Headphone comparison

First of all, the question arises as to the differences between headphones. Which technical aspects can change or improve the subjective perception of sound in headphones? I would like to emphasize in advance that for my report I only dealt with over-ear headphones.

Typically, and somewhat simplified, headphones can be grouped into two different types: semi-open and closed headphones. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The terms "semi-open" and "open" refer to their transparency to the environment. Furthermore, one can differentiate between circumaural and supra-aural. Here, the terms refer to whether the headphone encloses the ear or leaves it uncovered at the sides, i.e., merely rests on the ear. For example, a headphone can be semi-open but circumaural, like the Audez’e LCD-2 model. With semi-open headphones, the earcup is permeable to the outside, which is why these models are usually made of more permeable materials. As a result, sound is not only directed towards the ear but also outwards. This design allows for higher transparency for the listener, and the sound becomes more spatial. Heat build-up and sweating can be reduced, which can significantly increase wearing comfort. However, external noises can also more easily reach the ear, which may be perceived as disturbing.

To counteract external noise, active noise cancellation was developed. This is based on anti-sound technology. A microphone on the outside records external noises and eliminates them with an admixed vibration. However, this technology is only found in higher price categories, and even there it is controversial. The plausible argument here is that the audio signal is interfered with and changed in some way.

The closed headphone is shielded to the outside, so the sound is only radiated towards the ear, and the outside world remains largely unaffected by your music taste. The damping here is naturally up to 500 Hz higher than with active noise cancellation. In the bass range, the higher transparency to the outside creates more pressure. However, since the design is more complicated due to the reflections that need to be considered, you have to dig deeper into your pocket for the same sound quality. Heat development and sweating occur much more easily with these models. This can be perceived as uncomfortable during prolonged wear.

There are also significant differences in the transducer principles. These are used to convert the electrical signal into sound pressure fluctuations. In total, there are up to six different variants. I will briefly mention four of them but will not go into the exact technical functionality.

Transducer Principles

One often hears that headphones are harmful to health because they can cause hearing damage. Anyone hoping that this danger is reduced with devices in higher price categories will be disappointed. Hearing damage does not occur due to poor sound or uncomfortable fit; it is a consequence of excessively high listening volumes. Thus, everyone is responsible for the health of their hearing; in this regard, it is in your own hands!

Now I come to my subjective assessment. One thing first: I am aware that everyone has a different, subjective perception. Your experiences may therefore differ from mine, and vice versa. So, at this point, I only want to share my personal experience report with you.

I listened to three price categories and definitely noticed differences.

These included more expensive models like the Audez’e LCD-2 or the HiFiMAN HE-6, which are in roughly the same price range, as well as more affordable models like the B&W P5 or the Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear, which are also in a similar price range, up to the Koss Porta Pro, which was the cheapest option in my test.

Headphones at a glance by price

The music I listened to included rap by the artist Casper, as I wanted to test the headphones with music I personally listen to more often. Furthermore, there were recordings of live performances by various jazz musicians and older rock pieces by artists unknown to me.

First, I will discuss the design, as it plays a role for me. Generally speaking, I preferred the design in the higher price categories and had the feeling that innovations were not stinted on in the design and/or a very noble impression was conveyed. In the mid-range price category, there were also models like the Sennheiser Momentum that stood out a bit, but the design concepts in this price category all seemed very similar or adapted to each other. Wearing comfort was given for all models, but I had to note that the expensive models I tested, such as the Hifiman HE 6 or the Audez’e LCD-2, are not suitable for portable use, as in my opinion, their size and weight make them impractical for everyday use. In addition, I personally do not want to carry around headphones worth 1000 to 2000 Euros.

Finally, I would like to come to the most crucial point, the sound.

In my everyday life, I mostly use in-ear headphones, as I am primarily concerned with volume, and sound takes a back seat. In this test, however, I paid particular attention to sound quality. I started with the Audez’e LCD-2.

I was immediately impressed by the clear sound, in which every instrument was clearly discernible and audible. Even at higher volumes, I found the sound reproduction pleasant and would describe it as warm or soft. Already here, a great spatiality could be recognized, which brought the music and the musician closer. One could lean back, and the feeling of a musical massage was emerging. I was particularly impressed by a live recorded jazz piece, where at the beginning I felt as if someone had entered the room, due to the enormously realistic spatiality. When I finally managed to detach myself from the headphones and took them off my head, I noticed how clearly the sound waves also radiated outwards.

I also liked the mid-range headphones, but it was noticeable how the sound lost realism and intimacy. However, I would assume that, once the direct comparison to the higher price range is no longer present, the sound would be equally impressive. The bass was still astonishingly good, and the efficiency was higher, which, however, led to some loss of spatiality.

In the lowest price range, it was clear that the sound was still relatively good for headphones primarily intended for portable use. The quality was no longer comparable to the upper price range. While before the sound at most volumes seemed very pleasant, I got the feeling that an attempt was made to compensate for unclean sound with higher efficiency. The differences were surprisingly easy for the ear to detect in direct comparison. My overall feeling when listening changed significantly. I felt like I was more taking in the music than enjoying it. I think for a piece of music that you like very much, it is sufficient for on the go, but when I listen to music for myself and in peace, I have the need to enjoy it and thereby get the feeling of getting closer to the artist's message if I can immerse myself in the piece.

My conclusion is: I am more than positively surprised by the enormous sound qualities headphones can offer and I am astonished by the complexity of the technology installed. After my test, I must conclude that headphones costing perhaps 1000 to 2000 Euros, while initially appearing expensive, are in my opinion worth the price, in the literal sense. Unlike loudspeakers, they offer a somewhat different, but also very comfortable way to experience and enjoy music. In my eyes, the higher-priced models are exclusively for home use, as in my opinion they are too unwieldy and too large for everyday use, and I consider the risk of loss or damage to such a valuable item to be too high. Since I only use headphones in everyday life, I would tend towards the mid-range price category for this purpose. Many models are well suited for portable use and offer relatively good to very good sound.

It is always advisable to get a (listening) impression yourself. As often mentioned here on the blog and elsewhere, most impressions are subjective and differ from person to person; nevertheless, I would not be surprised if you are as fascinated by the sound of headphones as I was.

Raoul Decker