Midrange
The track is built on the midrange, where voices, guitars and pianos sit. Listen for whether it sounds full or pushed back.
Sound effects
Prepared sounds that test one thing at a time.
Start at a moderate volume.
- 00:00 / 00:15
Note frequency, Hz
- 00:00 / 00:15
Midrange test with music
The midrange, about 250 Hz to 4 kHz, carries voices, guitars and piano. The track and the two sound effects check how headphones play it.
Mid steps plays five equally loud notes at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. Hearing is most sensitive around 2 to 4 kHz, so the upper notes sound louder even on headphones with a flat midrange. Compare two pairs on this test: a note that is quieter on one pair shows a dip in its midrange.
Vowel run plays a synthesized voice singing five vowels. Each vowel should sound clearly different. When they sound alike, the headphones blur the midrange.