1. A Frequency Response graph is not in any way an indication of good sound quality. Think of it as flavours, like in ice-cream. The FR is like the branding at the side of the tub telling you the flavour of the ice cream. It’s not going to tell you if it’s good ice cream, but at least you have a way of finding out if it’s the flavour you want.

2. Measurements in this database are done on a GRAS 43AG-7 and so conform to the standards laid out in IEC60318-7. This means that measurements in this database are directly compatible with target curves like KEMAR Diffuse-Field and the Harman Target, both of which are derived from GRAS rigs.

3. Flat on the graph DOES NOT MEAN flat in real life. The fact that headphones bypass the head necessitates higher SPL in the 2-5k regions as compensation (see: Diffuse Field, Head Related Transfer Function, Harman Target).

3.1. All headphone measurements are compensated to the “IEF Neutral” target curve by default. For additional target curves, the Graph Comparison Tool has them available.

4. Measurements are meant to complement subjective impressions, not form the basis for them. I get that certain people like to paint me as some sort of objectivehead figure where all I do is look at graphs and determine quality sorely off of said metrics. 99% of the headphones I’ve measured, I have listened to as well. If not for the graphs, one can also take this database as a list of headphones I’ve tried and auditioned, and the graphs simply being proof of it.

5. Unit variation is a thing. I do not control what demo units the companies provide to me or to their distributors (where I usually do measurements). If you find issues with my measurements, it can be any of the following:

a) Inconsistent manufacturing
b) Broken/malfunctioning units (in a way that is not immediately obvious)
c) Horrible channel matching
d) Measurement error (yes, I am human, I make mistakes sometimes)

6. The measurements are performed with the assumption of a “perfect seal”. Placements that results in abnormal rolloff are scrapped and re-done until a proper seal is achieved.

7. All headphones are measured stock unless otherwise stated. Any changes or modifications will be stated in the measurement entry itself (e.g. different pads, modifications etc.).