The Archive

Measured headphones.

Real frequency-response measurements for the headphones people actually ask about — classics and references, measured on one rig and shown with their limits named. Land on one, see how it measures, and tune it to your taste in Attune. More get added as they’re measured.

Reference

Sennheiser HD 650

Warm-neutral, relaxed treble

Open-back over-ear300 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Sennheiser HD 600

Neutral, lightly forward

Open-back over-ear300 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Sennheiser HD 800

Vast stage, high detail, treble peak

Open-back over-ear300 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

AKG K701

Airy, analytical, lean bass

Open-back over-ear62 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Beyerdynamic DT 880 (600 Ω)

Neutral-bright, airy treble lift

Semi-open over-ear600 Ω
See the measurement →
Entry

Grado SR80

Bright, forward, punchy

On-ear open-back32 Ω
See the measurement →
Budget

Koss Porta Pro

Warm, bassy, fun

On-ear open-back60 Ω
See the measurement →
Studio

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

V-shaped, punchy, isolating

Closed-back over-ear38 Ω
See the measurement →
Entry IEM

Shure SE215

Warm, bassy, isolating

In-ear monitor17 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Audeze LCD-3

Warm, dense, smooth

Open-back planar110 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Audeze LCD-2 Rev 2

Warm, dark, thick bass

Open-back planar70 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Grado PS1000

Bright, energetic, big treble

Open-back over-ear32 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Denon AH-D7000

Warm, fun, deep bass

Closed-back over-ear25 Ω
See the measurement →
Luxury

Ultrasone Edition 8

Bright, bassy, S-Logic staging

Closed-back on-ear30 Ω
See the measurement →
Legendary

Sennheiser Orpheus HE-90

Effortless, refined, airy

Open-backElectrostatic
See the measurement →
Mid

Sennheiser HD 598

Warm, wide, easygoing

Open-back over-ear50 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Sennheiser HD 700

Detailed, energetic, treble bite

Open-back over-ear150 Ω
See the measurement →
Entry

Sennheiser HD 558

Warm, relaxed, open

Open-back over-ear50 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

AKG K702

Airy, analytical, lean bass

Open-back over-ear62 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

AKG K712

Airy, wide, more bass

Open-back over-ear62 Ω
See the measurement →
Studio

AKG K240

Neutral-warm, modest treble

Semi-open over-ear55 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Beyerdynamic DT 990 (600 Ω)

V-shaped, big bass and treble

Open-back over-ear600 Ω
See the measurement →
Studio

Beyerdynamic DT 770 (600 Ω)

Punchy bass, bright treble, isolating

Closed-back over-ear600 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Beyerdynamic T1 (Tesla)

Detailed, airy, treble lift

Semi-open over-ear600 Ω
See the measurement →
Budget

Grado SR60

Bright, forward, lively

On-ear open-back32 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Grado SR325

Bright, punchy, metal-bodied

On-ear open-back32 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Grado RS-1

Warm-bright, wood-bodied, lush

On-ear open-back32 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Audeze LCD-X

Full, punchy, more neutral

Open-back planar20 Ω
See the measurement →
Entry planar

HiFiMAN HE-400

Punchy bass, bright, planar slam

Open-back planar35 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference planar

HiFiMAN HE-500

Full, smooth, planar-neutral

Open-back planar38 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship planar

HiFiMAN HE-6

Neutral, fast, ruthless detail

Open-back planar50 Ω
See the measurement →
Studio

Sony MDR-7506

Bright, detailed, clinical

Closed-back over-ear63 Ω
See the measurement →
Studio classic

Sony MDR-V6

Bright, detailed, clinical

Closed-back over-ear63 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference

Denon AH-D2000

Fun, bassy, smooth

Closed-back over-ear25 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Denon AH-D5000

Warm, fun, deep bass

Closed-back over-ear25 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Fostex TH900

Huge bass, sparkly treble, dramatic

Closed-back over-ear25 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship IEM

Shure SE535

Warm, smooth, mid-forward

In-ear monitor36 Ω
See the measurement →
Flagship

Shure SRH1540

Balanced, airy-for-closed, light

Closed-back over-ear46 Ω
See the measurement →
Reference IEM

Etymotic ER-4S

Neutral, ruthless, deep insertion

In-ear monitor100 Ω
See the measurement →
Budget cult

Koss KSC75

Bright, airy, shockingly good

On-ear clip open60 Ω
See the measurement →

Hear these tuned to your taste.

Every measurement here is a starting point — Attune lets you audition a tuning on your own music and keep the one you'd pick with your eyes closed.

Sonic Temple

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