How to Test the Frequency Range of Headphones

Headphones can also keep outside sounds from interrupting the audio.

Listening to music and other sounds with headphones is completely different than listening to audio on speakers, whether they are pair of generic laptop speakers or a set of professional monitors. Headphones not only interpret signals differently, but also have different designs that allow the audio to originate from different places around your ears. While testing the entire frequency response of headphones can be a long process, testing the range is quite simple because you only need to deal with the high and low ends of the audio spectrum.

Things You'll Need

• Frequencies
• Computer

Instructions

1. Connect your headphones to the computer. Download a frequency tester for high and low frequencies online or open a music-editing program, such as Ableton, Reason, Pro Tools or Logic, if you have one.

2. Load the 100 hz frequency if you downloaded various frequencis or load low-frequency instruments such as a bass guitar or bass synthesizer into your program.

3. Use an equalizer to remove frequencies higher than 100 hz if using a software progam. Gradually decrease the frequency range of the samples until you hear nothing. Your lowest frequency will be before you reach 20 hz, the lowest frequency that can be heard by human ears.

4. Load frequencies that are 12 khz, or 12,000 hz. Your software programs may or may not have synthesizers with standard frequencies that are high enough, so you may have to pitch-shift or bend them to their highest settings.

5. Use an equalizer to cut out all lower frequencies if you are using your music-editing program. Gradually play higher frequencies until sound disappears. Your highest frequency will come before 20 khz, the highest audible frequency to humans.

6. Write down the highest and lowest frequencies, and these frequencies plus everything in between is your range. Thus, if your lowest audible frequency is 20 hz and the highest is 20 khz, which is 20,000 hz, your range is the entire audio spectrum. In musical terms, you would say the range is from 20 hz to 20 khz; in mathematical terms, it is 19,981 hz.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you have software programs, downloading specific frequencies, such as those in a sine tester, is much easier and more direct and accurate.

• You will hear low frequencies better with in-ear headphones.

• There are also programs available to test which frequencies are the strongest, or loudest, in your particular pair of headphones.

References

• Northwestern University: Judging Headphones for Accuracy; Chu Moy; 2001
• Tested: How to Test and Tweak Your Headphones or Earbuds; Matt Braga; July 2010