 Hz or 2 kHz, which means that 2000 waves are produced per second. Lower frequencies, on the other hand, create fewer waves that are more spaced out. Younger people with relatively healthy ears can hear frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. These frequencies can be categorized into three general types: Bass (20-250 Hz): Also called “Lows,” this represents the lowest frequencies on the audio spectrum. On a music track, bass adds power, ambiance, and depth. Mids (250-2 kHz): This refers to the mid-range frequencies, often occupied by vocals and instruments. Essentially, the bulk of what you hear on a music track will be within this range. Treble (2 kHz-20 kHz): Also referred to as “Highs,” this represents the higher frequency sounds. These typically include instruments like cymbals, flutes, piccolos, which add clarity and detail to a music track. Do headphones with a broader frequency range sound better? Some headphones have a wider frequency range, going from 10 Hz up to 32 or 40 kHz. Does this mean they sound better? Not necessarily. First of all, the human ear can’t hear frequencies outside the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. Instead, you’re more likely to feel frequencies lower than 20 Hz. If you’ve ever stood in front of a booming speaker, you’ll know what we mean. So, while frequencies this low could probably add some immersive quality to your music, generally speaking, you won’t be able to hear it. Secondly, there’s no guarantee that there won’t be some variability in frequency response when it comes to headphones with a wide frequency range. For instance, a pair of headphones may experience a dip or rise in dB in response to specific frequencies, and this can dampen the sound of your music. So, in theory, these headphones can reproduce sounds within that broader frequency range, but not as accurately. So, why do manufacturers continue to make headphones with frequency ranges that go beyond what we can hear? Well, doing this ensures that the frequencies that matter, particularly the outer limit frequencies, sound impeccable. If the frequency output dropped off immediately outside of the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, there would be a very audible degradation in sound quality. Thus, having a wider frequency range makes that degradation less apparent because it occurs on frequencies we can no longer hear. But, that is a luxury that people with untrained ears may not notice as much. Types of Sound Signatures Headphones come with one of eight commonly known sound signatures. Here’s what each of them sounds like: Flat/Neutral. A Flat or Neutral sound signature, like the name suggests, has equal values for all frequencies across the board. As a result, it’s the most natural-sounding signature and provides the closest reproduction of how a track was originally recorded. Due to their accurate sound reproduction, Neutral headphones are often used in professional studios for mixing and mastering music tracks. Best for: Music professionals, sound engineers, Hi-Fi enthusiasts, and audiophiles. Best genres: Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk. Audio gear to check out: Sennheiser HD 600, Hifiman Sundara, . Bright. A Bright sound signature has boosted high and upper-mid frequencies, which gives your music a thin, sharp, and detailed quality. Music professionals also tend to favor this type of sound signature for mixing and mastering because the level of clarity it provides reveals all the audio imperfections on a track. This makes it easier for them to make corrections and adjustments. Best for: Music professionals, sound engineers, audiophiles, and general music enthusiasts who enjoy picking music tracks apart. Best genres: Classical, Rock, and Jazz. Audio gear to check out: , , . Balanced. A Balanced sound signature has slightly increased bass and treble frequencies. It’s very similar to the Flat sound signature, so the two are often lumped together. However, unlike the more tinny sound of a Flat profile, Balanced headphones have a bit more warmth and depth. The increased bass and treble also make this profile sound more lively, making them ideal for a wide range of musical genres. Best for: Most music listeners who like switching between a variety of music genres. Best genres: Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk, Pop. Audio gear to check out: , , . Extra Bass. The Extra Bass sound signature has very pronounced lower frequencies, giving music tracks that punchy, booming quality fit for the clubs. Too much bass, however, can sacrifice the clarity of higher frequencies and reduce the overall quality of your music. Best for: Bassheads who like their music with a lot of extra depth and “oomph.” Best genres: Electronica, HipHop, EDM, some R&B. Audio gear to check out: , , . V-Shaped. A V-shaped sound signature has enhanced low and high frequencies, with slightly decreased mids. More emphasis is given to the highs and lows in reducing the mid-range frequencies, making it more pleasing to hear. As a result, you get a strong bass with sparkling highs, perfect for pop music and rock genres with soaring guitar notes. This is definitely one of the more popular sound signatures amongst the general public. Best for: Most music listeners who like a nice, well-rounded sound. Best genres: Rock, Pop, and some Bollywood. Audio gear to check out: , , . Dark. A Dark sound signature has heavily boosted low and lower-mid frequencies, making it sound richer and more immersive. The mids, upper-mids, and treble frequencies are also recessed, making the finer details sound more muted or veiled. Dark headphones are exceedingly warm and have a sort of “blended” sound quality to them. It’s definitely not for everyone, as some listeners tend to find a Dark sound profile a bit too extreme. Best for: Those who enjoy a significantly deeper and warmer sound, with less piercing detail. Best genres: Jazz, Blues, R&B, HipHop. Audio gear to check out: , , . Analytical. Often referred to as “clinical,” an Analytical sound signature is a mix between a Flat and Bright sound profile. It has relatively equal lows and mids, with slightly increased highs. This allows more detail and clarity to come through in the higher frequencies. Headphones with beryllium drivers and silver conductors tend to have an Analytical sound profile. Some listeners, however, steer clear of these types of headphones because they reveal all the minute flaws and imperfections in a recording. So, while Analytical headphones can make great recordings sound even better, they can also make badly-recorded tracks sound worse...

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