Your Guide To Headphone Frequency Response

Published

10th October 2022

Overview

Are you looking for a new pair of headphones to pack a bassy punch, or earbuds that emphasise those detailed highs? Audio-Technica offers a variety of headphones to suit different listening needs and budgets, so you can always find the right option for you.

In this piece, we’ll explain what frequency response is and how you can choose the perfect pair of headphones to suit your listening preference.

What Are Mid, High and Low Frequencies?

Mids, highs and lows are different frequency bands. As frequencies determine pitch, each frequency band contributes to the overall sound you hear when you listen to a piece of music, the latest podcast or your favourite gaming soundtrack.

Bass frequencies, also known as low frequency bands, range from 20Hz-250Hz. They are very low sounds that add depth and interest to music. Headphones that emphasise the bass are great for those who love the warm, powerful tones of bass music.

Mids describe the midrange frequency response, which typically ranges from 250 Hz up to 2kHz. Most of the audio you’re likely to hear, such as vocals and instruments, sits within the midrange, so it’s important to choose a pair of headphones that accurately reproduces the mids, though too much emphasis on the mids can result in a slightly muddy sound. Headphones with a balanced sound profile are the best choice if you’re looking for accurate midrange sound reproduction without too much emphasis on the bass or treble ranges.

Highs, otherwise known as treble, are frequencies that give your sound detail. The treble frequency ranges from 2kHz to 20kHz. Treble-heavy headphones have a tendency to sound slightly shrill, so it’s important to find a pair of headphones that deliver a good balance between each frequency range.

For further advice on choosing the right headphones to suit your listening preference, take a look at our headphones guide.

What Does Headphone Frequency Response Mean?

A headphones’ frequency response is the frequency range the headphones are capable of reproducing.

Most headphones will also detail the sensitivity of each frequency. This tells you which frequency ranges are given priority, allowing you to understand how the original sound may be altered when listening through your headphones. By accentuating or under-producing certain frequencies, headphones create their own sound signature which makes every pair unique.

What Audio Frequencies Should My Headphones Produce?

Headphones should produce audio frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of sound. A pair of headphones with a natural frequency response will accurately reproduce the sound as it was intended at the point of recording. For example, a piece of bass-heavy music should have a thumping bass when it’s listened to through a pair of headphones.

However, certain headphones are tuned to put greater emphasis on certain frequency ranges - this is called a sound signature. For example, some headphones will accentuate the bass sounds whereas others will de-emphasise the bass. This, to some extent, alters the original sound.

What Is An Extended Frequency Range?

Headphones with an extended frequency range provide detailed highs, clear midranges and strong bass performance. They’re great for picking up every detail in the sound, delivering a solid all round performance. If you don’t have a particular preference in sound signature, headphones with an extended frequency range are likely to further enhance your listening experience.

What Is A Sound Signature?

A headphones’ sound signature is determined by the volume settings of different frequencies. It’s produced by tuning the headphones’ drivers to amplify or de-emphasise low, mid or high frequencies. There are several different types of sound signature, but the most common are Flat, Balanced, Bright, V-Shaped, Extra Bass, and Warm & Smooth.

Different sound signatures produce different sounds, and which you prefer really does come down to subjective choice. However, understanding which frequencies are amplified as part of different sound signatures will bring you one step closer to choosing the right pair of headphones to enhance your audio experience.

What Are Extra Bass Headphones?

Bass-heavy headphones reproduce low frequencies louder than other frequency ranges, giving audio a booming quality. The extra bass brings a powerful, warm overall sound that’s perfect for lovers of hip hop or electronic music.

What Are Bright Response Headphones?

Bright response headphones put the emphasis on the treble frequency range. The audio sounds sharp and detailed. A firm favourite amongst audiophiles, a bright sound signature offers a unique sound where intricate subtleties can be heard.

What Are Warm & Smooth Headphones?

A warm, smooth sound signature focuses more on the lows and mids, which provides a rich overall listening experience that takes the edge off shriller frequencies. Warm headphones are the ideal choice for music lovers, particularly fans of jazz or blues music where the smooth, soulful blend comes through.

What Are V-Shaped Headphones?

As the name suggests, the shape of the frequency of a V-shaped sound signature resembles a V. The lows and highs are emphasised while the mids are slightly reduced to produce a well-rounded, fun sound that brings together high instrumental detail with those powerful lower frequencies.

What Are Flat Response Headphones?

A flat or neutral pair of headphones puts equal emphasis on each of the frequency ranges. This means a flat response headphone most accurately reproduces audio as it was originally recorded. Flat response headphones are typically preferred in the studio due to their high level of accuracy and detail, making them ideal for mixing and mastering tracks.

There is a difference between flat response headphones and balanced headphones. Balanced headphones have increased bass and treble frequencies which makes them perfect for listening to a wider range of music and audio formats. A balanced sound signature is slightly more lively than a flat sound signature while still offering high levels of accuracy and clarity.

How Can I Choose The Right Headphones For Me?

Consider your own listening preferences. If you’re someone who values deep, powerful bass then choose a pair of headphones that have been specifically tuned for this purpose.

The best way to decide what sound signature suits your listening preferences is to test out different pairs of headphones. If you know you love a neutral, accurate frequency response then a pair of headphones such as our M50x could be right for you whereas our ATH-CKS50TW truly wireless headphones are ideal for those who love the sound of deep, thumping bass.

The sound signature you prefer will often depend on the type of audio you typically listen to. Heavy metal fans, for example, will no doubt prefer a different sound signature compared to podcast enthusiasts where detailed vocal reproduction is key.

For more advice on choosing the right pair of headphones to suit your listening needs, bookmark our Newsroom.