Inside Headphones with Yuri Shulman, Shure Engineer

With a wide variety of headphones to choose from, we find that many users are looking for guidance to help them select the right headphone for their application. Shure's product line has expanded to eight different models – some open back, some closed back, and a couple of models for DJs. What practical information could we offer in helping our readers make the best choice? We like to explode myths – were there any here?

We decided to get the scoop from Principal Engineer Yuri Shulman, the 32–year veteran of Shure who led the development of this growing product line. We chatted about sound signatures, frequency response and even touched (very lightly) on the science of psychoacoustics.
 

Shure What can you tell us about frequency response? Isn't there a sense that a flat frequency response is preferable to a more shaped sound?

Yuri Shulman Frequency response has a strong effect on perceived timbral quality and is therefore an essential component of high-quality headphone design.  The issue goes back to the loudspeaker industry where the flat response (when a speakers' acoustic output stays the same for every frequency) is usually preferred. However, there is a major difference between acoustic measurements made on loudspeakers and headphones.

While a loudspeaker frequency response can be evaluated in free-field conditions, the headphone has to be coupled to the ear if a frequency response measurement representative of what listeners perceive is intended. This requirement implies that the ear must be included in the measurement system.

Several methods have been used to take the ear into account. These include the perceptual loudness comparison as well as instrumental measurements made with artificial ears and couplers.  In the headphone measurement technique described above, the resulting frequency response includes the filtering effect of the listener's ear, and therefore the reference of a flat frequency response does not apply anymore in this context.  Instead, the target headphone response is designed to provide a 'natural' listening experience, similar to one received while listening with flat loudspeakers in the "sweet" spot in the room.

Many of our headphones are designed to be perceived as flat. They deliver naturally balanced, non-equalized sound. Of course, there are special user situations when deviation from a flat perceived frequency response is desired.

Shure So, the actual differences in the structure of a listener's ear have an impact on user's preferences?

Yuri Shulman It's difficult to design something that will sound perfect to everyone – in fact, it's impossible, and yes, that's based, in part, on the actual physical characteristics of the listener's ear. When designing Shure headphones, we use industry standard ear simulators which represent an average human ear. Its physical characteristics are based on many thousands of ears carefully measured. There are, however, significant variations from this standard ear for some individuals.  In addition, personal taste is also a factor in user's preferences.

Shure When is a flat response preferred?

Yuri Shulman Someone who is recording or mixing needs to hear every component in the sound spectrum with full resolution and high timbral accuracy, so it's important to have a tool that's neutral in character.  Our headphones like the SRH940 and SRH1840, which are professional headphones for critical listening, monitoring, mixing and mastering, allow professional users to catch the smallest detail possible, they are designed for the greatest accuracy.

Shure When would a shaped response headphone be used?

Yuri Shulman For example, accurate sound reproduction is not of concern for DJ headphones. These are designed to provide enhanced, strong, low frequencies and crisp highs. It's the kick drums, snares, and hi-hats you're paying attention to when mixing, not intricate sonic details.

Shure Here's something we hear pretty often – that headphones require a 'burn in period'.  What about it?

Yuri Shulman This is more myth than fact.  Some people make the argument that the driver's suspension could be a little unsettled when the headphones are brand new.

At Shure we don't subscribe to that thinking – again, what could be true for some loudspeakers (where there can be a 100-hour or so burn-in period) doesn't directly apply here.  It's a matter of perception.  Shure headphones sound the same a year after using them as they did brand new.

Shure If everyone hears differently depending on the physical shape of their ears, their hearing abilities (and even right ear/left ear hearing differences), how is it possible to develop standards when you Beta-test headphones?

Yuri Shulman Here, for example, is one of the techniques: we utilize the Head and Torso Simulator (HATS) when developing headphones.  We use outer silicone ears of different sizes and densities with artificial inner ears that match the impedance of the average human ear. We measure the headphone's actual performance affected by resonance in the ear canal and shape of the ear; collected data is then used to engineer the response of each model to produce a flat or other desired frequency response profile as perceived by the "average" listener.

And of course, we beta-test with trained human listeners - both audiophiles and professional sound engineers. While professional users look for a perfectly flat, smooth spectral balance and highest possible detail resolution, the audiophiles are more concerned with musicality or ability of the headphone to communicate the musical message as it was intended by the performers.  Harmonic and intermodulation distortions, fatigue factor and wearing comfort are also graded by both groups of beta testers.



Shure Enhanced bass seems to be a trend with consumer headphones, correct?

Yuri Shulman Yes, some popular consumer headphones have dramatically enhanced bass response. However, this excessive correction leads to increased distortions and added listening fatigue. Actually there may be good reasons to enhance low frequency response on certain headphones assuming this is done correctly, and I mean it, responsibly. Let me give a few examples where such enhancement could be of benefit.

Listening at very low levels would benefit from boosted bass according to equal loudness curves (Fletcher-Munson). Our ears are less sensitive to low frequencies as listening volume decreases.

Listening on the subway train or city bus – increased low frequencies output will help to mask outside noise for a better overall experience.

Browsing the web, playing electronic games, listening at work – boost at low frequencies can create more excitement.

Certain recordings with poorly recorded bass may sound fuller if headphones provide some additional bass.

Enhanced low frequencies could compensate for lost sound pressure effects on the body such as bone/chest transmission and nasal cavity compression. These are present when listening to a live performance or loudspeakers with strong low end in the room.

Shure Two models in Shure's headphone line are open backs. Why would users want that type?

Yuri Shulman It's more like listening to a pair of loudspeakers. Your ears don't get as hot because ventilation is built in and that makes you more comfortable especially if you're listening for hours.  They usually offer a better stereo image – a psycho-acoustic effect due to removed occlusion. Outside noises are somewhat reduced, but you still hear them. They sound more open and airy, but the price paid is a loss of isolation. We believe each type of headphones have applications where they are best. This is why Shure offers both types.

Shure Let's get your comments on individual headphones in the Shure line, but before we do that, what's common to all of them?

Yuri Shulman For all our headphones, we try to achieve the perceived frequency response as smooth and natural sounding as possible, within particular cost limitations. From model to model, we voice our headphones to match the intended application.

We make good sounding headphones with professional characteristics - not just relating to the sound quality but also their durability – for example, all our headphones were designed to survive multiple drops as well as to continue performing after exposure to extreme environments. The environmental testing on our least expensive headphone is the same as the testing on our most expensive.  Our goal is 100% reliability.

How we do this is simple: Every headphone on the production line is tested 100% for its full frequency response, left-right balance and sensitivity. We also test for THD at high SPLs to catch any buzz or rattle.  Every single one.  This is a very thorough set of tests.  That's how we serve our customer with consistency and assure good reliability – regardless of price.



Shure OK – let's run through the current Shure product line.  Tell us briefly what users should know about each one.

SRH240A offers high quality sound and comfort.  It is a great value headphone for personal listening on almost any device.

SRH440 has a nice stereo image with wide soundstage and full, extended frequency response.  It is a workhorse headphone, great for tracking, field recording and mixing. It is foldable for an easy fit in the bag.

SRH840 is tailored to offer rich bass, smooth and clear mid-range and nicely extended highs, great for critical listening and studio monitoring.

SRH940 provides a truly flat and accurate response across the entire audio range, ideal for critical listening, studio monitoring and mastering.

SRH550DJ is for DJ mixing as well as personal listening on any device. It has high sensitivity and is a great value.

SRH750DJ is designed for professional DJ mixing and monitoring, but amplification is recommended for optimum performance.

SRH1440 Open Back is great for critical listening and mastering, it can be connected to personal audio devices, and amplification is not required.

SRH1540  Our newest model features an expansive soundstage with clear, extended highs and warm bass; these closed back lightweight headphones offer a supremely comfortable circumaural design for professional critical mastering and audiophile listening.

SRH1840 Open Back is also designed for mastering and critical listening; it features the smoothest response with crisp, clear and very detailed sound across its extended frequency range. The most comfortable, lightweight headphone we make today.

Shure Last, but not least, are there any safety issues associated with headphone use?

Yuri Shulman I don't recommend blasting the volume!  Headphone users should use safe and comfortable volume levels to preserve good hearing health.

Our time was up and as is so often the case when we're talking about microphones, we came away with this: while headphone models are engineered for specific applications and sound signatures, it's pretty much a subjective decision, based on the preferences of the customer.  Yuri was quick to point out that even though the entry-level model (SRH240A) is intended for personal listening; all Shure headphones meet professional standards.

And one last thing.  Does this Shure Engineer have a favorite?  In one way or another, they're all his children, but when he labeled the SRH1840 a "gem", we came a little closer to finding out.

More information about Shure headphones:

Shure.com Headphones Page

Shure Earphone & Headphones Brochure

Understanding Headphone and Earphone Specifications (video)