mikesale
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2014
- Posts
- 178
- Likes
- 38
At the last Canjam in Denver I compared a pair of HD650s on Balanced vs Unbalanced cables... there was a clearly discernible difference, but to my ears it could have been loudness, or clarity.
When comparing any two sets of headphones I would like to know the actual details on "how" to setup, measure and set levels so that I'm listening at the same "volume" when comparing sets.
I've done 4-6 hours of reading and research trying to get to the actual "how" without enough detail. Could be that I suck at search, could be that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. Most efforts seem to have other goals (e.g. protecting hearing).
Where I am today: I have an iPhone meter app and would be willing to purchase an inexpensive SPL meter or mic for the iPhone to measure, here are the core propositions and questions:
Here's what I think I already know:
Here's what I think I don't know how to do:
I'm not looking to publish a paper or spend $100s, I'm looking to compare headphones to both train my ears further and make better purchasing decisions. Ideally I'd love to have something quick and portable that I could take to local meet-ups and vendor shows.
When comparing any two sets of headphones I would like to know the actual details on "how" to setup, measure and set levels so that I'm listening at the same "volume" when comparing sets.
I've done 4-6 hours of reading and research trying to get to the actual "how" without enough detail. Could be that I suck at search, could be that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. Most efforts seem to have other goals (e.g. protecting hearing).
Where I am today: I have an iPhone meter app and would be willing to purchase an inexpensive SPL meter or mic for the iPhone to measure, here are the core propositions and questions:
Here's what I think I already know:
- Generate a tone (or two?) through the headphone and measure it with SPL meter with headphone #1 & #2 and note the amp volume knob location
- Please do correct me if I'm wrong here
Here's what I think I don't know how to do:
- Set the meter configuration (A, C, slow, fast, range, etc.)
- What tones to use? (associated with meter configuration)
- Can I just use my audition music sample and capture peak?
- How to move the volume back and forth accurately enough for me (basic testing shows I can tell 1db differences 100% of the time, but 0.5db about 65%)
- Simple visual marker like a post-it strip?
- Always have to measure when switching?
- How to align the meter/microphone to the headphone cup?
I'm not looking to publish a paper or spend $100s, I'm looking to compare headphones to both train my ears further and make better purchasing decisions. Ideally I'd love to have something quick and portable that I could take to local meet-ups and vendor shows.