Posts

Headphones Test Sequence

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The purpose of this sequence is to test a stereo headphone. Both left and right earphones are measured simultaneously using a standard 1/12th Octave stepped-sine sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

The analysis is then performed using Listen’s HarmonicTrak™ algorithm that measures harmonic distortion and fundamental frequency response simultaneously. Then the diffuse-field and free-field corrected Fundamentals are calculated. The diffuse-field correction curve compensates for the overall frequency response from the diffuse-field (sound in every direction) to the eardrum and includes the effects of the head, torso, pinna, ear-canal and ear simulator. The free-field correction curve compensates for the overall frequency response from the free-field (sound at 0 degree incidence to the nose of the Head and Torso Simulator – HATS) to the eardrum.

Further post-processing of the signal compares left and right earphone responses to show the difference curve (magnitude and phase are available). The average sensitivity from 100 to 10 kHz for both left and right earphone is calculated and the total harmonic distortion displayed.

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End of Line Distortion Measurements

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Steve Temme discusses the importance of detecting manufacturing-induced defects such as Rub & Buzz and Loose Particles during end-of-line testing, and explains the various algorithms that are used. He compares conventional and perceptual metrics for the measurement of Rub & Buzz, including Listen’s new enhanced Perceptual Rub & Buzz algorithm, and discusses why it can be beneficial to use both conventional and perceptual measurements in tandem.

Full Article

The Future of Audio Measurements – SoundHub Denmark

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Weds May 25th, 8.30-12.30

Presenters: Steve Temme, Listen Inc.; Michael Trolle, VibrAkustik

Join us at SoundHub in Struer for a great day of presentations and discussion on the latest in audio measurement. The presentations will cover a variety of audio test topics including the end of line testing for improved efficiency and yield, measurement in real-world conditions, free-field measurements without a test chamber and more. There will also be consultation time when we are happy to answer your questions or discuss any aspect of audio test. This event is highly relevant for anyone needing to test audio products, both in R&D and production.

Schedule

8.30-9.00: Check-in, coffee & Welcome by VibrAkustik & Sound Hub Denmark (Michael Trolle and Rie Kold Pripsø)

9.00-9.30: Perceptual distortion measurements

9.30-10.00: Accurate measurement of headphones and hearing assistance devices under real world conditions

10.00-10.30: Coffee and discussion time

10.30-11.00: New features in SoundCheck version 20

11.00-11.30: Free-field speaker measurements without an anechoic chamber

11.30-12.30: Consultation time: Bring us your audio devices and your measurement challenges and we’ll discuss your measurement options and demonstrate how your devices can be measured

Note: there will be live demonstrations on all topics, and a display of hardware for a complete measurement chain including fixtures, measurement microphones and sensors, audio interfaces and turntable.

 

Detailed Content Information

Perceptual Distortion Measurements: Perceptual distortion measurements enable production line yield to be increased by rejecting only devices with audible Rub & Buzz defects rather than any distortion defects, and Listen’s new enhanced Perceptual Rub & Buzz (ePRB) algorithm is the first to perform even better than the human ear! Through proprietary noise reduction technology and advanced perceptual algorithms, its performance in a noisy factory environment is comparable to the performance of a trained listener under normal listening conditions. Learn more about the science behind this algorithm, see the results, and learn how to implement it in your end-of-line tests.

Accurate Headphone Measurements in Real World Conditions: In this demo-focused session, we will demonstrate how to accurately measure Headphones and Hearing Assistance Devices under real world conditions with real world signals such as speech and music. For example, we will demonstrate, in real time, how to adjust the headphone fit for a proper seal on the head and torso simulator and measure headphone ANC with real background noise with our Multi Signal Real Time Analyzer

New Features in SoundCheck: The newly released SoundCheck 20 is at the forefront of audio measurement with new features for multichannel and communications, increasing its capabilities for audio measurement of smart speakers, infotainment systems, headphones and hearables, and other voice-activated and multichannel devices. In this 30 minute session, we will demonstrate the new features and explain how they are used for testing a variety of audio products and applications.

Free-field Speaker Measurements without an anechoic chamber: Can’t afford or get time in an anechoic chamber? That’s not a problem if you have SoundCheck! In this practical session, we will demonstrate a method first developed by Listen president Steve Temme back in 1993, known as the ‘splice’ technique. This measurement technique is easy to configure and enables you to make highly accurate free-field measurements in an ordinary room, avoiding the expense of an anechoic chamber and enabling measurements in your home or office.

Registration is not available as this event has passed.

 

Headphone Measurement Basics

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耳机测试基础篇网络研讨会

Aug 5, 2020 at 10.00am (China time)

中国时间2020年8月5日星期三上午10点

 

在这个60分钟的在线研讨会中，声振环保仪器有限公司授权Listen公司的创始人兼总裁Steve Temme先生，与大家探讨耳机测试的基础知识。

Listen公司的SoundCheck电声测试系统广泛用于全球领先的原始设备制造商及其合约制造商的成千上万条生产线。虽然它可以用于测试各种各样的设备，包括扬声器、微型扬声器、耳机、耳麦、智能设备、手机等等，但本次研讨会将着重讨论耳机。

在这次在线研讨会中，Steve Temme先生将涵盖耳机测试的基础知识，包括：

  • 耳机的工作原理
  • 如何测试耳机（包括不同种类的耳机和声学耳模拟器）
  • 研发和产线测试的环境
  • 重要的测试如校正的频率响应、左右声道平衡度、失真等等。

 

In this 60 minute online seminar, S&V Samford presents Listen, Inc. founder and president, Steve Temme, discussing Headphone Measurement Basics.

Listen, Inc’s SoundCheck electroacoustic test system is used by the world’s leading OEMs and their contract manufacturers on thousands of production lines worldwide. Although it can be used for testing a wide range of devices including speakers, microspeakers, headphones, headsets, smart devices, cellphones and more, this seminar will focus on headphones.

In this online session, Steve Temme will cover the basics of headphone testing, including:

  • How a headphone works
  • How to measure headphones (including considerations for different types of headphones, and acoustic ear simulators)
  • R&D and production test environments
  • Important measurements such as corrected frequency response, left/right tracking, distortion etc.

View Recording

Viewers in China WATCH HERE

 

 

 

Practical Measurement of Bluetooth and Lightning Headphones

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Author: Daniel Knighten.  Reprinted from the July 2017 issue of Voice Coil.

In this article, Dan Knighten discusses how to overcome the challenges of measuring headphones with wireless and digital interfaces such as Bluetooth, Lightning and USB-C to make the same measurements as on conventional wired headphones.

Full Article

 

Headphone & Headset Measurements – Tokyo, Japan – March 9, 2018

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Presented by:

listen_gras_logos2

headphones

 

 

 

Due to popular demand, we are now holding our headphone testing seminar in Tokyo!

Learn about the latest in headphone test systems and methods from design to EOL Test. Industry experts Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.) and Peter Wulf-Andersen (G.R.A.S.), as well as guest speaker Dr. Sean Olive (Harman International) will discuss test equipment (ear couplers, test fixtures, test software and hardware) and demonstrate practical test setups for both R&D and QC headphone testing. It will cover in-ear monitors, Bluetooth, lightning/USB, noise-cancelling and high resolution headphones, in addition to conventional analog headphones. You can even measure your own headphone using our equipment in the hands-on session. Please see the full agenda below.

There is no charge for this one-day seminar. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP today.

Location and Dates:

Tokyo: Friday March 9th, 2018. Otemachi SUNSKY ROOM 27th floor, room #B  Asahi Seimei Otemachi Bldg. 2-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo.

 

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See what people are saying about this event (we presented similar last year in the US)

Agenda (10am-4pm)

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Headphone Test Systems and tools
    • Traditional tools vs. modern consumer demands
      • Introduction to head and ear related terminology and definitions.
      • Historical perspective and background for the tools and standards used today.
      • Limitations vs. Possibilities in term of the measurement capabilities. How does that relate to the modern challenges with Bluetooth and ANC related testing tasks?
    • Tools for Next Generation Headphone Testing
      • Solutions to some the challenges addressed above.
      • Examples based on products and measurements.
    • What about frequencies above 20kHz? Science or marketing? Measurement Consistency – Development vs. Production
      • Progress in measurements from Head and Torso Simulator (KEMAR) to Production Test Fixture (45CC – flat plate). How the different components affect the measurements:
    • Software and hardware for headphone testing including typical headphone measurements and test setups
  • Practical examples of headphone measurements on.
    • Analog Headphones
    • Bluetooth Headsets
    • ANC Headphones
    • Lightning/USB Connected Headphones (using triggered recordings)
    • Hi-Res Headphones
    • In-ear monitors
  • Measurements including:
    • Frequency Response relative to a target response
    • Left/Right tracking
    • Impedance
    • Noise attenuation
    • Distortion including Non-Coherent Distortion
    • Standards including Max SPL EN-50332 & IEC-60268-7
  • Headphone Design: Perception and Measurement of Headphones – What is the Preferred Target Response? (Guest Speaker: Dr. Sean Olive, Harman International)
  • Hands-on testing: Bring your own device and test it using one of our measurement setups

Reserve your space

Headphone & Headset Measurements – Seoul, Korea – March 6, 2018

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Presented by:

listen_gras_logos2

 

headphones
Due to popular demand, we are now holding our headphone testing seminar in Seoul!

Learn about the latest in headphone test systems and methods from design to EOL Test. Industry experts Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.) and Peter Wulf-Andersen (G.R.A.S.), as well as guest speakers Dr. Sean Olive (Harman International) and Prof. Lee (New Media Communication Joint Institute of Seoul National University) will discuss test equipment (ear couplers, test fixtures, test software and hardware) and demonstrate practical test setups for both R&D and QC headphone testing. It will cover in-ear monitors, Bluetooth, lightning/USB, noise-cancelling and high resolution headphones, in addition to conventional analog headphones. You can even measure your own headphone using our equipment in the hands-on session. Please see the full agenda below.

There is no charge for this one-day seminar. Space is limited, so please RSVP today.

Location and Dates:

Seoul: Tuesday March 6th, 2018. Korea National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

 

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See what people are saying about this event (we presented similar last year in the US)

Agenda (9am-4pm)

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Headphone Test Systems and tools
    • Traditional tools vs. modern consumer demands
      • Introduction to head and ear related terminology and definitions.
      • Historical perspective and background for the tools and standards used today.
      • Limitations vs. Possibilities in term of the measurement capabilities. How does that relate to the modern challenges with Bluetooth and ANC related testing tasks?
    • Tools for Next Generation Headphone Testing
      • Solutions to some the challenges addressed above.
      • Examples based on products and measurements.
    • What about frequencies above 20kHz? Science or marketing? Measurement Consistency – Development vs. Production
      • Progress in measurements from Head and Torso Simulator (KEMAR) to Production Test Fixture (45CC – flat plate). How the different components affect the measurements:
    • Software and hardware for headphone testing including typical headphone measurements and test setups
  • Practical examples of headphone measurements on.
    • Analog Headphones
    • Bluetooth Headsets
    • ANC Headphones
    • Lightning/USB Connected Headphones (using triggered recordings)
    • Hi-Res Headphones
    • In-ear monitors
  • Measurements including:
    • Frequency Response relative to a target response
    • Left/Right tracking
    • Impedance
    • Noise attenuation
    • Distortion including Non-Coherent Distortion
    • Standards including Max SPL EN-50332 & IEC-60268-7
  • Design & sound tuning of earphones  (Guest Speaker Prof. Lee, New Media Communication Joint Institute of Seoul National University)
  • Headphone Design: Perception and Measurement of Headphones – What is the Preferred Target Response? (Guest Speaker: Dr. Sean Olive, Harman International)
  • Hands-on testing: Bring your own device and test it using one of our measurement setups

Reserve your space

Headphone & Headset Measurements – Chicago and Boston Dates

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Presented by:

listen_gras_logos2

headphones

 

 

 

Due to popular demand, we are now holding our headphone testing seminar in Chicago and Boston!

Learn about the latest in headphone test systems and methods from design to EOL Test. Industry experts Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.) and Peter Wulf-Andersen (G.R.A.S.), as well as guest speaker Dr. Sean Olive (Harman International) will discuss test equipment (ear couplers, test fixtures, test software and hardware) and demonstrate practical test setups for both R&D and QC headphone testing. It will cover in-ear monitors, Bluetooth, lightning/USB, noise-cancelling and high resolution headphones, in addition to conventional analog headphones. You can even measure your own headphone using our equipment in the hands-on session. Please see the full agenda below.

There is no charge for this one-day seminar and lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP today.

Locations and Dates:

Chicago: Friday October 13th, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago Wood Dale-Elk Grove, 1200 N Mittel Blvd, Wood Dale, IL 60191

Boston: Monday October 16th, Hilton Garden Inn, 450 Totten Pond Rd, Waltham, MA 02451 NOTE: THIS VENUE HAS CHANGED. DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS SEMINAR WE HAVE HAD TO MOVE IT TO A LARGER VENUE. Note that this is 2 days before the start of the AES show in New York – a short flight or 3.5 hour train ride away. Consider combining this informative seminar with your AES travel!

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See what people are saying about this event (we presented similar earlier in the year on the West Coast)

Agenda (9am-4pm)

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Headphone Test Systems and tools
    • Traditional tools vs. modern consumer demands
      • Introduction to head and ear related terminology and definitions.
      • Historical perspective and background for the tools and standards used today.
      • Limitations vs. Possibilities in term of the measurement capabilities. How does that relate to the modern challenges with Bluetooth and ANC related testing tasks?
    • Tools for Next Generation Headphone Testing
      • Solutions to some the challenges addressed above.
      • Examples based on products and measurements.
    • What about frequencies above 20kHz? Science or marketing? Measurement Consistency – Development vs. Production
      • Progress in measurements from Head and Torso Simulator (KEMAR) to Production Test Fixture (45CC – flat plate). How the different components affect the measurements:
    • Software and hardware for headphone testing including typical headphone measurements and test setups
  • Practical examples of headphone measurements on.
    • Analog Headphones
    • Bluetooth Headsets
    • ANC Headphones
    • Lightning/USB Connected Headphones (using triggered recordings)
    • Hi-Res Headphones
    • In-ear monitors
  • Measurements including:
    • Frequency Response relative to a target response
    • Left/Right tracking
    • Impedance
    • Noise attenuation
    • Distortion including Non-Coherent Distortion
    • Standards including Max SPL EN-50332 & IEC-60268-7
  • Headphone Design: Perception and Measurement of Headphones –  What is the Preferred Target Response? (Guest Speaker: Dr. Sean Olive, Harman International)
  • Hands-on testing: Bring your own device and test it using one of our measurement setups

Reserve your space

SoundCheck ONE for headphone testing

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seq_SC-ONE_headphones_display_and_memory_listWe are excited to announce a new low-cost headphone test package – SoundCheck ONE for headphone testing (part # 1007). This includes SoundCheck ONE, a basic version of the SoundCheck software, along with AudioConnectTM, an audio interface with built-in headphone amplifier. Only a headphone coupler or test fixture and associated power supply is additionally needed to make up a complete headphone test system. The SoundCheck ONE headphone test sequence carries out all basic headphone measurements such as  frequency response, sensitivity, THD, Rub & Buzz, Perceptual Rub & Buzz, loose particles, polarity and channel balance. It can be easily customized and saved for specific products by turning individual measurements on and off, and by adjusting settings within each sequence step such as stimulus range and level, tolerance limits, graphical displays, and data saving. It is an excellent low-cost entry level system, ideal for those on a tight budget.

Please note that although the SoundCheck ONE Headphone test sequence cannot have steps added/removed or the layout modified, customers may upgrade to a SoundCheck package that supports this at any time in the future, should testing needs expand to require additional functionality. Listen can also offer the GRAS 45CC headphone test fixture along with a SoundConnect 2 power supply for a complete production line test system.

 

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Production line headphone test setup with SoundCheck ONE and the GRAS 45CC

For more information, please contact your Listen sales engineer: sales@listeninc.com

European Tour: Headphone & Headset Measurements

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The challenges of testing today’s devices

Presented by:

listen_gras_logos2

 

 

headphonesLearn about the latest in headphone test systems and methods from design to EOL Test. Industry experts Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.) and Peter Wulf-Andersen (G.R.A.S.), as well as guest speaker Chris Struck will discuss test equipment (ear couplers, test fixtures, test software and hardware) and demonstrate practical test setups for both R&D and QC headphone testing. It will cover in-ear monitors, Bluetooth, lightning/USB, noise-cancelling and high resolution headphones, in addition to conventional analog headphones. You can even measure your own headphone using our equipment in the hands-on session. Please see the full agenda below.

There is no charge for this one-day seminar and lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP today.

Locations and Dates:

UK: Monday May 15th, Sharnbrook Hotel, Bedford, England

Denmark: Thursday May 18th, G.R.A.S. Headquarters, Holte (near Copenhagen), Denmark

Germany: Friday May 19th, Maritim Airport Hotel, Hannover, Germany

Print

 

See what people are saying about this event (we recently presented it in the US)

Agenda (9am-4pm)

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Headphone Test Systems and tools
    • Traditional tools vs. modern consumer demands
      • Introduction to head and ear related terminology and definitions.
      • Historical perspective and background for the tools and standards used today.
      • Limitations vs. Possibilities in term of the measurement capabilities. How does that relate to the modern challenges with Bluetooth and ANC related testing tasks?
    • Tools for Next Generation Headphone Testing
      • Solutions to some the challenges addressed above.
      • Examples based on products and measurements.
    • What about frequencies above 20kHz? Science or marketing? Measurement Consistency – Development vs. Production
      • Progress in measurements from Head and Torso Simulator (KEMAR) to Production Test Fixture (45CC – flat plate). How the different components affect the measurements:
    • Software and hardware for headphone testing including typical headphone measurements and test setups
  • Practical examples of headphone measurements on.
    • Analog Headphones
    • Bluetooth Headsets
    • ANC Headphones
    • Lightning/USB Connected Headphones (using triggered recordings)
    • Hi-Res Headphones
    • In-ear monitors
  • Measurements including:
    • Frequency Response relative to a target response
    • Left/Right tracking
    • Impedance
    • Noise attenuation
    • Distortion including Non-Coherent Distortion
    • Standards including Max SPL EN-50332 & IEC-60268-7
  • Headphone Design (Guest Speaker Chris Struck, CJS Labs)
    • Desired headphone response
    • Headphone measurement standards
  • Hands-on testing: Bring your own device and test it using one of our measurement setups

Print

Reserve your space