What does this mean? (graph)

[Ctn]

HD580 = red
HD590 = blue
HD600 = green

[Joe Bloggs]

There are any number of things you can read off that graph--can you be more specific about what you're looking for?

[Ctn]

Im not sure...I guess the type of sound.

People say the 580 is alot like the 600.

On the graph, It looks like the 590 is closer to the 600 than the 580 is, but the wave of the 580 is alot like the 600 just shifted.

Does the 580 being shifted up more mean that the 580 is more upfront than the 590 or 600?

Does the graph show that the 580 is brighter than the 590/600?

Im just not sure what to make of it

Im just want to compare the low end, midrange, treble and neutrality of these phones.

Thanks for replying

[Joe Bloggs]

OK, a few basic points:

You should look at the similarity of the shape of the curve. The HD580 curve being placed above the rest is probably just a measurement error. In reality the HD580 and 600 should be at about the same volume when set at the same volume on a current-driving amp, while the 590 would be significantly louder because of its lower impedance.

Heh... descriptors like 'up front', 'laid back', 'bright', 'dark' refer to the emphasis of the different frequencies *relative to other frequencies*. Up-front sound usually consists of an emphasized midrange while bright sound consists of an emphasized lower to mid treble. From the it would look like the HD580 has less bass and so vocals may be more 'up front', but the two curves vary so little (if you superimpose them) that you can't really read anything into it. It may easily be due to measurement error.

In the graph you can see that the 590 has got both more bass and treble than the 600, meaning that it will be both 'brighter' and more 'laid-back' at the same time I think it would make more sense if I say that vocals are more likely to be overpowered by kick drums and cymbals on the 590...

[Ctn]

Kewl I got it

I thought up front meant how close u feel to the stage (not soundstage) opps...

actually looking at the graphs

The 580 looks more similar to the 590 than the 600 except the 590 has a rolled off top end?
Can you confirm?

[Joe Bloggs]

I tried to match the 580 curve over the 590 and 600 curves. You can see the results in the attachment.

The results? The 580 looks to have less bass than both 590 and 600. Measuring error? Sampling differences?

The midrange and treble response of the 580 and 600 are roughly the same. The major deviation is in the >10kHz range, with the 580 having more energy than the 600.

The 590 has more energy than either 580 or 600 from ~2500Hz to ~15000Hz--definitely brighter. But yes there is a rolloff at the extreme treble, which you probably won't be able to hear anyway unless you have very young / good ears

[Dusty Chalk]

Originally posted by Joe Bloggs
In the graph you can see that the 590 has got both more bass and treble than the 600, meaning that it will be both 'brighter' and more 'laid-back' at the same time...

Uh...no. More bass and treble at the same time results in a more "hyped" presentation. Oftentimes, receiver had a "loudness" button, that was intended to make the sound "sound louder" at quieter volumes. That's what "hyped" means.

[Tim D]

Headrooms normalized smooth graphs do a terrific job of highlighting treble differences.

I however feel that it does a horrible job of differentiating midrange performance (which you can see in non-normalized graphs). I also feel that bass is skewed, however like the treble, it certiainly does give indications as to relative bass extension. It just does a horrible job of showing midbass performance and traits. It certainly is one of the best quick and dirty ways to compare headphones...and certainly requires less analysis on your part than comparing the non-normalized graphs.

The sampled waveforms are probably the best things they have as well as impedance measurements. They really let you know things like transient response, detail, smoothness...

[Ctn]

Thanks for you input guys
I see now.

Now from the looks of these graphs, I think I know that:

* midrange is hard to say with this graphs
* 590 is similar to 600 in the low end but has more extension
* 590 is brighter with 2 rolloff dips in the higher frequencies past 2khz with a rolloff at the extreme
* the 590 is pretty the the same as the 600 till 2khz
* All 3 phones has a dip at 7khz but the 590 dont dip as much
* Its supprising to see that the 580 and 600 differ alot past 10khz as past 10khz the 580 is more like the 590.

Conclusion:

It looks like Senn hasnt perfected the headphone yet
That would be the 590 till 2kz then the 600 from then on
But overall the 590 has a pretty good curve, so does the 580.

Now I understand why I like to swtich between the 580/590 for different types of music.