[Koolpep]

  So how does one go about testing the bass on headphones? 
 
I mean I can hear the bass. It's there, but how would I judge it?

 
Experience and knowledge. you can't rush that
 
Ok, so first you need a reference point. A headphone or speaker system that has a bass texture, punch, kick, attack, speed, impact (add more adjectives to describe bass here) that you like. Then listen for that particular part on a set of different headphones. How does this headphone render this particular bass part in a specific song you know inside out. Do you hear all the nuances that you know are there? Do you hear more, bloated, or less and thin bass?
 
I would recommend to read a small guide to "critical listening", just search here in this forum or on google for articles about it. However, in general, you should listen to the music and loose yourself in the music rather than listening for artifacts and technicalities of the medium you are listening with. But for finding out some specific qualities of a headphone, it's good to take back on enjoyment and listen to details.
 
Hope that helps,
K

 

[Silverwind]

 

  Hands down best bass I have heard on my LCD-2 was KOAN Sound - Wide Open.
 
 
 

Quote:

Mirininc,

Didn,t appreciate my Sony MDR-1RBT headphones until I listened to Koan Sound. Got goosebumps. Thanks.

 
I agree, an awesome demonstration by Koan Sound.  There was some real low low bass coming out of my Fidelio X1's, not to mention the full range of other sounds.
Check this out, KOAN has some free downloads on their website.
http://www.koansound.com/releases/free-ep/
 
Tracklist: 
1. Can You Hear Us
2. Wide Open
3. New Beginnings
 
They are all worth a listen.

 

[KlarkKentThe3rd]

I tell you what. Bass response must be neutral at best. Why? Because in certain tracks the bass line dictates the mood, and if you cannot hear it, your experience is ruined.
 
Try this track (it's from a videogame):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh-CNdUbhWo
 
If you can hear the bass part clearly, then your (°_°)phones are just fine.

 

[ieee754]

I like this song for testing subbass (especially part from 2:25):
 
 

 

[KlarkKentThe3rd]

  I like this song for testing subbass (especially part from 2:25):
 
 

I am not using any amplifier right now, and with 55ohm impedance I can still hear all the bass perfectly clear. Nice song too!

 

[mulder01]

I listened to this when auditioning some Audeze 'phones and it pretty much made my mind up for me about which I preferred almost immediately. A lot of people praise the LCD-3s for their bass response but I tried the LCD-X first and was really impressed how deep and low they go then tried the 3's straight after and it seemed like almost half of it was missing completely.  I didn't even get half way through this one song and had pretty much made up my mind.  Good for a comparison test IMO.
 
  

 

[mulder01]

  Don't know if it has been suggested already, but Lorde's new album "Pure Heroine" is very bass prounounced.  Have a go, you'll really test your cans.

I can back this up.  Really great clear sounding recording overall too.
I know it's been flogged to death on most radio stations everywhere, but the first time I heard "Royals" off the CD I was convinced the album version was different to the radio edit you get so much more of a satisfying listen when you hear it on a good system not just a crappy radio.

 

[Canadian411]

Lorde - 400 Lux
 
and
 
Belllasonus - Stand still
 

 
 
on TH900

 

[Canadian411]

By the way, OP, most bass in hiphop are artificial bass. If you really want to hear a quality bass you have to go with the classical cello.

 

[Silverwind]

  By the way, OP, most bass in hiphop are artificial bass. If you really want to hear a quality bass you have to go with the classical cello.

 
Good point, can you provide a sample?  Thanks!

 

[Canadian411]

   
Good point, can you provide a sample?  Thanks!

 
Try Classisical Treasure - Winter From the Four Season Largo Vivaldi. <-- great bass on LCD2.2 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Classical-Treasures-Vivaldi-Four-Seasons/dp/B000000LMK
 
or try,
 
04. Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson - The Cello Song

 

[Aero Dynamik]

My favourite track for testing sub bass (1:03):
 
 

 

[cb3723]

So how does one go about testing the bass on headphones? 

I mean I can hear the bass. It's there, but how would I judge it?

If you want to see a visual on bass SPL - then check this out


[VIDEO]http://youtu.be/j4YmvjwJW3M[/VIDEO]

[VIDEO]http://youtu.be/E9N27abzSf0[/VIDEO]

The bass/paper test unique to the extreme bass club thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/716711/the-best-bass-headphones-are-the-extreme-bass-club


Here's a couple of excellent sub bass tracks used to test cans bass with on extreme bass club thread


[VIDEO]http://youtu.be/hmP7TYtDVUU[/VIDEO]

[VIDEO]http://youtu.be/onuaE1LDUas[/VIDEO]

 

[Riza Hawkeye]

Some of the tracks I test bass on
 
 

 

 

 

[SolMan]

This thread was very useful for setting up my 15 year unused receiver as a head amp with great and surprising results.
 
It was one of those days with nothing to do and I was struck by the idea of resurrecting my Technics SA GX690 receiver as a head amp.  It had put in its service and was in retirement for the last 8 or 9 years in the attic.  If only it could talk, the stories it could tell.
 
At 90 watts per channel in stereo mode, certainly it could handle my W3000ANV's.  Took the RCA unbalanced output from my DAC and fed it into the CD input of the receiver.  Fired up some CDs and was amazed that the soundstage seemed to open up.  I pinned it to the higher resolution of the instruments.  But, it seemed the low end was lacking compared to the headphone output of the DAC.
 
Remembered this thread and headed here straight away.  Sure enough, the lack of lows was quickly revealed.  A little positive movement on the detente position of the bass adjustment pot on the receiver was all it took to get the same bass response for both the receiver and the DAC.  With this adjustment, everything was right.  Now, this is my go to head amp.
 
Tells me also that if you are going to test the bass response of your headphones, you better be sure the source you are driving them with has the bass to validate the test.