![]() There's a wide range of pro-level headphones to consider. And if you're looking for the most accurate sound signature you can afford, pro-level models are often your best bet. The term is somewhat misleading-headphones that are intended for studio musicians or mastering or mix engineers needn't be exclusively enjoyed by people in these professions. The words "pro" or "professional" appear in the names of plenty of headphones we review, and some earphones, too. Even with audiophile-level gear (actually, especially with audiophile gear), the right choice depends on your personal preference. Do you really want a flat response or would you like something close to it, but with a little more bass depth? These days, you have several options and those who thumb their noses at you if you choose to enjoy a little more bass depth are neither right nor wrong. It's something to keep in mind and be honest with yourself about. Several modern music genres also utilize digital (and some analog) instruments that can push bass to depths that were previously less common in mixes, now that more speakers and headphones can reproduce them more easily. Even the industry standard, almost clinically flat response Etymotic ER-series in-ears are offered in a slightly bass-boosted option. If I could point out one trend in headphones in the last decade or so, it would be the rise of bass response-even many high-fidelity, expensive headphones are offered with boosted bass variations now. But in recent years, the affordable stuff has also become increasingly more powerful, with the relatively newfound ability to produce tremendous bass depth. And there's the modern dilemma that faces some mix engineers: Do you mix for flat response-style speakers, or for speakers that have more bass depth (which are much more common among consumers)? It's always been standard for engineers to do the bulk of their work on high-quality flat response monitors, and then check their mixes on more affordable speakers and headphones. To some, a truly flat response can sound clinical. Think of flat response as the ideal, from which nearly every pair of headphones is going to deviate. Of course, the term is quixotic-if it were actually possible to achieve a perfectly flat response, we wouldn't have so many competing headphones and earphones claiming to offer it, while sounding slightly (or sometimes, dramatically) different from each other. This isn't a negative by any means flat response means accuracy, which is what most audiophiles are after. Flat response-style headphones are equipped with sound signatures that don't dramatically boost or cut various sub-ranges within the frequency range. Many people associate audiophile-level sound quality with a flat response. Let's take a look at the various concepts to consider if you're interested in buying headphones-or earphones-that prioritize accuracy over, say, mega bass or gym-friendliness.Ĥ ways you're using your headphones totally wrong - Clarification Please Ultimately, the headphones you choose should come down to personal taste-there is no empirical best, thank goodness, so there are multiple styles to check out. We've done our best to accommodate tight budgets, as well as throw in some of the top-shelf pairs if you're looking to splurge. Instead, we're looking at the most audiophile-friendly headphones and earphones we've reviewed here at PCMag, where most of the $5,000 price tags we see are on high-end gaming PCs. Let's start with the acknowledgment that the world of high-fidelity audio gear knows no limits, and you can easily cobble together a list of the best headphones available for $5,000 and up (search term: electrostatic headphones). You don't have to be the stereotypical sound snob to enjoy good audio, and if you're looking for quality headphones, what's wrong with understanding what makes them sound good? It just implies an air of exclusivity or snobbery, when what it's meant to imply is someone who takes high-fidelity audio seriously. Just using the word makes some of us cringe-or think of someone who makes us cringe. ![]() How to Set Up Two-Factor AuthenticationĪudiophile.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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