HI-RES AUDIO QUALIFIED HEADPHONE

1. What is Hi-res Headphone?

By definition: Headphones that do not meet the Hi-Res standard can only perform the sound range from 20Hz to 20kHz or less. That is also the range of frequencies that standard CD tracks can hold and be heard by the human ear (some people can hear more or less of this range).

However, a Hi-Res Audio headset needs to do more than that. By standard, they can completely emit sound at frequencies lower than 20Hz and higher than 20kHz that will often be ignored in conventional headphone models.

Sony claims that its “40mm HD driver” design can reproduce sound at frequencies up to 60kHz.

This standard is set because Hi-Res music must save audio information at frequencies higher than 20kHz on CDs. Thus, headphones that do not meet Hi-Res standards will be difficult to promote the ability of Hi-res music.

For Hi-Res Audio headset models, their mandatory standard is to reproduce frequencies from 40kHz or more. Many ear models from big names such as Sony, Onkyo, RHA, etc. … have sound sensitivity from 3-4Hz to more than 40kHz.

2. Are all Hi-res headphones good?

By setting a new standard, it is invisible that headphone manufacturers make people understand that headphones must meet the Hi-Res standard to produce good sound. That is not entirely true.

Firstly, not all headphone manufacturers are interested in this standard. Many previous headphones also have a very wide frequency response but do not wait until this standard is released to improve the product. It means that the headphones are good; it doesn’t matter whether they are labeled Hi-Res Audio or not.

Second, many manufacturers are annoyed with standards because not every product that wants to attach Hi-Res Audio must also send products to the RIAA in the US or the Japanese alliance group, which takes time and costs them money which sometimes does not bring significant benefits.

Third, Hi-Res Audio is merely a name for a conceptual standard, not making headphones play better music.

3. Do you need to care about Hi-Res Audio headphones or not?

Many people will wonder that headphones that meet Hi-Res Audio standards are better, but reality has proven that the feeling of the ears determines that.

Audiophiles and audiophiles, in general, have long had a better term than “Hi-Res” to talk about the quality of good headphones/speakers, which is “details.” The more advanced the headphones, the more detailed they are, the clearer the notes are. Listeners through that will feel the music more alive, closer to the feeling of “live.” Detail is considered one of the very important criteria when reviewing headphones, besides basic factors such as bass/treble/mid, soundstage.