In-Ear Fidelity

Graph Comparison Tool

(For Headphones)

Built by Marshall Lochbaum

Looking to compare IEM graphs instead? Click here

Support me as a Silver tier ($10) Patron, register for a Headphone Grapher ($5.99) or a Pro Grapher ($8.99) subscription for access to the full functionality of the graph tool. 
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The setup

Setup: Laptop PC > Room EQ Wizard > Motu M2 audio interface > B&K 1704-C-102 CCP signal conditioner (USB bus power) > GRAS RA0402 pre-polarised “high resolution” IEC603318-4 coupler > GRAS KB5000/KB5001 artificial pinna (right and left respectively)

For further details, click here

*Note: All headphones are measured with stock pads unless otherwise stated.

DISCLAIMERS

 

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.).

GRAS 43AG-7 partly funded by:

Headphones.com
Soranik
Riveton Headphones & Goldvein Cables
Super* Review
Prisma Audio

Special thanks to >$50 contributors:

Hawaiibadboy
Jon Bokic
Alan Lin
Robert Taylor
Tareq Abou Samra
Denis Dmitriev
Jonathan Pelchat
Random Bot
Desert Scrub
rofflemywaffle
oSeven brother
Joe Curcio
Daniel Thomas
Wasley
Jakob Tsang
Jay Yang
Teddy Ong
Ian Maddela
Michael Giardina
Hardeep Singh
Michael George
Leneo
Edward Yap
KopaZ

James Nguyen
Brite