Home > Reviews
Denon AH-C351 Headphones Review - Performance |
||||||||
|
Published on June 02, 2008 Comment on this |
About our testing: Our audio tests use a two-hit combo of science and awesomeness. We use a head and torso simulator (HATS) as well as an electroacoustics analysis program called SoundCheck, which was developed by Listen, Inc. For more information on our tests, you can read this article.
Frequency Response (2.88) How the test works
As you can see in the graph to the right, the low frequencies begin with a bit of boost. By the time it gets into the area we analyze, it continues its plunge downward, enjoying a brief stay within the realms of the limits. From there, it dips way below the bottom limit, where it eventually rounds off and juts back into acceptable territory. From that point on, the graph becomes a violent rollercoaster of unevenly emphasized frequencies. No one likes that kind of roller coaster. Now, even though the middle tones are underemphasized, the line remains fairly smooth until then (those minor jitters aren't perceptible to the human ear). The main problem is with high frequencies. When you have really steep lines, it means neighboring notes/pitches/frequencies can have a noticeably different emphasis. The sharp peak toward the end might mean spoken sibilance or cymbals can sound either normal or quiet, with the chance of suddenly shifting from one to the other. Comparison charts
Distortion (5.52) How the test works
For the most part, we didn't see any glaring problems with distortion. There's minimal distortion throughout, but it only jumps above 0.5 percent twice. These two spikes, which happen toward the high middle frequencies, are more than twice as big as the rest of the distortion blips. Even so, the overall distortion is very low. Evenly spread, minimal distortion is arguably better than a stretch of 0 percent with a gigantic, lone spike in it, since -- assuming you can even notice it -- it's consistent level will let you get used to it. A giant spike, on the other hand, will be jarring every time. Assuming you don't have ridiculously good hearing, or are an audiophile with OCD, you should have no problems with distortion. Comparison charts
Tracking (8.26) How the test works
The Denon AH-C351 headphones have really steady tracking. For the low frequencies, the right side is ever-so-slightly louder than the left, but it shouldn't be noticeable. Toward the middle, the emphasis shifts to a max of two decibels louder on the left. Again, with decibel levels so low, this change probably won't be perceptible. After the left side gets its chance in the sun, the volume moseys back to the right side for a bit, before it suddenly freaks out at the 10kHz range. Headphones will typically get erratic toward the high end, so this scribble isn't particularly shocking. What we look for on this are any sharp spikes, like the ones on the right, only in the middle or lower end of the graph. Again, a steep slope means notes/sounds that are similar in pitch will be emphasized differently. In the case of tracking, this shift in emphasis will sound like an instrument has suddenly jumped from one side to another. Though many songs use this effect on purpose, if it isn't planned your playback will sound strange. Further, if you're familiar with the song, and know a trumpet doesn't teleport 50 feet to your left for every high C, it'll absolutely bug the heck out of you. Comparison charts
Maximum Usable Volume (10.00) How the test works What we found: We found the AH-C351 headphones are capable of outputting 129.51 decibels (sound pressure level) before the high volume made distortion noticeable. This is a great result, if a bit excessive. Anything from 120 and 130 dB can cause permanent damage to your hearing over a sustained period, and anything louder than 130 is super duper danger zone. Bumping the sound up that high won't let you hear that airplane crashing down on you, or the 40-foot monster rushing towards you. Since we're really sick of reading about freak accidents that somehow involve the use of headphones, we strongly caution against listening to anything that loud. Isolation (5.43) How the test works
Compared to other in-ear headphones, the AH-C351s didn't block out external noise all that well. It could block out about 10 decibels of bass, which is fairly minor, but it did improve from there. As per usual, the middle range was where these headphones blocked out the most noise. Toward the higher end, however, the headphones stopped blocking out as much sound, which is strange. Apparently this block of frequencies is just a weak spot in the AH-C351s' aural armor. In any case, these headphones protect better than just about any on-ear or over-ear, but not quite as well as most other in-ear options. Comparison charts
Leakage (10.00) How the test works What we found: Even though these headphones might not be the best at isolating you from the outside world, they're great for keeping your music private. Sitting a few feet away from the headphones in a silent room, the pink noise -- which typically sounds like airplane ambiance -- sounds like a whisper. Good job, Denon. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| <- Previous Next -> | ||||
|
||||
