My New Microphone Full List: Headphone/Earphone Specifications w/ Examples

There are many headphones and headphone types on the market that are defined by a large number of specifications. These specs tell us a lot about the headphones and how they're likely to perform. Of course, it's always best to listen critically and make up your own mind about headphones but knowing and understanding the specs is also important.

What are headphone specifications? Headphones specifications, shown on specifications/datasheets, are pieces of information that tell us the electrical, mechanical, acoustic and physical characteristics of a pair of headphones (or earphones) and how the headphones perform under normal circumstances.

In this article, we’ll describe each of these headphone specifications and what they mean to the overall functionality of the headphones in question. Note that some headphones will be subject to different specs than others, and we'll cover even the more obscure specifications in this article.

Headphones Specifications

Headphones are complex transducers and can be defined by all sorts of specifications.

I will list out all the potential specifications you may find on headphone datasheets, manuals and selling pages. Each spec will be described briefly with links to more in-depth articles when applicable. I will also add real-world examples of headphones that have the specifications mentioned.

In order to provide real-world examples of each specification, I’ve collected a series of datasheets/product pages from specific headphone manufacturers of various headphone types. The examples are listed below:

The included links will bring you to the bottom of this article, where each of the headphones is described in more detail, with all their specifications laid out as a reference.

Alternatively, you can skip to the section Headphone Examples For This Article by clicking the link.

Headphone Type	Real World Example
Circumaural Closed-Back Headphones	Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Supra-aural Open-Back Headphones	Grado Labs SR80e
Bluetooth Wireless Headphones	Master & Dynamic MW60
True Bluetooth Wireless Earphones	Klipsch T5
Earphones	Sennheiser CX 2.00i
Electrostatic Headphones	STAX SR-009
Planar Magnetic Headphones	HiFiMan Susvara
Balanced Armature IEM Earphone	Shure SE535
Bone Conduction Headphones	Aftershokz Titanium
Headset	Clear-Com CC-400-X4
USB Headset	Logitech H390
Noise-Cancelling Headphones	Sony WH-1000XM3

List Of Headphones Specifications

Model
Features
Colour
Wearing Style
Contact Pressure
Ear Coupling
Drivers
Materials
Antenna
Earpads
Jack/Plug (Connection)
Connection Cable
Weight
Transducer Principle/Type
Frequency Response
Sensitivity/Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
Maximum Sound Pressure
Total Harmonic Distortion
Impedance
Load Rating
Driver Matched dB
Left & Right Identification
Noise Isolation
Noise-Cancelling Specifications
Microphone
- Type (Element)
- Impedance
- Frequency Response
- Polar Pattern
- Sensitivity
Bluetooth Specifications
- Version
- Compatible Profiles
- Compatible Codecs
- Range
Battery Specifications
Electrostatic Capacitance
Controls
Water Resistance
Operational Temperature
Storage Temperature
System Requirements
Dimensions
Packaging
Warranty
Part Number
Included Accessories

Model

The model simply states the name of the specific headphone. This specification is redundant since the name of the headphone will be clearly stated elsewhere (like in the title of the specs sheet).

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Model: WM60

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Features

Features include paragraphs and/or lists of key characteristics the manufacturer believes are important to describe their headphone.

These descriptions give us a good idea as to what the headphone is all about and what the manufacturer designed the headphone to do. The features section will also typically introduce any proprietary technology in the headphone design.

Examples

Aftershokz Titanium

Features:

Bluetooth 4.1
EQ settings
PremiumPitch+™

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Features:

Double-ear standard headset
High quality dynamic cardioid microphone
High ambient-noise attenuation headphones
Microphone: 300Hz – 20kHz frequency response
Headphone: 40Hz – 20kHz frequency response
Cushioned with soft leatherette padding
Flexible gooseneck microphone positioning
300-degrees boom mic rotation for ON/OFF mic-mute switch
Rugged design

Logitech H390

Features:

USB Computer Headset
Digital Stereo Sound
Noise Canceling Mic
In-Line Controls
Padded Headband And Ear Cups
USB-A Connection

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Colour

The colour (or colour options) of the headphone.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Colour: black

Sony WH-1000XM3

Colour Options: Black or Silver

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Wearing Style

The wearing style of the headphone is a somewhat redundant physical specification. It refers to how the headphone ought to be worn.

Generally, this differentiates headband models (headphones) from in-ear models (earphones). It can also pertain to over-ear or on-ear headphone models.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Wearing style: Headband

Klipsch T5

Style: In-Ear Monitor

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Contact Pressure

Headphones are worn on the head and apply some amount of pressure on or around our ears. Some manufacturers go through the trouble of measuring the contact pressure the headphone will apply to our heads when worn.

To really understand this specification, we must understand how the measurement was conducted. Ask how wide were the headphones spread, for example.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Contact pressure: 6 N

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Ear Coupling

Headphone drivers have diaphragms that oscillate and vary sound pressure as they do so.

Human eardrums are also membranes. They move in reaction to varying sound pressure.

By forming a seal between the headphone driver diaphragm and the eardrum, we create a sort of mechanical coupling that greatly improves the driver's ability to affect the ear.

This sealing (known as coupling) can be achieved via in-ear earphones that plug the ear canal. Coupling is also achieved with circumaural (over-ear) headphone cups that completely cover and close off the ear.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Ear coupling: circumaural

Master & Dynamic MW60

Ear Coupling: Circum-aural / Over-Ear

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Ear Coupling: Ear canal

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Drivers

This specification gives details about the drivers of the headphone.

The drivers are the transducer elements of the headphone that convert audio signals into sound for us to hear. By that definition, they are critical and worth knowing about.

The term driver typically applies to electrodynamic headphones (they are by far the most common type) but can also apply to other types (electrostatic or planar magnetic, for example).

The driver specification will often give us information about the type of driver, the size of the driver (the diameter of the driver diaphragm), and/or the magnet and voice coil materials.

For more information on headphone drivers and magnets, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• What Is A Headphone Driver? (How All 5 Driver Types Work)
• What Is A Good Driver Size For Headphones?
• Why & How Do Headphones Use Magnets?
• Are The Magnets In Headphones/Earbuds Bad For You?

Examples

Klipsch T5

Driver Design: Dynamic Moving Coil Micro Speaker
Driver Diameter: 5.0 mm

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Driver: 40mm diameter, neodymium magnet, copper-clad aluminum wire voice coil

Sony WH-1000XM3

Driver Unit: 1.57 “, dome type (CCAW Voice coil)
Magnet: Neodymium

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Materials

The materials specification may or may not list the materials specified in the driver spec. This all depends on what the manufacturer decides to include in its datasheet.

Materials typically tell us the material used in the headphone's ear pads and ear cups and sometimes include the band, cable and driver material.

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Materials: Premium grain leather, lambskin leather, stainless steel, aluminum
Earpads: Detachable lambskin memory foam

STAX SR-009

Ear Pads: Genuine Lamb Leather (direct skin contact), high-quality synthetic leather (surrounding portion)

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Antenna

Wireless headphones have receivers and, therefore, are likely to have antennae. The antenna specification is rare, but it tells us the design and/or material of the antenna.

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Antenna: Machined aluminum

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Jack/Plug (Connection)

The jack/plug connection tells us the compatibility of the headphone as it pertains to the possible connections of the headphone. It also tells us, in a roundabout way, if we'll need any adapters or if adapters will even work.

For wired headphones, the plug is defined as the end connector of the attached cable.

Some headphones have detachable cables, and so this specification will tell us the jack on the headphone end. In other words, what cable can plug into the headphone?

Headphone jacks are commonly 3.5mm or 6.35mm but can also be 2.5mm or even 4.4mm in some specific cases.

To learn more about headphone jacks, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• Differences Between 2.5mm, 3.5mm & 6.35mm Headphone Jacks
• Are AUX (Auxiliary) Connectors & Headphone Jacks The Same?
• How Do Headphone Jacks And Plugs Work? (+ Wiring Diagrams)

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Jack plug: 3.5 / 6.3 mm stereo

Master & Dynamic MW60

Headphone Connection: 3.5mm Passive Audio input micro USB charging/firmware update input

Shure SE535

Input connector: 3.5mm (1/8 in.) gold-plated stereo plug

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Connection Cable

The connection cable refers to the detachable cable that is to be used to connect the headphone to a headphone output.

In many cases, this specification will simply tell us the length of the included cable and if it's standard (straight) or coiled.

Some other data sheets will tell us the internal wiring though this is rare.

The cable spec is more important in headsets as the cable must also carry a microphone signal and be compatible with its connected device.

Electrostatic headphones and other headphone types that require specialized headphone amplifiers often have cables that are often unique and high-quality. Their cable specifications, then, are important to know.

For more information on headphone cables, check out my article An In-Depth Look Into How Headphone Cables Carry Audio.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Connection cable: Coiled Cable (min. 1.3m / max. 3m)

Master & Dynamic MW60

Cable:

Detachable 1.25m Standard Cable
Micro USB Input Cord

STAX SR-009

Cable: Silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide cable, 2.5m full length

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Cable: 5ft (1.55m) long with 8-pin connector at headset end; 4-pin Female XLR

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Weight

Headphones are meant to be worn on our heads. Therefore, the weight of the headphone plays a significant role in our experience.

Weight specifications typically come in two forms:

Weight of the headphone with its designated cable.
Weight of the headphone without a cable.

Examples

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Weight: 11.1oz (315g) without 8-pin cable assembly and M3*18mm SCREW

Klipsch T5

Weight:

96.9g (charging case)
5.5g (earphone)

Sony WH-1000XM3

Weight: Approx. 8.99 oz

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Transducer Principle/Type

The transducer principle specification (often listed as “type”) tells us how the headphone actually produced sound from applied audio signals.

We can make certain assumptions about each transducer type, and it helps to know what kind of headphone we're looking at when glancing at a specifications sheet.

The moving-coil dynamic headphone transducer type, for example, is the most common, and we can expect the rest of its specifications will allow for easy comparison with other moving-coil dynamic headphones.

Other transducer types, like the electrostatic headphone type, will perform differently. We should expect the headphones to have vastly different sensitivity, impedance and frequency responses. They'll also have different cables since they connect to specialized amplifiers.

Moving-coil dynamic headphones are defined by their moving-coil drivers. They convert audio signals into sound waves via electromagnetic induction (electromagnetism). These HPs produce sound via conductive coils that move diaphragms in reaction to audio signals.

Planar magnetic headphones convert audio signals into sound waves via electromagnetic principles. Their planar drivers are designed with thin electrical conductors embedded on a diaphragm that vibrates between two magnetic arrays.

Electrostatic headphones are transducers that convert audio signals into sound waves and work on electrostatic principles. Audio signals cause varying electric fields in the driver that move the diaphragm and produce corresponding sound waves.

Balanced armature (BA) models work on electromagnetic principles and utilize BA drivers that work with a coil wound around a moveable armature coupled to a diaphragm.

Bone conduction headphones are transducers that convert audio signals into physical vibrations. They do so with piezoelectric drivers coupled to the listener’s jaw and/or cheekbones. The vibrations extend to the inner ear and are interpreted as sound.

To learn more about the various headphone transducer types, check the following My New Microphone articles:
• How Do Speakers & Headphones Work As Transducers?
• How Do Headphones Work? (Illustrated Guide For All HP Types)
• Complete Illustrated Guide To Moving-Coil Dynamic Headphones
• Complete Guide To Bone Conduction Headphones (With Examples)
• The Complete Guide To Balanced Armature IEMs/Earphones
• Complete Guide To Electrostatic Headphones (With Examples)
• Complete Guide To Planar Magnetic Headphones (With Examples)

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Transducer principle: dynamic, closed

STAX SR-009

Type: Push-Pull Open Back Circular Electrostatic Headphone

Shure SE535

Transducer type: Triple balanced-armature drivers

Gado Labs SR80e

Transducer Type: Dynamic
Operating Principle: Open Air

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Frequency Response

Headphone frequency response refers to the frequency-specific sensitivity of the headphone's output.

This specification shows the range in which the headphone is capable of reproducing sound.

Note that sound is defined within the range of 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz. This is pretty much the maximum range in which we are capable of hearing (though hearing damage will diminish this range).

Many manufacturers will state the frequency response as a range from low to high without stating a tolerance value. Unfortunately, these specifications are pretty much useless to the consumer/reader of the datasheet.

A tolerance value of ± 3 dB is great. It tells us the headphones will produce frequencies within their range with a maximum variation of ± 3 dB within the range.

In rare cases, we may find a frequency response graph that will chart out the headphone's sensitivity along each frequency. If you're interested in finding frequency response graphs for specific headphones, it's better to look at third-party testers like Inner Fidelity than at manufacturer's specs sheets.

For an in-depth article on headphone frequency response, check out My New Microphone's What Is Headphone Frequency Response & What Is A Good Range?

Examples

Gado Labs SR80e

Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz

HiFiMan Susvara

Frequency Response: 6Hz-75kHz

Sony WH-1000XM3

Frequency Response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Frequency Response (Active Operation): 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Frequency Response (Bluetooth® Communication):
- 20 Hz–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz Sampling)
- 20 Hz–40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz Sampling, 990 kbps)

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Sensitivity/Sound Pressure Level (SPL)

Headphone sensitivity is a specification that refers to the efficiency of a driver to turn an electrical audio signal into sound pressure. It is measured in dB SPL (decibels of sound pressure level) per unit of power (typically 1 milliWatt) or sometimes unit of voltage (typically 1 Volt) from the source at a frequency of 1 kHz.

A more sensitive headphone will produce higher levels of sound at a given audio signal level.

In general, earphones tend to have sensitivities in the range of 80 to 125 dB SPL/mW, while headphone sensitivity ratings typically fall between 90 dB SPL and 105 dB SPL/mW. Of course, there are outliers beyond these ranges.

To learn more about headphone sensitivity ratings, check out my article The Complete Guide To Headphones Sensitivity Ratings.

Examples

Shure SE535

Sensitivity (at 1khz): 119 dB SPL/mW

STAX SR-009

Sound Pressure Sensitivity: 101dB / 100V r.m.s. 1 kHz

Grado Labs SR80e

SPL 1mW: 99.8 dB

HiFiMan Susvara

Sensitivity: 83dB

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Maximum Sound Pressure

The maximum sound pressure of a headphone refers to the threshold at which the output will begin distorting.

Sound pressure is generally measured within the earcup or otherwise very close to the transducer element (where our ears would be). The specification is often measured at a single frequency and noted at a given amount of total harmonic distortion in the output signal.

Ensure you understand how the max SPL is tested to make sense of this specification.

Examples

STAX SR-009

Maximum Sound Pressure: 118dB / 400Hz

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Total Harmonic Distortion

Total harmonic distortion (THD) is a measurement of the harmonic distortion in an audio signal as a percentage of cumulative overtones added to a fundamental frequency. It is most easily measured with a sine wave.

This specification is a more common (and easily understood) way of stating the headphone's maximum sound pressure level.

0.5% THD is the typical threshold when measuring a headphone's maximum sound pressure level. In other words, the maximum sound pressure level of the headphone is precisely at the point when 0.5% (or some other stated value) THD is measured in the output.

The sound pressure level is noted (typically in dB or dB SPL) at a given THD.

For more information about total harmonic distortion, check out my article What Is Total Harmonic Distortion In Audio And Microphones?

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Sound pressure level (SPL): 113 dB
THD, total harmonic distortion: 0.1 %

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Sound pressure level: 119 dB
THD: < 0.5 %

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Impedance

Headphone impedance refers to the inherent opposition the headphone circuitry has to the flow of electrical current. As the headphones create a circuit with an audio source, the impedance will dictate the voltage (audio signal) transfer as well as the quality and amplitude of the headphone’s sound.

Optimal voltage-transfer (audio signal transfer) demands that the source impedance (of the headphone amplifier or other headphone jack) be much lower (ideally a tenth or less) of the headphone's impedance.

Decreasing source impedance also improves the damping factor, which essentially means the headphone amp will have more control over the movement of the headphone driver. This will lead to increased precision and less distortion in the headphone.

Impedance is frequency-dependent and often varies significantly across the headphone's frequency response.

Unfortunately, headphone manufacturers typically only give a nominal (average) value for their headphone impedance specs.

Once again, third-party testers like Inner Fidelity will present much more detail about the true frequency-dependent impedance values of a headphone.

To learn about the rather complicated topic of headphone impedance, check out my article The Complete Guide To Understanding Headphone Impedance.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Nominal impedance: 64 Ω

Grado Labs SR80e

Nominal Impedance: 32 ohms

STAX SR-009

Impedance: 145k Ω (including cable, at 10kHz)

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Impedance: 200 ohms ±30%; at 1kHz typical

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Load Rating

The load rating is a peculiar specification given by Sennheiser for its headphones.

Although Sennheiser does not explain this specification, we assume it is the power handling capacity of the headphone. In other words, it's the level of power at which the headphone driver will burn out (the coil will melt or the motor will over-extend).

This is a common specification for passive loudspeakers that must be matched with appropriate amplifiers but not so much for headphones.

For more info on speaker power handling ratings, check out my article Complete Guide To Speaker Power Handling & Wattage Ratings.

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Load rating: 500 mW

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Driver Matched dB

Headphones are designed with 2 drivers to account for 2 ears.

These drivers are ideally the exact same, but some amount of difference may occur during manufacture.

The driver-matched dB specification refers to the maximum level difference allowed between the drivers during quality assurance. It is generally measured as a ratio in decibels.

Most brands will not include this specification because reputable brands can be trusted to test their headphones extensively to ensure each driver outputs the same (or very close to the same) level.

Examples

Grado Labs SR80e

Driver Matched dB: 0.1 dB

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Left & Right Identification

Headphones go over both ears and are designed with a left and right side.

There should be markings on each pair of headphones to suggest which side should be worn over each ear.

Sometimes manufacturers add this information to the specifications sheet.

Examples

STAX SR-009

Left & Right Identification: “L” and “R” indicated on the arc assembly (inside head spring) Left channel cable is marked with a solid line. The right channel is marked with a dotted line.

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Noise Isolation

Noise isolation is a measurement of how much passive noise cancellation the headphones provide when worn properly.

Passive noise cancellation simply refers to the physical blocking of sound from entering your ear.

Noise isolation is a fairly rare specification and is generally measured in negative decibels to show how much quieter the earphones/headphone will make the exterior environment.

Examples

Klipsch T5

Noise Isolation: -22dB

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Noise-Cancelling Specifications

The term “noise-cancelling headphone” means there is active noise-cancellation taking place within the headphone.

This means there are microphones within the headphone that record the environment. The headphone then uses this environmental noise signal to cancel out the actual noise of the environment by playing it back out-of-phase at the appropriate level.

As you can imagine, there are plenty of details to consider when discussing an active noise-cancelling (ANC) circuit. Some of these details are disclosed in the headphone's specifications sheet.

This specification gives us insight into how the noise-cancelling circuit works. In many cases (as with the Sony example), it will tell us about the proprietary technology used in the ANC circuit.

For more information on noise-cancelling headphones, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• How Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work? (PNC & ANC)
• Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Work With Or Without Music?
• Passive Vs. Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Examples

Sony WH-1000XM3

Noise Canceling:

On/Off Switch: Yes
Personal NC Optimizer: Yes
Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing: Yes
Ambient Sound Mode: Yes
Quick Attention: Yes
Passive Operation: Yes

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Microphone

There are plenty of headsets on the market that combine microphones and headphones. Many earphones and wireless headphones include microphones (for telephony and active noise-cancellation).

The microphone specifications within a headphone's datasheet tell us about the microphone inside the headphone/headset.

Common microphone specs include:

Type (Element)
Impedance
Frequency Response
Polar Pattern
Sensitivity

To read about all the microphone specifications, check out my article The Full List Of Microphone Specifications (How To Read A Spec Sheet).

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Type (Element)

The microphone type or “element” specification generally refers to the type of microphone transducer used in the headphone or headset.

Microphone transducers act a lot like headphone transducers, only in reverse. The mic converts sound waves into audio signals. However, the mechanics of the different mic capsules are very similar to headphone drivers.

Though there are plenty of microphone types, the two most common we'll find in headphone design are the moving-coil dynamic and electret condenser.

For more information on the various types of microphones, check out any of the following My New Microphone articles:
• Full List Of Microphone Types And Sub-Types (With Mic Examples)
• Microphone Types: The 2 Primary Transducer Types + 5 Subtypes

Examples

Aftershokz Titanium

Microphone: Dual noise-canceling mic

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Element: Dynamic

Impedance

Microphone impedance is a lot like headphone impedance. It's the opposition to signal flow from the microphone's output.

Microphones are considered the source devices in their connection, and so for optimal signal transfer, their impedances must be much lower than the load impedance they are driving.

Remember that headphone drivers act as loads and, therefore, require higher impedance for optimal signal transfer from the source. Microphones require the opposite.

As you may have guessed from our previous discussion on headphone impedance, the microphone impedance is frequency-dependent but don't expect any detailed graphs. The nominal microphone impedance will be listed if at all.

To learn more about microphone impedance, check out my articles Microphone Impedance: What Is It And Why Is It Important? and What Is A Good Microphone Output Impedance Rating?

Examples

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Impedance: 200 ohms ±30%; at 1kHz typical

Frequency Response

Microphone frequency response is the frequency-specific output sensitivity of a microphone. It details the relative output levels of the sound/audio frequencies a mic is able to reproduce.

Frequency responses are specified as frequency ranges. Once again, do not expect a comprehensive graph/chart. We can consider ourselves lucky if we get a tolerance (± dB ) rating.

For in-depth posts on microphone frequency response, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• Complete Guide To Microphone Frequency Response (With Mic Examples)
• What Are Coloured And Flat Microphone Frequency Responses?

Examples

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Frequency response: 100–10,000 Hz

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Frequency Response: 300Hz – 20kHz

Logitech H390

Frequency response (Microphone): 100 Hz -10 kHz

Polar Pattern

A polar pattern is a representation of a microphone’s directional sensitivity to sound pressure. In other words, polar patterns tell which direction(s) a mic will be sensitive to picking up sound and which direction(s) a mic will reject sound.

There are many polar pattern types, but headphone/headset mics are typically either omnidirectional, cardioid or a version of hypercardioid or supercardioid.

To learn more about microphone polar patterns, please read my article The Complete Guide To Microphone Polar Patterns.

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Microphone Type: Omni-directional

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Pick-up pattern: Omni-directional microphone

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Polar Pattern: Hyper-cardioid

Sensitivity

Microphone sensitivity measures a microphone’s efficiency as a transducer (how well it converts acoustical energy to electrical energy). A microphone’s sensitivity rating is determined by its output voltage (audio signal strength) relative to the sound pressure level it is subjected to.

Headphone mic sensitivity ratings may be measured from a typical talking position with a single-frequency tone or by other means. Look into how each manufacturer tests for sensitivity to fully understand what the specification is telling us.

To learn more about microphone sensitivity ratings, check out my articles What Is Microphone Sensitivity? An In-Depth Description and What Is A Good Microphone Sensitivity Rating?

Examples

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Sensitivity: -42dBv (1kHz)

Aftershokz Titanium

Microphone sensitivity: -40dB ± 3dB

Logitech H390

Sensitivity (microphone): -17 dBV/Pa +/- 4 dB

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Bluetooth Specifications

There are plenty of wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market today.

Though it’s seemingly simple to set up (pair) Bluetooth devices, there is actually a lot of technical detail that goes into defining exactly how the Bluetooth speaker receives information.

Therefore, many Bluetooth headphones have a dedicated section within their specifications that shows the details about their Bluetooth connectivity.

The Bluetooth specifications include:

Version
Compatible Profiles
Compatible Codecs
Range

Bluetooth specs also include information on:

Input Rating:
Battery Status:
Multipoint Pairing:
NFC:
Supported Content Protections:

For an in-depth article on how Bluetooth headphones work, check out My New Microphone's How Bluetooth Headphones Work & How To Pair Them To Devices.

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Version

The Bluetooth protocol is constantly being improved upon with periodic releases of the newest version.

Each new version builds up the previous, adding extra functionality and increased efficiency while always remaining backward compatible.

Two Bluetooth devices with different versions can be paired with functionality limited to that of the earlier version.

Examples

Klipsch T5

Version: Bluetooth 5.0

Aftershokz Titanium

Type: Bluetooth 4.1

Sony WH-1000XM3

Version: Version 4.2

Compatible Profiles

Bluetooth profiles determine the kind of data that is exchanged using Bluetooth technology.

For two Bluetooth devices to be compatible, they must support the same profiles.

Each profile has its own lists of codecs that it uses to exchange information.

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Bluetooth Profile: Bluetooth 4.1 with Aptx™ high-quality audio

Klipsch T5

Profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HSP 1.2, HFP 1.7

Aftershokz Titanium

Compatible profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP

Sony WH-1000XM3

Profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

Compatible Codecs

The term codec is short for coder-decoder. Bluetooth uses codecs to format audio for wireless transfer and subsequent decoding in the headphone itself.

Examples

Klipsch T5

A2DP Codecs: SBC, AAC®, aptX®

Aftershokz Titanium

Compatible codecs: SBC

Sony WH-1000XM3

Supported Audio Format(s): SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC

Range

The Bluetooth range specification refers to the maximum distance between the headphone and its paired device. Exceeding this range will lead to improper transmission between devices.

Examples

Klipsch T5

Range: Up to 10m (33ft.)

Aftershokz Titanium

Wireless range: 33 feet

Sony WH-1000XM3

Effective Range: Line of sight approx. 30 ft (10 m)

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Battery Specifications

Wireless headphones are powered by batteries. Even some wired headphones with active circuits can be powered via batteries rather than a power supply unit.

Rather than getting into detail about each detail, let’s quickly run through the typical battery specifications:

Type: The type of battery.
Life/playtime: How long the battery will last from full charge under normal conditions.
Standby time: How long the battery will last from full charge while the headphones are on but not playing audio.
Charge time: The amount of time it takes the battery to charge from 0% to 100%.
Charge port: The type of connection used to charge the headphone.
Replacement/disposal: Information on how to replace and/or dispose of the battery.

Examples

Klipsch T5

Battery (Earpieces): 55 mAh
Battery (Charging Case): 360 mAh
Battery Status: iOS & Android Battery Status Monitor

Aftershokz Titanium

Battery life: 6 hours
Battery type: Lithium-ion
Charge time: 2 hours
Charger: Micro USB
Standby time: 10 days

Sony WH-1000XM3

Battery:

Charge Time: Approx. 3 Hours (Full charge)
Battery Charge Method: USB
Battery Life (Continuous Music Playback Time):
- Max. 30 hours (NC ON)
- Max. 38 hours (NC OFF)
Battery Life (Waiting Time):
- Max. 30 hours (NC ON)
- Max. 200 hours (NC OFF)

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Electrostatic Capacitance

Electrostatic headphones utilize electrostatic transducer elements. An electrostatic headphone transducer is effectively designed as a movable electrically charged diaphragm sandwiched between a large parallel-plate capacitor.

This capacitor has an inherent capacitance that affects its overall charge, how much voltage is required to charge it, and how much gain is required to boost the headphone signal in order to drive the headphone transducer properly.

Examples

STAX SR-009

Electrostatic Capacitance: 110pF (including cable)

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Controls

Controls refer to any extra buttons, dials or voice commands that engage or disengage certain features of the headphone.

Examples

Aftershokz Titanium

Command controls: Yes

Sony WH-1000XM3

Volume Control: Touch Sensor

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Water Resistance

As the name suggests, water-resistance specifications give us an idea of how well a headphone will perform in wet or otherwise humid conditions.

This specification is typically delivered as an IP rating.

The IP code (Ingress Protection code) is a measurement and classification of the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water.

The first digit refers to solid particle protection on a scale from 0 to 6, while the second digit refers to liquid ingress protection on a scale from 0 to 9.

Here is a table describing the first digit (solid particle protection) in an IP rating:

IP Code First Digit (Solid Particle Protection)	Effective Against	Description
X	–	No data available.
0	–	No protection against contact and ingress of objects.
1	>50mm (2.0")	Protection against any large surface.
2	>12.5mm (1/2")	Protection from finger and similar-sized objects.
3	>2.5mm (0.098")	Protection from most tools, thick wires, etc.
4	>1mm (0.039")	Protection from most wires, slender screws, large ants etc.
5	Dust protected	Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment.
6	Dust-tight	No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on airflow.

And here is a table describing the second digit (liquid ingress protection) in an IP rating:

IP Code Second Digit (Liquid Ingress Protection)	Protection Against	Effective Against	Details
X	–	–	No data available.
0	No protection.	–	No protection against liquid ingress.
1	Dripping water.	Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect on the specimen when mounted in an upright position onto a turntable and rotated at 1 RPM.	Test duration: 10 minutes. Water equivalent to 1 mm (0.039 in) rainfall per minute
2	Dripping water when tilted at 15°.	Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle of 15° from its normal position. A total of four positions are tested within two axes.	Test duration: 2.5 minutes for every direction of tilt (10 minutes total). Water equivalent to 3 mm (0.12 in) rainfall per minute
3	Spraying water.	Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield. Test a) is conducted for 5 minutes, then repeated with the specimen rotated horizontally by 90° for the second 5-minute test. Test b) is conducted (with shield in place) for 5 minutes minimum.	For a spray nozzle: Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 5 minutes Water volume: 10 litres per minute (0.037 imperial gal/s) Pressure: 50–150 kPa (7.3–21.8 psi). For an oscillating tube: Test duration: 10 minutes Water volume: 0.07 litres per minute (0.00026 imperial gal/s) per hole.
4	Splashing of water.	Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with no shield. Test a) is conducted for 10 minutes. b) is conducted (without shield) for 5 minutes minimum.	Oscillating tube: Test duration: 10 minutes, or spray nozzle (same as IPX3 spray nozzle with the shield removed)
5	Water jets.	Water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm (0.25 in)) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.	Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 12.5 litres per minute Pressure: 30 kPa (4.4 psi) at a distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft)
6	Powerful water jets.	Water projected in powerful jets (12.5 mm (0.49 in)) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.	Test duration: 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 100 liters per minute (0.37 imperial gal/s) Pressure: 100 kPa (15 psi) at distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft).
6K	Powerful water jets with increased pressure.	Water projected in powerful jets (6.3 mm [0.25 in] nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects. Found in DIN 40050, and not IEC 60529.	Test duration: at least 3 minutes. Water volume: 75 liters per minute (0.27 impgal/s) Pressure: 1,000 kPa (150 psi) at distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft).
7	Immersion, up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) depth.	Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) of submersion).	Test duration: 30 minutes. Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1,000 mm (39 in) below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm (5.9 in) below the surface, whichever is deeper.
8	Immersion, 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) or more depth.	The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. The test depth and duration is expected to be greater than the requirements for IPx7, and other environmental effects may be added, such as temperature cycling before immersion.	Test duration: Agreement with manufacturer. Depth specified by the manufacturer, generally up to 3 meters (9.8 ft)
9K	Powerful high-temperature water jets.	Protected against close-range high pressure, high-temperature spray downs. Smaller specimens rotate slowly on a turntable, from 4 specific angles. Larger specimens are mounted in the intended position when being used, no turntable required, and are tested freehand for at least 3 minutes at a distance of 0.15–0.2 meters (5.9 in–7.9 in). The specific requirements for the test nozzle are shown in figures 7, 8, & 9 of IEC (or EN) 60529. This test is identified as IPx9 in IEC 60529.	Test duration: Fixture: 30 sec. in each of 4 angles (2 min. total), Freehand: 1 min/m2, 3 min. minimum. Water volume: 14–16 litres per minute (0.051–0.059 imperial gal/s) Pressure: 8–10 MPa (80–100 bar) at a distance of 0.10–0.15 meters (3.9 in–5.9 in) Water temperature: 80 °C (176 °F).

Examples

Aftershokz Titanium

Water resistance: IP55 (water-resistant)

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Operational Temperature

The operating temperature range states the range in which the headphone will perform properly. Operation outside of this range (either too cold or too hot) will lead to improper performance and even damage.

Ensure you let your headphone is within the operational range for optimal performance

Examples

Shure SE535

Operational temperature: -18° C to 57° C (0° F to 135° F)

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Storage Temperature

The storage temperature range is the manufacturer-defined safe range in which the headphone can be stored.

Of course, it’s probably unlikely that the headphone will sustain damage if stored outside of this range. Rather, this specification is more so to protect the manufacturer in the case that overly hot or cold storage ends up altering the headphone in any way.

Examples

Shure SE535

Storage temperature: -29° C to 74° C (-20° F to 165° F)

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System Requirements

Some headphones and headsets (USB types) are designed to connect directly to a computer.

System requirements state the computer specifications necessary for proper functionality between the USB headphone/headset and the computer.

Examples

Logitech H390

System Requirements:

Works with Common calling applications across almost all platforms and operating systems.
Windows^® or macOS
Chrome OS^™
USB port (Type A port or adapter)

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Dimensions

The dimensions spec, when stated, refers to the maximum width, length and depth of the headphone when the headphone is being worn properly.

Of course, this specification can likely be altered by stretching the headphones or collapsing them. For this reason, it is often not mentioned in headphone specifications sheets.

Most of the time, when dimensions are stated, they refer to the dimensions of the headphone's packaging.

Examples

Master & Dynamic MW60

Dimensions: 200mm x 185mm x 50mm

Logitech H390

Height x Width x Depth: 200 mm x 245 mm x 72 mm

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Packaging

The packing spec often states the dimensions of the package the brand new headphone will come in.

Examples

Klipsch T5

Dimensions (Packaging): 6.8″ H x 4.4″ W x 1.9″ D

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Packaging:

Dimension of product packaging (L x B x W): 100 x 35 x 148 mm
Dimension of inner master carton (L x B x W): 217 x 119 x 151 mm
Dimension of outer master carton (L x B x W): 460 x 259 x 191 mm
Languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese

Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Packaging for CC-400:

4.8 x 13 x 10.43 in (122 x 330 x 265 mm) WxHxD

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Warranty

A warranty is a written guarantee issued to the purchaser of a headphone by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time.

The warranty specification may let the buyer know a few key details about the warranty offered by the manufacturer:

How long the manufacturer’s warranty will apply to one of their newly-purchased headphones
If the warranty will be voided if the headphone is bought secondhand
What the warranty will cover and will not cover
Other limitations of the warranty
If there are any necessary steps to obtain the warranty (product registry, for example)

Many specifications sheets will simply state the amount of time the warranty is good for. Further digging is typically required to find out the other information.

Examples

Sennheiser CX 2.00i

Warranty: 2 years

Aftershokz Titanium

Warranty: 2 years

Logitech H390

Warranty: 2-Year Limited Hardware Warranty

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Part Number

Some manufacturers include the part number or identification number of their product.

Examples

Logitech H390

Part Number: 981-000014

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Included Accessories

The included accessories “specification” lists out the other pieces that will come with a brand new purchase of the headphone.

Listed accessories often include:

Manuals & Guides
Cable(s)
Carrying cases
Adapters
Chargers
Charging cables
Extra ear pads

Note that buying secondhand equipment does not ensure all the included accessories will actually be included!

Examples

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

What’s in the Box:

1 pair of HD 280 PRO headphones
1 screw-type adaptor to 1/4″

Master & Dynamic MW60

In The Box:

Headphone
Canvas Headphone Pouch
Canvas Cord Case
1.25m Standard Cable
Leather Cable Box
Micro USB Charging Cable
3.5/6.3mm Gold-Plated Adapter

HiFiMan Susvara

Package Contents:

(1) Pair of headphone
(1) 3m headphone cable (4-pin XLR plug)
(1) 3m headphone cable (6.35mm plug)
(1) Pair of ear pads (mounted on headphone)
(1) Owner’s Guide

Shure SE535

Accessories:

1 – Bluetooth® 5 Earphone Communication Cable
1 -micro-USB Charging Cable
1 -Universal 3.5 mm Earphone Communication Cable
1 -Soft Flex Sleeves (S, M, L)
1 -Foam Sleeves (S, M, L)
1 -Yellow Foam Sleeves
1 -Triple Flange Sleeves
1 -Premium Carrying Case

Aftershokz Titanium

What’s In The Box?

Titanium Headphones
Drawstring Carrying Case
USB Charging Cables
Earplugs

Sony WH-1000XM3

What’s In The Box:

Carrying Case
Plug Adaptor for In-flight Use
Headphone cable (approx. 47 1/4″ [1.2 m])
USB cable: Type-C™ (approx. 7 7/8″ [20 cm])

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Headphone Examples For This Article

Examples are always good. As discussed, there are plenty of headphones with plenty of specifications to define them.

In writing this article, I've presented specific specifications from several real-world headphones.

The specifications defined in this article can be found in the spec sheets (and product pages) of the following headphones:

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Circumaural Closed-Back Headphones

The Sennheiser HD280 Pro is a circumaural (over-ear) closed-back pair of headphones.

| My New Microphone — Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Link to check out the specifications of the Sennheiser HD280 Pro.

Color: black
Wearing style: Headband
Frequency response (Headphones): 8 – 25000 Hz
Sound pressure level (SPL): 113 dB
THD, total harmonic distortion: 0.1 %
Contact pressure: 6 N
Ear coupling: circumaural
Jack plug: 3.5 / 6.3 mm stereo
Connection cable: Coiled Cable (min. 1.3m / max. 3m)
Transducer principle: dynamic, closed
Weight w/o cable: 285 g
Nominal impedance: 64 Ω
Load rating: 500 mW
What's in the Box:
- 1 pair of HD 280 PRO headphones
- 1 screw-type adaptor to 1/4″

Sennheiser

Sennheiser is featured in My New Microphone's Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World.

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Supra-aural Open-Back Headphones

The Grado Labs SR80e is a supra-aural (on-ear) open-back pair of headphones.

Link to check out the Grado SR80e specifications.

Transducer Type: Dynamic
Operating Principle: Open Air
Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
SPL 1mW: 99.8 dB
Nominal Impedance: 32 ohms
Driver Matched dB: .1 dB
In the Box:
- Headphones
- Warranty
- Grado story-sheet
- 6.5mm Golden Adapter

Grado Labs

Grado Labs is featured in My New Microphone's Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World.

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Bluetooth Wireless Headphones

The Master & Dynamic MW60 is a Bluetooth wireless headphone with a built-in microphone.

Link to check out the Master & Dynamic MW60 specifications.

Model: WM60
Dimensions: 200mm x 185mm x 50mm
Drivers: 45mm Neodymium
Impedance: 32 ohms
Weight: 345g
Materials: Premium grain leather, lambskin leather, stainless steel, aluminum
Cable:
- Detachable 1.25m Standard Cable
- Micro USB Input Cord
Headphone Connection: 3.5mm Passive Audio input micro USB charging/firmware update input
Ear Coupling: Circum-aural / Over-Ear
Microphone Type: Omni-directional
Antenna: Machined aluminum
Earpads: Detachable lambskin memory foam
Bluetooth Profile: Bluetooth 4.1 with Aptx™ high-quality audio
In The Box:
- Headphone
- Canvas Headphone Pouch
- Canvas Cord Case
- 1.25m Standard Cable
- Leather Cable Box
- Micro USB Charging Cable
- 3.5/6.3mm Gold-Plated Adapter

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True Bluetooth Wireless Earphones

The Klipsch T5 is a pair of true wireless Bluetooth earphones.

mnm 300x300 Klipsch T5 1 | My New Microphone — Klipsch T5

Link to check out the Klipsch T5 specifications sheet.

Style: In-Ear Monitor
Driver Design: Dynamic Moving Coil Micro Speaker
Driver Diameter: 5.0 mm
Mic/Remote: cVc 8.0 Quad-mic
Frequency Response: 10Hz-19kHz
Noise Isolation: -22dB
Input Connections: Bluetooth
Battery (Earpieces): 55 mAh
Battery (Charging Case): 360 mAh
Bluetooth® Specifications:
- Version: Bluetooth 5.0
- Profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HSP 1.2, HFP 1.7
- A2DP Codecs: SBC, AAC®, aptX®
- Range: Up to 10m (33ft.)
- Input Rating: 5V DC, 1.0A
- Battery Status: iOS & Android Battery Status Monitor
Weight:
- 96.9g (charging case)
- 5.5g (earphone)
Colors: Black
Dimensions (Packaging): 6.8″ H x 4.4″ W x 1.9″ D

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Earphones

The Sennheiser CX 2.00i is a pair of earphones with a built-in microphone.

Link to check out the Sennheiser CX 2.00i specifications sheet.

General Data:
- Ear Coupling: Ear canal
- Transducer principle: Dynamic
- Cable length: 1.2 m
- Connector plugs: 3.5 mm plug, angled
- Delivery Includes:
  - CX 2.00 headset
  - Ear adapter set (XS, S, M, L)
Headphones:
- Frequency response: 17–20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 28 Ω
- Sound pressure level: 119 dB
- THD: < 0.5 %
Microphone:
- Frequency response: 100–10,000 Hz
- Pick-up pattern: Omni-directional microphone
- Sensitivity: -42dBv (1kHz)
Packaging:
- Dimension of product packaging (L x B x W): 100 x 35 x 148 mm
- Dimension of inner master carton (L x B x W): 217 x 119 x 151 mm
- Dimension of outer master carton (L x B x W): 460 x 259 x 191 mm
- Languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese
Warranty: 2 years

Sennheiser

Sennheiser is featured in My New Microphone's Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World.

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Electrostatic Headphones

The STAX SR-009 is an electrostatic headphone.

mnm 300x300 STAX SR 009 1 | My New Microphone — STAX SR-009

Link to check out the STAX SR-009 specifications.

Type: Push-Pull Open Back Circular Electrostatic Headphone
Frequency Response: 5 – 42,000Hz
Electrostatic Capacitance: 110pF (including cable)
Impedance: 145k Ω (including cable, at 10kHz)
Sound Pressure Sensitivity: 101dB / 100V r.m.s. 1 kHz
Maximum Sound Pressure: 118dB / 400Hz
Bias Voltage: 580V DC
Left & Right Identification: “L” and “R” indicated on the arc assembly (inside head spring) Left channel cable is marked with a solid Line. Right channel is marked with a dotted Line.
Ear Pads: Genuine Lamb Leather (direct skin contact), high-quality synthetic leather (surrounding portion)
Cable: Silver-coated 6N (99.9999%) OFC parallel 6-strand, low-capacity special wide cable, 2.5m full length
Weight: 1lb without cable / 1.3lb with cable

Stax

Stax is featured in My New Microphone's Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World.

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Planar Magnetic Headphones

The HiFiMan Susvara is a planar magnetic headphone.

Link to the HiFiMan Susvara User Manual.

Frequency Response: 6Hz-75kHz
Impedance: 60Ω
Sensitivity: 83dB
Weight: 450g (15.9oz)
Package Contents:
- (1) Pair of headphone
- (1) 3m headphone cable (4-pin XLR plug)
- (1) 3m headphone cable (6.35mm plug)
- (1) Pair of ear pads (mounted on headphone)
- (1) Owner’s Guide

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Balanced Armature IEM Earphone

The Shure SE535 is a pair of balanced armature in-ear monitors.

Link to check the specifications of the Shure SE535.

Transducer type: Triple balanced-armature drivers
Sensitivity (at 1khz): 119 dB SPL/mW
Impedance (at 1kHz): 36 W
Frequency Range: 18 Hz – 19.5 kHz
Input connector: 3.5mm (1/8 in.) gold-plated stereo plug
Net weight: 30 g (1 oz.)
Operational temperature: -18° C to 57° C (0° F to 135° F)
Storage temperature: -29° C to 74° C (-20° F to 165° F)
Accessories:
- 1 – Bluetooth® 5 Earphone Communication Cable
- 1 -micro-USB Charging Cable
- 1 -Universal 3.5 mm Earphone Communication Cable
- 1 -Soft Flex Sleeves (S, M, L)
- 1 -Foam Sleeves (S, M, L)
- 1 -Yellow Foam Sleeves
- 1 -Triple Flange Sleeves
- 1 -Premium Carrying Case

Shure

Shure is featured in My New Microphone's Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands In The World.

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Bone Conduction Headphones

The Aftershokz Titanium is a prominent example of a bone conduction headphone.

mnm Aftershokz Titanium | My New Microphone — Aftershokz Titanium

Link to check out the specifications of the Aftershokz Titanium.

Features:
- Bluetooth 4.1
- EQ settings
- PremiumPitch+™
Back-a-track: N/A
Battery life: 6 hours
Battery type: Lithium-ion
Charge time: 2 hours
Charger: Micro USB
Command controls: Yes
Compatible codecs: SBC
Compatible profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Frequency response: 20Hz~20KHz
Microphone: Dual noise-canceling mic
Microphone sensitivity: -40dB ± 3dB
Moisture detector: N/A
Multipoint pairing: Yes
Sensitivity: 100 ± 3dB
Standby time: 10 days
Titanium band: Partial
Type: Bluetooth 4.1
Warranty: 2 years
Water resistance: IP55 (water-resistant)
Weight: 36 g
Wireless range: 33 feet
What's In The Box?
- Titanium Headphones
- Drawstring Carrying Case
- USB Charging Cables
- Earplugs

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Headset

The Clear-Com CC-400-X4 is a professional headset.

mnm 300x300 Clear Com CC 400 X4 | My New Microphone — Clear-Com CC-400-X4

Link to check out the Clear-Com CC-400-X4 Specifications.

Features:
- Double-ear standard headset
- High quality dynamic cardioid microphone
- High ambient-noise attenuation headphones
- Microphone: 300Hz – 20kHz frequency response
- Headphone: 40Hz – 20kHz frequency response
- Cushioned with soft leatherette padding
- Flexible gooseneck microphone positioning
- 300-degrees boom mic rotation for ON/OFF mic-mute switch
- Rugged design
Headphone:
- Type: Closed-back
- Driver: 40mm diameter, neodymium magnet, copper-clad aluminum wire voice coil
- Frequency Response: 40Hz – 20kHz
- Open Circuit Sensitivity:
  - -61.0 dB ±3.5 dB; at 1kHz, typical
  - 98dB ±3 dB (SPL); at 1kHz typical
- Impedance: 200 ohms ±30%; at 1kHz typical
Microphone:
- Element: Dynamic
- Polar Pattern: Hyper-cardioid
- Frequency Response: 300Hz – 20kHz
- Impedance: 200 ohms ±30%; at 1kHz typical
Cable: 5ft (1.55m) long with 8-pin connector at headset end; 4-pin Female XLR
Dimension:
- Packaging for CC-400:
  - 4.8 x 13 x 10.43 in (122 x 330 x 265 mm) WxHxD
Weight: 11.1oz (315g) without 8-pin cable assembly and M3*18mm SCREW

Clear-Com

Clear-Com is featured in My New Microphone's Top 12 Best Headset Brands (Gaming, Aviation, Communication).

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USB Headset

The Logitech H390 is a headset that connects via USB.

Link to check out the specifications of the Logitech H390.

Features:
- USB Computer Headset
- Digital Stereo Sound
- Noise Canceling Mic
- In-Line Controls
- Padded Headband And Ear Cups
- USB-A Connection
Dimensions:
- Height x Width x Depth: 200 mm x 245 mm x 72 mm
- Weight: 0.197 Kg
System Requirements:
- Works with Common calling applications across almost all platforms and operating systems.
- Windows^® or macOS
- Chrome OS^™
- USB port (Type A port or adapter)
Input Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity (headphone): 94 dBV/Pa +/- 3 dB
Sensitivity (microphone): -17 dBV/Pa +/- 4 dB
Frequency response (Headset): 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Frequency response (Microphone): 100 Hz -10 kHz
Cable length: 2.33 m
Connections: USB-A compatible (1.1, 2.0, 3.0)
Package Contents:
- USB Computer Headset
- User documentation
Warranty: 2-Year Limited Hardware Warranty
Part Number: 981-000014

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Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM3 is a pair of active noise-cancelling Bluetooth wireless headphones.

mnm 300x300 Sony WH 1000XM3 | My New Microphone — Sony WH-1000XM3

Link to check out the specifications of Sony's WH-1000XM3.

Weight: Approx. 8.99 oz
Headphone Type: Closed, dynamic
Driver Unit: 1.57 “, dome type (CCAW Voice coil)
Magnet: Neodymium
Impedance:
- 47 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on)
- 16 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned off)
Diaphragm: Aluminum coated LCP
Frequency Response: 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Frequency Response (Active Operation): 4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Frequency Response (Bluetooth® Communication):
- 20 Hz–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz Sampling)
- 20 Hz–40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz Sampling, 990 kbps)
Sensitivities (dB/mW):
- 104.5 dB / mW (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on)
- 101 dB / mW (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned off)
Volume Control: Touch Sensor
Cord Type: Single-sided (detachable)
Cord Length: Headphone cable (approx. 3.94 ft, OFC strands, gold-plated stereo mini plug)
Plug: Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug
Input: Stereo Mini Jack
Wearing Style: Circumaural
NFC: Yes
DSEE HX: Yes
Passive Operation: Yes
Battery:
- Charge Time: Approx. 3 Hours (Full charge)
- Battery Charge Method: USB
- Battery Life (Continuous Music Playback Time):
  - Max. 30 hours (NC ON)
  - Max. 38 hours (NC OFF)
- Battery Life (Waiting Time):
  - Max. 30 hours (NC ON)
  - Max. 200 hours (NC OFF)
Bluetooth®:
- Version: Version 4.2
- Effective Range: Line of sight approx. 30 ft (10 m)
- Frequency Range: 2.4 GHz band (2.4000–2.4835 GHz)
- Profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
- Supported Audio Format(s): SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
- Supported Content Protections: SCMS-T
Noise Canceling:
- On/Off Switch: Yes
- Personal NC Optimizer: Yes
- Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing: Yes
- Ambient Sound Mode: Yes
- Quick Attention: Yes
Color Options: Black or Silver
What's In The Box:
- Carrying Case
- Plug Adaptor for In-flight Use
- Headphone cable (approx. 47 1/4″ [1.2 m])
- USB cable: Type-C™ (approx. 7 7/8″ [20 cm])

Sony

Sony is featured in My New Microphone's Top 13 Best Headphone Brands In The World.

Back to the full list of headphones specifications.

Choosing the right headphones or earphones for your applications and budget can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Headphones/Earphones Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next headphones/earphones purchase.