Audio review methodology is a complex and multifaceted field, where objective metrics such as frequency response (FR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and intermodulation distortion (IMD) are used to evaluate the performance of audio equipment. However, these measurements alone do not provide a complete picture of an audio product’s quality, as they do not take into account the subjective experience of listening to music or other audio content.
To address this limitation, audio reviewers often employ blind listening testswhere listeners are asked to evaluate the sound quality of different audio products without knowing which product they are listening to. This approach helps to minimize biases and ensures that the evaluation is based solely on the sound quality.
Setting up a rig for audio evaluation
To conduct a thorough audio evaluation, it is essential to set up a rig that includes a variety of audio equipment, such as amplifiers, speakers, and headphones. The rig should be designed to minimize signal degradation and ensure that the audio signal is transmitted accurately from the source to the listener’s ears.
A typical rig might include a digital audio player or a computer as the source, connected to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and then to an amplifier. The amplifier is then connected to a pair of speakers or a headphone amplifier and headphones. Each component in the rig should be carefully selected to ensure that it does not introduce any significant distortion or noise into the audio signal.
Translating lab graphs into actionable buyer insights
While measurements such as FR, THD, and IMD provide valuable information about an audio product’s performance, they can be difficult to interpret for non-technical buyers. To make these measurements more accessible, audio reviewers often use visual aids such as graphs and charts to illustrate the performance of different audio products.
For example, a graph showing the frequency response of a pair of speakers can help buyers understand how the speakers will sound with different types of music. A graph showing the THD of an amplifier can help buyers understand how much distortion the amplifier will introduce into the audio signal.
Combining measurements with blind listening tests
To provide a comprehensive evaluation of an audio product, audio reviewers often combine measurements with blind listening tests. This approach allows reviewers to evaluate the technical performance of the product, as well as its subjective sound quality.
By combining measurements with blind listening tests, audio reviewers can provide buyers with a more complete understanding of an audio product’s strengths and weaknesses. This information can be used to make informed purchasing decisions, and to ensure that the buyer selects an audio product that meets their needs and preferences.
