OK, I’ve officially fallen down the sound signature rabbit hole—and loving every minute of it.
A new buddy casually mentioned that
his sound preferences have changed over time, and I thought, “Wait… what? That’s a thing?” So naturally, I went straight to ChatGPT to investigate.
And wow—look at what it gave me. This is
fascinating! I asked the question is sound signature preferences change with age . Here is the answer with some editing
Yes, it often does—and for a few interesting reasons:
Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis):
- As people age, they gradually lose sensitivity to higher frequencies (often starting as early as their 30s or 40s).
- This can make brighter or more analytical sound signatures (with strong treble) feel harsh or pointless because those high frequencies aren’t perceived as well.
- Conversely, warmer, bass-forward, or midrange-rich signatures often become more appealing.
Comfort and Fatigue Sensitivity:
- Older listeners may find highly detailed, sharp, or "fatiguing" sound signatures less pleasant over long listening sessions.
- They often prefer smoother, more relaxed tuning with less emphasis on sharp treble peaks.
Lifestyle and Listening Habits Change
- Younger people may favor more energetic V-shaped tunings (boosted bass and treble) for genres like pop, EDM, and hip-hop.
- As people age, they often lean toward balanced or warm-neutral signatures that handle vocals, jazz, acoustic, and classical music more gracefully.
Perception of Value Shifts:
- There's often a transition from "I want loud and exciting" to "I want rich, natural, and non-fatiguing."
- This is part physiological and part psychological—a more refined taste develops alongside changes in hearing.
In the earbud world, this is why some brands target specific demographics with their tuning. A Beoplay or Sennheiser often appeals to more mature listeners, while something like a Beats or Sony XB series goes after younger audiences.
Ages 18–30: High-Energy Sound for Modern Genres
- Sound Signature: V-shaped tuning with emphasized bass and treble for an energetic, punchy experience.
- Genres: Pop, EDM, Hip-Hop, Rock
Top Picks:
- Beats Fit Pro: Big bass, secure fit—basically, the gym’s unofficial sound system.
- Sony WF-1000XM5: Custom EQ lets you crank up the fun; great for bass drops and bright treble.
- Nothing Ear (2): Crisp highs, edgy design—basically TikTok in earbud form.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: Balanced but lively; a solid daily driver for modern playlists.
- Noble FoKus Rex5: Absolute bass monster with personality—your EDM and hip-hop best friend.
- Devialet Gemini 2: Audiophile-grade energy—clean bass slam with sparkling highs, wrapped in luxury.
Ages 30–45: Balanced and Versatile Listening
- Sound Signature: Balanced or slight U-shaped; clarity meets enough low-end to keep things interesting.
- Genres: Indie, R&B, Podcasts, Acoustic
Top Picks:
- Apple AirPods Pro 2: The easygoing all-rounder—balanced sound and brainless ecosystem magic.
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Smooth, detailed mids—vocals and instrumentals sound chef’s kiss.
- B&O Beoplay EX: Polished, elegant sound with just enough warmth to feel luxurious.
- Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2: Rich, full sound that feels like slipping into a leather armchair.
- Technics EAH-AZ100: High-res clarity with smooth mids—perfect for everything from chill playlists to podcasts.
Ages 45+: Warm and Comfortable Sound for Extended Listening
- Sound Signature: Warm-neutral or mid-centric; easy on the ears, made for all-day enjoyment.
- Genres: Jazz, Classical, Singer-Songwriter, Classic Rock
Top Picks:
- B&O Beoplay EX / Beoplay 11: Lush, warm, and smooth—like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket of sound.
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: Natural, rich mids with a relaxed presentation that’s easy to love.
- Noble FoKus Mystique: The ultimate in cozy luxury—smooth, premium, and perfect for long listening sessions.
- Final ZE8000 MK2: Tailor-made for calm, intricate acoustic and classical tracks—relaxed but beautifully detailed.
- Noble FoKus Rex5: Surprisingly adaptable—warm and rich when you want it, but still able to bring the rumble.
This isn’t
strictly age-based—some younger listeners love warm, smooth tunings, and some older audiophiles still chase treble sparkle. But generally, this progression reflects how hearing, lifestyle, and music preferences evolved.
So, what is interesting is that three years ago, my fave TWS was the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 and the AZ 80's. Now, I'm up to the Beoplays and Rex5. and guess what, I turned 45 this past year. Go figure.
Try them with LDAC+UAPP, there are no volume issues at all. I usually listen to them at 80 to 90 percent.
