Audio Glossary
Important terms and concepts to understand headphone calibration
Apple Headphone Accommodations
Apple feature that customizes sound for AirPods and compatible headphones users, amplifying specific frequencies to improve audio clarity.
Apple TrueDepth Adaptive EQ
Technology used in AirPods Pro and Max that adjusts audio in real-time based on the fit of the earbuds, using internal microphones to monitor sound and make automatic adjustments.
Audiodo Personal Sound
System that allows fine-tuning of audio based on individual hearing, creating a personalized profile after a detailed hearing test.
Audyssey MultEQ
Automatic calibration system for Denon and Marantz receivers that analyzes room acoustics and adjusts multiple parameters to optimize home theater sound.
Bass
Low frequencies (approximately 20Hz to 250Hz) that produce deep sounds like drums, bass guitar, and impact sounds.
Bose CustomTune
Bose technology that scans the user's ear canal and adjusts audio to optimize playback, considering each person's unique anatomy.
dB (Decibel)
Logarithmic unit used to express the ratio between two quantities, such as power or sound intensity.
Dirac HD Sound
Technology that adjusts headphone frequency response to improve clarity and spatiality, correcting imperfections in audio reproduction.
Dirac Live
Room correction software that optimizes sound before it leaves the speakers. It uses precise measurements to improve sound clarity and balance, eliminating unwanted resonances and time-aligning sound for a more immersive experience.
Dynamic Range
The difference between the softest and loudest sounds that can be reproduced without distortion.
EQ Preset
Predefined equalization setting optimized for certain music styles or preferences.
Equalizer
Tool that allows adjusting the volume of different frequency bands to customize the sound.
Frequency Response
Range of frequencies a headphone can reproduce, typically measured from 20Hz to 20kHz (the human audible spectrum).
Google Audio Tuning
System used in Pixel Buds that performs adaptive adjustment based on environment and fit of the earbuds, automatically optimizing audio as conditions change.
Hz (Hertz)
Unit of measurement for frequency, representing cycles per second. The higher the number, the higher the pitch of the sound.
Imaging
The accuracy with which headphones reproduce the location of sounds in the sound space.
Impedance
Measured in ohms (Ω), represents the electrical resistance of headphones. High impedance headphones typically need dedicated amplifiers.
In-ear
Headphones that are inserted into the ear canal, also known as earbuds or IEMs (In-Ear Monitors).
Mids
Middle frequencies (approximately 250Hz to 4kHz) where most instruments and vocals are perceived.
On-ear
Headphones that rest on the ears, more compact than over-ear, but with less sound isolation.
Over-ear
Headphones that completely surround the ears, offering better sound isolation and generally better sound quality.
Parametric EQ
Advanced type of equalizer that allows adjusting not only gain, but also bandwidth and center frequency.
Room EQ Wizard (REW)
A free software that measures and calibrates room acoustics and speakers. It works on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and offers a Pro version with multi-input capture.
Samsung Adapt Sound
Samsung technology that adjusts audio based on the user's hearing, personalizing the sound experience to compensate for specific hearing losses.
Sonos Trueplay
Sonos system that uses the smartphone's microphone to calibrate speaker sound according to room acoustics, optimizing playback for the specific space.
Sony 360 Reality Audio
Sony technology that uses photos of the user's ear to create an optimized spatial sound profile, providing a more immersive three-dimensional audio experience.
SoundID (Sonarworks)
Technology that creates personalized profiles based on a hearing test, adjusting sound to match individual preferences and compensate for hearing deficiencies.
SoundID Reference
Developed by Sonarworks, this technology calibrates headphones and speakers to provide accurate reference sound in studios. It's used by audio engineers, producers, and musicians to ensure music sounds good across different devices.
Soundstage
The spatial perception of sound, such as the ability to identify the position of instruments in a recording.
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
Measure of distortion introduced by headphones, the lower the value, the more faithful the reproduction.
Treble
High frequencies (approximately 4kHz to 20kHz) that produce bright sounds like cymbals, violins, and sound details.
Trinnov Audio
Known for its advanced sound calibration and optimization solutions, especially in home theater systems and professional installations.
Waves TRACT
Uses Smaart software to automatically correct EQ issues and time-align sound systems. It calculates a corrective EQ curve and makes time alignment adjustments to quickly tune any sound system.
YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer)
Yamaha technology that automatically adjusts receiver sound based on room acoustic characteristics, using a calibration microphone for precise measurements.