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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.8 update for Headphones! Read the R&D Article to learn more about our new direction. As we ramp up and retest products, expect delays in testing new and updating preexisting reviews. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!

  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Test Bench 1.2
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. Tests
    1. Design
    2. Sound
    3. Microphone
    4. Active Features
    5. Connectivity
  4. Usage ratings
  5. Completed Updates
  6. Comments

Test Bench 1.2
Changelog

Updated

See the previous 1.1 changelog.

See the next 1.3 changelog.

Tests

Design

  • Added "Truly Wireless" to the Wireless types.
  • Added Channel Mixing to Controls.

Sound

  • Soundstage overhaul: PRTF Error replaced by PRTF Accuracy, PRTF Size, and PRTF Distance. Scoring weights updated.
  • Imaging overhaul: Phase Error replaced by Weighted Group Delay. A perceptual filter added to the mismatch calculations. Scoring weights updated.
  • Soundstage weight reduced from 21% of the overall Sound to 20%.
  • Imaging weight increased from 5% of the overall Sound to 9%.
  • Total Harmonic Distortion weight reduced from 10% to 6%.

Microphone

  • Added playback to Recording Quality and Noise Handling.

Active Features

  • Moved Bluetooth type to Connectivity.
  • Moved Latency to Connectivity.
  • In Battery, replaced Auto-Off with Power Saving Feature.

Connectivity

  • Added a new category: Connectivity.
  • Added test for Bluetooth Connectivity.
  • Added Bluetooth Version, Multi-Device Pairing, NFC, and Console Compatibility.
  • Added test for Wired Connectivity.
  • Added Connection Type and Console Compatibility for Audio and Microphone.
  • Added test for Dock/Base Station Connectivity.
  • Added input/output types, Optical Input, Line In, USB Input, RCA Input, and Line Out.
  • Added test for console and PC compatibility.
  • Added power supply and dock charging.

Usage ratings

  • Added the Gaming rating to the Mixed Usage rating.
  • Updated Mixed Usage, Sports/Fitness, Commute/Travel, Office, Home Theater, and Gaming ratings.
  • Added Microphone to Commute/Travel and Office usage ratings.
  • Added Connectivity to Office, Home Theater, and Gaming usage ratings.

166 Headphones Updated

We have retested popular models. The test results for the following models have been converted to the new testing methodology. However, the text might be inconsistent with the new results.