Any Definitive Way to Test Headphones for Proper Balance?

philbobilbo

philbobilbo

New Member
I'm beginning to wonder if I have hearing issues in my left ear, but lately, when listening to headphones, I'm noticing what seems to be an imbalance with my headphones, specifically the left channel. Note I've tried my old trusty Sony MDR-V6 cans and a new pair of SR80e, but I'm noticing this in both pair.

This is regardless of source; I've tried them on 4 different receivers/integrated amps/headphone amps and all seem the same. The left channel seems slightly out or "missing".

My question is this; is there any way to test a pair of headphones to see if they are properly balanced, like say with a DVM or oscilloscope, etc.? Again, it's possible I'm having left ear hearing issues, but something tells me both these pair of headphones are somewhat defective, and I'd like to test them to find out.

Sidenote: the SR80e can't hold a candle to my old V6 pair. I realize the low and high end are "tweaked" on the V6, but they sound light years better than the Grados. I had a Grado pair once that died via "grattle"; can't remember which ones they were (125, 150?). Liked them, so I thought I'd give Grado another shot. Unless it takes time for them to break in, I'd call 'em "meh". They sound like they're 1,000 miles away from your ears when listening comfortably; when turned up, they sonically hurt my auditory senses.
 
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philbobilbo said:
My question is this; is there any way to test a pair of headphones to see if they are properly balanced
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Same answer for any speaker - play a mono source or switch to mono mode if your preamp supports that functionality. Image should be centered.
 
Yep, I get those ideas, folks, but what I'm referring to is some kind of actual test with some kind of a meter that would give me numbers to prove either the headphones or my ears are at fault. When listening as mentioned, I simply can't tell. Example: first tried playing Herb Alpert's "Whipped Cream..." album (mono, vinyl) and thought I was noticing a slight difference with swapping headphone ears, but couldn't really tell. Tried Blackfoot Strikes! and "Highway Song" (stereo, vinyl) and it appears there is a diff when swapping, but mostly for the Sony pair. Can't tell if there's a diff with the Grados, although something doesn't seem quite right. Ergo my wish to put some "numbers" to my testing to find out.
 
How much are you willing to spend?

Some headphone testers are getting those makeshift skull testers, but they are $500+ and aren't super accurate and you still need to get a very good seal to even be in the ballpark.

With a traditional mic type setup, measuring from a fraction of a millimeter different distance from the driver or a couple degrees off axis would yield completely useless tesults.

If you can't quite tell if one is louder when listening to a mono signal with the headphones first on the correct orientation then reversed, it would probably be cheaper to get new headphones AND get your hearing tested.

I definitely understand the desire to do your own testing, but I think it will be very expensive.
 
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Your own hearing is the primary concern here. I would recommend getting a hearing test to establish a baseline, if you haven't done this already. That way, any potential hearing losses over time can be detected/monitored.
 
If you have $200 to spend, I would try one of these : Minidsp EARS. It should be able to show in REW if there is a difference in your headphones from left to right and show the results in REW. Then, if it turns out to be a hearing loss issue in one (or both) ear you could get a hearing test that shows the weak frequencies and use REW to compensate for the losses with Peq's
 
And with that MiniDSP, you still need a proper seal and the center of the driver needs to be very properly aligned or you will still be several dB off in the mids and highs vs a more proper alignment.
 
cratz2 said:
And with that MiniDSP, you still need a proper seal and the center of the driver needs to be very properly aligned or you will still be several dB off in the mids and highs vs a more proper alignment.
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And that "proper alignment" is just as critical to our own head too!
Guess I don't understand your point. Is it extreme accuracy or just a fairly good indicator he would be after? If money is not a object then by all means buy the expensive headphone test gear. But if he is just wanting to test a phone, hp amp etc for balance I think this rig would work just fine. Of course I would run many tests, and adjust for seal, alignment etc and monitor change from left to right, and after some experimentation maybe even use REW to average the results. Then if he wanted to take it further and use a hearing test to "eq" his ears, he could play with that, and then listen for a while allowing his own ears to decide on if more change is required.
 
Definitely. That's why headphone preference is SO personal. Physiology of your ears and placement on your particular ears can have a radical difference in overall sound quality
 
cratz2 said:
Definitely. That's why headphone preference is SO personal. Physiology of your ears and placement on your particular ears can have a radical difference in overall sound quality
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Yes I know, but for the op wanting a definitive way to test it his output to each earphone, I don't know of any of other way to do that than with either some sort of mic placement or by the suggested listening for a centered sound while playing a mono source. The former can distinguish deficiencies between frequencies, the latter probably can't.

The only real way to get mics close to mimicking the ear canal anatomy is with some form of artificial head. I'm sure some experimentation would be necessary to get an accurate representation such as alignment, proper pressure, cup seal etc. But the tool is there, with calibrated mics, and free software (REW) for a fairly reasonable price, depending on budget for headphones to begin with.

At some point this year I'm planning to buy the EARS contraption, so will report back on my progress, or lack thereof.
 
I appreciate the comments and the ideas herein; thanks to everyone to participating! My initial query basically was simply wondering whether some kind of test with a voltmeter or oscilloscope would be something "definitive" to say that yes, one channel is weaker than the other, or working properly, etc.

It will appear as though I'm equipment "name-dropping", but just so you know, I've tried both headsets on the following equipment, with pretty much the same result (save for a new development I'll explain below):

Dynaco PAT-4
PAT-4 with Schiit Magni 3
Pioneer QX8000
MCS 3226
Yamaha A-S301

I did so to eliminate the idea that it was the listening equipment, not the headphones. Weird.

Even weirder, last night and today when listening with the PAT-4 only, things sounded fairly normal/in balance using the Sony cans. However, occasionally I would hear a slight "warble" in the left ear, where it would sound like part of the signal disappeared, then it would return.

One final note. Yes, I was tested about 15 years ago and there was a hearing loss in my left ear, but it was noted by the audiologist it was in the hearing range of speaking human voice. She surmised I had trouble hearing someone talk to me in crowds or with lots of background noise present, which was true. Now, if you think that puts a bow on this whole discussion, I'd disagree. Why? Because it's never really affected my hearing when listening to music with headphones in the past. Perhaps though I am having issues; I would agree having a hearing test would be a good idea.

With all that said, I like the cheaper solution to test the headphones. Alobar, what do you mean by REW; simply "rewind"? I don't follow.
 
philbobilbo said:
Alobar, what do you mean by REW; simply "rewind"? I don't follow.
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Hi, sorry I didn't explain REW, it stands for Room EQ Wizard and it is software that is used with a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to modify a frequency response to compensate for shortcomings in the room, speakers, or both, and even the listeners hearing.

Using the EARS headphone measurement device the "room" becomes the space between the phone drivers and the listeners ear. This is just another way to use this very versatile (and free!) software. It should tell you what you need to know about your headphone, and offers a way to correct your hearing (if needed) without hearing aids.
Room EQ Wizard
 
philbobilbo said:
Yep, I get those ideas, folks, but what I'm referring to is some kind of actual test with some kind of a meter that would give me numbers to prove either the headphones or my ears are at fault.
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If you are unable to sense directional partiality with a mono source, they why worry?
 
What imral suggested in post three would help you ascertain whether it's your hearing or the hardware.

If, when reversing the headphones, the problem remains in the same ear, then it's time to see an audiologist.
 
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